American Idol's Taylor Hicks was offended by Simon Cowell's remark after Hicks' performance Tuesday night, reports TMZ.com.
Cowell's comment -- ''Are you drunk?'' -- pushed a sensitive button with Hicks, as he has dealt with others affected by alcohol back in his hometown of Birmingham, Ala.
Taylor is said to occasionally have a drink, but he is definitely not a drinker. And while on Idol, he's strictly business, often drinking milk with dinner.
Sources say that Hicks was so upset with the comment that he almost said something on the air, but resisted.
Meanwhile, Cowell lashes out at both Idol host Ryan Seacrest and judge Paula Abdul, to Extra.
On what Seacrest would be doing if he weren't the host of Idol: 'He'd still be, `Hi, it's Ryan Seacrest. It's 4:07 a.m., the sun's coming up, and here comes the Bee Gees.' ''
Simon also says Seacrest should cough up a piece of the wealth that bought him a reported $11 million bachelor pad and a new Aston Martin.
``I think Ryan would be the first to admit that without me he wouldn't be affording those things.''
On Abdul, Cowell was even more harsh: ''Paula, through me, or mainly through me, has become interesting,'' he says. ``You come to me as empty vessels and I try to give you a personality, and luckily with Paula it worked.''
Cowell also dishes on Idol hopefuls' chances.
On heartthrob Ace Young: ``I think his days are numbered.''
Ditto, he says, for the popular Katharine McPhee: ``She's reaching a point where she's looking so perfect and sounding so perfect; ironically, it can work against you. She won't win.''
So who will win? ``It's all Paris [Hilton]. You gotta give the girl some credit. She's a tough little thing, isn't she?''
I thought that Simon's comments to Taylor were very offensive. That is the second time he used a drunk comment regarding him. There is no excuse for it.
His comments to most are abbrasive. It's like coming into contact with sandpaper, and running a finger over it, hard, and getting scratched up. It won't cause permanent damage... but, it stings, and hurts for some time. Simon is an egotistical jerk... and loves to make comments that make him sound like he just knows it all.
The comment about Taylor drinking was inappropriate, and he should have to PUBLICALLY apologize to him.
And, I just watched Wed nights elimination episode. When the three (Ace, Elliott, and Bucky) are standing up there, and Ryan asks Simon who he thinks will go tonight... Simon responds with, "Based on last nights performance... Ace!" The way he said it was sort of rude... and the look on Ace's face was crushing.
Sure, Simon tells it like it is... and I like that better than the same things Paula always says... "You were a breath of fresh air." But, he goes overboard, many times, and is so hurtful, that I'm surprised that none of the contestants have TRULY gone off on him.
:::>^..^<::: ~*~The Journey is more important than the end or the start~*~ :::>^..^<:::
They had a quote from Taylor last week about Simon. He said "he thinks he's Caesar". I think he was right. Taylor was supposed to be very mad over Simon's remark. He takes his performing very seriously, and I don't think Simon should have made a remark like that to anyone. Damon boo'd the screen when he heard Simon say that.
That is the second time Simon has made a drunk comment to Taylor. Yes it was goofy that he missed the stand, but he should not be trying to make people think that Taylor is a drinker.
I think that it was disgraceful that he tried to taint Taylor in the public's eyes. He wasn't drunk, and that comment was total defamation of character.
:::>^..^<::: ~*~The Journey is more important than the end or the start~*~ :::>^..^<:::
Exactly Kris. I read that he usually drinks milk with his meals, not wanting the caffeine. He takes this seriously, and Simon needs to apologize for his comments. At least Randy stood up to him when it happened and let him know it was not acceptable.
04-17-2006 02:02 AM
