"Idol" Producer Slams Rosie, Defends Show

Nigel Lythgoe, executive producer of "American Idol," has just released a statement in response to criticism made against the show by "View" host Rosie O'Donnell. It reads:

"Without wishing to add to the obvious self-promotion of Ms. O'Donnell, I feel as though I must refute her absurd and ridiculous claims that 'American Idol' is racist and/or weightist.

"Ms. O'Donnell has, once again, spoken without thought or knowledge. Viewers need only look at the show tonight to realize that 'American Idol' constantly confirms to America that talent has nothing to do with weight or color."

It was Rosie's comments on Tuesday's episode of "The View" that drew "Idol's" ire. Rosie called the show "weightist and racist" over the way it has handled the Antonella Barba photo scandal this season, as opposed to when it booted contestant Frenchie Davis for the same thing. Although an "Idol" spy tells us that the difference is that Frenchie was paid for her pre-Idol porn, while Antonella's photos were private, and published without her knowledge or permission.

Idol's On Vacation: Click to launch photos"Idol" has also banned "The View" from using clips from the show.



Tags: american idol, AmericanIdol, rosie o'donnell, RosieO'donnell, the view, TheView

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181. Good old Rosie is at it again. Remember the dust up with "The Donny"? I heard that was all patched up and that she was going to work under Donny as he said he couldn't work under her!

Anywho, take Rosie for what she is - an old bull dyke. The real problem stems from Rosie wanting to give Paula a roll in the hay. Paula told her to pee off.

Respectfully,

Dudley A. Fudpucker
Fudpucker & Son - Specialists in Polish Sausage and Flyswatters. We can also arrange riots at a reasonable price.

Posted at 10:45AM on Mar 8th 2007 by Dudley A. Fudpucker Sr.

182. Many of you have no clue. None of you have any idea why Ms. Davis was fired. American Idol is not going to release the specifics of her firing. It says in the article that she did her photos (with signed release) for profit and they were posted on a porn web site. Quite a difference between that and friend's photos that are published without permission. And, who knows what other reasons the producers had. Once again, Rosie has shot her big mouth off without having or caring about the facts. As, Barbara Walters said herself, "these are Rosie's views and you can't bite the hand and then expect favors. She is going to alienate everyone.

Posted at 10:52AM on Mar 8th 2007 by Mark

183. Rosie needs to keep her mouth shut about evberyone. She has no room to talk about anyone. All Rosie is anymore is an absolutely concieted egotisitcal slob who thinks she is better than everyone else.

Posted at 10:59AM on Mar 8th 2007 by Gloria

184. I dont think it's racist. People just come to their own conclusions without looking at the complete picture and why does it always have to go to being racist when an African American is involved? Frenchie was paid for her pictures and Antonella was having fun in her private life and someidiot decided that it would be cool to get the pictures out to the public just to humiliate her. In my opinion, I think it was her best friend that she auditioned with and who didn't make it through (can't think of her name). I believe that she was so pissed that Antonella got through and she didn't that she wanted to sabatoge her chances. I am in no way condoning Antonella's behavior. I am just stating that what someone chooses to do in private is their choice because that's what makes America so wonderful. Frenchie made a choice and knew that her photo's would be publicly viewed. There is a difference and its not racism.

Posted at 11:00AM on Mar 8th 2007 by smackem823

185. When others voice their opinions about issues that ROSIE does not like she always calls them racists or anti gay or some other reason for her to gripe.

But we have to listen to her complain about this and that. The only reason people go to the VIEW tapings and I have been to one myself and listen to people who stand in line and wait are for the FREEBIES. Yes the free things you get when you sit in the studio audiance. Not for Rosie. And if you listen to the taping alot of the applause is canned.
I been and seen for myself not many people in the audiance laugh at Rosies so called jokes. And not to many find her VIEWS correct.

And I am tired of the RACE card being played all the time and the weight issue. Come on people. Remember Blacks helped in slaughtering many NATIVE AMERICANS and you do not see the Native Americans yelling at everyone for their demise.

And remember this if you look thru out history of the USA many races were slaves and such not just the BLACKs were treated poorly.

SHAME if you continue to play the race card you will never succeed in anything for it will always hold you bakc.

Posted at 11:02AM on Mar 8th 2007 by KST

186. Rosie was NOT out of line, she stated her VIEW on the situation and that's that.
Plus nude photos are nude photos, if you give them out free or charge for them...the rule should go across the board to be fair to everyone..take nudies and you are not the next Idol Star.......anyways, its a DUMP ASS SHOW, with talentless judges........PLEASE! PAULA JUDGING TALENT....

