This fall, Simon Cowell and his still-unnamed panel of judges will assault television screens with the[article id="1658617"]American version of the hit U.K. talent show "X Factor."[/article] The former "American Idol" judge wouldn't cop to any of the names being tossed around as possible judges, but did divulge that he's really stepped up his game for who he hopes will make up the final panel.

"It's gonna be a balance between guys and girls, and it should be a balance between people who have been singers and also, like me, have worked behind the scenes and know what they're talking about it," Cowell told MTV News. "It will be the best judging panel so far. I promise you: If I get the people I want, I'm really happy."

With nothing yet set in stone, Cowell did lay out the ground rules for securing a spot on that coveted panel, revealing that fans should know more soon.

"I think you've got to put yourself out there and, as a priority, it is about the contestants to begin with. You've got to have a sense of humor. You've got to work hard because you're gonna be mentoring the contestants on the final stages of the competition, which basically means you're going to be responsible for what they sing, what they wear, how they behave," he explained. "You're like a manager/producer for up to 10 weeks, and I think it's important that you have to have people on the panel that have made people into stars as well. And so you've got to be different, you've got to be original."

But finding those people hasn't been as easy as he imagined it would be. "This has been harder than I thought," he said. "You've got to negotiate people's deals, you got to make sure you've met as many people as possible, and you got to find the right chemistry. I've got it in my mind now. I think of who I want this panel to be, and within the week, I think we're gonna announce it."

Who would you like to see judge "X Factor"? Share your ideas in the comments!