Simon Cowell justifies his comments as human nature and we all want to say it.

[Deja Q]

Once in a while, shouldn't we withhold some of our comments (myself included)?

[graywarrior]

1. Simon is FULL OF HIMSELF and laughing all the way to the bank.

[alarimer]

2. I am not sure Simon Cowell is human

but I think hearing what he has to say, shocking as it may be, it part of the draw of American Idol. "He didn't really just say that, did he?"

[thefool_wa]

3. To an extent

And, while I do think he can be unusually harsh at times, I watch the show and some of those people deserve what he says. By that I mean that their attitude elicits his responses.

Also, I believe him about 40% of the time when he is saying he's not trying to be rude. If you look at his position, he has to cull HORDES of the untalented in hopes of finding a few gems. This can be a frustrating process (especially after a few years of doing it) and can lead to a pretty dulled sense of decorum when it comes to dealing with the countless droves of chaff that he has to sort through.

Some of these people need to hear his harsh words. In the, what, six years that the show has been on we have only seen a fraction of the bad, and some of these people really think they have a shot at a music career. He is there to tell them to find a new direction with their lives. Its the best advice some of them can get.

We must also consider the "Simple Life" factor, and that is that confrontational and rude behavior is what they think makes for good TV. I'm sure the producers goad him to be rude and insensitive because they think that is what people like to see.

Me, I just like to watch idiots make fools of themselves. I could care less about how rude he is, and sometimes he is WAY over the top.

[Skittles]

4. why do people insist on making celebrities out of such f***ing assholes?

Idol makes me SICK - just part of one show was enough for me to want to barf

[Deja Q]

6. Agreed. It does reflect our culture, assuming our culture doesn't

adapt to it once they get over the initial "Gadzooks and giddy gerbils, they did that on national television!" shock reaction. Being desensitized. Those who own the media have to be ashamed, or should be at times. They try to rationalize it, but it hasn't stopped anybody... and I've seen how I've been desensitized too. It's almost scary at times.

[mvd]

5. He can be a jerk for sure

But really, I've seen many things on DU about the contestants that are just as harsh. Yes, they aren't said to the contestants' faces, but some comments here are Simon-like. I have to say that while sometimes I wonder what he is thinking, I agree with his analysis the most, by just a little over Randy.

[Deja Q]

7. I'll give him credit for plastering his face on the TV and making tens of millions for it...

We should all be so lucky.

I typically don't watch Idol or follow those threads, so I don't know how bad DUers get. Ironically, I know I myself have been harsher than what would be acceptable in a civilized world on some topics so I have my own work to do.

The difference is, I'll admit my mistakes. Simon just takes the money and runs. Sometimes I wonder which one of us is doing wrong and I think it's me. The media says anyone as verbally crass like him can be paid millions and live a cool life, even in blue jeans... people seem to like pushing others into acid baths these days... and I loathe to think any of that is due to 'social engineering' rather than mere 'money making'...

Now see my response to Skittles. :)

[mvd]

8. Simon has actually watched the tape and changed his mind

He's told contestants so. I watch AI so I have seen it. Still, I don't like the guy personally, and think this charity thing won't change his image any.

[Deja Q]

9. Hmmm, a possible mea culpa so he can feel better about himself, perhaps?

Psychology was never my strong point, despite having watched decades' worth of media and noting what becomes 'socially acceptable' and when... it's interesting, the good changes... But the bad changes are nothing to toot the happy horn about either... :(

[mvd]

10. Not sure if that is, but the charity thing might be

:hi:

[necso]

11. Human nature is broad;

it includes assholes as well as the considerate.

But no, we don't all long to express (or enjoy expressing) our inner-assholes. (And certainly, we don't all get paid for doing so.) Some people try to reserve such faces of character (where they even have such) for when the circumstances demand this sort of thing -- like when standing up to some (professional/casual, habitual) asshole. (Put another way, "asshole" is descriptive of some, uncharacteristic of others -- and very characterizing of yet others.)

But yeah, assholes do abound.

However, I see little point in giving them encouragement.

[LSdemocrat]

12. Except, he's there to judge people who volunteer for the criticism

At this point anyone who tries out for American Idol can't possibly have any reasonable expectation of being treated kindly by Simon, so they essentially assume the risk.

[hfojvt]

13. I wanted to audition for idol

I planned to do a medley, starting with "The Rockets"

"can't help it 'bout the shape I'm in
I can't sing. I ain't pretty and my legs are thin
Don't ask me what I think of you,
I might not give the answer that you want me to"

then

"You took the words right outta my mouth
it must have been while you were kissing me
you took the words right outta my mouth.."

then

"nothing you can say that can't be said.
It's easy.
All you need is love."

I wasn't sure how I was gonna close. I needed some kind of love song. But I heard that they don't accept auditions from people over age 25. So I am too old to make a fool out of myself.

I guess there's still Church softball or something.