Music mogul Simon Cowell has hit back at Sir Elton John after the rocker branded his TV talent shows "boring" and "brain crippling", insisting he is wrong. The "Rocket Man" revealed earlier this month he had turned down the chance to join the "American Idol" judging panel, making way for Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler, who have now signed up for the show.

And John blasted Cowell's shows for catapulting wannabes into the spotlight, saying, "I'm not a fan of talent shows. I probably wouldn't have lasted if I'd gone on one. I was asked to judge 'American Idol'. I couldn't do it because I won't slag (criticize) anyone off. Also I don't want to be on television. It's become boring, a**e-paralyzingly brain crippling."

But now Cowell has furiously responded to the comments and challenged the singer to try and nurture new stars for himself. Cowell tells Britain's Sunday Mirror, "Elton John said in the papers... he said that these shows don't produce stars. Well Elton if you're not watching, I'm going to send you this tape and you can take back what you said."

"The truth is Elton's watching the show every week. What he's slightly missing the point on, and you always hear this resentment from bigger artists nowadays... they don't like the fact a show can make an artist. I always say to these people who criticize - why don't you spend some time with new artists. If Elton feels that strongly about it then my message to him is: 'You show me how to do it'."