TMZ Live 9/21/11 -- Simon Cowell and the Rise of "The X Factor"

TMZ Live Simon Cowell NO RULES on 'The X Factor'

Simon Cowell joined us, and in true Simon form, boasted "The X Factor" will knock off all the other singing/dancing TV shows -- including "American Idol" -- because it has "NO RULES."

Plus, Dax joins Michaele Salahi in the "groupie slut" category, why Twitter is killing rap music ... and Mel Gibson was just minding his own business, eating a "sweet pastry," when all of a sudden...

(6:45) Dax joins Michaele Salahi in the "groupie slut" category.
(8:01) How did Michaele get backstage with Steven Tyler?
(17:50) Harvey attempted to steal a CARPET back in the day.
(22:20) Mel Gibson was just minding his own business, enjoying a sweet pastry, when all of the sudden...
(27:30) Gayle King ... sued over her thirst for MEN.
(37:05) How the disco duck killed disco.
(46:30) Simon Cowell is on the phone! He says there are NO RULES on this season of "The X Factor" ... which makes for great TV.
(48:30) Simon makes it clear -- he wants to be #1 ... and "American Idol" is standing in his way.
(51:00) Why "Factor" will be the best.
(53:00) Simon has a laugh about Harvey's single.
(54:10) Did Simon take a shot at the last "Idol" winner?