American Idol is not dead: Cowell

New York (ANI): Simon Cowell has hit back at the harsh comments American Idol is receiving after its sixth season. The American Idol panellist said that the show is running because of its large viewer ship and now calling the show dead is ridiculous. "If you had said to me seven years ago that first, we would still be on, and second, that season seven would open with 34 million viewers, I would have taken that. And I'll still take it," the New York Post quoted Cowell, as saying. "To pronounce the show dead with those kind of numbers is literally ridiculous," he added.

According to him, the show is being criticised because of its success. When you are this successful everyone wants to take a knock at you and I can take the knocks. If we had opened with 11 million viewers you'd go, 'Okay, fair enough,' but that isn't the case," he said. "The difference between 34 million and 36 million is nothing....We have absolutely wiped out the opposition on one night," he added.

Cowell admits that sixth season wasn't a high point in the show's history but assures that the seventh season is going to better. "You get lucky. It's a reality show, you take what you've got. Last year was poor, but this year is lining up to be one of the better years," he said.

"We have a much better cast, you'll see as it progresses. The end of the show is going to be considerably better than last year the people are better, the talent is better, they're more interesting," he added. Talking about the first episode of season seven, Cowell said that the show has received an amazing response. "I am absolutely delighted at the response to the show, it's been incredible. This is way beyond what I could have expected," Cowell said.