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« The Great American Idol Blog
Simon Sounds Off on the Finals, Idol Fixes, Boring Themes & More
Simon Cowell by Michael Becker/Fox
Meeting the press to promote the new season of NBC's America's Got Talent (premiering June 17 at 9 pm/ET), Simon Cowell inevitably was swarmed with Idol-related queries. Here is what the outspoken Brit had to say about:
It All Coming Down to David vs. David
"It's what I genuinely believe will happen. I think you're going to have a real scrap on the night. Without either of them being a red-hot favorite, [the winner] will be [determined by] what happens on the night, and that's what the show is all about."
The Davids' Weaknesses
"I don't think they've got too many. I think David Cook has got the best voice and David Archuleta's got the teen and the gran[dma] appeal. [They're] very equal."
Jason's Surprising Longevity
"He's got a great face. If he looked like the Hunchback of Notre Dame, he still wouldn't be there, would he? But that's the music business. He's had some very good weeks, to be fair. He just struggled with Andrew Lloyd Webber and, in particular, Neil Diamond. It almost felt a little bit like he was giving up last week."
"Broadway Week"
"I didn't really see the point because I use it as a criticism on the show that you are going to end up on Broadway. We aren't looking for a Broadway singer. I want like a Leona Lewis, a contemporary recording artist who's going to sell a lot of records. I'm not looking for someone to be in The Wiz."
The Plan to Revamp Idol
"You have to revamp every show that you make, every year. You have to wait and see [what we are going to do]. It's a surprise."
This Season's "Safe" Singers
"We are not "letting go" enough, you know? They are very media savvy, saying the right things, not arguing with me. David Archuleta was performing in front of Kelly Clarkson six years ago. It is on tape. It's like he's gone to the "University of American Idol." Safe song, safe message. I like people who go a bit crazy sometimes. I'm dying for someone to scream at me one week and say, "I hate your guts." I know they are thinking it."
Paula's Flub Last Week
"The whole thing is being blown out of proportion. It was a live show, she made a mistake. The year [Idol] becomes normal is probably the year I will leave. Genuinely, I like it when it is a bit loopy."
A Singer Sent Home Too Soon
"Michael Johns was probably the only contestant that should have stayed on a bit longer. I was thinking this week it would have been nice to see him in the Top 4. I think he would have got better."
Kristy Lee, Country Star?
"Kristy Lee Cook [has a career ahead of her] because I think that she knows who she is now, and I do think I steered her in the right direction one week when I said, "You are actually a country artist." So I think she knows who she is and I think that audience will like her. She's easy to market and she is interesting."
What's your take? Is Simon on target with his assorted predictions? — MWM
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May 6, 2008 12:10 PM
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Here's one Grandma that disagrees. I'm not crazy for little David at all, but David Cook is the bomb! Hope he wins it all. And I'm betting I'm not the only Grandmom out here that feels that way.
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May 6, 2008 1:02 PM
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Jason's face has nothing to do why I like him. I just prefer that style of voice.
I've always known he'd never win though becuase he doesnt have mass appeal, but I think he could make a great album.
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May 6, 2008 1:10 PM
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Here's another Grandma that is rooting for David C. instead of David A. Most of the time I want to shake David A. and say, "Quit looking like you are about to cry when you are being praised AND criticized." That truly gets on my nerves. You can be humble without looking like a cry baby. Simon is dead on with his comments----I know people aren't going to want to hear that, but he is RIGHT! When Michael Johns was voted off, my interest in AI went way down. Now I just listen to parts of the songs and watch the end of the elimination show. Kristy C. will make it as a country singer. She reminds me of Carrie Underwood. Kellie Pickler made it and I definitely was NOT a fan of hers and I'm still not. Fantasia I thought was horrible. She's hard to watch and in my opinion she screams too much. So far, she's the worst one that has won Idol---and yeah I know, I know, she's on Broadway and very popular, but I still don't like her and wouldn't go see a concert of hers if it was free, BUT that's only my opinion!!!! Simon tells it like it is---which people don't want to hear.
