Cowell promises better 'Idol' season

LONDON, Jan. 9 (UPI) -- Simon Cowell, "American Idol's" acerbic British judge, says the show's upcoming season will be "much, much better than its last."

"We're completely and utterly reliant on who walks in the door in terms of the quality of the contestants," Cowell said in a conference call with reporters Wednesday. "Most of our focus this year was to make sure we got a better top 12 and a more interesting top 12 than what we got last year, and I am pretty certain that we've got that this year."

"Idol's" seventh season begins Tuesday on Fox, with Cowell again joined by fellow judges Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson.

Many critics felt "Idol's" sixth season was marred by finalists who did not meet the reality show's previous standards. Winner Jordin Sparks' self-titled album has made the worst showing of any "Idol" champ's debut, while sales of runner-up Blake Lewis' "A.D.D. (Audio Day Dream)" have also been disappointing.