You didn’t expect him to say otherwise, did you?

However, in a conference call this week with reporters, he says that three or four of this year’s contestants would have gotten recording contracts even without the hit show. Cowell went on to say that the talent is younger and more current than in years past.

This could mean one of two things. Either he is right, which is possibility No. 1 and would spell great things for Idol this year, or his interpretation of current is something more along the lines of Hannah Montana.

Not to knock Miley.

What I wonder here is whether or not Simon would say that last season’s winner, Jordin Sparks, is “current.” She’s young and pretty. Has a good voice, and she was probably incredibly popular among her peers at home.

But when I think of current, sorry, but I think of Kanye West and NeYo and Chris Brown on the male side of things and Amy Winehouse, Carrie Underwood, Alicia Keys and Rihanna on the female side. I think of FallOut Boy and Daughtry and Maroon 5 among the bands, although my personal tastes are a bit more eclectic.

Nevertheless, in terms of commercial music, today’s American popular music landscape, this is current. My concern is that if the talent is younger than it has been — 17, 18, etc. — then I fear it being closer to Miley than to Amy.

Simon also told reporters that this year’s bunch is more interesting. They’re more interesting people, and to those of us who love the show, I’m not sure that we care.

Bo Bice was interesting. Taylor Hicks was interesting. Fantasia was interesting. Heck, Clay Aiken was interesting (that’s not a diss, Claykens).

Problem is: Not a darn one of them was particularly current. Actually, I take that back. Most of Fantasia’s work was exceptionally current. It just never really took off.

So, there you have it, straight from Simon’s black t-shirt.

And, what do YOU think Simon means when he says the talent this season is more current?