Simon Cowell : Speaking The Truth or Just Plain Rude

[~*Triple Star On Broadway*~]

Posted: 2/10/04 at 7:45pm

Personally, I think Simon is dead honnest because he is right about 85% of the time with judging these people. But that other 15% makes me go, "What is he thinking?"
What do you guys think about him? Thruthful or rude? Right or Wrong? Etc, etc...

[racerchiquita76m]

Posted: 2/10/04 at 8:37pm

Well, I think he can be a little rude, but his non-use of tact at times is certainly a draw. It wouldn't be as interesting to watch. At the same time he derfinitely tells it like he sees it, and it's nice that he gives an honest opinion and doesn't sugar coat what he says.

[newyorkuniq]

Posted: 2/10/04 at 9:00pm

He tells it like it is. I like him.

[Wicked_Elphie]

Posted: 2/10/04 at 9:05pm

I think he's right about some things but usually he's just doing it to be mean...and to draw more negative attention to himself

[TheaterBaby]

Posted: 2/10/04 at 9:14pm

I liked him most during the first season. He's very honest, and to make it in that business (or any business), those people will hear much worse things. They need to learn how to take the good with the bad. Unfortunately, after season 1 Simon kind of let everything go to his head, and now I think he's extra mean rather than honestly helpful.
But, I would rather listen to his comments over Paula's. She sweetens everything, and doesn't give those contestants what they need (which is the harsh truth). Thank goodness Randy is a happy medium between those 2.

[Benzy92]

Posted: 2/10/04 at 9:17pm

All I know is the first group of 8 were incredible.. cant wait till next week!

[~*Triple Star On Broadway*~]

Posted: 2/10/04 at 9:20pm

No kidding! How in heavens name are they only going to pick 2 out of those terrific 8? I cant make even a slight guess as to whos gonna win this time.

[NYCbabe3789]

Posted: 2/10/04 at 9:29pm

It was a surprise. :) I kept thinking throughout the beginning of the season how much the talent stunk this year compared to the past seasons, but WOW! Tonight they were on fire!

As for Simon...I think he does both. He tells the truth, and if saying what is true is rude, he doesn't care.

I almost always agree with what Paula says. I really don't like Randy's comments...somehow I always disagree with him. He can be harsh too though. He's no Simon, but he's far from a Paula too.

[JohnPopa]

Posted: 2/10/04 at 9:36pm

First girl and the last girl. I thought all the guys were awful. The jazz girl has a lot of presence but it felt like she should have been doing a club gig.

I think sometimes Simon's too colorful and it comes off more harsh than needed. I don't think Paula has a lot of useful stuff to say, like she wants to say something 'nice' but it comes off sort of pointless. Randy reacts well but I'm not sure he has much insight either. Really, I think Simon seems to have the best idea of the bigger picture.

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 2/10/04 at 10:18pm

There is a fine, fine line...

between honest and viscious.

[chasing_rainbows43]

Posted: 2/10/04 at 11:22pm

I <3 Simon.
(that is all)

[ckeaton]

Posted: 2/11/04 at 8:46am

Simon is the only reason I watch that show.
He is a great businessman, and I respect him for what he has done.

[robyn525600]

Posted: 2/11/04 at 1:15pm

Its the truth but sometimes its just downright rude with what he says or the way he says it.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 2/11/04 at 1:15pm

It's actually very easy to be honest and tactful simultaneously. But let's be honest, tact does not provide ratings. Look at the Fame series from last season. The public wants vicious and rude behavior. Shows like Survivor and Big Brother wouldn't have made it one season if it wasn't for all the cat fights and backstabbing. It's true that most performers do need honest opinions in order to know what they need to work on or if they have what it takes to pursue a career in entertainment. However, they do not need the vile comments and cruel behavior of Simon or anyone else. Especially when it is broadcast on national television. I can only imagine how it must feel to go home after being mangled like that. Simon is a good businessman who knows what sells. Unfortunately, the public actually buys it. It's pretty depressing. I don't find any respect in banking off cruelty and generating more "pop" clones.

