Simon Cowell likes to bug Paula Abdul

Simon Cowell has revealed that while "American Idol" contestants are singing he is bugging Paula Abdul.

"I'm taunting Paula throughout the all of the performances," Simon Cowell explained on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show." "I'm saying to her, 'Try to say something interesting, try not to use the words 'mountain' and 'lakes' in your critiques because it's always: 'You'll climb mountains, you'll swim lakes, whatever.'"

He also revealed he can critique Abdul and see the show without missing a beat.

"I'll tell you a secret," he said. "I watch the dress run so I actually hear much, much easier what they really do sound like."

Cowell's favorite American Idol picks include the ever popular Jordin Sparks and Melinda Doolittle, but he adds, "I wouldn't write off Blake (Lewis) or LaKisha (Jones)."