Is Ellen DeGeneres Really Mad at Simon Cowell... Or is 'Stewing Ellen' Just Another 'American Idol' Publicity Stunt?
Did Ellen DeGeneres Really Expect the Narcissistic Simon Cowell to Be Punctual?
Given that some people in Haiti had to wait a week to get rescued from under their houses, Ellen DeGeneres waiting an hour and a half to tape her first episode of American Idol seems akin to complaining there is not enough whipped cream on one's caramel macchiato, petty at best.
Not only would Ellen being upset with Simon Cowell for being late to a taping of American Idol be small minded, it would be naïve, especially since it is a widely held theory (okay, it's my theory) that Simon Cowell has all the classic symptoms of narcissism: "Believing that you're better than others... believing that you're special and acting accordingly... failing to recognize other people's emotions and feelings... and appearing as tough-minded or unemotional" to list just a few of the symptoms of narcissism published on the Mayo Clinic website. Arguably, Simon Cowell's narcissism and disdain for others is what American Idol fans love to hate about him. Would a narcissistic person like Simon Cowell care if he's late to a taping? Do pigs bark?
Now, personally, I like Ellen DeGeneres. What's not to like? Ellen DeGeneres is the epitome of niceness. It is difficult to picture the Queen of Nice even swatting a fly; if she did, she would probably end up taking it to the vet to heal its broken wing.
Yet as nice as Ellen DeGeneres is, she's no dummy. You have to be a pretty smart cookie to make it to the top of daytime TV, especially when you're a gay woman in a country in which, according to a May 2009 Gallup Poll, 57% of people are against gay marriage. We still live in a relatively homophobic society, so for Ellen to have gained such wide mainstream acceptance from middle America speaks as much to her psychological smarts at reading people as her nice as pie personality.
My guess is that the Ellen-is-mad-at-Simon conflict is a publicity stunt hatched by the show's PR staff to make a big splash for Ellen's premiere as American Idol's newest fourth judge (and they can send me a thank you note for falling into their little trap).
See also:
What is Your American Idol Viewing Style?
Sources:
http://www.deadline.com/hollywood/tv-tug-of-war-its-ellen-vs-simon-and-simon-fuller-vs-simon-cowell-and-american-idol-vs-x-factor-as-tommy-mottola-is-first-choice-to-judge-both-shows/
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/narcissistic-personality-disorder/DS00652
http://www.realitytvworld.com/news/report-ellen-degeneres-new-american-idol-deal-is-five-year-pact-9518.php
http://www.gallup.com/poll/118378/majority-americans-continue-oppose-gay-marriage.aspx
Published by Nancy Tracy - Featured Contributor in Arts & Entertainment
Nancy Tracy is a Yahoo! Featured Contributor for arts & entertainment. She enjoys writing about a variety of topics from psychology to politics to popular culture. Her article on "Transient Global Amnesia" w... View profile
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- Narcissists are often late because they do not consider other people's feelings.
- Ellen DeGeneres is good at reading people or she would not have made it to the top of daytime TV.
- The "fight" between Ellen DeGeneres and Simon Cowell over Simon being late is a publicity stunt.
9 Comments
Post a CommentI'm with Patricia on this one, although I loved the article. Someone who is running late should call,even if it's going to be only ten or fifteen minutes. It's not petty to be annoyed if someone screws up your work schedule by acting like an idiot (although your point about buried Haitians does remind one keep things in perspective :)
I can always count on you for a great comment, Patricia. I don't forgive Simon for being late and inconsiderate. It's just that I am not surprised and would not expect Ellen to be, just as I am not surprised when I hit traffic on the freeway during rush hour because that's just what freeways do. If I were Ellen, I would have read a book, caught up on my email or found some way to pass the time enjoyably, relishing the unexpected gift of free time and appreciating the fat paycheck I would soon be getting.
It seems that you are 'forgiving' Simon for his inconsideration by diagnosing him as marcisitic. This is his JOB, he's SUPPOSED to be on time. What right does he have to make others wait for him, especially others who have moved around their schedules so they could be on time. Ellen has a perfect right to be mad.
I'd be surprised if Simon showed up on time! I adore Ellen and can't wait to watch her on AI this year. :)
I can see why Ellen would be mad. I would be mad too if cocky Cowell showed up an hour late! he's too cocky and arrigant.
I too like Ellen. Cowell stinks. Good report.
Nancy, your excellent choices of hyperbole are what makes this article a killer!!! Love it!!!
Makes sense to me.
I like your perspective on this. She must certainly know how to do something right, to be so popular - as an openly gay woman.