7 News Features: Simon Says

WSVN-- He's the Brit with a bite.

Simon Cowell: "You have the stage presence of a flea."

The Idol judge fans love to hate.

Simon Cowell: "You can boo all you want."

While Simon says what he means and means what he says, there's more to him than crushing contestants' dreams.

Simon Cowell: "I love kids, and I genuinely mean that. They tell you the truth. The problem is, I'm great with kids because I haven't got them around me all the time."

That's great, but I'm still not convinced I'm going to let Simon hang with the kids.

Simon Cowell: "I can't listen to this rubbish anymore."

Simon Cowell: "What I actually think is nasty, if you want my honest opinion, is giving people false hope."

Here's the thing, he may not say it with tact, but Simon's usually "spot on."

Simon Cowell: "What I am is sarcastic, and I try and say genuinely what I believe most people at home are thinking, which is, 'You're completely, utterly useless.'"

Admit it, you know he's right.

Simon Cowell: "America is beginning to listen to me more."

Jimmy Kimmel: "Simon, you make $40 million a year, it's time to step up from Supercuts, it really is."

Simon can take it as well as he can dish it, and if he can't, he's got lots of toys to keep him occupied.

Simon Cowell: "It's a Bugatti Veyron, and there's only been about 200 made in the world, and this was made to be the fastest production car in the world."

And pricey! At $1.96 million it's a real bargain.

Simon Cowell: "When you are on a show, which does well, and you are living here. I don't think it is quite real life."

The Idol big shot started small, working in the mail room of a record company, so he knows the biz and appreciates what he has.

Simon Cowell: "It's surreal for me, you know. I've always ran a record label, been behind the scenes. I live in London, I'm quiet. Then you come here, and it's Hollywood."

Simon Cowell: "When you've got someone like Brad Pitt coming out on stage, and the fact that the show has attracted him, and you see the three presidential candidates on your show, you have to pinch yourself, to be honest with you."

Simon Cowell: "It puts everything into perspective at that point, what you think is important in your life."

Nine years ago Simon lost his father, the man who molded him and his siblings into a family of giant successes, and it's his influence that Simon uses to put the good, bad and ugly of life into perspective.

Simon Cowell: "What I've learned is, never take it or yourself too seriously and understand that, at some point, it has to come to an end."

Simon Cowell: "I'm going to remember this period with great affection, but I hopefully won't miss it too much when it ends."