EW.com had occasion today to speak with American Idol judge Simon Cowell, and we took the opportunity to ask him about the show’s current, unpredictable season. As always, Simon had strong opinions and was not afraid to share his thoughts on David Cook, "God Bless the U.S.A.," and those "annoying" waving hands.
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: How do you feel the show is going this season?
SIMON COWELL: It’s interesting. I think the audience are much more savvy than I’ve seen them in previous years, and much less forgiving, which I’m happy about. I’ve got a feeling this year something strange could happen, particularly after what happened with David Cook last night. Because, I’ve got to tell you, watching it back, this performance he did on "Billie Jean," in my opinion, was in a different league to anything we’ve heard on the season so far. It was so much better, [chuckles] he kind of made some of the other performances seem ridiculous. But I’m glad! He was smart — I know where he got the arrangement of the song from, but that doesn’t really matter. He was brilliant! And I was concerned three or four weeks ago that this was just going to be a coronation for David Archuleta and it’s just a question of who comes [in] second. I’m not so sure anymore. And, you know, with Jason Castro last night — there’s a guy who thinks he’s just sailing along, and I thought it was a bad performance. You give somebody like him a kick up the ass, let’s see what he can deliver now. But I thought it was, um, an interesting night last night.
To be sure. Some very odd song choices.
And very clever song choices. That "God Bless the U.S.A." [sung by Kristy Lee Cook] — smart girl. Gotta tell you [laughing]
when your back’s against the wall, she knew what she was doing. I
thought that was very smart. I’ll be amazed if she gets booted out on
the back of that [song].
What is it like to be surrounded by people just standing there, waving their arms and clapping not in time with the music?
It’s a little bit annoying at times, because you kind of think that it’s like they’re all hypnotized! [Laughs]
That’s probably the best way of describing it. It’s like they all wake
up after it’s finished and think What have I just been doing? I used
to like when people were sitting down to the left and right of me,
because I like to see what the audience are doing [during a
performance]. I think it’s as important to watch the audience reaction
without them being aware of being watched as it is listening to the
song yourself: You see them get excited; you see them bored. With this
lot in front of me [now], I haven’t got a clue what’s going on. So we
may have to sit them down in the future. I think it’s good idea for the
final; I’m not sure it’s a good idea for the [regular shows].
Particularly, when you’ve got someone at the piano doing a Sting song,
there’s nothing much to wave about, is there?
No. And I have to say, as a viewer, it’s quite obnoxious when the arms are often taking up, like, three quarters of the screen.
Yeah, I know what you’re saying. It’s a bit childish as well, isn’t it? Yeah, I think we may have to do something about that.
I have to tell you, that would be much appreciated at EW. Our
readers aren’t fans of it either. If you could somehow stop the waving…
[Laughs] Well, we’ll start a campaign together on that! I’ll do my best. As you know, they don’t listen to me, that audience!
To be sure. Some very odd song choices.
And very clever song choices. That "God Bless the U.S.A." [sung by Kristy Lee Cook] — smart girl. Gotta tell you [laughing]when your back’s against the wall, she knew what she was doing. Ithought that was very smart. I’ll be amazed if she gets booted out onthe back of that [song].
What is it like to be surrounded by people just standing there, waving their arms and clapping not in time with the music?
It’s a little bit annoying at times, because you kind of think that it’s like they’re all hypnotized! [Laughs]That’s probably the best way of describing it. It’s like they all wakeup after it’s finished and think What have I just been doing? I usedto like when people were sitting down to the left and right of me,because I like to see what the audience are doing [during aperformance]. I think it’s as important to watch the audience reactionwithout them being aware of being watched as it is listening to thesong yourself: You see them get excited; you see them bored. With thislot in front of me [now], I haven’t got a clue what’s going on. So wemay have to sit them down in the future. I think it’s good idea for thefinal; I’m not sure it’s a good idea for the [regular shows].Particularly, when you’ve got someone at the piano doing a Sting song,there’s nothing much to wave about, is there?
No. And I have to say, as a viewer, it’s quite obnoxious when the arms are often taking up, like, three quarters of the screen.
