Simon Cowell courtesy Fox”I was a little bored,” said Simon Cowell of American Idol’s Season 7, indicating that come January 2009, he’ll be taking a larger role to change the tenor of the show. The news comes just days after Idol executive producer Nigel Lythgoe announced that he’d be stepping back from his day-to-day work on Idol to concentrate on international versions of his other hit show, So You Think You Can Dance.

Chief among Cowell’s complaints was what he called the overwhelming media-savviness of this season’s contestants. “I’m not sure that they ever showed their real personalities,” he said. “They were like robots.” (Nevertheless, he praised last season’s runner-up, David Archuleta, on his recent success, calling him “the perfect pop star.”)

So how will Cowell shake things up? “I think [last season] the talent was great, and the ratings were great, I just think it could be more interesting and controversial,” he said. He specifically criticized the slow-moving middle and end portions of the season. He refused, however, to elaborate on “ideas I have to introduce more jeopardy” to the proceedings.

How would you change American Idol? And what could Simon mean by “jeopardy”? A shark tank? Scimitars? Alex Trebek? Let your thoughts be known, America! —

Mickey O’Connor – TVGuide.com

Here’s the link to the article and it’s worth reading some of the (very good!) suggestions that fans have made! http://community.tvguide.com/blog-entry/TVGuide-Editors-Blog/Great-American-Idol/American-Idol-Simon/800045569

TMZ has learned Kevin Covais — you know, Chicken Little from season five of “AI” — is cooped up in the hospital.

And even though he’s got a big new movie coming out (“College,” out next Friday), he’s going to have a little trouble smiling. That’s because he’s developed Bell’s palsy — a partial paralysis of the face — because of the stress of his press tour. It’s also aggravated by his diabetes, we’re told.

But, his rep tells TMZ Kev’s condition isn’t “life-threatening” and he’s going to be back pushing “College” soon.

UPDATE: We spoke with Covais’ publicist who tells us Kevin is merely sick and in the hospital and will be fine.