Simon Cowell gets "more of a buzz" working with One Direction than he does from being on TV.
The British star - who has returned to 'The X Factor' judging panel in the UK - claims he doesn't miss "being a d**khead" on the American version of the reality series, which was axed earlier this year due to poor ratings after three seasons, because working with the boyband requires him to use his brain.
He said: "Luckily, I was dragged kicking and screaming on to TV in the first place. I'm not going to deny that I've liked it. I mean, I've had a great time. There are definitely more pluses than minuses to it, and there is quite a buzz when people recognise you. But if I'm being honest, it's more of a buzz being part of One Direction than being on television."
Simon, 55, admits it was "emotional" watching the 'Story of My Life' hitmakers perform in front of 80,000 people at the Rose Bowl in Los Angeles recently, and hopes he can find another group like them in the future.
He told The Financial Times: "I always say to my staff, when we sit in creative meetings, beating ourselves up, 'One good idea a year can pay for the next 10.' I was at the Rose Bowl, looking down at the crowd that was watching my group. I felt like I'd really used my brain, rather than being a d**khead on an American TV show."
He added: "A mile before we got there, they'd closed the roads off and we were allowed through the police barricades. That's when I felt the effect that five people have had on California from a show we made in the UK. Having a cigarette with the boys a few minutes before they went on was emotional, it was a good feeling. [That kind of success] isn't going to happen every year but it might just happen again. That's what it's about - you go in there thinking, 'I hope it does.' "

Susan Sarandon says she and Jonathan Bricklin aren't "an ordinary couple."
The 68-year-old actress, who started dating the 37-year-old entrepreneur in 2009 following her split from Tim Robbins, admits she is "in love," but hinted she has no desire to move in with her beau.
The 'Tammy' star initially played coy when asked about her relationship and told the UK's Hello! Magazine: "Our collaboration extends into several areas."
But she then admitted: "We don't live under the same roof. We're not an ordinary couple."
The Oscar winner also brushed off critics of their age gap, saying: "It's the soul of a person that interests me. When you are in love, the question of age, sex, colour no longer hold any importance."
Susan previously revealed she found it difficult to move on from Tim, whom she split from in 2009 after 23-years together.
She said: "[It was] exciting and simultaneously terrifying because there are certain comforts you take for granted in long-term relationships. Even though in my business I meet lots of people, you think of yourself differently when you're on the market than when you're not. So, yes, I'd be lying if I said it was an easy transition."

Jennifer Lopez reportedly went on a dinner date ex-boyfriend Diddy last night (09.10.14).
The 'Booty' hitmaker, who recently admitted she has still "nothing but love and respect" for the rapper despite splitting from him in 2001 after two years of dating, was spotted dining at Mr Chow's eatery in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles with the 44-year-old star before they moved on to Hooray Henrys for a mutual friend's birthday party.
An eyewitness told E! News that the duo arrived at the nightclub separately with different friends, but "quickly found each other and greeted with smiles and a long hug."
The 45-year-old beauty, who has six-year-old twins Max and Emme with ex-husband Marc Anthony, recently gushed about how much Diddy still means to her.
She said: "Here's the thing about me and Puff, and I'm sorry I'll always call him Puff, we always root for each other, we always support each other. It's great after all these years to know and watch him do all that he's done.
"To see him do all that he's done makes me proud and to know that he's still in the game so strong and to know that he supports me and is proud of me is a beautiful thing."
She added: "We shared a moment in our lives and that never goes away. There's nothing but love and respect and always somebody over here cheering for you."
Jennifer's comments came just one day after Diddy insisted he is "lucky" to count her amongst his exes.
Speaking about her incredible physique, he said: "Oh my God. I'm so lucky to have that great woman in my history, she is one of the greatest I've ever seen.
"I mean, it's great. It's a work of art. It's something that will go down in history, for real it will. But also her talent, her drive, her determination, she will never give up. She's a great friend of mine, always will be my friend, and I mean that thing is just incredible, man."

Tracy Morgan is slowly learning to walk again.
The former '30 Rock' star, who suffered brain injuries, a broken femur, broken nose and broken ribs when a Walmart truck smashed into the limo bus in which he was travelling in with friends in New Jersey in June, was recently spotted using a wheelchair, but continues to make "slow progress" in his recovery.
The 45-year-old comedian's lawyer Benedict Morelli is quoted by PEOPLE magazine as saying: "He's a bit more mobile. He's able to take some steps and doesn't have to be in a wheelchair every single minute."
But he confirmed the actor may never fully recover from the crash.
He said: "He's a fighter, but we don't know if he's going to be the old Tracy again.
"[He] has up and down days.
"He's still in rehab, he's struggling, and this is troubling to him."
Tracy was extremely upset when Walmart recently accused him in court of being at least partially responsible for his injuries, as they claim he wasn't wearing a seatbelt, and recently hit back at the retail giant, insisting "my friends and I were doing nothing wrong".
His lawyer said: "He was so upset. It was all over the place. He was reading about it and seeing in on TV... he replayed to me that he wanted to say something."

