(Cover) - EN Showbiz - Simon Cowell thinks Jersey Shore is "genius".

The MTV reality programme follows the exploits of Snooki, JWoww, Deena, Mike The Situation', Sammi, Vinny, Pauly D and Ronnie. The group are seen partying at night, hooking up with people and fighting on a regular basis.

The show premiered in the US in December 2009 and made overnight stars of the participants.

Music mogul Simon has revealed he is a huge fan of the series, and of those who appear in it.

"I thought it was genius, absolute genius," he laughed. "And whether you like the show or not, these kids are suddenly big, big stars. They just make me laugh."

Simon has a particular soft spot for Snooki, real name Nicole Polizzi. On the show she often drinks too much and constantly makes silly comments, which Simon finds endearing.

He is currently promoting the American version of talent contest The X Factor and explained they held auditions in New Jersey because the stars of the MTV show come from there.

"[Snooki] recently came in to meet some people from my company. I would say they were more star-struck by Snooki than anyone they've ever met in their lives," he told MTV News.

"I mean, they were genuinely thrilled. They were taking pictures with her. Yeah, so that was the reason why I came to New Jersey: I wanted to find the next Snooki." (C) Cover Media