While his UK colleagues just smiled when BMG’s Simon Cowell laid into Pop Idol contestants, his brutal comments on the US version of the show have almost seen him come to blows with fellow judge Randy Jackson. A particular moment in this week’s show saw Jackson take issue with Cowell’s criticism that contestants were being let through on a ‘sympathy vote’. Randy replied: “If he keeps insulting people like that he's going to have a tougher day,” to which Cowell replied, “Can I take a happy pill and we'll deal with this later?’” The twenty stone Jackson clearly wanted to “talk about this right now”. It was up to fellow judge Paula Abdul to keep the peace. Word is US contestants have not dealt with Cowell’s famous put downs too well – so much so the show is rumoured to have hired a psychiatrist to offer counselling to upset singers. With Cowell and the Weakest Link’s Anne Robinson having both fronted rating topping shows in the US this year English actors should be guaranteed every Hollywood bad guy role for the next three years.
Jul 3, 2002
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1 min read
Cowell falls out with fellow judges
Simon Cowell's comments on US Pop Idol contestants led to a row with fellow judge Randy Jackson, which Paula Abdul helped calm.