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May 6, 2008 1:27 PM
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Jason's performances last week were not as bad as the judges wanted us to believe. At times, he actually sounded a lot like Neil Diamond. I just don't think the Idol people know what to do with him, so they want him off. It's almost like they have their opinions of him written ahead of time... oh, wait...
As for changing format, they need to change the voting method before anything else. Switch it to a vote for who should go home and the results would be much more pleasing to us all.
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May 6, 2008 1:36 PM
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David C. is stronger, but David A.'s "Imagine" is the only song on Idol I've downloaded all year. I like them both and wish them well. It's a formality at this point to see who comes in third or fourth because we know Jason & Syesha have no shot.
Contestants are going to act safe because they've seen that kids who give attitude get punted early.
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May 6, 2008 1:49 PM
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I think Simon has it right
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May 6, 2008 2:04 PM
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Jason Castro cannot sing. Period. I don't care what genre of music it is. The boy cannot sing. Can you imagine anybody buying a record of his? Neither can I. The fact that Michael Johns is gone and Jason is still there is absolutely ludicrous.
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May 6, 2008 2:10 PM
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I agree with most of what Simon said.
Jason has definetly gotten as far as he has with his eyes and appearance.
Kristy Lee Cook is going to be a country star.
Michael Johns and maybe Carly and KLC would have been contestants that were voted out too soon.
I think Jason might outlast one of the David's in a "shocker"!
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May 6, 2008 2:12 PM
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Dead on, Simon, dead on.
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May 6, 2008 2:18 PM
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Simon usually is on target! I love his feedback. Very realistic and the singers need to pay attention.
Although, I really don't see the attraction that David A is bringing. Granted, he has a nice voice, but I don't think he has long-term appeal. We can check back with him in five years when he's matured a little. He's too canned for me. At his age he should be more "reactive" but he comes across like he's a robot.
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May 6, 2008 2:21 PM
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In this interview, I think Simon is *completely* correct. However, and particularly earlier in the season, I think he was pretty 'off' with his comments. As much as I like the Leona Lewis song, that's *not* fresh and current, so Simon's taste has become dated. On a side note, Jason Castro *can* clearly sing, and you have to admit that he's an interesting looking fellow (if you like it or not). He's quite popular for a reason, and his genre of music (acoustic/cafe) is extremely popular with the late teens/college set right now. He'll make records and make quite a bit of money.
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May 6, 2008 2:54 PM
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I'm just so thankful the Brooke finally got the boot! I couldn't stand her and her crocodile tears!!!
David Cook is the bomb! He should win it... but I love my Jason too. I think David Archuletta(?) is too young for the pressures of the biz at this stage. Give him a few years to grow up then he'll be ready.
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May 6, 2008 2:55 PM
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I've always found Simon's comments dead on. He's perceptive to what is needed to make that persons abilities better. These contestants don't come into the show fine tuned and ready to make an album, they are potential diamonds in the rough. Simon's forth-comingness should be taken seriously, albiet, some of the times he makes wierd analogies. And for those who say Jason or any other contestant can't sing, are morons. If they couldn't sing, they wouldn't have even made it to Hollywood. Jason may not have what it takes to make a true American Idol winner but he definitely can sing. David Cook ROCKS!!!![]<img border=](http://community.tvguide.com/images/emoticons/devil.gif) ">
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May 6, 2008 3:12 PM
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To the person who said make the vote for the person you want to send home not the one you want to keep, that will never happen. There will be a lot less votes if that's the case. People wouldn't be a concerned if their favorite will go, so they won't vote 100 times.
Don't forget the vote is a money maker for the show. It costs $1 to vote on your cell phone, which I'm sure a lot of people do. Therefore a lower vote count leads to lower revenue. It's ALL about the money
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May 6, 2008 3:14 PM
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