I think we’re going to need a drinking game with the show tonight...I’m feeling down..
Simon Says–a Lot!
by Debra Birnbaum April 27, 2009 12:12 PM EST
Eight years of listening to eardrum-splitting auditions, sniping at questionable song choices and indulging in relentless teasing with his fellow judges have done little to mellow Simon Cowell—at least on camera. In person, over tea at his home high in the Hollywood Hills, the head judge of American Idol—clad, as expected, in his uniform of T-shirt and jeans—is charming, confident and unrepentant as he speaks about new colleague Kara DioGuardi, why he wants to leave the show, and who he thinks will be crowned this year’s Idol.
After eight seasons, people still seem surprised that you’re not afraid to tell the truth.
I think a lot of [judges] worry that others will think badly of them for telling the truth, like we’re the ones in the popularity competition, which is absurd. It doesn’t really matter what people think about us, the judges. There are times when I’m sitting on the show, and I look at all the wardrobe and the stylists and the hair, and it’s just for us judges, and I think, hang on a minute. This has all gone a little out of whack here. Apart from Adam [Lambert], who sets his own agenda, I don’t think there’s anything I can tell you about any of these people, even after seven weeks. Kris [Allen] is a good example. He’s a sweet kid, good-looking. I know he’s married because he told us. Other than that, there’s not a single thing I could tell you about that boy. Nothing.
Why don’t we know more about the Idols?
As the show has become more successful, there’s more protection around them. My idea, which I’d love to do, is to plant secret cameras in the house. And then we’d really hear what they think about one another. I’d like to see them all fighting, screaming, hating each other. I hate seeing a united bunch. Because then what’s the point of taking part in a competition? It would be like taking part in the Olympics and holding hands and crossing the finish line together. So when Matt [Giraud] made it through and they were all celebrating, I thought, “Why are you happy?” They don’t mean it.
When the season started, we thought we’d see more of the house. What happened to that idea?
Time, more than anything. For the first time since we’ve done the show, two hours before the [April 14] show went on the air, we were told, “Bit of a problem. We can’t talk to all of you.” Right, that is a little bit of an issue. It would be like telling some of the singers, “Can you not sing this week?”
Hasn’t adding the fourth judge had something to do with it?
A bit, but it shouldn’t be that much. You add on a fourth person, bad enough. Now it’s a girl, huge problem. Girls do tend to talk a little bit more than guys. Randy’s quick, and I don’t say too much. But my God, these two! Paula’s talking more than ever now.
Are you happy with the decision to add a fourth judge?
You can’t keep making the same show year after year. Not only are we going to get bored, I think the public is going to get bored. So I think change, as long as it’s not too radical, is necessary.
You’d keep a fourth judge next year?
Yes.
Would it be Kara?
I would imagine so. The only say I have is about Ryan [Seacrest], Randy [Jackson] and Paula [Abdul]. I’ve always made it clear that I wouldn’t like to do the show without them. I would fight for any of them.
What do you think of Kara’s performance?
She’s in a difficult position. It’s like we friends had dinner with each other for eight years, and now somebody new has joined the dinner table. I think she’s beginning to understand she doesn’t have to take it quite as seriously as she thought. If you really want to get technical on this show, I’ll find you four of the best vocal coaches in the world, and we’ll just hold up signs like you do on an ice-skating competition: 9.7, 9.3. But that’s not what we’re on the show for. The show is about having a personal opinion of somebody, rather than saying it’s sharp, flat or pitchy. Once she started to learn it’s about backing the person as much as the voice, she’s had a better time.
If you could go back in Idol history and use the judges’ save on anyone, who would you have used it on?
Tamyra Gray, Season 1. I always, always wanted her and Kelly [Clarkson] in the final. It would have been the best final we’ve ever had. More so than Chris Daughtry or Jennifer Hudson.
Lil Rounds was such a front-runner during the auditions. What happened?
When you get into a show like this, you become so obsessed about saving yourself and second-guessing what the public will or won’t like, you compromise yourself as an artist. “If I’m not in a sweet dress, they won’t vote for me. If I don’t sing a popular song, they won’t vote for me.” They’re singing to be saved rather than to be fantastic. The only person you genuinely feel is not doing that is Adam. He’s not going to compromise himself as a singer or an artist. He’s unpredictable and he’s fun, and I love that.
Adam also seems completely unfazed by the stories circulating about his sexuality. Do you think America’s finally gotten beyond that?
I think people only get bothered really when they know somebody’s hiding something. [Laughs] We’ve had that in the past! We’ve obviously never had an issue with it, and nor should anybody else. It’s a huge step forward for the show. It’s just, do you like him as a person, as a singer, full stop.
He’s taking a page from David Cook’s playbook by making each song his own.
Adam’s the only one who’s done it this year. That’s why I was so frustrated with Danny [Gokey] when he did “Endless Love” with a harp. Come on! This song is 25, 30 years old, and a lot’s happened in 30 years. At least pretend to do something different to it, rather than schmaltzing it up.
For the full interview with Simon Cowell, plus his thoughts on Paula, Randy and Ryan, pick up the May 4th issue of TV Guide Magazine!
I found out the answer is 4 1/2.
Here are the songs for tonight. Every time they have this theme is seems like its the same old songs over and over and over. I’m so tired of these songs.
SPOILERS!
Kris Allen - “The Way You Look Tonight”
Allison Iraheta - “Someone to Watch Over Me”
Matt Giraud - “My Funny Valentine”
Danny Gokey - “Come Rain Come Shine”
Adam Lambert - “Feeling Good” (the muse version)