Apparently we aren't the only ones enthusiastic about the nationalisitic hook in Big Brother Africa, which brought together one houseguest from 12 different countries. E! Online reports that Simon Fuller, the producer of Fox's American Idol, CTV's Canadian Idol, the U.K.'s Pop Idol and various other worldwide Idols (including the first Arab Idol, called Superstar and won by 19-year-old Jordanian Diana Karzon), now envisions a global Idol featuring winners from the different Idol versions. The show is preliminarily being positioned as a two-hour special for the December holiday season, with the winner being announced a week later.

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Fuller would like both Fox and initial Idol winner Kelly Clarkson on board for the show. However, a Clarkson rep says that she has no knowledge of the global Idol showdown and is not involved in any way. Considering the success of Kelly's CD Thankful and her song "Miss Independent" this year, a return to any version of Idol competition would seem counterproductive to her career.

Although we would not be surprised to see a global Idol materialize, count us as skeptical that Ms. Clarkson will compete for the U.S. -- but we wouldn't be surprised to see her sing as a non-competitor during the special, while Idol 2 winner Ruben Studdard competes for America.