Home : American Idol : Simon Says "I Wasn't Listening. I'm Horrified!"

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

Posted Apr 18th 2007 1:40PM by TMZ Staff

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."



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76. I just read the news on the David Spade thread,OMG,OMG,OMG...

SANJAYA
1990-2007
R.I.P.

Posted at 2:44PM on Apr 18th 2007 by R.I.P. SANJAYA 1990-2007

77. If you have not attended the show, then you have no idea what happened. The audience was boooing and Simon DID roll his eyes to Chris's remark about the nasal singing. I too would have rolled my eyes. Simon's remarks on the singers is usually 99% correct most of the time. I think everyone likes to have that one person to point their finger at, and Poor Simon, being on THE MOST popular show on t.v., is getting the brunt of it.
Tonight, Sanjaya has got to go!!!!!!!!

Posted at 2:44PM on Apr 18th 2007 by Shirley

78. I thought Simon rolled his eyes because the timing of Chris's comments were inappropriate. It was almost as if ,after being criticized by Simon, he was asking for the audience's votes because he was so sympathetic to the VT tragedy. Thus, when Simon rolled his eyes, it was not because of the content of the remarks but at the timing of them. If you remember, Simon did the same thing when someone said happy birthday to their father right after being criticized by the judges. Let's face it, with Sanjaya, this season would be a total bust were it not for Simon.

Posted at 2:45PM on Apr 18th 2007 by My View

79. For crying out loud people are we becoming so anal retentive about everything.Everyone should get laid and relax a bit.

Posted at 4:22PM on Apr 18th 2007 by Gus

80. Simon's roll on the show may be to play devils advocate and the evil judge, but I doubt he's a monster. It's easy to be distracted for many reasons, and considering that AI is his job, I doubt anyone in his position would intentionally jeopardize their job over something as serious as the Virginia tragedy. The situation that occurred in Virginia is a very serious matter, and respect should be paid to the situation by not using their dislike of Simon to take advantage of his slip up in order to criticize his error. Pay attention to whats more important, and let this insignificant issue pass for the sake of those lost.

Posted at 2:45PM on Apr 18th 2007 by BruceLD

81. I think it was unfourtunate the timming and sorry but it was Chris I thought was putting in a shameless plug for votes after a crappy preformance. That comment came after Simon told the truth about his song and singing. He could have said what he wanted about what he what he was thinking right from the get go and not as anafter thought. And no teacher of vocals has Nasal Tone 101

Posted at 5:01PM on Apr 18th 2007 by disheartedAI fan

82. Simon usually speaks honestly and people seldom want to hear honesty if it doesn't agree with their thoughts. He was reacting to the comment about nasal singing, which I agree is not a good technique for most. He has more insite than the other two put together.

Posted at 3:50PM on Apr 18th 2007 by Katy

83. Simon is no better than Imus.....Fire him too!!!

Posted at 3:02PM on Apr 18th 2007 by Miss America

84. The news always tries to make Simon look bad. You could definitely tell he wasn't rolling his eyes about the Virginia Tech comment. Chris R. was acting like a fool, and had to throw in that comment to try and make himself look better.

Posted at 2:50PM on Apr 18th 2007 by Kelley

85. I was watching last night and it was obvious that his reaction was to chris' stupid comment. What a moron..nasal is not a form of singing. I would of rolled my eyes too. Anyone else watching (who isn't set out to make something out of nothing) would of just as easily of seen that. It's ridiculous that people are making such a huge deal out of this.

Posted at 2:47PM on Apr 18th 2007 by erica

86. I don't believe that Simon intended any disrespect to those afffected by the VT tragedy, but I definitely believe he was rolling his eyes at Chris's comments about the tragedy, not the "nasally" comments. Simon is never afraid to think the worst of people and express it and I believe he rolled his eyes because he thought Chris was trying for some lame sympathy vote through his tears. I'm sure Simon regrets his sarcastic response, but it wouldn't hurt him to practice thinking better of people! Chris is a young, Virginia boy and if he said he has a lot of friends suffering over this, he is more than likely right and 'though the shooting has horrified everyone, it's hardest on those with more in common with the victims. I was born and raised in Virginia and am also the mother of a college student and I've been in tears for two days. Work on your soul Simon!!

Posted at 2:57PM on Apr 18th 2007 by Caroine B

87. Watched it several times by Tivo. It's clear that Paula could clearly hear Chris's VT comment as she was vigorously nodding in agreement. Ryan heard clearly and said, "well said", the audience heard clearly and applauded loudly, but we're supposed to think that Simon didn't hear and was responding to the last subject. Puhlease!

Posted at 2:50PM on Apr 18th 2007 by me10

88. I can't stand Simon, never could. This just proves he's not even paying attention, he's just full of himself and trying to put on a show. Chris is a great guy, I know people who know him. He works at the Hooter's in Greenbriar in Chesapeake. Chris was very nice to think of the victims and use his time on TV to bring it up. We here in VA are suffering over the tragedy. I hope more people will vote for Chris.

Posted at 2:59PM on Apr 18th 2007 by Michelle-K

89. Simon should really take Manners 101!!!!!

Posted at 3:01PM on Apr 18th 2007 by Idol Who?

90. Chris is a sactimonious little prick. I can't stand his singing or his attitude. The little weasel wouldn't even make the final cut for our high school musical. WHAT he is doing on American Idol is beyond me. His comments about the shooting on the VA Tech campus were baloney. He was only trying to call attention to himself and deflect the viewers from focusing on his ridiculous rationalization for singing through his nose. He sounds like a Canadian Goose during mating season.

Posted at 2:55PM on Apr 18th 2007 by Michele

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