I'm trying to think back in my mental Rolodex to the season of American Idol that featured Katharine McPhee and Taylor Hicks. I know that Simon Cowell wasn't too big on Hicks, but didn't he at some point praise McPhee and her singing?
That seems to have been forgotten by Cowell. He tells ExtraTV.com that he "didn't care much for Katharine McPhee. I don't think she was a credible recording artist. Katharine will end up on Broadway!"
This is kinda harsh on two levels. One, he insults the runner-up of American Idol, a runner-up that he had a hand in getting deeper into the competition, and two, he insults Broadway singers! What, is getting on Broadway what happens to people who don't have talent? I thought it was the opposite.
He does make a good point about Paula Abdul though, saying he'd give her a thumbs down if she was a contestant on the show. It actually surprised me that Abdul came out with a new single ("Dance Like There's No Tomorrow"). Not only has it been many, many years since her last song, but it also leaves her open to ridicule because she's judging other singers. I wonder if later in the show one of the singers booted off will say something sarcastic about Abdul and her singing before he's dragged off stage by security.
[via TV Tattle]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 11)
2-07-2008 @ 4:27PM
K said...
Actually, Broadway is tougher because it's all live and you have to project your voice more, there are no re-dos and your personality has to shine twice as much. Duh, Simon!
Reply
2-08-2008 @ 7:24PM
Garth Esnowman said...
Can't someone just wish Simon and everyone else connected into this show "into the cornfields."
2-08-2008 @ 3:57PM
Leslie said...
You hit the nail on the head, K! Plus -- on Broadway you actually have to know how to act! And how to interpret a lyric through a character's POV. And give it 110% 8 times a week. Broadway is the true test of a singer.
2-08-2008 @ 5:10PM
mackloren said...
I think when Simon says something about singers
should be on Broadway, he is saying that they should
be actresses or actors that sing.
He's not insulting them, he is just saying that they
are a little "over the top" with their singing. More
acting than singing.
Anybody agree?
2-09-2008 @ 12:06PM
Katie said...
mackloren I agree!
Just because they say that their voice is more suited for Broadway doesn't mean they are putting them down. It simply means their voice is not suited for pop music. Broadway is a much tougher performance that takes true talent and endurance in the end!
2-07-2008 @ 6:07PM
sitruc said...
Didn't Fantasia and a few others including that girl from the first season do Broadway? Oh well. I accidentally clicked on this story anyways.
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2-07-2008 @ 10:51PM
isayx3 said...
I don't think he insults Broadway singers. Broadway singing is just different than pop sings, just like Theater actors act different than Movie Actors. It's not worse it just different. Unforuntally Broadway/Theater Performers don't command as much media attention so in most eye they are lower on the food chain.
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2-09-2008 @ 9:06AM
MH said...
I agree. What makes for a good Broadway performer doesn't always translate to being a good recording artist.
Simon didn't really ever like Kat but near the end, he begrudgingly threw her a few bones. Has everyone forgotten how he would bluntly tell her what he thought, she would tear up and stick her bottom lip out, momma and daddy would speak in the press during the week about how unfair and mean Simon's comments were, and Kat was back for another week because, in part, she got some sympathy votes from those who vote for whoever Simon attacks? Simon is being consistent. He really didn't care much for her. A few random compliments that he gave her doesn't change the overall picture.
2-09-2008 @ 12:20PM
sensualblissinfl said...
I agree. What he meant was the K is not pop idol material. And yes, being on Broadway is tougher, you must step up in personality and talent. McPhee was just not american idol material, you know like say, Justin Timberlake. And though I liked Taylor Hicks, he was wrong for what the show's name entails. But happy he won over McPhee. I am sure she will do well if she wants to pursue an acting career or the like, she has the face for it. Good Luck to her anyway.
2-07-2008 @ 11:46PM
Oreo said...
Clay Aiken is singing on Broadway right now.
And no, he's not gay at all...
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2-08-2008 @ 5:57PM
stell said...
You are kidding about him NOT being gay....right? Hey, if someone is gay so what.....let your freak flag fly. But he for sure is gay.
2-08-2008 @ 12:45AM
Barfly said...
I don't know if he meant it as an insult, but it came across like one, which will make Clay Aiken and Fantasia
really happy with him. Simon needs to shut his pie-hole.
Reply
2-08-2008 @ 6:02AM
Jimmy said...
Simon loved Kat. When she sang "Somewhere Over The Rainbow" on the final, (I'm pretty sure) he told her it was the best performance ever on Idol.
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2-08-2008 @ 6:06AM
Jimmy said...
P.S. He was right.
2-08-2008 @ 7:55AM
KCbabe said...
Yeah Simon didn't like the winner that year either. Although when you go back and look at the tapes, there are many times he praised Taylor.
I guess if your not Daughtry from that year, your nothing in their eyes.
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2-08-2008 @ 8:15AM
pattispage said...
Funny how only the katharine fans think she is great.She can't sing, she can't act, she'll only be good baring it all
Reply
2-09-2008 @ 9:34AM
john said...
JEALOUSY
2-08-2008 @ 2:13PM
puffin said...
Well... she did have the creepy lust of Eric the Midget. That's gotta count for something in the grand scheme of things.
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2-08-2008 @ 2:40PM
Go Simon! said...
I love Simon! LOL!!!
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2-08-2008 @ 2:43PM
curtis said...
uh ...who is Simon really anyway ... ? Im thankful I dont even know who he is
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