HOLLYWOOD, March 12 (UPI) -- "American Idol" judge Simon Cowell hasn't been, well, idle, in his televised talent-searching business dealings in the United States or Britain.
As "Idol" contestants counts down to the last person standing during its Hollywood competition, Cowell's two U.S. reality shows will return this summer. "American Inventor" will resume on ABC with an as-yet unnamed host, while "America's Got Talent" will be back on NBC with Jerry Springer taking over hosting duties.
His British talent series, "The X Factor," just finished the season as the No. 1 rated show and its format sold to 20 countries, The New York Times said Monday.
The format for "American Inventor" and "America's Got Talent" has sold in 15 and 25 countries, respectively, prompting Cowell to say he's on his way to having "all the shows in 30, 40 countries in the next five years."
Cowell also is creating a drama for British television, which he summarized as "'American Idol' meets 'Dallas.'"
