TVSquad

Then he shouldn't have gone on the show.

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Simon goes over the top to be cruel on the show. No doubt about it. But I would think the contestants know he is going to be that way if they have ever watched the show. Simon's comment of, "I'm too busy making money".... is the truth. Because that is what everyone involved with this show is doing. Making tons of money.

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With complete respect to Mr. Bennett and his fantastic career, it's time for him to shut up here.
American Idol is the biggest venue for music right now, and he knew, or should have known what the show was all about. I appreciate his great career, but AI isn't about bringing up artists the "correct way". IT'S A REALITY TV SHOW! I appreciate his sentiment, but c'mon Tony, get over yourself!

http://www.tvdeuce.com

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Tony Bennett doesn't need to shut up, with all respect to your "young minded" comments.

He's the classiest of all musical talent out there, and the only standard musician worth his salt. American Idol has gone on to do what exactly, other than make Simon richer? Don't get me wrong, I like Simon. I think he's shrewd and a good businessman, but Tony Bennett can say what Tony Bennett wants because HE"S TONY BENNETT. and no one, not even you Clint, should be telling him to shut up.

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But Mike, here's what irks me.
He goes on Idol and THEN complains.
Idol has been around long enough for Bennett to know what it's all about. So I don't want to hear him complaining after the fact. It's not like it's Idol's first season.
Now, if Bob Dylan or Paul McCartney said it was crap, then I'd respect that more because they haven't appeared on it. Don't use Idol to boost your CD sales, then spit on it on the way out.
That's why I think he should shut his mouth.

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FIRST AND FOREMOST AMERICAN IDOL IS ABOUT MAKING MONEY AND MORE MONEY TALENT YES BUT THAT DOESNT COUNT THAT MUCH TONY BENNETT IS A AVERAGE SINGER WHO MADE GOOD HE IS NOT IN THE RANKS OF GREAT SINGING POPULAR VOICES LIKE DONNA SUMMER KAREN CARPENTER BARBRA STRIESTAND WRONG SPELLING I KNOW FRANK SINATRA NAT KING COLE JOHNNY MATHIS HIS VOICE JUST ISNT IN THERE LEAGUE I LIKE SIMON AND AMERICAN IDOL IT IS GREAT ENTERTAINMENT NONE OF THIS YEARS CONTESTANTS HAS PROVEN TO ME THEY HAVE A GREAT VOICE

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Very well said Clint.

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Has anyone ever seen Paris Bennett and Tony Bennett in the same room together?

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Joseph, dude here's a buck, go buy yourself some punctuation and some WD-40 to unstick your capslock key :-).
I agree with Clint's comments, Tony should have known what he was getting into, the same as any contestant who goes on that show. All the other avenues to break into the music biz are still there, so anyone who can't take the heat can explore those other options. If AI turned kinder and gentler, it would go the way of Star Search or any of the other crappy contest shows and people would stop watching.

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Bennett seems to be playing on the viewers sympathies. He's a man who has been in the business for quite some time. He of all people should know that in the real world, the entertainment business, particularly the music industry, is far more crueler than any snide remarks Simon makes on AI.

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Oh come on people...
American Idol is supposed to be this way..that's why everyone watches...
if Tony doesnt like the format, he shouldnt be on the show..
and yah, the guy is 80 and has had an incredible career, but it wasn't cool to just not show up the night of performance.
Simon is Simon..and his comments are always controversial, but if he wasn't there , would people still tune in? I think not

All the naysayers out there can say what they want...the show is an American Icon in television ...but no one 'makes' you watch it...it's free will...

stop the criticism...celebrities and audience alike, if you dont like the show or what it represents, watch something else..but stop complaining ...no one is making you watch

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Sorry to be off topic, I just thought maybe you guys would be
interested, You can win 2 TICKETs the the AMERICAN IDOL FINALS with air
and hotel.
http://www.king.com/americanidol/

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In todays world, kids have been given everything without any questions. LIFE IS TOUGH So suck it up! Do you think you are going to get through life without getting bitched at? YOU are in for a fall. Simon has the balls to be honest. He cannot help it all the kids here expect a free ride. Thank GOD I raised my kids to know you do not always get what you want!

