Country music star John Rich, of Big & Rich, attacked American Idol at a press conference this morning. “American Idol infuriates me as an artist,” Rich said at NBC’s “All American Summer” Press Day in Pasadena, where Rich was stumping for his talent competition show, Nashville Star (which is moving to NBC after five seasons on USA). “You can tell when somebody’s comment was scripted. You can tell when a [competing] artist was told to wear this and sing that. That’s not going to happen in [Nashville Star].” Rich, who will function as a judge and mentor on Nashville Star, as well as produce the album of the NS winner, said he was especially upset when Paula Abdul commented Tuesday night on Jason Castro’s second song before the dreadlocked contestant had actually sung it. “Why don’t you just walk up on stage and slap them right across the face while you’re at it?” Rich said. “It’s not a problem of [a judge] being tough on somebody. You’ve got to be tough on people and be honest with them. But you’ve got to respect these people. This is their entire life hanging by a thread….I’m sure [Paula] is a fine lady, but I thought that was a very, very disrespectful thing.”
John Rich: "American Idol' infuriates me'
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Comments (1-30) of 169 Add your comment
Thanks you, Mr. Rich for defending what happened to Jason this week and calling them on it. For the record, there has never been a formal apology given to Jason. At the moment, he’s being chewed up and spit out by the big AI machine, in hopes of their dream “David’s” finale. I hope, and pray, that he comes out of this debacle relatively unscathed and has a wonderful career ahead of him!
Finally, someone is pulling the focus of this travesty back on the person most affected. Paula might have given away what many have suspected all along – that Idol is completely slanted towards the contestants they rather than America want to win – but she did even worst by Jason Castro. The boy had to perform in front of millions knowing he would be criticized regardless of how well or not he did.
And never a word of apology to him from Paula or the Idol producers. Shame on AI! Count me as a viewer who won’t be tuning in once Mr. Castro is gone.
Thank you for coming out and saying what all us dreadheads believe
Thank you!! The most disrespectful part was their lame cover-up. Paula stated ” OMG, I thought you sang twice!” Her comments weren’t didn’t make sense for David Cook. Once Jason is gone, I’m gone too. I seriously hope that Nigel’s stupid dance show tanks as well as the future of American Idol.
The important passages being, “where Rich was stumping for his talent competition show, Nashville Star.”
He’s trying to get people to watch his show (which has what, 1/10 the ratings of AI?) by taking them on in a supposed grudge match. This is the style of professional wrestling. Talk about staged!
Thank you for expressing publicly what so many of have been saying. American Idol should be ashamed for trying to sweep this situation under the rug with nary a backward glance at those that were hurt. Yes, an apology from Paula (and AI in general)is definitely warranted here. In addition, Simon and Randy should be reprimanded for the nasty comments they have made about Jason Castro during recent interviews. Their role on this show should be to guide and help these young people, not to break them down and speak unfavorably about them to the press. Jason has shown them nothing but respect throughout this whole process. It shows poor class on their part to participate in a smear campaign against this fine young man. I have lost all respect for the producers of this show for allowing (and encouraging) such reprehensible behavior.
Thank you, Mr. Rich for having the guts to step up to the plate and giving the truth on this whole mess. The “powers” at AI and Paula herself should have the same guts and publicly apologize to Jason. They are all sure “at the ready” to slam him every chance they get and in public forums. This show has been going down the tubes for awhile now and I think I can find better ways to occupy my time next season. I will give AI this much credit, though, they have helped launch a kid that will have an amazing career. Come on, Jason, we’re waiting on your forthcoming CD!!
I agree with John 100%. The producers & judges at AI are not interested in anything except themselves. They are disrespectful of contestants and think that American are fools. America is not falling for their pranks and tricks. If they want to pick they winner, why ask America to vote??
Thank you John Rich for being an honest and upright man!
It is about time that SOMEONE pointed out how rediculous that was. Thank you for having good sense!!
It is about time that SOMEONE pointed out how rediculous that was. Thank you for having good sense!!
Thank-you, Mr. Rich. I also found it odd that there was no apology made to Jason, considering the judges in the past have apologized even if they looked back at a recording of the show and realize they’ve been too harsh on someone. They were not only overly harsh, but they likely seriously damaged his chances of being confident for the performance. That alone deserved an apology.
Thank You Mr Rich, and he didn’t get a public apology either, fox is trying to sweep it under the rug and continue to berate him on national television…. I am a Jason Castro fan from the word go and they are making it really tough on his fans as well…. again thank you from the bottom of my heart….. dh1458
All I have to say is Thank you! Thank you for shinning the light on the true problem here! Come on AI stop disrespecting the contestants!!
simon cowell was made to apologized in one episode of AI (to brooke, violinist, paula et al). paula should do hers too.
