Cowell: Reality shows good for West End

LONDON, April 11 (UPI) -- Simon Cowell says he disagrees with Kevin Spacey's claims that some British TV reality shows give an unfair advantage to various West End musicals.

Spacey recently complained that "How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria," "Any Dream Will Do" and "I'd Do Anything" -- BBC programs that cast West End shows through televised competitions -- amount to "a 13-week promotion for a musical."

Spacey is a Hollywood actor and the artistic director of London's Old Vic theater.

Cowell is a judge on the U.S. singing competition series "American Idol," and also stars on the British talent-search shows "The X-Factor" and "Britain's Got Talent."

"It sounds like Russia in the '60s, that mentality," Cowell told The Daily Telegraph. "I don't think that applies to the modern world. ... What the BBC does is very good for the West End because it reminds millions of people what the West End is all about -- they're going to sell a lot of tickets off the back of that."