Posted at 12:12PM on Mar 8th 2007 by Drew

187. I can’t wait to read that Rosie is finally dead! The world will be a better place without that big fat pile of sh*t! I really hate her! She’s just a female Andy Dick (I need attention).

If you don’t like Antonella then don’t vote for her. It’s your choice. I’d to see her stay. I hope that Antonella and Sabrina stay till the end.

Posted at 12:19PM on Mar 8th 2007 by MrMike

188. I think that between Rosie and the View, and Idol- there is No Difference- They both tend to be DISGUSTING!!! All these Egotistical A--HOLES that "STAR" on these shows are only indicative of a societal "sickness" that this country is in tune with- Cowell and Paula Judges of "Nothing Decent", Rosie and BaaaWaaa are two idiots- who have nothing to offer thats worth anything-

Posted at 12:27PM on Mar 8th 2007 by Raffaele Zuccaro

189. Frenchie put her pictures on the internet to make money. She voluntarily put them on. Some idiot wanting to hurt Antonella or make a name for himself put private pictures of her on the internet. I'm sure she didn't voluntarily put them on herself as Frenchie did.

Posted at 12:50PM on Mar 8th 2007 by Jeanne

190. In response to "Bean" saying that they hate American Idol and that the show sucks. What is that saying................."Opinions are like *&^#$(!@, everybody has one!" Obviously American Idol does not SUCK as it it the number one most watched show in TV history! Sounds like "Bean" has a real problem and needs to get over it! AMERICAN IDOL IS A GREAT SHOW which is obvious by the ratings! And as for Rosie..................all I can say is consider the source! Using one of my mother's little sayings................"Rosie's Mouth Runs Like A Dishwasher's Rear End!" So SHUT UP ROSIE and sweep your own doorstep off first before going for someone elses!

Posted at 1:01PM on Mar 8th 2007 by Lucy

191. all the slurs calling rosie fat is proof enough that ppl are weightist. i dont agree w/ rosie's vulgarity, dress, being the center of attention or homosexuality but she makes good points, its pure racism and miss usa and teen usa clearly broke the rules; wheres the outcry. whenever its white its given a trumped up reason, when its black (frenchie, vanessa wms) its harsh treatment.these two should receive an apology and damages. that 50% of A I are black is because talent makes for ratings.i remember when trump went bust, everybody said, trump is "broke." frenchie told A I and white girl didnt.A I 's talent pool isnt there. white girl is bones and cannot sing, she never should have gone to hollywood. that girl did knock boots on camera, so stop trying to clean up her image, you slick racists,im on to you bigtime

Posted at 11:37PM on Mar 9th 2007 by topaznpearls

192. Rosie just needs to shut her fat ugly face! She is annoying
and I can't believe that anyone would like or support her. She acts like she is
some sort of God. Why is everything she EVER says something bad about other people? There is a difference in stating your opinion about a subject
and acting the way Rosie does. People make the comments about the same things as Rosie does saying the same things as she does and nobody getting mad at them,
maybe its because they are doing it out of pure humor, not meaning to
hurt anyone, and have an ounce of class about themselves. She thinks
EVERYTHING is racist, sexist, homophobic, or whatever weightist is. I 110% back Idol's
decision not to let them use clips. Everyone knows that Paula's video
was well...just werid and Antonella might should have been booted but she wasn't ... who cares, she will not win the show so lets move on. Rosie is a disgrace to
women and should be taken off air. The View made the dumbest decision
ever to put her on the show. She interrupts and never even lets anyone else say anything if they don't agree with her. I am soo tired of seeing just who Roise will bash next. She deserves people like us posting comments about her. I hope Donald Trump does sue her a$$ for everything she is worth!

Posted at 1:27PM on Mar 8th 2007 by Paige

193. Rosie is a shameless self-promoter and will say what it takes to keep her name in the news.

From my understanding, and it is said in the article, the difference between what went on with the two woman was the first was PAID to do porn. She was a PAID porn actor.

This other girl, who is cute but lets face it won't make it very far, had some private photos that were published without her permission on the Internet. The one's that are her were pretty tame and showed no nudity. The one showing the sex act has still not been proven to be her and there seems to be enough doubt for them to investigate further.

Posted at 3:35PM on Mar 8th 2007 by Elizabeth

194. American Idol is wack. I wouldnt waste my time looking at it. Rosie is right, and that man looks like the crypt. ana

Posted at 3:55PM on Mar 8th 2007 by ana

195. Remember people ,Rosie's program is called "The View". Rosie was hired by Barbara because she has "views". It would be a really boring program if everyone on it had the same opinion.

Posted at 3:52PM on Mar 8th 2007 by Kathie VanDonsel

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