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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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31. The poor guy looked totally confused. It is a VERY COMMON thing to say to people when saying goodbye.
They are the ones who are ignorant. They are sooo wrong to to be sooo rude. They really should apoligize to that poor guy.

Posted at 3:07PM on Jan 23rd 2009 by D

32. I don't understand the big deal. We say "take care" all the time and it certainly isn't meant as a threat. Anybody who took it as a threat would be considered crazy. The judges were way off base if they thought that was a threat. Besides, they have tons of security and I bet everybody that comes in is thoroughly screened for any kind of weapons, etc. This is nothing but making a big deal about nothing to get ratings.

Posted at 11:17AM on Jan 22nd 2009 by Kitty

33. What he said was taken out of context and he should be given an apology. I happened to be channel surfing when he was on and quickly changed the channel right after because I was offended by the judges over reaction. "Be safe" is how I end my conversations and text messages. Maybe if we're lucky this will be the last year Idol is on TV, it has run its course.

Posted at 11:11AM on Jan 22nd 2009 by cbeckian

34. I was surprised when Paula told that contestent "You don't tell people to be careful". So if Paula's friends tell her to "Be careful", does that mean they can't be concerned for her? What if Paula's mother tells her that, is she considered a stalker? The judges are too paranoid.

Posted at 8:37PM on Jan 22nd 2009 by Kat

35. Poor guy . . . I always say 'have fun and be careful' when I part ways with someone. Do I really think they won't be? Of course not. I guess when you're as self-centered and full of yourself as these has-beens are, you recognize that someone might want to do you in. They should not have broadcasted this clip. Their attempt to make this guy look like a threat backfired. No one is buying it.

Posted at 11:14AM on Jan 22nd 2009 by Kim

36. I saw this and it was infuriating the way the judges treated this guy. Not only did he have to suffer the humiliation of the judges saying no and snickering like teenagers, but then their ignorance also. They owe him an apology!

Posted at 11:16AM on Jan 22nd 2009 by jane Gardner

37. I saw the episode last night and I do think that they did take it way tooo seriously. I think at times they over do it with some of the people that are there to audition. I'm also getting tired of them giving us some the sad story type of contestants. AND I CANT STAND THAT NEW JUDGE I HATE HER SOOOOOOOOOO MUCH IS THERE ANY WAY THAT THEY CAN GET RID OF HER????

Posted at 11:20AM on Jan 22nd 2009 by NACHO LIBRE ROCKS..

38. I thought the judges were disrespectful to him. I constantly tell people to be careful and never once have I meant that I was going to cause them harm.

Posted at 11:21AM on Jan 22nd 2009 by GiGi

39. I'm from the South and we say it all the time. It's a term of endearment. It's sad that the judges didn't know that. I felt bad for that poor guy.

Posted at 2:09PM on Jan 22nd 2009 by Sweety

40. once again,there waz 7 original comment'z and the rest were all repeter'z....if you cant think of any thing to say,dont post!!!

Posted at 11:23AM on Jan 22nd 2009 by 99centz

41. I felt really bad for him. i'm pretty sure he didnt mean any harm by that. i say be safe all the time!! People are so damn uptight these days!

Posted at 11:35AM on Jan 22nd 2009 by Tiffswheels

42. I felt so bad for that guy, they actually accused him of "making a threat". They owe him an apology - that was unbelieveable. I am not from the South, but I know the expression "be careful". This show is a joke!

Posted at 11:33AM on Jan 22nd 2009 by LLDCS

43. I am from the deep south, and "be careful" is something we say all the time. This guy didn't mean anything bad or omnious by it.

Posted at 11:39AM on Jan 22nd 2009 by jenn

44. i didn't see or hear it as a threat but i can understand paula being extra hypersensitive about anything weird said

Posted at 11:49AM on Jan 22nd 2009 by suburbandrudgery

45. I am from the great state of Kentucky and on a daily basis say and hear "be careful out there" or "be careful" when I'm leaving. I'm not sure why, but it is rooted in southern speak, just as much as "have a nice day" and "see ya later". What I don't understand is why they had to go after this guy like he was about to kill them all. From the second he walked in and they were asking him if he had a gun on to basically making him look like some homicidal hick on tv. How Rude!!! But they need the ratings and the apparently the story line, so whatever. Apparently its the one who looooooooove you that you have to watch out for...not the ones who tell you to "be careful"!

Just a Kentucky girl statin the facts.

Posted at 11:50AM on Jan 22nd 2009 by KC

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