Where Does Jessica Simpson Rank on a List of 50 Best Choices for X-Factor Judge?

It's clear that here at Movieline, we care about singing competitions. They're intrinsically cinematic: full of the magnetic characters, rising action, and glory moments that define the best in movies. Well, here comes a perilous twist: Jessica Simpson might join Simon Cowell and L.A. Reid as a judge on the U.S. X-Factor. Danger! Let's rank her among the 50 best lady candidates for the job and see how she fares against our fantasy draft that includes Madonna, Cheryl Cole, Paula Abdul, Courtney Love, and -- thanks to one lame rumor -- Taylor Momsen.

Jessica is 33rd on my fantasy list of candidates, way below the likes of Shania Twain and Courtney Love, but well above Leighton Meester and Leona Lewis. So that's something! Keep in mind these rankings are based only on each candidate's fit for the job, not the quality of anyone's artistry. (Please, PJ Harvey would obviously score higher than Mandy Moore, in that case.)

50. Taylor Momsen

49. The Veronicas (in one chair)

48. Jordin Sparks

47. Beth Ditto

46. Aubrey O'Day

45. Leighton Meester

44. Brandy

43. Leona Lewis

42. Carrie Underwood

41. Dionne Warwick

40. Olivia Newton-John

39. Shirley Manson

38. PJ Harvey

37. Alanis Morissette

36. Sheryl Crow

35. Stevie Nicks

34. Dannii Minogue

33. Jessica Simpson

32. Carly Simon

31. Mandy Moore

30. Any Spice Girl

29. Avril Lavigne

28. Christina Aguilera (She'd have been too bland anyway.)

27. Katy Perry

26. Miley Cyrus

25. Britney Spears

24. Cheryl Cole

23. Carole King

22. Whitney Houston

21. Patti Smith

20. target="_blank">Nicole Scherzinger (She has experience.)

19. Amy Winehouse

18. Kelly Clarkson

17. Robyn

16. Chrissie Hynde (a one-time music critic)

15. Linda Ronstadt (So salty nowadays!)

14. Janet Jackson

13. Gwen Stefani

12. Rihanna

11. Ke$ha

10. Paula Abdul

9. Kylie Minogue

8. Shania Twain

7. Cathy Dennis (Go, Britpop!)

6. Barbra Streisand

5. Shakira

4. Lady Gaga

3. Mariah Carey (Ugh, so close!)

2. Madonna

1. Courtney Love (Hold out hope!)

· Jessica Simpson in Talks for 'X-Factor' Spot [Zap2It]