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

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61. "He needs to apologize to the student body and faculty of Virginia Tech, the American people and Chris for the response to his comment. I for one WILL NEVER watch Idol again if he remains on this show and displays no remorse for his behavior."

Get a life please, #11. You sound like a retard.

Posted at 2:24PM on Apr 18th 2007 by AD Jones

62. Chris was not tacky. This is a personal issue for him and he had every right to make a "shout out" Furthermore, his friends at VA tech would have wondered why he had not done so as would all his fans in VA. When you are from the place where something like that has happened and you have a public platform like that, where Ryan always lets everyone else have a word of whatever they want to say, you look like a jerk or someone from VA who doesn't care if you DON'T say something.

I suppose he is criticized EITHER WAY, damned if you do, damned if you don't, so in my opinion, he is getting criticized for all the RIGHT reasons. Good for Chris, he showed strength of character.

Posted at 2:24PM on Apr 18th 2007 by Laura

63. #52 YOU ARE A TOTAL F#%* HEAD AND OBVIOUSLY AN INSENSITVE ASS FACE.
THE NAME OF THE SHOW IS AMERICAN IDOL, NOT AMERICAN ASSHOLE!
IF THAT IS THE WAY YOU FEEL ABOUT CHRIS'S COMMENTS, THEN MAYBE YOU SHOULD BE PISSED THAT AMERICAN IDOL IS RAISING MONEY FOR CHARITY.
SO F#%* OFF!

Posted at 2:29PM on Apr 18th 2007 by VA PRIDE!

64. The comments above on this screen (concerning Simon) using F words etc should not be included on a 'public screen'. This is in bad taste especially since the writer lacked the ability to use good language and grammar.

Posted at 2:29PM on Apr 18th 2007 by tom jones

65. For crying out loud!!!! Simon was NOT reacting to the comment regarding the VT incident. As a matter of fact, as intent as I was during the exchange between Chris and Ryan, I only heard his comment on 'his nasal' tone. Please folks, give Simon a break. His comments are right on target. And 100% of the time, he knows what he is talking about.

Hang in there Simon, you're the best!

Brenda B

Posted at 3:29PM on Apr 18th 2007 by Brenda Burke

66. I don't know where all you people against Simon Cowell are at in life but if you really looked at AI, you would know that Simon is the only one of the judges that is truthful and doesn't sugarcoat like Paula or beat around the bush like Randy can sometimes. Simon can be harsh sometimes but this is a SINGING contest and the BEST SINGER should win, not the best hairdo (Sanjaya), or the best dreamy eyes (Chris), or the best bubbly personality (Jordan) although personality does come into play for entertaining everyone. I don't always totally agree with Simon but for the most part he is the most honest about what he is hearing up there on stage. So you all that don't like him, then tough, don't watch AI and get a life.

Posted at 2:39PM on Apr 18th 2007 by lmg

67. I did not see it because I do not watch any show with phony brits on
it with that phony accent..
Go back to England..

Posted at 2:33PM on Apr 18th 2007 by Lloyd

68. Extremely doubtful a man like Simon would not be appalled by the tragedy just like the rest of us - it's hard to believe that anyone would think any differently or even use it to create a stir.

Posted at 2:53PM on Apr 18th 2007 by Mike

69. Simon was rolling his eyes at Chris' comments about his nasal singing.

Posted at 2:39PM on Apr 18th 2007 by Linda Mary

70. YEAH! GO BACK TO YOUR QUEEN ASSHOLE!

Posted at 2:38PM on Apr 18th 2007 by billy bob

71. How ironic that Simon did not give Chris the benefit of the doubt that his comments about the VT connection were sincere, and now many Americans will not grant Simon that same benefit. What comes around goes around, Simon. Pony up. You rolled your eyes because you assumed Chris was working the sympathy votes. Possible, but I doubt it. The kid looked devastated and near tears. We would have thought this Virginian was a jerk if he hadn't mentioned the tragedy. In the face of such horror, it is human, not opportunistic, to care. Now if Chris had said, "I know you're all grieving, but don't forget to pick up the phone and vote." That would be different.

Posted at 2:39PM on Apr 18th 2007 by me10

72. simon just apoligize. its the right thing to do right now, to chris and vt. i saw it too . normally i wouldn't say anything but at this time with so much going on in the media and not just the ai show thing ,it needs attention now .so just do it.

Posted at 2:39PM on Apr 18th 2007 by jewell

73. Im glad nobody can read my mind when I roll my eyes.I'd be in big trouble. Oh, and I'm sure Simon is crying all the way to the bank about these remarks. I wish I could have his 15mn of fame.

Posted at 3:33PM on Apr 18th 2007 by B like D

74. Go watch the video again. Simon clearly heard what Chris said about VT, then rolled his eyes and tapped his hand. Simon EFFED UP! Chris is from VA ,and more than likely, knows a few people involved in the horrid incident. I'm glad he said something. I think after the banter between Simon and Chris about his performance Chris got flustered, and the VT comment seemed misplaced, but heart-felt. I not only felt bad for the judges critiques of Chris, but also for Simon's heartless display. God, I hate this show and yet I can't turn away.

Posted at 2:53PM on Apr 18th 2007 by Denise

75. who cares.....seriously....leave the man alone. Afterall, he's a judge on a joke of a music show!!!

Posted at 6:55PM on Apr 18th 2007 by Dirty Whore

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