An annoyed look from "American Idol" judge Simon Cowell as a contestant expressed sadness over the Virginia Tech shootings was drastically misintrepreted, Cowell and the show said Wednesday.
Cowell rolled his eyes and raised his eyebrows as contestant Chris Richardson of Chesapeake, Virginia, followed his performance on Tuesday's show with a comment about the 32 people killed on the campus by a student.
"My hearts and prayers go out to Virginia Tech. I have a lot of friends over there. ... Be strong," Richardson said on stage.
The camera caught Cowell's expression and showed him tapping his hand once, in apparent impatience, on the table in front of him and fellow judges Randy Jackson and Paula Abdul. In contrast, Abdul could be seen nodding in approval.
The show went into damage control Wednesday, with Cowell -- known for his acerbic comments -- and a series producer denying that he had heard what Richardson said.
Instead, he was talking to Abdul about Richardson's contention that he deliberately sang "Mayberry" in a nasal tone, Cowell told "American Idol" host Ryan Seacrest on Seacrest's radio show Wednesday.
Cowell: 'Idol' expression not related to Va. Tech
I do not think Simon was scoffing at VT at all. Cameras catch him always at bad times and I think he was more annoyed with Chris at how he was reacting to the critiscm. Simon sounded very sincere when he made the comment about VT during the show.
theaterdude, there's a link in the origanal post explaining how it was not related.
oh yeah i read the link i thought we werre debating it.
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/31/69
I'm rolling my eyes at yet another VT thread.
So yeah, I'd say it was possible he, like myself, is sick of the 24/7 psychobabble.
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/31/69
I'm rolling my eyes at yet another VT thread.
So yeah, I'd say it was possible he, like myself, is sick of the 24/7 psychobabble.
Good for you. Then turn off the TV and read a book or change the channel and don't open threads that deal with the subject. Problem solved.
I believe him that he was eye-rolling at something else. He knew he was on camera and he's not an idiot. If he'd been paying attention I don't think he would have done it.
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