Simon Cowell, American Idol's 'Mr Nasty' Defends His 'Mean' Streak.
American Idol judges and producers have hit back at criticism that the new series of the talent show is too mean.More than 37 million people tuned in to see the sixth series start on Tuesday - a record for the show. But some critics have said it is more cruel than ever.
Judge Simon Cowell told one hopeful he looked like "one of those creatures that live in the jungle with those massive eyes... Bush babies?" Cowell told reporters: "If you don't want to hear that, don't show up."
Cowell is known for his blunt put-downs on American Idol, America's Got Talent and the UK's X Factor. He said the "bush baby" comment was an "off-the-cuff remark". If he's offended, then I apologise," he said. "I might never call anyone a bush baby again."
Executive Producer Ken Warwick said viewers liked to see the worst singers. "It's more the bad singers that will bring in the ratings," he said.
And Peter Liguori, entertainment president of TV network Fox, said: "Let's face it, the show has been on the air six years, the judges have been critical for six years."
Cowell also called one tall contestant a "giraffe" and asked an overweight singer if he "borrowed Randy's pants", referring to fellow judge Randy Jackson.
'Outright cruelty'
"It just seems like they're being a lot meaner," said another unsuccessful contestant Jessica Rhode, who fell to her knees and wept before the judges.
The new series has also come in for criticism from talk show host Rosie O'Donnell, who said the judges should not "make fun of someone's physical appearance and then when they leave the room laugh hysterically".
Entertainment Weekly critic Michael Slezak wrote: "The American Idol auditions in Seattle sometimes crossed the line into outright cruelty."
And the San Francisco Chronicle's David Wiegand said: "The judges are either seriously off their game, or have just gotten tired of themselves." Much of the show was "uncomfortably sad", he wrote. (BBC NEWS)
***** What about those of you reading this report? Have you seen the latest edition of American Idol? Are the judges or at least Simon Cowell as 'mean' as he is being made out to be? Let us know your view.
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Labels: Trivia
posted by The Malaysian. at 1/22/2007 02:15:00 PM
3 Comments:
I dont know whether it is fair or useful to ask us for our views. This is because we are different from the americans in our make up, traits and personality etcetc. What is rude/mean to us may not be so to them.
Like, those malays of mallaca, when they speak, they like to swear and it is normal for them. A malay from a different state will feel offended unless he/she knows malacaan malays well.
As I mentioned in my blog...
The key entertainment still comes from the bloopers that most make – either they sing miserably or dress miserably.
Some looked loss whilst for others, nervousness gets better of them. And this is not helped by the fact that Simon can be very nasty but that is entertainment.
First of all, this is American Idol. By definition, an American Idol has to be someone with not only talent but who's also pleasant looking. I am not trying to be shallow but that's reality. Not only can't those ppl sing, but they don't look good either. They came on the show just for a few minutes of fame. These ppl need someone to bring them back to reality.
Btw, I am not attractive nor do I consider my self pleasant looking but I don't go doing foolish things such as joining these competitions when I clearly have no talent to sing. I mean, these ppl deserve it. I don't see the judges making fun of ppl who were "ugly" but talented. They know very well that the rest of the participants are just there for the few minutes of air time while hoping to be as famous as William Hung (another idiot who thought he could sing). Fame doesn't come with sacrifice. They go in knowing well what they've sacrificed - their dignity.
Oh well, I guess many would still disagree but everyone is entitled to their opinion.
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