Cowell Wants Obama Star Power on 'Idol'

Simon Cowell has invited President Barack Obama and his family to appear on “American Idol.”

The cantankerous chief justice of the supreme show made the invitation via a statement to the Hollywood Reporter.

“We would put out an invitation on a daily basis,” Cowell said. “I’d love him [Obama] to come on, his wife to come on, kids to come on. I could only picture now what it would be like if he actually turned up.”

As to why the prez should go on the reality show, Cowell crowed, “He’s a rock star.”

Meanwhile “Idol” host Ryan Seacrest has signaled that Cowell will leave the show after next season.

Simon himself recently suggested the same to the press, but it might have been contract negotiation posturing.

Still, Seacrest made it overt on his syndicated radio show.

“Cowell told us that he would be leaving at the end of next season,” Seacrest divulged.

Heaven help us. “Idol” minus Cowell is like Obama minus a teleprompter.

In other celebrity comings and goings, despite Barbara Walters’ public denials, she reigns supreme on ABC’s “The View.” The media Jill of all trades calls the shots when it comes to co-hosts.

Walters shoved Rosie O’Donnell off the show a while back, and she’s about to do the same to Elisabeth Hasselbeck.

The reason for Hasselbeck’s ejection? Walters apparently has had enough of her so-called “shrilly-silly views” and “looney-toon responses,” according to the National Enquirer.

Removal of the former “Survivor” star would leave an empty chair on the hosting panel, and it’s the only slot with a conservative vantage point.

Barbara is considering Carrie Prejean, the now famous Miss California, to take Elisabeth’s place.

Prejean has displayed grace under pressure in her unwavering expression about her beliefs on marriage.

Similar to the manner in which the media treated Gov. Sarah Palin, attacks on the Miss USA runner-up have been unfair and unceasing.

Walters probably will get a lot of heat for even considering bringing on Prejean, especially since the beauty contest winner is now a spokeswoman for the National Organization for Marriage.

Here’s a thought: If Walters really wants to show independence, and maybe a smidgeon of balance, she ought to leave Hasselbeck on the panel and give Miss California Joy Behar’s spot.

James Hirsen, J.D., M.A. in media psychology, is a media analyst, teacher of mass media and entertainment law at Biola University, and professor at Trinity Law School. Visit: Newsmax TV Hollywood:

http://www.youtube.com/user/NMHollywood.