Molly Sims has been battling severe morning sickness.
The 41-year-old actress recently announced she is expecting her second child with husband Scott Stuber and admits she has been struggling to stick to her healthy diet, but thinks she is over the worst symptoms.
The blonde beauty, who is four months pregnant, said: "I've been so sick for three months. Morning sickness - it's all-day sickness. I gagged on my toothpaste."
Asked if she has been experiencing cravings, she said: "Sugar! It takes everything in my power not to eat a piece of cake in five seconds flat."
The 'Everyday Supermodel' author has yet to tell her son Brooks, two, that he is set to become a big brother.
She added to Us Weekly magazine: "We've casually mentioned it. We're waiting until he's a few months older."
The couple are planning to keep the gender of their unborn baby a surprise, but thinks Brooks would welcome a brother with open arms.
She added: "He's a boy, so that's what he can relate to. But I also know he'd be an amazing, protective big brother to a little girl."

Reese Witherspoon admits visiting a Sudanese refugee camp in Kenya had a huge impact on her.
The 38-year-old actress plays a job counsellor helping refugees settle into America in her new movie 'Inherent Vice,' and decided to make the "emotional" trip with her daughter Ava, 15.
She said: "I didn't want to just do the part in Atlanta and go home to my life. I wanted to see what that experience was like. It was very emotional, seeing over 250,000 people displaced, sleeping on concrete slabs, kids who were sick. I took my teenage daughter and she didn't say a word the whole day. I think it's going to affect her for a long time, as it will me.
"Kids nowadays have all this technology that disconnects them. I think travel is the antidote to that. As much of the world as you can show them is great."
The blonde beauty feels her career is firmly back on track after a string of flops in recent years.
Speaking to US OK! magazine, she added: "For a few years, I was a little but lost as an artist, not making choices I was ultimately very happy with. I wanted to get back to playing interesting, dynamic characters."

Amanda Bynes wants to have a "tremendous amount of facial surgery".
The troubled actress - who recently revealed she was engaged to her 19-year-old boyfriend Caleb - has taken to Twitter to reveal she is keen to go under the knife to improve her looks because she is on the front page of so many publications.
In a series of tweets, she wrote: "So I'm literally on the cover of every magazine right now.
"F**k I just need a tremendous amount of facial surgery.
"What I need help with is looking pretty.
"Help a n***a out and hop off ma d**k (sic)"
Amanda has sparked concerns for her health following a spate of erratic behaviour lately, including being accused of shoplifting on two occasions on Wednesday (08.10.14).
The actress was banned from Barneys New York after walking out without paying for a $200 hat and earlier in the day she allegedly tried to walk out of Pookie & Sebastian with a shirt between her arms but she eventually paid for the $128 garment on her credit card.
Amanda claimed the Barneys incident was a misunderstanding because she had been trying to escape people trying to take her picture and had the permission of one security guard to leave the store but there was miscommunication with another member of staff.
The 'Easy A' star recently insisted she hates all men but despite that she is planning to tie the knot to her fiancé Caleb.
She said: "I am very needy for friendship and I hate men. I want to f*** them, but I can now say I'm engaged, I want to be married and I want to be away from people."

Britain's Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are set to meet the President of Singapore and his wife on behalf of the Queen.
The scheduled meeting, which is due to take place on October 21, could mark Duchess Catherine's return to royal duties after suffering with severe morning sickness over the last few weeks.
According to HELLO! Online, the 32-year-old mum-of-one is "very hopeful" that she will be able to attend the planned events, however the situation will be monitored closely and there's still the chance she may be forced to withdraw from the meeting on health grounds.
Assuming that is not the case, though, Duchess Catherine and her husband Prince William, also 32, will take part in a ceremonial welcome for Singapore's President Tony Tan and his wife Mary at the Royal Garden Hotel.
The location is convenient as it is a short distance from their home at Kensington Palace.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have met Singapore's leader before in 2012, when they started their Diamond Jubilee tour of Southeast Asia by attending a state dinner at The Istana, Mr Tan's official residence.

