Move over, Simon Cowell. Lewis Black is the new TV judge in town with his Comedy Central series, “Root of All Evil.”

Instead of singers vying for the “American Idol” title, Black’s show features debates over which pop culture icon is more evil. Various comedians serve as the voices on these topics. The premiere episode on March 12 featured Oprah versus The Catholic Church. Paul F. Tompkins and Greg Giraldo argued for their sides, and Black chose a winner.

“It’s two comics basically debating which is more evil,” Black said in a conference call. “They each pick a topic, I introduce the show, give a brief history of topics, why they are evil, a short monologue, and then they do their opening statements. Then I grill them.”

Black handpicks all of the comedians on the show, many of whom he has worked with before. He described the show as “scripted improv,” with most of the material and thoughts written beforehand but leaving room for tangents and segues.

“[You] can’t be searching for a joke, so we work on it,” he said. “The more the comics do it, the more that people become comfortable with it, and I think it will become, in time, more improv.”

Though Black has found success as a comedian, his original love was the theater, and he studied it at the University of North Carolina and the Yale School of Drama. While at school, Black tried stand-up at Cat’s Cradle in Chapel Hill, N.C. and continued during his pursuit theater career, specifically play writing.

“I was writing stuff for myself that I performed on stage,” he said of the link between his theater background and comedy.

“Hopefully what it’s done is when I’m not funny, at least I try to have a through line and take people from one place and get them to someplace else.”

Black’s stand-up obligations became a full-time gig when he moved to New York City. Appearances on Comedy Central and “The Daily Show” jumpstarted his profession.

Since, Black has sold out Carnegie Hall, acted in film and television and written a book (“Nothing Sacred”) that debuted on the New York Times Bestseller List. His next publication, “Me of Little Faith,” focuses on religion and hits shelves in June.

“I will get slammed because it’s not a hell fire and brimstone critique of religion, and I will get slammed because there are points in the book where I launch off into rants about certain things,” Black said. “The only thing that separates it from being in a Christian bookstore is the fact that I use profanity.”

But don’t expect the issues in “Root of All Evil” to fall into the Christian spectrum of things.

“You’re watching a comedy. If you think you’re getting some kind of biblical revelation out of me, turn to the Trinity Channel.”

Future debate topics include Paris Hilton, Tila Tequila, Las Vegas and Viagra.

Viewers can text in votes for the winner, but votes don’t impact Black’s decision.

“I didn’t want the audience voting because they compared it to something, and I yelled about their comparison. End of discussion.”

Don’t worry, Cowell. Maybe Black was yelling about the vote-influenced “Dancing with the Stars.”