Is Simon Cowell Taking Over American TV?

First is the massive success of American Idol. And its growing - with over 30 million viewers a week tuning in, in the US alone.

Then Cowell brought over a US version of the BBC show Dragon's Den. Giving it the original title of 'American Inventor', this began a couple of weeks ago on the Fox network and is being promoted as the geeks (sorry, inventor's) version of Pop/American Idol. Its already getting about 15 million viewers.

Now, Hollywood's favourite grump has announced a new show. With all good ideas seemingly strewn in a rubbish tip somewhere, he pulled a yellow post-it note from the bottom of the pile and came up with a brand new TV concept - the talent show. Called it 'America's Got Talent' and giving a $1 million prize the show will cross a mix of stupid human tricks, stupid pet tricks and no doubt an appalling variety of vaudeville acts.

With his penchant of ensuring the word 'American' be attached to any show, there's a number of potential other reality shows to be had. America's Top Artist. America's most Flexible Postman. American Yodeller.

But there's one thing missing with the current US TV domination. No X-Factor. Yet.