[JohnPopa]

Posted: 2/11/04 at 1:43pm

Cruel, in this instance, is always defined by the losers.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 2/11/04 at 2:39pm

JohnPopa - I define Simon's behavior as cruel. And I find cruelty to be completely inexcusable. I have never been nor have the desire to be a contestant on the show. The losers don't define cruelty. Simon's behavior does. He chooses to behave that way. It serves no purpose other than to boost ratings and get him some press. He already admitted that they purposely choose some of the worst applicants to spice up the show and improve ratings early in the season.

Personally, I preferred the Fame series. Each contestant had to sing and dance and perform as an ensemble. The judges were never heartless or rude. The criticism was always constructive. And the show was always live. Debbie Allen really seemed to care about each individual and even if they didn't make it, urged them to keep trying and working on their talents. I would like to see that one come back.

[JohnPopa]

Posted: 2/11/04 at 2:59pm

I don't think he's cruel at all. I've never heard him say something that was completely out of line. I've never disagreed with him. He may not be 'nice' but such is the way of things. We love to see people coddled, it makes us feel warm and fuzzy, like everyone 'cares.' Well, guess what, Simon cuts to the chase. Some people take him as a challenge. Those that can't take him don't have what it takes anyway.

Every performer has someone in their past that told them they'd never make it. Lots of people now have Simon. The strong will survive. He's not there to mentor and he's more than fair and supportive of people he likes and people he thinks have potential but didn't nail what they did in front of him.

[racerchiquita76m]

Posted: 2/11/04 at 3:09pm

In fairness to Simon, I should hope the people who audition know by now that what Simon has to say to them may hurt.

[ckeaton]

Posted: 2/11/04 at 3:09pm

And I have no sympathy for the performer who takes Simon's criticisms as cruel, this late in the run of American Idol... Everyone knows his style, and motives.

[ckeaton]

Posted: 2/11/04 at 3:21pm

RacerChiquita... stop reading my mind!

[ChristineDaae]

Posted: 2/11/04 at 3:55pm

He can be rude but I think most of the time hes telling the truth

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 2/11/04 at 4:16pm

"We love to see people coddled"???? Obviously, we don't or this show would not be as successful as it is. Nor would Survivor, The Real World, Big Brother, or any other show that relies upon people treating each other like crap in order to get ratings. You think Simon is not cruel and has never said anything out of line. I completely disagree 100%, but that's just a difference of opinions.

"Those that can't take him don't have what it takes anyway." What a load of crap. He's not the be-all end-all of the entertainment industry, nor is his word scripture in the pop Bible.

Now I'm not saying he's not supportive of his personal favorites (who all sound mostly similar), but his negative remarks are just so unnecessarily over the top. I completely agree that the contestants should not take it seriously because it's mostly for show, but you never know what kind of personality you'll be dealing with and what impact it may have on the individual. This may be the one shot for these kids and to verbally flog them in front of millions of viewers on national television is inexcusable, whether people expect it or not. I just hope he can use his millions one day to buy an ounce of tact. Unfortunately, tact is considered a rare antiquity these days and therefore is difficult to find.

[JohnPopa]

Posted: 2/11/04 at 4:46pm

As I said, and I don't want to labor the same point: he's not there to mentor. He's not a professor or a teacher or a guru. He's an agent. Let's not ever think otherwise. He's there to see has 'it.' Talk to an A & R guy sometime: they don't have time or interest in helping out 99.9 percent of the people they see. It's one shot. It's not a seminar.

[chinkie azn jai]

Posted: 2/11/04 at 5:57pm

I like it that hes truthfull with everyone. its a freshness that some people shouldnt be hurt by, but use them as things to work on.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 2/11/04 at 6:00pm

It still doesn't excuse his behavior. I'm not talking about his helping out anyone. I'm talking about his negative comments towards those that don't make it. They're unecessary, cruel, and over the top. Agent, producer, teacher, parent or otherwise. It doesn't matter. I've had agents before and they don't all behave they way, nor is it in any way beneficial to anyone for them to behave that way. If I only get one shot at an audition, I get a "thank you" or "I'm sorry, but no" if I don't make it. That's all that is required. He just says this crap to get attention and he got it. I find nothing respectable about it at all.