MASS. SEN. SCOTT BROWN'S DAUGHTER, AYLA -- FORMER AMERICAN IDOL CONTESTANT

Shortly after Massachusetts voters cast enough ballots to send Scott Brown to Washington as the state's newest Senator, his daughter, Ayla Brown, became one of the top searches on search engines.

During Brown's victory speech, he mentioned that his two daughters -- Ayla and Arianna -- were available. Quickly former American Idol contestant Ayla's name was being typed at computers -- probably by a lot of eligible bachelors -- seeking more information about her.

At 17 Ayla graced the stage of American Idol after garnering praise at the show's Boston audition. The Boston College basketball star has appeared with The Boston Pops and performed the National Anthem at a Boston Red Sox game. Sphere: Related Content

AMERICAN IDOL WILL NEVER BE THE SAME WITHOUT SIMON

American Idol judge Simon Cowell, who has been with the show from the very beginning, has announced that this will be his final season on American Idol.

Often considered the most respectd and hardest to please among American Idol judges, Cowell's remarks to contestants have often been termed too harsh -- but also the most accurate.

Cowell's decision is one more chapter in a year of drama and changes. Judge Paula Abdul, who had said that she wanted to return to the show, was never able to get a contract extension. And Abdul has been replaced by Ellen DeGeneres -- considered by some folks to be an illogical choice since she is a comedian without a music background.

Cowell, who created British hit show "The X Factor," said that this show will be in the line-up in the U.S. next year, and he feels that it is important to devote his time and energy to ensuring that show's success. Sphere: Related Content

AMERICAN IDOL RUNNER-UP ADAM LAMBERT BIGGER THAN THE BEATLES AND MADONNA!

Only hours after Adam Lambert's not-yet-released album became available for pre-order at Amazon.com, fans began scurrying to order and quickly moved the album to No. 2 on the site's bestseller's list.

Adam Lambert had quickly proven to be bigger than The Beatles and Madonna -- with an album that will not even be released for almost two months.

The only obstacle keeping Lambert's album from soaring to top place was Barbra Streisand's new album, her first in four years.

What is especially amazing is that Lambert's record label made no announcement of the pre-ordering at Amazon -- and the news spread strictly by word-of-mouth! Sphere: Related Content

SIMON COWELL -- WILL HE BRING THE X FACTOR TO THE AMERICAN SHORES?

One day after American Idol judge Simon Cowell quashed rumors that he had plans for a dance competition show in the works, a new rumor has surfaced that it isn't a dance show -- it is an American version of The X Factor.

It makes sense. All the pieces are there -- they have already tried it, and it was a mountainous success!

So talk is that Fox and Cowell are working out the final details on a contract to keep Cowell around for two more years of American Idol -- and to bring The X Factor across the Atlantic to the American shores. The numbers circulating are big -- that he may earn about $50 million a season for American Idol, and possibly an equal amount for The X Factor should that be successful in the U.S.

Cowell apparently would be executive producer of The X Factor, but it is unknown whether he plans to sit on the judging panel too. But there is chatter that this might be Cowell's chance to work with his buddy and departed American Idol judge Paula Abdul by bringing her on as a judge for The X Factor. That could be a prudent move -- that would please all of the Abdul fans who have been less than happy that Fox replaced Abdul on American Idol, a show she helped launch from the get-go. Sphere: Related Content

AMERICAN IDOL'S KARA DioGUARDI HOPES SHE'LL SIT NEXT TO ELLEN ON JUDGING PANEL

"I am lobbying for her (Ellen DeGeneres) to sit next to me," American Idol judge Kara DioGuardi revealed to Zap2it. "I like the way it was before with, Randy then me then Paula then Simon, so I'm just assuming she'll sit there."

DioGuardi confessed that she is thrilled that Ellen will be joining American Idol judges.

How did DioGuardi learn that Ellen would be a regular Idol judge? "I found out about Ellen on the plane to New York on Wednesday night, " DioGuardi revealed. "I was taking a nap and my manager woke me and said, 'Ellen’s going to be on Idol!'"

DioGuardi believes that Ellen will be excellent as a judge. "Ellen has an incredible, positive attitude, and she's a lover of music," DioGuardi told Fox. "She's a die hard fan of 'American Idol.' She's an accomplished performer, someone who's won Emmys. She proves on her show that she can bring out the best in her fans and in her guests – even the audience. Ellen knows how to make people have a good time."

Sphere: Related Content

SIMON COWELL SAYS NO -- NO DANCE SHOW ON THE HORIZON FOR HIM

So many rumors flying .... And it turns out that Simon Cowell is not planning on a new dance competition program as was being rumored.

"There's absolutely no truth to this," Cowell's rep said, according to RadarOnline. "Simon hasn't spoken to Ian Burton in 20 years and they aren't in talks to go into business."

Of course, you never know what will happen -- and perhaps this will give him the idea that a dance show might be a welcome addition to his already long list of projects.

Sphere: Related Content

SIMON COWELL -- AMERICAN IDOL SUCCESS, AND NOW PERHAPS A DANCE SHOW?

Rumor has it that American Idol Simon Cowell is busily planning a dance competition show!

Cowell is reportedly chatting with his British friend, Ian Burton, about starting the dance contest show. Burton has record label experience and has also managed dancers.

"It's his own SYTYCD (So You Think You Can Dance) show," a source told The Insider. "He is always trying to do his own thing to compete with the Idol team. Now he is trying to steal the SYTYCD thunder.”

Of course, American Idol is not the only thing currently on Cowell's plate. He produces America's Got Talent, and judges both The X Factor and Britain's Got Talent.

Doesn't Simon ever run out of time? Sphere: Related Content