As reigning “American Idol” winner, David Cook put the figurative shoe on the other foot Sunday, critiquing his “Idol” judges during a stop at WTIC-FM (96.5) in Farmington.

“She is the nicest space cadet,” kidded Cook, referring to Paula Abdul, one of the then three judges who provided the criticism and compliments as Cook vied for the top spot last season.

“And Randy, once he has called you ‘dog’ once, he’ll just keep calling you that,” said Cook, referring to judge Randy Jackson. “If I called him up right now, that’s what he’d call me.”

And the evil Simon Cowell?

“He’s a tough one. Every time I prepared for a performance, I was thinking of him” said Cook, who taped a radio show with WTIC DJ Christine Lee before fielding questions from a roomful of fans invited to meet him before he traveled on to Eastern Connecticut State University for a concert there.

Looking comfortable but tired in T-shirt and jeans, Cook, who is in the midst of his Declaration Tour 2009, said he was still amazed at his career since winning the reality show he had never planned to audition for.

“I cannot remember what happened when they announced my name on stage,” he said. “I think it is the only time in my life I had a blackout, but I remember hugging Archie [runner-up David Archuleta].”

Now that he is touring, singing, composing and juggling media events, is fame everything he thought it would be?

“There is no love life. I’m just focused on my music right now,” he said. “And I thought that after winning I’d be getting a lot more sleep than I am.”

For a video interview with ‘American Idol’ star David Cook, visit courant.com/davidcook