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Photos ot Tony can be seen at:
http://www.DigPicPhoto.com/TonyBennett.htm

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Why can't people take a person's comments at face value, instead of inferring all of this evil, malicious intent? Tony Bennett IS a class act: He was classy in his heyday, and then went on to revive his career by a) keeping his vocal chops up, unlike others of his era and genre (Sinatra, for one, who was a shadow of his former self
at the end of his career), and b) by shrewdly pairing himself with young, hip singers. Amazing. I think he's fabulous.

A person like Bennett could come on AI in good faith wanting to have input with these young singers, and then have honest criticism, without others implying that he is simply using Idol to stoke his own career. Tony Bennett surely does not need AI to advance his career, the man is a proven performer in more ways than one.

However, I do like his idea for Simon to open small venues around the country to give these up-and-comers opportunities to develop their talent in preparation for the AI big stage, although I suppose if they're that driven to succeed, they will find (or make) the opportunities to hone their craft.

Simon's response about making money, though, if accurately reported, distresses me. I do think for all his pomp and arrogance that the man seems to really appreciate others who are honest, transparent and self-effacing, even if he himself is not. And he seems to have true compassion (witness the fact that it was reported recently he gave money to the effort to find the little kidnapped girl who went missing in Portugal.)

I happen to think that yes, Simon can be unnecessarily cruel at times, but his comments are often dead-on, too, where Randy and Paula lean more toward the positive encouragement. It's a good balance for Simon's
harshness, but sometimes they work so hard to be positive that they do not say what needs to be said to help the contestant improve. But then everyone knows the three judges are a proven formula who (most of the time) balance each other in their judging styles.

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I THINK TONY BENNET HAD A RIGHT TO SAY WHAT HE SAID ABOUT SIMON. HE IS ONE OF THE MOST INHUMANE PEOPLE I HAVE EVER SEEN AND IF I WERE ONE APPEARING ON AMERICAN IDOL I WOULD TRY TO IGNORE HIM. HE IS A SMART ALEC AND A BIG SHOW-OFF AND SHOULD NOT BE IN THE POSITION HE IS IN BECAUSE HE WOULD BE AN EMBARASSMENT TO ME AND THE AMERICAN PUBLIC.. A LOUD MOUTH LIKE SIMON WOULD BE DIFFICULT TO IGNORE AND I AM SURE, JUST FROM WATCHING SEVERAL OF THE PRESENTATIONS ON AMERICAN IDOL, I DON'T THINK I WOULD WANT TO EVEN APPEAR BECAUSE OF HIM.

SIMON IS TOO CRITICAL AND I KNOW AND HAVE WITNESSED HIM HURTING THE PERFORMERS FEELINGS.

YOU GUESSED IT, I DO NOT CARE FOR HIM AND I THINK HE SHOULD BE TAUGHT SOME MANNERS AND BAR HIM FROM THE SHOW.

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Tony is a very kind hearted man and I could have told him........ American Idol was not a good match for him.

"Tony" Sonoma County is! and we are looking forward to having you Here.

Ginny Medeiros

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My first season to watch Idol and it may be my last.

If Tony's quote is correct that American Idol is "too cruel," I'm in his camp--- I'll follow Tony. He's a class-act.

How can the creators of Idol create a parade of cruelty to line up a segment of society who've been born with mental slowness, or some form of mental illness, and make an award ceremony? An award ceremony? Can anyone say, "Discrimination?" I'm sure these people had to sign something to protect Idol, but did they really understand? Sure someone probably half-assed explained, but did they really understand? I think not.

To poke fun and tell that award recipient that he resembles a monkey....then illuminate a massive screen behind him with a photo of a monkey?? CRUEL. Hey, does Jordin look like a monkey? Or some other creature to compare? I'm sure she does, right? Why not shine an ugly creature on that screen too, before her grand title? No, she doesn't look like a monkey, she's beautiful, but how can the American Idol bigwigs be so cruel? Kicking mentally challenged people to the curb for ratings and dollars....heartless!!!!

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