Simon Says "I Wasn't Listening. I'm Horrified!"

Simon CowellTMZ spoke with Simon Cowell this morning about last night's incident on "A.I.," in which Cowell sarcastically rolled his eyes after contestant Chris Richardson offered condolences to the families of the victims at Virginia Tech.

Cowell told TMZ, "I couldn't hear what Chris had said. I was talking to Paula. My reaction (rolling my eyes) was to what he had said previously, that singing nasally is a form of singing."

It's true, when the judges are off camera they frequently jab at each other as the singers do their thing.

Simon told TMZ he was shocked when he saw what went down: "When I watched the show back, I was horrified."



Reader Comments

(Page 24 of 25) Previous 15 Comments | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 |

346. Although Chris was sincere about his thoughts concerning the Virginia shooting victims,
he was inappropriate to say anything about it at that time. American Idol already took the time out to express their condolences. It was time to listen to what the judges had to say. He seemed completely unprepared to hear the truth, therefore he changed the subject to draw the attention away from himself. It does not take a great deal of intelligence to see that Simon was not expressing his opinion with the "rolling" of his
eyes, about the victims.
Personally, I believe that Chris' performance was poor. He is NOT the next American
Idol.

Posted at 7:42PM on Apr 19th 2007 by Arlene

347. Now that everyone has seen the replay and can actually hear that Simon was commenting on the nasal singing, doesn't Simon deserve an apology for being perceived as a rude, arrogant etc. While Simon will rip the singers hearts out when they are terrible I do not think he would make a mockery of such a tragedy.
Also I think people are missing the point when it comes to A.I. as a whole, if you can't sing, you can't sing, it is the contestant's choice to go before the A.I. judges and should expect honest criticism. If you can't take the heart stay out of the kitchen. BY THE WAY MOST OF THE TIME SIMON IS ON POINT WHEN IT COMES TO THE SINGERS CAN'T SING.

Posted at 7:37PM on Apr 24th 2007 by KiKi

348. I agree totally with #335 Arlene. I was beginning to worry I was watching the wrong AI.

Posted at 8:55PM on Apr 19th 2007 by ccnc

349. Chris should not have mentioned the VT situation at that particular moment and in watching replays of the situation, Ryan made an effort to stop him when he, Ryan, realized what he was saying. Does anyone else agree with that??? If Simon really "rolled his eyes" it was because he didn't think Chris should be running off at that moment.

Posted at 6:22PM on Apr 20th 2007 by acj

350. Simon DID NOT do anything wrong. Look at the real problems of the world and don't look for things that aren't there. V T you have all my prayers and thoughts. I am so proud of all the young people at V T (GO HOKIES).

I love Simon, at least he is truthful and not phoney.

Thank Goodness Sanjaya is GONE!!!!!!

JORDIN SHOULD WIN IDOL.

Posted at 10:52PM on Apr 19th 2007 by Julie Atl Ga

351. REPLYING TO #334 (EDWARD) You must not watch Idol, if you did last night you could see how WRONG YOU ARE. But people like you look for the worst.

At least Simon is truthful, not like you.

GO HOKIES! (GOD BLESS ALL OF YOU)

Posted at 11:05PM on Apr 19th 2007 by JULIE

352. 334. It is CLEAR that Simon rolled his eyes when Chris mentioned the families, victims etc. NOT about the nasally singing. That was long passed. He rolled his eyes RIGHT when he said that about the families. The timing couldn't have been more precise. Knowing how Simon is PLUS he wasn't happy with Chris at that moment, I wouldn't put it past him. It's obvious!

Posted at 5:07PM on Apr 19th 2007 by Edward

NEWS FLASH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!NEWS FLASH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!NEWS FLASH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!NEWS FLASH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!NEWS FLASH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!NEWS FLASH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!NEWS FLASH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!NEWS FLASH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!NEWS FLASH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!NEWS FLASH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!NEWS FLASH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!NEWS FLASH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!NEWS FLASH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!NEWS FLASH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!NEWS FLASH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

DID YOU WATCH IDOL LAST NIGHT? SIMON DID NOT ROLL HIS EYES TO WHAT CHRIS WAS SAYING! IT WAS EXPLAINED IN GREAT DETAIL AS TO WHAT ACTUALLY WENT ON......

Posted at 11:44PM on Apr 19th 2007 by Drama Continues!

353. And I quote Simon, "It's been a tricky week for you guys. But It's OK."
What sensitivity.
What senserity.
How compassionate.

32 people killed and he calls it a tricky week.

Posted at 8:37AM on Apr 22nd 2007 by al camp

354. I think Simon and Randy are the only real judges...when Simon rolled his eyes, it was clear he had been looking at, if not talking to, Paula. Paula should be dumped in favor of someone with an opinion of her own. Simon, many times, has been the only one to tell it like it is, Harsh? Parhaps. These contestants do not, and should not, need hand-holding. Not at this stage of the game. regardless of whether Chris wanted a sympathy vote or not or Simon actiion was a reaction to either comment from Chris, Chris is the worst, well-l-l, won't mention Sanjaya, and needs to go

Posted at 9:10AM on Apr 20th 2007 by chelseatc

355. I think Simon and Randy are the only real judges...when Simon rolled his eyes, it was clear he had been looking at, if not talking to, Paula. Paula should be dumped in favor of someone with an opinion of her own. Simon, many times, has been the only one to tell it like it is, Harsh? Parhaps. These contestants do not, and should not, need hand-holding. Not at this stage of the game. regardless of whether Chris wanted a sympathy vote or not or Simon actiion was a reaction to either comment from Chris, Chris is the worst, well-l-l, won't mention Sanjaya, and needs to go

Posted at 12:52PM on Apr 25th 2007 by chelseatc

356. I think that contestant was more disgusting than the eye roll. He was playing up his sympathy to make up for his lack of talent. It makes me sick to my stomach to think of someone using something so tragic to milk votes. If you ask me that should be more of an issue than Simon's response.

Posted at 10:15AM on Apr 20th 2007 by Joan

357. IMO, Chris took advantage of the situation and was trying to get pity votes! American Idol already mentioned the VT massacre in the beginning of the show! Why didn't he just wear a black ribbon to show support. I rolled my eyes too when Chris said that! Low, dude, low.

Posted at 12:47AM on Apr 22nd 2007 by your mom

358. well, america deserves what happened @ virginia tech. they are the guilty ones in this event! not simon. i guess it onloy shows how naive americans are when reactions are given that are not sympathetic to them. ciao!! we englanders rule!!

Posted at 11:54AM on Apr 23rd 2007 by sweetbayag

359. With all the good programs on TV I don't understand why ppl watch this kinda crap.

Posted at 6:16PM on Apr 22nd 2007 by Betsy

360. as you can clearly see here, this is not the first time he has done this...http://tinyurl.com/27fdng

Posted at 3:16PM on Apr 23rd 2007 by Liquid Generation

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