Cowell to play cruel Cupid

Simon Cowell, the British judge whose scathing comments about the performers on the talent show American Idol have made him a pop culture icon, is putting his own talents up to be judged with his new show Cupid.

Cowell, who has just signed on for another three years with American Idol, originated the concept for Cupid, the latest in a stream of reality shows revolving around dating. It begins this week on US television and Cowell, as well as being an executive producer, appears in it every week as the host and narrator.