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"Idol" Apologizes For "Threatened" Judges

Posted Jan 29th 2009 2:40PM by TMZ Staff

"American Idol" now has its tail between its legs after Simon and Paula confused a Kentucky contestant's kind, Southern goodbye for a "threat" on their lives.

This statement was just posted on the "A.I." website:

"We apologize to any viewers who were offended by the misinterpretation of the contestant's comment to "be careful" upon completion of his audition in Louisville, KY.

Our visits to audition cities are relatively brief and sometimes regional greetings and salutations are lost in translation. We had not heard that phrase from any other contestants during the day, so it took everyone by surprise.

We now know better and look forward to visiting Louisville again someday."

Tags: american idol, AmericanIdol, apologizes, apology, Kentucky contestant, KentuckyContestant, Southern Hospitality, SouthernHospitality, threat

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Reader Comments

(Page 1 of 6) | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | Most Recent | Next 15 Comments

1. Glad to see that they saw the error of their ways and apologized!

Now y'all be careful!

Posted at 3:30PM on Jan 29th 2009 by Georgia girl

2. Well that's what they deserve for crossing the line for the sake of "good television." Wag of the finger to you American Idol...

Posted at 3:31PM on Jan 29th 2009 by The Truth

3. OMG!! I watched this episode, and Paula (as always) took his statement WAY out of context! The poor guy was nervous and then got dissed and rejected so as he was leaving he stumbled on his words and said "thank you, becareful"... I mean, CUMMON PAULA, just b/c someone has stalked you in the past doesn't mean every single guy wants to stalk you! Get over yourself.... geesh!

Posted at 3:30PM on Jan 29th 2009 by Sarah Harrison

4. I'm 42 and have lived my entire life the south and I have NEVER heard that as a form of goodbye. It might be a local colloquialism to that region of Kentucky, but it's not a widespread "southern" sign off by any means.

Posted at 3:33PM on Jan 29th 2009 by BayouMan

5. this is so funny those stuck up judges and the entire stuck up hollywood thinks there is a problem there all the guy said was be safe come on he said be safe not im going to hurt you be safe i would like to end this comment with have a nice day but i did not want anyone to think i am telling tmz to watch there back lol tmz keep up the good work and exploit all of that hollywood trash out there big fan

Posted at 3:33PM on Jan 29th 2009 by dan

6. Paula and douche bag Simon need to do a PSA - on stupidity!! Leave it to Simon for causing the ruckus in the first place, "Is that a threat? I take that as a threat.." IDIOT!!

Posted at 3:36PM on Jan 29th 2009 by Publicist

7. Oh POOOOOO...EVERYONE has heard the salutation "be careful" or used it...So don't LIE. If those words were taken out of context then they are feeling guilty about something or they smoked their lunch.

Posted at 3:37PM on Jan 29th 2009 by AmericanPsycho

8. I call BULL-SH*T on this one TMZ, it wasn't the viewers who were offended about these guys comments ,it was the judges, you know it, the viewers know it, and so do the judges. How dare A.I. imply that it was this contestent's words that were offending to the viewers, not the behavior and the reaction from all three judges. BULLSH*T,BULLSH*T,BULLSH*T.
The majorioty of America saw with their own two eyes, and come from places where phases such as" Ya'll come back now'", or "Ya'll be careful now", is not only commonplace but it is AMERICANA at its finest. Shame on the judges and A.I., for proving and showing me as a viewer, just how out of touch, they are with the American public., and for trying to insult my intelligence with this back-handed, back-door- below-the belt-. lame, under the bus, piss poor excuse of a statement.

Posted at 3:38PM on Jan 29th 2009 by MamaSan

9. I'm from Tennessee and have family in Kentucky, Georgia, and Alabama. It's a well known phrase all over the south #3.

Posted at 3:37PM on Jan 29th 2009 by Southern Girl

10. Jesus saves
But Moses INVESTS

Posted at 3:51PM on Jan 29th 2009 by JohnnyT

11. Keep in mind, the judges just went through the situation, where the female stalker that has been haunting Paula, killed herself outside of Paula's own home. This person was even allowed to audition on American Idol. So if the judges are a little gun shy, its understandable.

Posted at 3:42PM on Jan 29th 2009 by Capt Jack

12. Simon and Paula are freaks, why should this surprize anyone. They are so in love with themselfs someone should kick their ass to bring them back to the real world.

Posted at 3:45PM on Jan 29th 2009 by Just a Bill

13. Stop being so hyper sensitive America. Political correctness strikes again.

Posted at 3:44PM on Jan 29th 2009 by AA

14. Being from the south I have both said and told to be careful when leaving someone else's home. I think it is basically said to mean be careful getting home.

Posted at 5:49PM on Jan 29th 2009 by brian

15. freaks

Posted at 3:45PM on Jan 29th 2009 by Just a Bill

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