LOS ANGELES -- Simon Cowell had surely hoped that the Thursday afternoon "X Factor" session at the TV Critics press tour would be all about the birth of a new panel of judges, which include Paulina Rubio and Kelly Rowland.

But reporters had another impending birth on their mind as news broke last night that Cowell had impregnated the wife of a good friend.

This particular press tour tends to shy away from personal, gossipy questions, but a couple reporters took some sneaky approaches to try to get Cowell to talk about the issue.

One reporter attempted to address the subject in the form of congratulations on the newcomer to his family.

"You mean the girls?" he said, referring to the judges in a half-joking way.

When the reporter asked for furhter comment, Demi Lovato -- clearly prepared for the questions -- quickly jumped in, and said he shouldn't have to answer.

Later, someone asked the female panelists if Cowell would make a good father. Aside from Lovato's saying, "No comment," the question was only answered by groans.

Cowell did say that is was a "private matter. Just one of those things."

He was more forthright dealing with the fact that he promised last year's panel, featuring Britney Spears, would have great chemistry, only to be proven wrong.

"It's like having a dinner party," he said. "Sometimes it's a fun night and sometimes it's not as fun as you thought it would be."

Coming tomorrow: Notes from Fox's all-star party and updates on your favorite FX shows.