Randy Jackson thinks Simon Cowell will return to US TV in a "different, new way".
The 'American Idol' star, who served on the singing competition's judging panel with Simon for nine years, is certain the music mogul will return to American screens better than ever despite the cancellation of the US version of 'The X Factor' recently.
Randy said of the rival show's axe: "I think he's such an amazing talented guy and he helped to born what that is. I'm sure he's plotting his US return in a different, new way. He's a real creator. Never count him out."
The music manager, who is now a mentor to the contestants on 'Idol', would also welcome Simon, 54, back to the show's judging panel with open arms.
He enthused: "He is my dear friend for life. He's one of the greatest to ever do it. So, of course ... I mean, are you kidding? It would be amazing."
Randy, 57, also weighed in on the axe of 'X Factor' USA and feels 'Idol' - which is now in its thirteenth season - is still on the air because it produces more recording artists than any other show.
He explained: "We're the only show that can say we have successful contestants from this format. No other show on TV that's a singing competition can really, really say that. So, that's the test of how well it's done. And I think the idea of finding the best undiscovered talent that really needs a shot is what this show has really done and it continues to do it successfully."
'American Idol' is on 5* on Saturdays and Sundays at 5pm.

Dominic Cooper "really went for it" in sex scenes for 'Fleming'.
The 'Mamma Mia!' star has taken on the role of James Bond creator Ian Fleming in the new series alongside 'Sherlock' actress Lara Pulver, and the actor claims the pair put everything into their performances.
He said: "When sex scenes help the development of the story or the character, you have to throw yourself into them. You have to be brave and very trusting of who you're doing them with - and you have to really go for it."
The 35-year-old actor stars in the Sky Atlantic show - which is based on the author's life as a Naval Intelligence Officer during World War II and also features his wife Ann, who is played by Lara - and he says they often had to do more than one take of the steamy sex scenes.
He told The Sun newspaper: "If it was too much and didn't feel right or if it was too aggressive or without any emotional content, we'd just change it. You have to give a good performance or it will look painful and not real."
Dominic also admitted that although he'd struggle to say no if he was offered the role of James Bond himself, he doesn't know whether he'd be able to live up to the role.
He added: "It's a huge job and would be huge shoes to step into. But it would change the course of your life and career for ever ... Everyone wants to be James Bond. It's an amazing franchise."

Charlie Sheen wants Brooke Mueller to move back into her Beverly Hills home.
The 'Anger Management' star - who has been locked in a bitter custody war with Brooke over four-year-old twins Bob and Max - previously announced he intended to sell the Mulholland Estates mansion, which he bought for her and is situated close to his own home, but he has now relented as he wants to keep the boys nearby when she regains custody of them.
A source told RadarOnline.com: "Charlie now wants Brooke to move back into the house after she regains custody of the boys.
"It's important to Charlie that the boys be in the same neighbourhood and close by. So, he is no longer threatening to sell the house. Brooke stays in the house during her custodial visits with the twins and she is looking forward to moving back in."
Charlie previously wanted to sell the $4.8 million house - where the twins are currently living with their uncle Scott Mueller - and it was expected Brooke would be out the house before the end of last year.
A source previously said: "Charlie knows someone that is extremely interested in buying the house. He hasn't formally listed the house for sale, because he is hoping to just do a private sale, without having the bother of putting it on the market.
"Brooke might be out of the house by the end of the year. If Charlie's potential buyer backs out, he will formally list it. The house will likely sell very quickly because inventory is extremely low, and Mulholland Estates is a very desirable place to live."
Brooke - who has been to rehab 20 times - lost custody of the twins in May last year when she was put under involuntary psychiatric hold, stemming from an alleged drug overdose.
Bob and Max were being looked after by another of Charlie's ex-wives, Denise Richards, until they displayed violent behaviour to her own children, and were placed in the care of Brooke's brother Scott.
Charlie - who married Brooke in 2008 before divorcing her in 2011 - also has a grown-up daughter Cassandra from a previous relationship and daughters Sam, nine, and Lola, eight, with Denise. He recently got engaged to girlfriend Brett Rossi.

