The next Simon Cowell? We have some ideas.

Neil Patrick Harris: He’s pals with Kara. He’s proved himself a great utility player as host of the Tony and Emmy awards. He can sing, as fans of “How I Met Your Mother” and the musical Web series “Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog” well know. He’s even guested once as a judge, during audition rounds. Plus, magic! Wouldn’t you love to see this member of the Board of Directors of Hollywood’s Magic Castle turn Ellen into a rabbit?  (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

Alec Baldwin: He’s not known as a musical guy, though the “30 Rock” star was once featured in a Carnegie Hall concert performance of “South Pacific.” More importantly, Baldwin has as much fun playing out the particular nastiness of the privileged white male as does Cowell himself. Plus, same haircut, basically.  (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)

Morrissey: This one would never work, given the beloved British crooner’s relative obscurity and notorious temperamental streak. But it’s fun to imagine Moz getting all grumpy in the face of Hollywood Week’s often atrocious performances. Given his remarkable popularity with young Mexican and Chicano rockers, he might also help remedy “Idol’s” serious Latin deficit. At the same time, I’d settle for a Smiths theme night.  (Spencer Weiner / Los Angeles Times)

George Michael: OK, originally Robbie Williams was supposed to nab this number 5 spot. But what is Robbie, if not a younger, brattier, less successful version of George? And Mr. Careless Whisper, who’s often landed in the tabloids for his cannabis-smoking, car-wrecking ways, could use some redemption. He’s not reuniting Wham!; he has retired from touring. And he’s an exceptionally erudite, frank, and funny guy.  (Lori Shepler / Los Angeles Times)

Bret Michaels: Perhaps instead of finding the perfect replacement Brit, Idol should go with an all-American rock dude. Who better than Donald Trump’s new apprentice? He’s on the mend, but fans of the Poison singer’s dating-show empire “Rock of Love” know he’s a great, ahem, judge of character. And he’ll let those ousted contestants down easy, with a hug and a little French kiss at the door of the bus.  (Jason Merritt / Getty Images)

Gordon Ramsay: Personally, I think Ramsay’s too mean for prime time, but millions of viewers have embraced the British chef’s odd mix of culinary perfectionism and football-thug personal style. How might it translate to music? Unclear. He’s been known to do the moonwalk, and he’s image-conscious – reportedly he had minor plastic surgery at his friend Cowell’s urging.  (Charles Sykes / Associated Press)

John Lydon: He was in some little band with our No. 1 pick, and has maintained his anti-social irascibility with more fervor than Jonesy – just recently the singer and punk legend publicly accused Radiohead and Coldplay of being soulless money-making machines. So it’s doubtful that he’d come within 10 miles of the “Idol” soundstage. But that man can really roll his eyes.  (Hal Wells / Los Angeles Times)

Perry Farrell: Sometimes the best thing to do, when changing course, is to go all the way. It’s hard to imagine a character more unlike Cowell than Farrell, L.A.’s own utopian hippie-punk trance dance ringmaster. But remember, Farrell founded Lollapalooza. He’s got that P.T. Barnum side. If nothing else, “Idol” would be freakier with him on board.  (Barbara Davidson / Los Angeles Times)