Simon Cowell

"Extra" caught up with Simon Cowell backstage after "The X Factor" elimination show to talk about Piers Morgan leaving "America's Got Talent" (which Cowell also produces) -- and about the buzz that "AGT" is in talks with Howard Stern to replace Morgan.

Cowell said he loves Stern, but admitted, "That would be a difficult guy to produce."

"Extra's" Terri Seymour talked backstage with judge Simon Cowell after "The X Factor's" first live show, in which the 12 finalists were chosen. He dished on the reasons he's fond of Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi.

Cowell joked, "We've both been to Brooklyn; we're both credible; and we both remember where we came from."

Check out the rest of Terri's interview with Simon!

Watch "The X Factor" Wednesday at 8:00 PM on FOX!

"X Factor" judges Simon Cowell and LA Reid talked to "Extra" correspondent AJ Calloway about the contestant elimination process, as the fierce talent show narrows the competition. LA Reid explained, "I think we started out with 150 yeses. We ended up cutting that down to about 80, and then we cut the 80 down to 32."

Simon added, "This is going separate the good people from the not-so-good people."

Clearing the air on calling Lady Gaga, Beyoncé; and Katy Perry "boring," outspoken "X Factor" judge Simon Cowell told "Extra's" Terri Seymour, "I was making a point that they are a new generation of superstar acts," adding, "But if you couldn't see them visually, then it wouldn't be the same."

Simon's "X Factor" debuted September 21 on FOX, and now an "X Factor" Verizon app is available. Cowell explained, "It literally does everything. This is live from the east coast, so this is exactly what people are saying."

Thursday night's second two-hour episode of "X Factor" hit Miami and Dallas for more auditions.

The acts worth remembering included a Vanilla Ice look-alike who belted out Elvis' "Trouble," along with some Mick Jagger/Michael Jackson moves from the talented Nick Voss. His unique and entertaining performance took him to the next round.

Melanie Amaro, 18, sang Beyonce's "Listen," and literally brought Nicole Scherzinger to tears. Amaro, whose entire family was backstage, enthusiastically cried and jumped up and down while Melanie wowed the audience... and judges.

After the two-hour season premiere of "X Factor" debuted on Wednesday, Simon Cowell wasn't quick to make the "American Idol" comparison just yet, telling "Extra's" Terri Seymour, "You'll have to wait and see... see if people agree."

Terri, who informed Simon that his fans were tweeting and fired up over his reunion with Paula Abdul, asked, "When are you and Paula just going to admit that you're in love with each other?" Cowell replied, "I think she has to admit it. It's very obvious to me when you watch the first episode that she is totally infatuated with me."