Music executive, T.V. producer and T.V. personality Simon Cowell spoke with Concrete Loop on Tuesday afternoon in promotion of X-Factor finally coming to the United States. The series (which is already popular in a number of countries), will premiere on FOX this upcoming September. Simon also spoke about the new season of American Idol, confessing that he only watched one episode.

Check out our exclusive interview below and also make sure to keep reading for details on upcoming auditions.

ANGEL: Hey Simon! How are you doing?

SIMON: I’m very well indeed, Angel. How are you?

ANGEL: I’m pretty good, pretty good. So I know you’re excited about The X Factor finally coming to the states. For those of us who aren’t familiar with it, can you explain the difference between The X Factor and American Idol?

SIMON: Well look first of all, you’ve got to see the show I think to really see the difference. I’ve worked from both shows. I’ve done the UK version of X Factor and Idol simultaneously. Although they’re both talent shows, they’re very very different shows. But to anyone who hasn’t see this before, the main difference is that the lower age range is twelve, there’s no upper age limit and vocal groups are allowed to enter this competition as well. And in the final part of the show, the judges get to mentor three contestants each, so that you’re actually totally responsible for what that artist does at the later(ship?) part of the show.

ANGEL: Oh yeah. I remember watching some of Leona Lewis a few years ago on Youtube, like some of those, you know coming to the house and her being mentored by you and someone else. I thought that was pretty cool.

SIMON Yeah, but it also puts the judges in the competition as well. It’s a more fun show to be on. In addition to that, we’ve put up a $5 million dollar cash prize for the winner of the show as well.

ANGEL: Wow! Okay! And they get a contract with Sony as well, right?

SIMON:…and in addition to that, you get a recording contract with Sony. Yeah. So you know, it’s a show worth winning.

ANGEL: So I read that Mariah Carey was initially supposed to be one of the judges, but with her pregnancy she wouldn’t be able to do it anymore. So do you have anyone else in mind to fill that spot?

SIMON: We’ve been talking to a number of people. We announced our third judge last week and it’s a guy called L.A. Reid… Continue