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"Idol" Judges Lack Southern Hospitality

Posted Jan 22nd 2009 9:30AM by TMZ Staff

The judges on "American Idol" need to learn a little sumthin' about their southern slang -- before they crush another innocent gent.


A contestant on last night's episode was given a quick "no" from all four judges and on his way out told them, "Take care and be careful ... in whatever you do."

All the judges took the remark as a threat -- but in actuality, odd as it may be, "be careful" is a common parting expression in some areas of the south.

After Paula's ordeal with a stalker, it's easy to see how the judges might be a little overly defensive.

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Tags: American Idol, AmericanIdol, judges, Kentucky contestant, KentuckyContestant, threat, threaten

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1. Please! Way too uptight!

Posted at 10:00AM on Jan 22nd 2009 by mom

2. 1st. What a bunch of jerks. They have no Idea we live actual lives. We are just a bunch of hicks to these judges

Posted at 10:02AM on Jan 22nd 2009 by Trey h

3. That show is a joke.

Posted at 10:03AM on Jan 22nd 2009 by Dizzle

4. i am a southern gal and i tell people that all the time... "ya'll be careful"

Posted at 10:07AM on Jan 22nd 2009 by jojo

5. They were being so dumb! I felt bad for that guy. He was being very sincere and seemed confused by their concern. I say "be safe" all the time to be people. Is that a threat, too? Geez....

Posted at 10:04AM on Jan 22nd 2009 by Em

6. I'm southern and I always tell my loved ones and friends to be careful. I thought the judges were way off base with this one.

Posted at 10:11AM on Jan 22nd 2009 by Millz

7. I thought the same thing. Here in the south, people say "y'all be careful" all the time. The contestant seemed quite sweet actually, and he looked stunned to me when they said that was a threat. He didn't sing that badly, just picked a bad yodelly song. I feel for the guy.

Posted at 10:06AM on Jan 22nd 2009 by ponyboat

8. If it was me I would have thought the same thing they did, he looked sweet and innocent.... until they told him no way. I'm not from the south, and at least 3 of the other judges aren't (apparently Randy Jackson has forgotten his southern roots) so to me it sounds like a threat as well. Maybe they wouldn't have to worry about "being careful" if Simon wasn't such a pompous ass to everyone.

Posted at 10:06AM on Jan 22nd 2009 by Carriss

9. Those judges were RUDE to that poor guy. I am from Texas and on a daily basis I tell people to "be careful". I think the judges should apologize to him.

Posted at 10:10AM on Jan 22nd 2009 by southern girl

10. Y'all be careful is a SOUTHERN term of endearment! More than anything it just shows how "out of touch" they are! Paula probably more than the rest! ; )

Posted at 10:27AM on Jan 22nd 2009 by Ang

11. First thing...PAULA is an idiot.......and Simon is following right behind her if he thinks that comment was meant to be a threat.

It's typical of southern people to say "be careful". I used to like this show. Not so much anymore. It pisses me off that Paula made such a big deal about it all...anything for ratings I suppose.

Note to Randy...being from Louisiana YOU should have came to that young man's defense.

Posted at 10:27AM on Jan 22nd 2009 by LovingLondon

12. It's unfortunate the way the stalker situation ended up with Paula, however that doesn't give her the right to be a total bitch to people. She was 100% out of line for the way she treated this guy because he honestly had no idea he had said anything "wrong." Paula's recent behavior is obviously to impress Kara. She should get her Rx refill and go back to la-la land.

Posted at 10:26AM on Jan 22nd 2009 by Ashley

13. It was extremely rude! I felt horrible for him. Paula’s a bitch!

Posted at 10:30AM on Jan 22nd 2009 by Ashley

14. Poor guy.
The thing is that Paula didn't know about the stalker ODing outside of her house until Hollywood week. At this point she's just being way nervous.
It's southern hospitality, I felt bad for the kid.

Posted at 10:32AM on Jan 22nd 2009 by Bummer

15. Here in the south, the roads are very hilly and you can't see over the next hill or around the next curve. Add to that the deer and dogs that run loose, the slow moving hay trucks, farm equipment and tobacco trucks. Saying, "Be careful." is a genuine parting expression most people here use. If a country boy was threatening someone, there would be no question about his intentions. I also agree with the comment that if Simon wasn't such an ass, he wouldn't need to worry about threats.

Posted at 10:32AM on Jan 22nd 2009 by Curt

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