“I don’t know if it’s true, but I could possibly be a judge on American Idol.” It’s a hell of a good way to start a conversation - but could also be a bad case of wishful thinking. In a new interview, Bret Michaels makes a pretty clear plea to take Simon Cowell’s spot on Idol’s sinking reality ship. Will he get it? Let’s take a look at his pitch…

According to reports, Simon Cowell casually suggested Michaels as a replacement judge on the series…though it seems Bret is the one who’s taking that suggestion most seriously. “I was honored that Simon said that,” Michaels told People, “and, I would be honored to do it.”

Sure. The gig doesn’t pay too poorly, either.

Michaels explained some of his qualifications: “For a lot of these young musicians, I’d be able to give them incredibly awesome and very, very real advice.”

Bret Michaels is no stranger to reality TV. His own show, Rock of Love, has delighted fans on VH1 for three seasons, he judged on the ill-fated Nashville Star and he recently won Celebrity Apprentice.