Simon Cowell Brokered Piers Morgan's CNN Deal

"[Morgan] was under contract to us on 'America's Got Talent,' so he called me and we helped sort of broker the deal," Cowell said. "I knew about this weeks ago."

No official word on whether Morgan is taking over the vacating veteran newsman Larry King's spot, but Cowell is confident in Morgan's interviewing skills. "Piers is without question the best interviewer I've ever been interviewed by... apart from you, Terri."

As for who will replace him on "Idol," Cowell is finally dropping names. "I'd say the hot rumor, and I always thought this would be, Harry Connick Jr. -- I thought he was good." What about Bret Michaels? "Maybe, but he's been ill, hasn't he? I'll call him up and ask him."

Cowell has been busy auditioning new talent for his U.S. version of "X-Factor," premiering next year, which is lowering the age limit to 14. "We just gotta keep making the age go down and down and down. Eventually, we'll just have pregnant people turning up with a microphone in the stomach!"