Kate Mara's family don't approve of her stripping on screen.
The 30-year-old actress is currently starring in the Netflix original series 'House of Cards' alongside Kevin Spacey and Robin Wright and admits she has to warn her parents if she takes her clothes off in any of the scenes.
She said: "They [my parents] don't love it that I occasionally have to take off certain items of clothing. We sort of have an unspoken rule of, if my character on 'House of Cards' or during a photo-shoot I have to be in my underwear or something, I sort of send out a family text about it.
"'Beware of the first 30 seconds of 'House of Cards' - you will be disturbed.'"
Kate has always tried to reassure her family about her on-screen antics and says her phrase 'It's just acting dad' has become so popular in her household, her father has named his racehorse after it.
Speaking on the 'Late Show with David Letterman' last night (18.02.14), she said: "I sort of told my dad from a very young age that, 'It's just acting dad', so it's in his brain now. He owns a horse, a racehorse, that he recently called 'it's just acting dad' so I think he's used to it now."

Christina Aguilera's new fiance spent a year designing her engagement ring.
The 33-year-old singer's boyfriend, Matt Rutler, popped the question on Valentine's Day (14.02.14) and he spent months planning the proposal because he wanted to "reflect" their "journey" in the jewellery.
A source told Us Weekly: "Matt has been working on the ring for over a year and been working on the proposal for several months.
"Matt spent a year's time mastering all the specific details with the designer to signify their love and their journey together - it's all reflected in the ring."
Matt - who has been dating Christina since they met on the set of her 2010 movie 'Burlesque', on which he was a production assistant - took inspiration from two of the 'Beautiful' hitmaker's favourite pieces of jewellery and thought carefully about the meaning behind the nine gemstones which accompany the diamond.
The source continued: "Matt knew what her two favourite rings were and married them together into one, incorporating all the details that she specifically loved. Every jewel and diamond placing has a reason and meaning for being placed there."
The coloured gemstones were placed beneath the main diamond "so they always touch her actual skin in forever-encouraging love ... and surrounding her at all times."
The band is also woven with diamonds to symbolise how the couple's bond will continue to grow stronger.
Christina was previously married to music executive Jordan Bratman, for five years until 2010, and they have six-year-old son Max together.

Matthew McConaughey has a "lot to be thankful for".
The 44-year-old actor has won a string of awards for his portrayal of AIDS victim Ron Woodruff in 'Dallas Buyers Club' and is "proud" of the recognition - including an Oscar nomination for Best Actor - his work is receiving.
He said: "For the next two months, I'm playing the character of Matthew McConaughey, an actor proud of the films he's been in.
"And if any of those films or [my] performances are in awards shows, [I'm] going to go, heart high and head up, and look them all in the eye and say, 'Damn right this is a great time in my career.' That's the role I'm in now. I've got a lot to be thankful for."
Matthew - who has children Levi, five, Vida, four, and Livingston, 13 months, with wife Camila Alves - famously shed over 40lbs to play Ron but he says having the focus and dedication the role needed was "exciting".
He told Variety: "I've got a saying; When faced with the inevitable, get relative. The inevitable was, I'm going to do this. I've got support from my family that insulates me.
"I surrounded myself with everything I needed to go on this adventure. And the focus was exciting. I said to myself, 'We're taking a trip, McConaughey. This is a story you want to tell. Those adventures you talk about - you're on one now.' "
And he claims the "clarity" his weightloss gave him was tough on those around him.
He added: "I went from being cranky to hyper aware. That clarity is hard on other people, because my bulls**t meter was zero. I was like, 'Speak up. No adjectives or adverbs. Just nouns and verbs. Speak!' "

Paris Hilton and her furry friend celebrated her mother Kathy's birthday at Dan Tana's restaurant in West Hollywood.

Rita Ora stole the show in a full-skirted lace gown at the Elle Style Awards in London. The 'How We Do' singer added a splash of colour to the monochrome look with a red lipstick.

Emma Watson was stunning in an asymmetrical black gown at the Elle Style Awards in London. The 'Harry Potter' actress teamed her look with black court shoes and natural make-up.

Lily Aldridge showed off her supermodel figure in a thigh-revealing skirt and cropped top at the Elle Style Awards in London.

Cara Delevingne looked sophisticated in a plunging black gown at the 2014 Elle Style Awards in London.

Rumer Willis seemingly didn't have time to blow-dry her hair as stepped out with damp tresses as she chatted on her phone in Beverly Hills.