Entertainment Tonight

When all is said and done on the eighth season of "American Idol," will it be a guy or a gal who takes the title?

Simon Cowell predicts that the men will be stronger this year -- at least that is how he sees it right now.

"When you do the Hollywood week, which we did about a month ago, you get to see all the contestants for a second time," he says. "My memory of that was that the guys overall -- maybe five or six -- were just stronger and they stood out more than the girls. I've said this in the past. I've been wrong. Somebody like a Kelly Clarkson can emerge in the middle stages, which you are not expecting. Anything can happen."

One thing that is happening for sure this year is the addition of a fourth judge. Songwriter/producer Kara DioGuardi will join Simon, Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson at the table -- and the rumor is that the girls are ganging up on Simon!

"Well, what guy would like that? Come on. You know? You have two girls ganging up on you. One is hard enough; two is unbearable. They've both got personalities, they're both very forceful. At least I've got Randy by my side, so it's not that bad," he jokes.

Simon also responded to the comments made by Paula on Barbara Walters' radio show last week, claiming he often whispers in her ear and tries to trip her up on live TV.

"Well, guilty," he admits. "I've done it from day one. I mean, that's part of the relationship I've had with Paula. I've looked upon it, by the way, in a fun way. It was never done with any maliciousness. She's never really had an issue with me about it. If I've thought I've gone too far, I've apologized. You know, we've been really, I think, good friends through the process. I thought she took most of this with a sense of humor. If she'd really said to me, 'I don't want you ever to do it again,' I wouldn't do it."

"American Idol" returns on Tuesday, January 13 at 8 p.m. on FOX.