Iggy Pop has launched a crowdfunding campaign to raise money for Dario Argento's next film.
The punk rocker has been cast by the Italian horror mastermind to play the evil lead in his proposed movie 'The Sandman'.
In order to raise the funds needed, Iggy has filmed a video in which he asks fans to donate what money they can to get the project up and running.
In the video posted on YouTube, Iggy says: "What the world needs so much right now is a good, artistic, gothic, terrifying scare up the boom-boom. If I could play the Sandman for Mr Argento it would make my life complete. I hope I have not just written my own epitaph. Let's all die horribly together in a blaze of glory!"
The IndieGogo campaign for 'The Sandman' launched yesterday (09.10.14) will run for the next month with the total needed being $250,000.
Argento has based the plot on 19th century German author E.T.A. Hoffman's short story of the same name which focuses on the mythical Sandman who steals the eyes of children to feed to his on offspring who live in the moon and one boy, Nathaniel's obsession with the evil being.
The 74-year-old filmmaker - whose previous work includes 'Demons', 'The Church' and 'Dracula 3D' - is setting the film at Christmas and it will open with a young child witnessing his mother's movie because he wants a festive film with "violence and horror".

Will Arnett tormented his lactose-intolerant director on 'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles' with ice cream sundaes throughout the shoot.
The 44-year-old actor discovered Jonathan Liebesman suffered from the food allergy but also had a sweet tooth for ice cream so as a joke he presented him with sundaes every day, and the filmmaker couldn't resist even though it made him ill.
In an interview with The Guardian newspaper, Arnett said: "He didn't resist. After it became a daily thing, he'd say, 'No, no, no, no, no! I do not want any more ice cream!' And we'd go, 'OK, we'll just leave it, uh, right here.' He'd always buckle and eat it - like angrily, furiously!"
In 'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles' Arnett plays Vern Fenwick, a news cameraman who is in love with reporter April O'Neil - played by Megan Fox.
'The Millers' star admits he was tasked with the role of injecting extra humour into the film - which he wanted to star in to impress his two sons, Archibald, six, and Abel, four, whom he raises with his ex-wife Amy Poehler.
He said: "The Turtles are a known entity - there's a fun factor to them, almost a parody of superheroes, but they're still superheroes, just jokier, more smart-ass and funny, and you have to keep that balance. My job was to make it lighter, to give you a contrast to the more hard-driving action scenes. There was a lot of space given to improvisation, to finding things that felt fresh, made sense and were funny. They wanted someone associated with April who could inject a little humour and levity, not in a farcical way but in a real way."

Bono "despised" Catholics and Protestants while he was growing up in Ireland.
The U2 frontman has admitted that he hated the religious groups that dominated and divided country during the 1970s.
Talking to The Sun newspaper, Bono said: "In Ireland, whether they were Protestant or Catholic, we despised them growing up because we knew they were both the devil.
"Somebody has attempted to take your life in a brutally cold, politically planned way because you just happened to be there that day ... like July 7.
"It comes down to a deep disrespect for the sacredness of life."
The 54-year-old singer also revealed that his home life was not always stable, as he hinted about "darker elements behind closed doors".
He said: "Domestic violence is one of the most terrifying things of all. You can understand political violence in some ways but not a father beating his children with a shovel."
Despite this revelation, Bono added: "It was extraordinarily idyllic in many ways. The backdrop in Ireland was rough in the 70s but our street was something of an oasis."
The 'Songs of Innocence' hitmaker also took the time to praise the British band, Mumford & Sons.
He said: "Critically, they are not well regarded in the UK. In America they are.
"Well you know what? They're unarguably great songwriters and performers. The UK's got to stop eating its own.
"Stick to eating the Irish because we can take it!"

Pharrell Williams thanked Britain for having a "heavy" and "influential" hand in shaping his career during his concert at The O2 in London last night (09.10.14).
The 'Get Lucky' hitmaker performed a number of hits from throughout his music career during the 'Dear G I R L' tour show and, to thank fans for the role they've had in his success, played a medley of the hit singles he's written and produced including Nelly's 'Hot In Herre' and Gwen Stefani's 'Hollaback Girl'.
Speaking to the crowd, Pharrell said: "This great nation has had a very heavy and influential hand in the shaping of our formative years and what brought us over first was not this album but a lot of songs that you guys voted on and bought way back in the day and sung and told your friends about.
"And those things changed my life. So I thought, why not share the journey that you helped create."
Meanwhile, Pharrell's protégé Cris Cab - who was one of the opening acts at the gig at The O2 - has confessed his mentor wasn't supposed to feature in the music video for their track 'Liar Liar' because they're on different record labels.
Cris exclusively told BANG Showbiz: "There are a lot of challenges [in the music industry]. A good example of that would be that Pharrell's record label didn't want him to even appear in our video.
"So he had to sneak out or something to come and do it."
Pharrell's set at The O2 featured a number of crowd-pleasing hits including 'Marilyn Monroe', 'Blurred Lines', 'Get Lucky', 'Happy' and tracks from his, Chad Hugo and Shay Haley's group N.E.R.D, 'She Wants To Move' and 'Rock Star'.