Yeah, I know what you’re saying. It’s a bit childish as well, isn’t it? Yeah, I think we may have to do something about that.
I have to tell you, that would be much appreciated at EW. Ourreaders aren’t fans of it either. If you could somehow stop the waving…
[Laughs] Well, we’ll start a campaign together on that! I’ll do my best. As you know, they don’t listen to me, that audience!
Comments (1-30) of 284 Add your comment
THANK YOU for mentioning the stupid arm waving. I’ve been suffering silently night after night. Simon, please use your considerable pull to put a stop to it.
I love this guy. Seriously, I think he’s one of the most admirable music/television moguls out there
I know I missed most the performance b/c I was too laughing my ass off when they show the arm waving. Next thing you know they’ll be holding up lighters.
And after the lighters they’ll be crowd surfing to David Cook and Michael Johns. David Archuleta is so overrated. I agree with Simon…he needs to grow up about 5 years and then try again…TMTH.
Oh! and David Cook rocks!!
So True. The arm waving is a bit…outragous,in front of the camera………..,simons right, david cook was the best…i always think this. lol! =] thas cuz im a huge fan!
So True. The arm waving is a bit…outragous,in front of the camera………..,simons right, david cook was the best…i always think this. lol! =] thas cuz im a huge fan!
Simon’s right. Cook gave a performance. Just about everyone else looked like they were singing at a karaoke contest – a good one, but still a karaoke contest. Cook is in a different league because his voice is incredible and he delivers a song with emotional intensity – no matter where the arrangement comes from. He knows how to perform.
And yeah, please get rid of the arm waving. Am I watching Idol or getting clearance for takeoff?
Simon is so intuitive. Love him.
I love Simon!! He’s smart, cute and doesn’t care what people think of him.
Wow Cook was ok but the best this season, not a chance! LMAO!
Simon is just so freaked that Archuleta has it in the bag if he just stands & smiles until the May final so he has decided to pick Cook as the main competition!
Cook is so NOT original since he just copied Chris Cornell’s version off his solo album, yeah real original Simon! WTF!
Simon’s a smart one and I’m glad he’s backing David C, and that he was as meh about what we thought was the coronation of David A as a lot of us.
If only the other contestants could find songs and arrangements as interesting as David C’s and bring that level of performance too…then Idol would be so much more fun to watch!
(By the way, Simon said he knew it wasn’t an original arrangement. Also, some David A fans strike me as creepy and aggressive. jmo…)
Love, love, love David Cook! Have been voting steadily for him since “Hello”. Archuleta has a very nice voice but often seems to be behind the band/orchestra a lot. I often find myself thinking he needs to speed up his phrasing a bit. Also seems much younger than his age– about 17 going on 13. I think he will be very good but needs time to mature.
“…because you kind of think that it’s like they’re all hypnotized! [Laughs] That’s probably the best way of describing it. It’s like they all wake up after it’s finished and think ‘What have I just been doing?’”
hahahahaha that’s exactly how it looks like!!
Simon is a BAMF. I agree with him 98% of the time. He’s very shrewd and honest, which is fantastic. Thank goodness something might be done about that horrible “mosh pit” with the zombie-like arm waving….BRAINS!!!!
As much as Simon can be harsh, his comments are always right on point. Last night, as D.Archuletta was signing, I commented to my family, Wow, sound like a high=school musical, or lion king rendition, and WAM,, Simon made the comment about theme parks!! He really is on the money, which is why the participants wait for his comments!!
I, like Sally, have been voting for David Cook since his version of Hello. We all know he took the arrangement of Billie Jean from someone else but he was the only singer last night to add emotion to his song. The others don’t seem to realize that they need to up the ante to stay in the game.
Simon has always been my favorite judge. It seems like everyone thinks his remarks are brutal, I view them as honest and 99% of the time I agree with him.
At least they stopped screaming along with every loud note this week. Christ! But yeah, the off beat clapping and waving has GOT to stop.
Say what you want about this guy, but he knows what he’s talking about…95% of the time. And he is a good hearted person (did you see him pay off someone’s mortgage on Oprah last week?) I am a fan of his and think he is right on track.
