Chris Isaak Front Runner To Replace Simon Cowell

What "Wicked Games"! After many players have emerged to potentially fill the American Idol judge’s table since Simon Cowell bowed out at the end of this season, the new front runner has emerged as crooner Chris Isaak. Hopefuls like Brett Michaels and Howard Stern have been voted down by producers, and though Isaak has reportedly sat down for two meetings with Fox executives, he’s not guaranteed to get the nod. Harry Connick Jr. and Donald Trump are vying for the spot as well.

Though Isaak may be most famous for his chart topping single "Wicked Games," this wouldn’t be his first foray into television – he starred in the Chris Isaak Show on Showtime and has had small roles on Cold Case and Smallville.

Cowell left to develop an American version of his highly popular British program, X-Factor, set to debut in August 2011. Due to the empty spot, producers are using guest judges for auditions for season 10. The new judge is expected to be announced by September.  –ELENA COX