Simon Cowell
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American Idol isn't about to lose two judges in a week.

With Paula Abdul now out of the mix, the show is set to lock up Simon Cowell to a new three-year deal; his current contract expires after 2010.

While Fox won't comment just yet, the head of CKX, the parent company of 19 Entertainment, said the network is "in their negotiations with Cowell.

[Fox has] asked us to pre-approve him not only for American Idol '09, which has begun taping, but they have also asked us for approval for '10 and '11, indicating to us that they're finishing their negotiation with Cowell. We did grant approval for that quite obviously."

The rumored deal would be worth $45 million over three years.

Every week, Simon Cowell is the voice of reason on American Idol.

Based on his prediction yesterday on The Oprah Winfrey Show, we think (and sincerely hope) the judge is speaking the truth once again.

Asked about who would win this season, Cowell pointed to Adam Lambert as the clear favorite.

“He’s got that ‘it,’” Simon told Oprah. “He’s got swagger.”

Britain’s Got Talent contestant Susan Boyle was also featured on yesterday's show.

Cowell wished her “best of luck” in that competition, but also warned: “She’s got to sing better than she’s ever sung before,” if she wants to win.

Might Simon Cowell's days on American Idol be numbered?

In a new interview with the U.K. Mirror, the judge admitted that he's tired of traveling for his trio TV shows, while stating that Idol would be the first to be removed from his schedule.

"I don't want to come over as whiney because I am very grateful that I have got these jobs," said Cowell, who also hosts U.K.'s The X-Factor and Britain's Got Talent. "But there is a point where I am not sure we can keep this schedule up."

Cowell added he "can't imagine not doing Britain’s Got Talent and I can't imagine not doing X-Factor. But I guess [American Idol] is more likely to go because I have got one year under contract. Maybe that will be the end."

Would you even watch American Idol without Simon Cowell?

Simon Cowell is never shy about voicing his opinion.

Therefore, when asked about season eight of American Idol, the British judge told the following to People Magazine:

On who will win: “[It will be a] boy this year"

On the Joanna Pacitti disqualification: “I like scandals. It’s not American Idol without a scandal. In fact I hope we have some more, I really do.”

On the new show format: “The fact that we change these middle rounds makes it less monotonous. It’s a more interesting group of people than last year, a bit more personality, different types of singers.”

Hmmm, a boy, huh? Our money would be on Danny Gokey or Matt Giraud.