Simon Cowell Considering Another Three Years of Idol

Music mogul Simon Cowell has given the producers of talent show American Idol something to smile about after the departure of fellow judge Paula Abdul - he's considering signing a new two-year deal.

It was felt Cowell would leave the show at the end of his current contract, which is up next year, but a week after Abdul announced she'd be leaving, he's in negotiations to stay until 2011.

Cowell is currently among the top-earning TV stars in the world, earning an estimated $36 million a year from American Idol alone.