American Idol

Ryan Seacrest should fear not if producers cut his "American Idol" salary for next season, because we've learned Nigel Lythgoe has vowed to make up the difference ... out of his own pocket.

There have been a few reports that producers may try to cut Ryan's paycheck -- estimated at $15 million for this season. Nigel is telling people Ryan is "extremely important" to the show and doesn't know how it could work as well without him.

Nigel says if production starts slashing, he'll start cashing to keep R.S. on board.

Simon Cowell is the butt of an inside joke behind the scenes at "American Idol" ... and it's all over some cocky statements he made about a rival show just a couple of months ago.

Sources at "Idol" tell us ... the honchos have been joking that they'll be DEVASTATED if the show doesn't get 20 MILLION viewers when "A.I." debuts tonight.

They're not serious ... they're simply mocking their former judge, who told the Hollywood Reporter last year he was counting on "X Factor" to pull in 20 mil on its debut ... or else he'd consider it a disappointment.

For the record, X Factor fell short. But 'Idol' has hit the 20 million mark multiple times ... including the 2011 finale.

Aerosmith guitarist Joe Perry seems to finally get it ... Steven Tyler's gig on "American Idol" is good for the band.

Perry was at LAX yesterday when he was asked how he felt about Tyler returning to "A.I." as a judge. Perry replied, "It's tough having your lead singer have a day job .. but ya know, what can you do?"

But when asked if he would ever PERFORM on the show ... Perry said, "Yeah, that could probably happen."

It's a big change for Perry ... who slammed the show back in 2010 as an advertising machine that's only "one step above Ninja Turtles."

Former American Idol runner-up Adam Lambert got tossed in the pokey -- in Finland -- overnight after a brawl with his boyfriend outside a bar ... according to reports.

Lambert and Finnish Big Brother star Sauli Koskinen's argument reportedly started inside the bar in Helsinki, but eventually poured out into the street. Lambert allegedly got physical with people who tried to break up the fight, as well ... before police arrived and took him and Koskinen into custody.

They were arrested for multiple assaults, according to a Finnish newspaper.

6:02 AM PST -- Cops say both Lambert and Koskinen were questioned and released -- since neither party was injured.

Afterward, Koskinen blogged about the incident saying, "Publicity is not easy, but also celebrities are just human. Love is not easy either, but it lasts forever!"

David Archuleta made a pretty big announcement about his personal life at a concert in Utah last night ... but to people who know the guy, it probably wasn't that shocking.

The former "American Idol" runner-up told his home crowd ... that he's ... (wait for it) ... putting his music career on hold for two-years to fulfill a full-time mission with the Mormon church!!

The announcement was pretty emotional -- with the crowd erupting in cheers ... and David breaking down and crying on stage.

William Hung can still draw an audience -- nearly 8 years after murdering "She Bangs" on "American Idol" ... he's landed a sweet gig in law enforcement, of all places.

TMZ has learned Hung is now working for the L.A. County Sheriff's Department as a Technical Crime Analyst -- fancy name for a dude who crunches numbers to help prevent future crimes.

Just last week, William dropped some knowledge (above) at a training facility. Communication was always his strength.

The honeymoon is over for "American Idol" alum Lee DeWyze -- the season 9 champ has been dumped by his record label ... just a year-and-a-half after winning the title.

DeWyze was signed with RCA Records -- whose artist roster includes former Idol stars Carrie Underwood, Kelly Clarkson and Jordin Sparks.

As for Lee -- he's taking the whole thing in stride -- according to his rep, who says DeWyze is "in a good place right now" and working on "several exciting projects".

"American Idol" alum Chris Daughtry is hoping to actually make a little money off his Oak Ridge, NC home -- he's listed the home for just $900 more than be bought it for five years ago!

Chris bought the home back in 2006 for $690,000 ... and he's now put it on the market for $699,900.

Nicole Scherzinger, Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul, L.A. Reid and Steve Jones are the cast of the new singing reality competition show "The X-Factor" -- while Steven Tyler, Jennifer Lopez, Randy Jackson and Ryan Seacrest rule the roost on "American Idol."

Question is ...

The big "X Factor" premiere last night fell way short of Simon Cowell's expectations -- earning just over half the ratings "American Idol" got during its premiere in January.

Simon's new show averaged an 8.7 rating, while the tenth season premiere of "Idol" pulled in a 16.4 -- and in last night's head-to-head ... "Modern Family" and "Criminal Minds" won out.

Simon called in to TMZ Live yesterday -- telling us, he desperately wanted to beat out his alma mater in the ratings department ... but based on last night's performance, that's gonna be an uphill battle.

To be fair -- the first ever episode of "American Idol" only scored a 6.1 in 2002 ... and has since had years to build a loyal audience. Then again, singing competitions were new back then.

Simon Cowell is out for blood tonight on "X Factor" -- telling TMZ, he wants to beat "American Idol" (and every other show for that matter) in the ratings department.

The big "X Factor" premiere isn't competing head to head with "Idol" -- but Simon still wants to outrank his big competition, telling us, "You don't compete for the silver or the bronze ... You may not get the gold, but you die trying."

When we asked how X will measure up against similar singing competitions -- Simon responded, "It's definitely going to be better than the other shows."

As for what to look out for tonight -- Simon says the show is full of "nutcases" ... and one audition is especially terrifying.

The relationship they said would never last ... didn't last.

"Dancing with the Stars" pro Mark Ballas and "American Idol" hottie Pia Toscano have officially broken up ... according to People.com. The split is said to be "mutual."

"American Idol" reject Bucky Covington won't be prosecuted for allegedly jacking $1,500 from a bar back in June -- after the Florida Attorney General's Office decided there wasn't enough evidence to make a successful case against him.

TMZ broke the story -- an event promoter accused Bucky of calling the shots in the alleged theft -- and ordering his brother and sister-in-law to snatch $1,500 from the cash box at the Iron Horse Saloon in Ormond Beach, Florida.

Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony's separation has taken a back seat.

Nearly a month after the couple split, the two singers were spotted basking in the Long Island sun near Sagg Main Beach in Southampton ... inside a red Mustang convertible.

No explanation yet for the unexpected reunion today -- but Marc's rep tells TMZ, he was on the East Coast visiting his children.

5:32 PM: A rep for J.Lo tells TMZ, "They are NOT back together -- they were just visiting each other and the children."

"American Idol" Executive Producer Nigel Lythgoe is way too smart to play coy with the judges who helped resurrect the show -- Jennifer Lopez, Steven Tyler and Randy Jackson have all re-signed.

Nigel made the announcement on Ryan Seacrest's radio show this AM, saying, "I am delighted to say that all three judges, along with the brilliant host of 'American Idol' are back for the next season."

The buzz is ... Jennifer got a huge pay bump -- from $12 million last season to $20 mil next season. Steven Tyler still has a year to go before his contract is up, but we're hearing he got an increase as well.