Why I Love Simon Cowell

Simon Cowell, judge for the hit reality show American Idol takes a lot of flack for being the bad apple. Some say he is too harsh, some say he has no right to hurt the contestants feelings, some question his eligibility due to his British background, I say shut up because Simon Cowell is hilarious and frankly, a breath of fresh air. On a show where the goal is to find the most commercial talent and give them a chance to be the next American superstar, Simon is often portrayed as the mean arrogant jerk who could care less about sparing the feelings of the rejected.

While you can often find Paula Abdul, co-star and co-judge, at a loss for words trying to find something positive to say about the catastrophe that takes place during try-outs, Simon will never let you down. Sure, the viewer is entitled to feel empathy for the teenage, overweight, tone deaf girl with acne but he is honest and to the point, like any business man would be. Sex sells, acne doesn't. If you suck, then find another profession; simple as pie. Never will you find Simon hiding behind his hands stifling his laughter or apologizing for rejecting a contestant. Why should he? Do you apologize for doing your job?

Simon reacts in the same manner executive CEO's react to bad numbers, the way publishers and editors react to bad manuscripts, and the way strangers react to intolerable adolescents. So why the bad rep? Is it the television cameras? Should we restrain our judgment for our private thoughts and lives? No. Not if you want people to watch.

Simon is like life; uncoated, honest, and hard hitting. Do I feel sorry for the rejected? Absolutely not. They have seen every season, every previous episode, they know Simon. They, by trying out, are allowing themselves the chance to be humiliated on national television, to be the next William Hung. So when they are in tears and calling Simon and the gang "expletively deleted" it's hilarious to me, the hypocrisy of it all.

Paula is the teddy bear of the group ( since Randy shed the love handles) with her no holds barred attitude and lightheartedness, Randy is the "cool" down to earth guy who can relate to a "brotha", and Simon is the originator of the cold hearted persona. We all know which personality will dominate the screen.

Every show needs a Simon character now, look at hit television series House where Hugh Laurie plays mean man straight to the point super doctor. Every week we tune in to find out who he is going to insult and then save. "Christina" the character on smash hit Grey's Anatomy embodies the same cold hearted and emotionless nature that Simon has and it won her a Golden Globe. Every reality show has boiled down into the trifecta, the nice one, the down to earth one, and Simon.

The truth is all of these reality shows is that they all play off of the success of American Idol. Everything is a contest. Top model, top chef, top designer, top this and best that. While these shows dominate the night time line ups the fifteen minutes these contestants get is literally only fifteen minutes. After the "winner" has received their cash and prizes the public seldom hears from the again. They take their hush money and run for the hills. Only American Idol has contained the staying power of winners like Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood who go on to have successful careers.

For being such a "bastard" Simon sure does know how to keep viewers viewing. And in the business of ratings and television, being a jerk seems to be extremely appealing. I applaud Simon Cowell for stepping up to the plate and being the "meanie" in a room full of pansies.