Simon sez sorry to the Bush Baby

American Idol

By Tabloid Baby | Sunday, January 21, 2007 | 8:30 am | 2 Comments

simon.jpgbush%20baby.jpgkennethbriggs.jpgbushnbaby.jpg

Simon Cowell has bowed to the backlash and actually apologized for comparing an American Idol contestant to a “bush baby.”

Of course, speaking to the TV writers this weekend, Simon first defended his harsh comment as “an off the cuff remark,” and warned future delusional Idol contestants, “If you don’t want to hear that, don’t show up.”

But then the Idol judge added:“If he’s offended, then I apologise,” he said. “I might never call anyone a bush baby again.”

Simon directed the remark at contestant Kenneth Briggs of Seattle, a little fella Simon first described as “a little odd.”

“Your dancing is terrible, the singing was horrendous, and you look like one of those creatures that live in the jungle with those massive eyes,” Simon said. “What are they called? Bush baby.”

When Kenneth left the room, all the Idol judges had a good laugh.

Kenneth, meanwhile has become a williamhungian audience favorite and has already appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live with fellow Idolreject Jonathan Jayne, a roly poly autistic warbler with whom producers paired him.

(Food for thought: According to the African Wildlife Foundation, “the lesser galago, also called bush baby, is one of the smallest primates… Despite its size, it is exceptionally vocal, producing loud, shrill cries surprisingly like those of a human baby.” Hmmm…did a smart alec Idol writer give Simon the “bush baby” line?)

–Tabloid Baby

2 Comments

  1. 1
    georgiababe
    Posted January 21, 2007 at 2:46 pm

    Okay, so he apologized. But is it sincere? I think not.

    I am so sick of Simon. I’ve always found him refreshing, since he tells it like it is, instead of sugar coating everything like Paula does. However, I am now over him. He makes hurtful and unnecessary comments that have nothing to do with the contestants’ singing abilities, and this type of thing (where he publicly apologizes) has happened more than once. I understand that the entertainment industry has a lot to do with image, but Simon still takes things to far. Kenneth was bad – that’s all he had to say – nothing else was necessary. Look at Clay Aiken. Yeah, now he looks kind of girlish, but he didn’t exactly look cool when he auditioned, and they managed to de-geekify him somewhat. If the contestant is good, then I can understand the judges and the producers have legitimate image concerns if this contestant is to move on, but at this stage, Simon needs to learn to keep his mouth shut.

    ~Georgia~

  2. 2
    zoobabe
    Posted January 22, 2007 at 6:50 am

    He apologized b/c the backlash will hurt Idol’s ratings, and his own massive paycheck. So he half-assed it to appease the producers and he and the show will go on as usual. If the two boys go on to make some money and achieve some measure of D-list fame then good for them, but they play a part in it too if their intention to milk their 15 minutes continues for much longer.

    It’s why I prefer watching AI after the audition phase. I like the contestants that can actually sing much better than the wannabes with no chance.

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