Love Simon! Honestly, I feel like his feedback is the only thing worth listening to…Randy says everyone is “pitchy-dawg” and Paula talks about how pretty everyone looks. There are lots of performers (Madonna, even Bob Dylan) that can be described as “pitchy.” It is about the performance! How do these people perform? Simon is always, spot-on! As a matter of fact last night during “David’s important ballad,” I said to my roomie, “It’s like some sad show at Disneyland with Lion King puppets.” And then was so happy to hear almost the same words from Simon! Simon you are MY idol!
When I see the arms waving, I think its a big church musical, and then..O an Simon, he starts a put down and then can’t stop, geez…I think they need to boot him
Our world has sunk to the bottom of the sea, OMG, Simon is always right, OMG RIGHT!
I think each yr Paula is taking different drugs, lol.She is so lame with her words. And I love David Cook, he rocks… Little David, god he plays on his childish ways, grow up baby boy or its over for you. I am so so so so glad Amanda is gone, gone, gone, she say she wants to get into southern country , and rock. I compare her voice to nails going down a chalk board. And Post David Hernandez, come on that was all planned, the show dumped him because of his stripper past, all the Mommy’s in the world were crying, what should I tell little Bobby?
David Cook = awesome!
it’s good that simon mentions that he knows where the arrangement came from… HA BASHERS!!!
Simon’s right. There’s no scandal about David Cook’s Billie Jean arrangement. He was just spot on about it. And spot on when the previous “owner” was Chris Cornell is impressive indeed. I’ve downloaded four songs this season — and three are Cook’s. The other was the dear departed Chikezie, thanks so much for She’s a Woman!
I agree with Simon’s pull no punches honesty. He doesn’t give false hope to those who are getting by on “popularity” votes. Even though David Archaleta is young,when he sings he seems to be someone much older,but his innocence still comes though. He’s very very talented.Last nights Norma Jean, by David Cook, just cinched it, Hello, was great, too. Michael Johns isn’t as brave as David C. but last night he shined. I think if D. Archaleta wasn’t so timid and shy he could show way more power performances than he does, he will I think though. The women, I am sorry to say don’t hold a candle to the top three males. Jason, I thought you were done tonight, you should have been. You have no talent and you think you’re the “DUDE’,and at this point taking it seriously isn’t going to do you much good. Paula, I like the way you find good in everyone. You are beautiful. Randy, like you say alot, “it was ok,it didn’t reach out and grab me” I’m ok+,I know I,nevermind. RYAN YOU ARE MY IDOL…….
One more great performance from David Cook and he’ll win this popularity competition. Go David Cook! Thats what he call TALENT.
I agree, David Cook is in a differant league. He takes risks in the arrangments of his performances, an pulls it off and then some. I think he has way more talant than David Archuleta, but Archuleta will probably still win because the show has become a complete popularity contest. Archuleta does not have it “IN THE BAG” talent wise, because he comes up short compared to David Cook and Carly Smithson, but popularity wise he does. Isn’t that right Lisa?
I agree, David Cook is in a differant league. He takes risks in the arrangments of his performances, an pulls it off and then some. I think he has way more talant than David Archuleta, but Archuleta will probably still win because the show has become a complete popularity contest. Archuleta does not have it “IN THE BAG” talent wise, because he comes up short compared to David Cook and Carly Smithson, but popularity wise he does. Isn’t that right Lisa?
Arm waving: I went to a taping of The Tonight Show a few years ago and saw an outdoor performance by David Gilmour (of Pink Floyd). One of the assistant producers came out before the band took the stage and explained, “this is a slow song, so if you would like to be seen on TV, be waving your arms slowly back and forth in the air.” Where did these producers all learn this stupid tactic? What made everyone think that ’slow arm waving’ would embellish the song in a positive manner? And every song that begins on AI with a ballad’s pace also begins with people waving their arms like programmed robots. From the viewpoint of an American Idol fan – and I am one – this kind of crap looks so silly, especially when we’re watching some of the best performances ever on the show. Cut the nonsense. If you want the show to look real, let the audience be real. Do the producers ever go to concerts themselves? Do they really know what live music is about? Doesn’t seem like it. Kudos to Simon. –db