Simon Cowell - Clay Aiken "still my favourite" from Season 2

American Idol judge Simon Cowell made these comments on Clay in today's USA Today. Abridgement appears below.

Cowell juggles many duties
By Gary Levin, USA TODAY
NEW YORK -- Simon Cowell is doubly busy these days. Fresh from judging hundreds of would-be American Idols, this week he starts seeking American Inventors for a new reality series he's producing that's due on ABC next spring.

Among previous winners, Kelly Clarkson's fame has lasted longest -- her second album, now in the top 10, exceeded sales of the first -- while the biggest disappointment, Cowell says, was Ruben Studdard, "in terms of what his potential was." But the Season 2 final between Clay Aiken and Studdard, "the little nerd who transformed himself and the polished soul singer," remains his favorite.