"Idol" Castoff -- Even More Delusional Than Paula

Posted Apr 30th 2008 1:35PM by TMZ Staff

An insane "American Idol" reject wants to "take down" the FOX show for making promises they can't keep -- too bad he's the one that needs to be carted away! You're going to Hollywood -- on a gurney!

After Chris Bernheisel failed to make the cut during auditions, Simon Cowell promised him a stint working the finale's red carpet for his local affiliate -- but the station ain't having it. According to Chris, FOX 42 in Nebraska just wants to interview Chris sitting up in the bleachers -- no red carpet, no celeb interviews, no "who are you wearing?!" -- and that's got Bernheisel flaming mad.

TMZ has obtained deranged emails Chris sent to "Idol" making a laundry list of diva demands including: seven tix to the final show, adding "I want to stand the whole time in the pit right in front of the stage!! Right in front of the judges." He also wants seven V.I.P passes to the after parties.

Chris ends his demand letter with this ominous gem: "I went through hell my whole life of being bullied in junior high and high school. I don't have to take it anymore."

While Chris says "I'm not trying to be difficult by any means," he adds, "If I am not contacted within two weeks from when I sent you this email ... I will get my lawyer to contact you." "Idol" should be scared because Chris adds, "my father told me this can be a huge lawsuit."

When TMZ spoke to Chris on Tuesday, he broke down telling his sob story and reiterated he would seek vengeance on "Idol" and FOX 42. Hell hath no fury like a loser scorned.

UPDATE: A rep for FOX 42 tells us they offered Mr. Bernheisel airfare, hotel accommodations and credentials to report from the finale red carpet and saw his email demands to "Idol" as a refusal of their offer.

Filed under: Wacky & Weird, American Idol

Comments [108]

Digg it Del.icio.us My Yahoo Sphere RSS MySpace Permalink Email

Reader Comments

(Page 4 of 8)Previous 15 Comments | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | Most Recent | Next 15 Comments

46. Whata wack job! I'm sure Simon wasn't serious when he told this kid about being on TV. Hope they have extra security around for the finale.

Posted at 3:08PM on Apr 30th 2008 by GrannyJ

47. I watched Simon tellt his kid that he could do the red carpet interviews for his fox affiliate. Its on tape hello! He told the boy that if the affilaite gave him any problems they were to contact him directly. The kid left hooping and halloaring and dancing he was so excited. So really you cant expect him not to be angry when the affilate says no! Adn yes I do think they have a legal standing to sue. Allt hey have to do is find a copy of the episode that aired on national tv showing Simon Cowell offer the opportunity to the kid. His parents have probably fueled the flame too by pointing out to the kid that he can sue so the kid now thinks he can make demands in return for not suing... When really he's come out better if he just kept quiet and sued the tv show!

Posted at 3:08PM on Apr 30th 2008 by pohono

48. Hey, BellaBlues, I think he found his that other nice career that came his way. . Sue!

Ain't it grand when a plan comes together?

Posted at 3:19PM on Apr 30th 2008 by Make My Day

49. It's a bid sad / funny / but mostly scary. This is the kind of guy who'll SNAP and starting shooting people at random because "FOX RUINED MY LIFE". He's not living in the real world at all.

Posted at 3:25PM on Apr 30th 2008 by Elaine

50. virus---glad you can read. would give you a trophy, but i just flushed it.

Posted at 3:30PM on Apr 30th 2008 by macdaddy

51. Fifty-fifth!

Posted at 3:42PM on Apr 30th 2008 by rachelecanfield

52. Pohono, you're right. And Simon Cowell, you're a jerk--which is news to nobody.

Posted at 3:49PM on Apr 30th 2008 by rachelecanfield

53. Chris...I'm pretty sure u r reading TMZ today...make sure u take something from BellaBlues commnent...she is RIGHT...GOOD LUCK.

Posted at 3:49PM on Apr 30th 2008 by hope he reads BellaBlues777

54. Well Simon made a promises and should keep it! Poor guy,

Posted at 3:50PM on Apr 30th 2008 by Nic

55. what an anger management candidate...hes such a spaz lol did he really think that they would let him on the show??

Posted at 4:07PM on Apr 30th 2008 by anonymous

56. rachel--got nothing else to do???

Posted at 4:25PM on Apr 30th 2008 by steve

57. That's funny.

POOR PAULA. Get well. We love you!

Posted at 4:28PM on Apr 30th 2008 by Here We Go AGAIN

58. All I have to say is " LOSER!!"

Posted at 4:30PM on Apr 30th 2008 by Alan

59. Here is the deal....... Fox 42 in Nebraska lets this kid on every night to talk about American Idol. As soon as he started making demands and crying he was kicked off. He should of shut his mouth and he would probably be on the red carpet by now.

Posted at 4:43PM on Apr 30th 2008 by nebraskagirl

60. This cat sounds like a nut job to me. Somebody ought to keep an eye on him.

Posted at 4:45PM on Apr 30th 2008 by TomW

Previous 15 Comments | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | Most Recent | Next 15 Comments

Add your comments

Please keep your comments relevant to this blog entry.
Inappropriate or purely promotional comments may be removed. E-mail addresses are never displayed, but they are required to confirm your comments. Your e-mail address is what makes your comments unique, not your user name. To create a live link, simply type the URL (including http://) or e-mail address and we will make it a live link for you. You can put up to three URLs in your comments. Line breaks and paragraphs are automatically converted -- no need to use <p> or <br> tags.