"American Idol" Controversy: Cowell Claims He was Not Disrespecting Virginia Tech
The controversy began after a performance by Idol contestant Chris Richardson. Cowell was criticizing his nasally performance when Richardson decided to give a shout out to the victims at Virgina Tech. He said "My hearts and prayers go out to Virginia Tech. I have a lot of friends over there....be strong." The camera then cut to an eye rolling Cowell, who seemed agitated by everything going on. Without thinking, many people took this as Cowell belittling what happened at Virginia Tech. There were numerous phone calls across the country to Fox affiliates complaining about the incident.
Cowell would explain on the Ryan Seacrest radio show what had happened. "I was saying to Paula, `What does he mean, he sang nasally on purpose? I didn't understand what he was saying. So I hadn't even heard what he did. Then my eye rolled, given what I was saying to Paula." He later added, " I've never heard so much rubbish."
"I did want to clear this one up because, you know, this is a very very sensitive subject. The irony is that we did want to try and set the right tone on the show. And then something like this happens, and it just starts fanning the flames. And people need to understand, there are families involved. It's not right."While some were outraged about the comments, others were critical of people making this a big deal. The station manager, Dave Bunnell, at the Fox station that serves Blacksburg, Virginia did not see any importance to the eye rollings of Cowell.
"It's just like everything. Everyone second-guesses everything these days....the media should be concentrating on why this person did it, talking about the families affected."The people in charge of American Idol tried to calm the issue down. Produced Nigel Lythgoe said "This is a sad time for everyone, so it is especially disheartening that a quick camera cutaway could have been misinterpreted."
It is unfortunate that something like this has to happen. Obviously, Cowell meant no disrespect to the victims at Virginia Tech. The problem is people are extra sensitive during times like these and can be quick to rush to judgment. The best thing we can do right now is figure out what happened and why it happened so we can make sure nothing like this ever happens again. Controversies like this take away from the seriousness of the situation at Virginia Tech.
Sources: Yahoo, Drudge Report
http://tv.yahoo.com/news/article/urn:newsml:tv.ap.org:20070418:tv_american_idol_virginia_tech__ER
Published by Mike
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20 Comments
Post a CommentI'm with millbrook. The media dragging it out like this is much more distasteful and disrespectful than a misinterpreted eye-roll.
Simon may be a little rude to the American Idol contestants but he would never disrespect the the families and victims of the Virginia Tech shooting. This is just another case of the media trying to make something out of nothing to get ratings. Great article....
I heard it said one time that all forms of communication are imperfect. This is proof and also how TV can mis-interpret someone's attitude accidentally.
Sorry, Douginator! I meant to say "GREAT READ!" but just completely forgot you had anything to do with it, anyhoo (grin).
love ya Simon! Tell it like it is and brush this one off :)
I think Simon is a riot!! I love him!! I wish he'd critique my articles - "What is this attempt at writing, Jeanne?!? If I were you, I'd plagairize!!" Heh :) He's not cold hearted, folks - he's truthful. And his opinion is one of experience. And, let's face it, meny contestants DO sound like dying rhinos... I would have wondered the same thing he expressed to Paula, as well - a quick attempt to cover nervous nasal singing (smile). On a side note, I'm so sick of people deciding this or that person has been speaking offensively about an event!!! If you actually do care that much, go to the victim's families and see what you can do to help!! Otherwise... you just want your name in lights, your 15 minutes of fame. And what a horrible thing to do... personal profit from such a terrible event! The people who stir this type thing are the actual coldhearted ones. And evidently their talent for making their fame with old fashioned hard work is about like the sounds of, well, a dying rhino! We l
Controversy ended...last night on Idol the re-played the tape and then allowed Simon and Paulas audio to be heard via their mics..
Of course, Simon was not disrespecting the victims of V Tech! The fact that it has been dragged about in the media is more disrespectful! More distasteful are the barbs and sexual innuendoes between Simon and Ryan! Their childishness is getting tiresome and annoying. Simon should keep himself above it and carry on with his intelligent critiques.
Great article. I doubt Simon was rolling about VT. It's probably just as he said it was. I'm sure he's heard every excuse in the book for bad singing by now and this was just another, so, fed up, he rolled his eyes like saying "Gimme a break". People always blow simple things out of proportion. :)
come on people do you really think that Simon would be that low....i never thought anything of it, it was obvious what the rolling eyes was too...people need to calm down in this world...it aint about you it is about the people at VT..Simon making a honest mistake is the last thing from there minds