Posted by Emily Exton on 03/15/2012 at 10:02 AM News

The Popdust Files: darren criss, glee, simon cowell, the x factor

Despite sharing a home network with Simon Cowell, Glee star Darren Criss is not looking to drink from the reality competition guru’s massive soda cup anytime soon. According to E!, Criss was being pursued by The X Factor bosses, who are not only looking to fill two judges’ seats before next season, but a hosting spot as well. That Welsh accent takes time to grow on people, Steve Jones. “They were after him,” an source tells Marc Malkin. “But there’s no way he could have done it with everything he has going on.” Once again, Lea Michele gets overlooked. “I said lactose-free ice cream!”

The short version of “everything” would be finishing up the third season of Glee, beginning promotional tours for his upcoming feature film Imogene and dropping in on Team StarKid performances around the country whenever he can. Fans of Criss from YouTube, Glee, Broadway and acceptable pin-up mags will argue until the world ends that he has the charisma to balance out Cowell and L.A. Reid’s harsh critiques, comfort crying contestants backstage and perhaps make sense of whomever winds up filling the chairs left empty by Paula Abdul and Nicole Scherzinger’s exit. And we agree. But why would he want to? True, mingling with Ms. Spears is perfectly acceptable answer. Aw, we forgot how much fun dissecting these X Factor rumors can be. Here we go, hope you’re not too tired already.