No 'Idol' moments for George Martin

Forget the persistent rumors that Sir George Martin, best known as producer of those British guys known as the Beatles, will one day turn up as a mentor on Fox's "American Idol."

Martin, speaking to the Television Critics Association about a sprawling PBS music series, "On Record: The Soundtrack of Our Lives," that according to our press kits isn't scheduled to premiere for two more years, was asked about those "Idol" reports.

"I know it's enormously popular, 'American Idol,'" Martin said. "But it's not my cup of tea."

Tea being very important to the British, that apparently means he "would never dream of" appearing on the show, which is based on Britain's own "Pop Idol."

Martin also pointed out that the people associated with the show are making an awful lot of money, "but I'd rather be poor."

And you thought Simon Cowell was direct.