Finally someone speaks the truth. AI majorly f*d up and they can’t even respond with a proper comment on the event. All they say is they are aware of the gossip on the internet about Paula and the rumers aren’t true. What rumers? That Paula is completely wasted on pharmies? Or that the show is scripted and the producers have a master plan to get Jason out of the competition? Thanks you M. Rich for calling a spade a spade.
Wow, what a bunch of saps! This guy is promoting his own show, which is a competitor (though not much competition) and a knock-off of American Idol. You really think he cares about the contestants on AI?? He’s just taking the opportunity to promote his own show. You people make it sound like this guy is some sort of hero.
Thanks, John Rich. AI won’t answer with integrity, of course; they’ve already proved they have none.
Good thing you’re moving your own show to NBC and not to Fox, home of the sleaze.
Thanks, John Rich. AI won’t answer with integrity, of course; they’ve already proved they have none.
Good thing you’re moving your own show to NBC and not to Fox, home of the sleaze.
Great comments from Mr. Rich. The AI machine has totally ignored the fact that these are PEOPLE up there on the stage that deserve to be treated with honor and dignity. And oh how PREDICTABLE that the only sympathy extended publically was to poor poor Paula for the **gasp** rumors circulating (again).
Regardless of whether Rich was promoting his show or not, he is correct in that it was disrespectful and it was much like a “slap in the face” to Jason Castro. The lack of apology or apparent remorse, the way they have been treating some of these contestants, especially Castro who is a nice, talented young man, will ensure I will NOT be tuning in once Jason is gone. Disgraceful. And I entirely agree with Rhonda in that the fact that all the judges (particularly Simon and Randy) have been going around bashing this kid on every show that will have them makes me sick. How unprofessional and appalling.
Pretty funny that John Rich made Diana DeGarmo cry on his own show because he was such a jerk to the contestants. Yeah, he cares whether AI was mean to Jason Castro. All he cares is that he’s getting his name and his show’s name in the press.
If you saw him lay into Diana, you would never care what the a$$hole has to say about anything.
Mr Rich – I have seen your show and saw what a gentleman you were even when being tough. Right on – someone who is finally speaking out and not afraid of AI – OMG Have Jason CAstro on your next show – the one where you have someone change up their style to country – how cool would that be???
Yes, he made her cry but his brutal HONESTY IS WHAT IS LACKING ON IDOL!!!!! PAULA LIED THRU HER BUTT YET THE POWERS THAT BE KEEP ENABLING THAT MESS – I ALMOST FEEL SORRY FOR HER SHE IS THEIR DUM PAWN TO GET THE RATINGS UP AND THEY LET IT EFFECT JASON BUT I BET ONE MILLION BUCKS IF THAT HAD BEEN THE DAVIDS – THEY WOULD GET A MILLION TRILLION APOLOGIES
Yes, he made her cry but the difference here is he did not LIE and tell her that right before she went on to sing in front of millions. He didnt say – uh hey I havent heard you sing yet in front of these fine people but I just want you to know before you begin that you suck!!!
Yeah, Mr. Rich has a LOT (sarcasm there) of credibility after the farce that was his “Gone Country” show.
Paula’s comment about Jason was nothing compared to the way John Rich lay into Diana DeGarmo on “Gone Country”. He was brutal to that girl.
People in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones.
I saw these morons on this one news station just laughing – oh thats just Paula she made a mistake. It is NOT that she read from a script that is so upsetting it is that she lied and keeps on lying about who she said sucked that night right before they sang. How would YOU feel if you were ABOUT TO SING AND SOMEONE TOLD YOU, YOU MIGHT AS WELL SHUT UP (IN SO MANY WORDS) BECAUSE YOU ARE BAD EVEN THOUGH I HAVENT HEARD YOU YET!!!
I saw these morons on this one news station just laughing – oh thats just Paula she made a mistake. It is NOT that she read from a script that is so upsetting it is that she lied and keeps on lying about who she said sucked that night right before they sang. How would YOU feel if you were ABOUT TO SING AND SOMEONE TOLD YOU, YOU MIGHT AS WELL SHUT UP (IN SO MANY WORDS) BECAUSE YOU ARE BAD EVEN THOUGH I HAVENT HEARD YOU YET!!!
Mr Rich was brutal – before she went out in front of thousands of people an she did really well because of that. He pulled no punches and did not lie – that is what most of the uproar is = Paula lied in front of millions right before this guy went on. BIG DIFFERENCE
YES HE WAS BRUTAL – BRUTALLY HONEST IN ALL HIS DEALINGS – COMPLETELY OPPOSITE OF AMERICAN IDIOT
I saw these morons on this one news station just laughing – oh thats just Paula she made a mistake. It is NOT that she read from a script that is so upsetting it is that she lied and keeps on lying about who she said sucked that night right before they sang. How would YOU feel if you were ABOUT TO SING AND SOMEONE TOLD YOU, YOU MIGHT AS WELL SHUT UP (IN SO MANY WORDS) BECAUSE YOU ARE BAD EVEN THOUGH I HAVENT HEARD YOU YET!!!