'AMERICAN IDOL' PRODUCERS DEBATE SIMON 'ONE FINGER SALUTE'; FOX EXECUTIVES QUESTION ON-AIR GESTURE

Drudge Report. ^ | March 24, 2004 | Drudge

[ItsTheMediaStupid]

XXXXX DRUDGE REPORT XXXXX WED MARCH 24, 2004 11:25:38 ET XXXXX

The nation's top TV show is at the center of a fresh decency debate after AMERICAN IDOL judge Simon Cowell gestured a one finger salute during Tuesday night's broadcast from Hollywood.

The obscene gesture came during a heated exchange with fellow judge Paula Abdul. Cowell held his middle finger to his cheek as Abdul railed against comments made about a contestant.

The image came close to being cut, a top FOX executive tells the DRUDGE REPORT.

"We were not sure he was doing what he was doing, quite frankly," the source explained. "It appeared he was simply resting his head on his middle finger, but I now think we made a mistake, the gesture should not have aired."

The top FOX source says flipping the middle finger would not conform to the network's decency standards.

IDOL producers have asked Cowell to refrain from using the provocative pose in the future.

FOX airs IDOL with a slight broadcast delay live in eastern and central time zones.

[ItsTheMediaStupid]

Didn't see this on a search. I like American Idol and wonder if Simon mean't to flip the bird of an accident. IMO the media is overreacting. The people in charge don't really understand that this is in no way like showing porno in front of my kids. They probably think the bird has something to do with sex. It actually just means "don't mess with me I am ready and able to fight you back". After all you don't flip a finger to a woman you want to have sex with, do you?

[texasflower]

I saw it and I'm not sure if he was doing it on purpose or not.

[kinghorse]

George Carlin is right.

This is starting to make conservatives look bad. I think the liberal media is playing us right into a trap. It's like the polical correctness we so loathe when it involves wordspeak police on the liberal side of the aisle.

Remember how uptight we are about liberals hanging on to every word and innuendo,labelling it racist or sexist. Same deal only in reverse. Again I think the media is just playing this along for the inevitable backlash against conservatives, painting them as out of step with our times.

[Always Right]

Simon does rest his index finger against his head quite oftn, but it seems unnatural to rest his middle finger against his head. I saw it, and had the same reaction as the Fox people at the time, wasn't sure if it was intentional or not. In hindsight, I think it was intentional.

[Fierce Allegiance]

[kinghorse]

who gives a rat's ass. we need to step back and give this new found desire to roll it back to happy days a little rest. extremism is bad, either direction.

[Always Right]

George Carlin is right.

Unlike a stopped watch, Garlin is never right.

[Fierce Allegiance]

[johnfrink]

This news makes me wish there was a massive hurricane bearing down on the southeast US so that Drudge could have something constructive to do with his time.

[sirshackleton]

Fox should two quick clips of it live. THe first, I thought it kind of looked like his middle finger, but I wasn't paying close enough attention. I turned to my girlfrienmd and said "Hey, it looks like he was giving the contestant the finger..." but she didn't really see it. When they went back to him about 5 seconds later though, it was pretty clear he was flipping the bird. It seemed to be very deliberate. I thought it was great.

[ShandaLear]

I saw this when it happened and I think it was accidental. You could kind of see him realize what he was doing and then he changed fingers. I thought....."hmmmmmmm..." LOL!

[MineralMan]

This is stupid. Flipping someone off is rude, but not obscene. It's also universal in this country. The nannies are out to remove any content that has any negative connotations, it seems to me.

Next thing will be actors who can't say "Shoot!" because it might be a substitution for a different word. Or Freakin' or any number other other euphemisms.

Blatant obscenity needs to be kept of the on-air programming. That's about it.

[Ciexyz]

I happened to watch Idol last night because it was country music night, and I thought Simon was pushing the envelope all evening, esp. with his attack on Paula Abdul as a "middle aged washed up pop singer", words to that effect. But I also had the impression that the others expected him to be outrageous, that it was his gimmick and I guessed that it helped boost ratings so they'd give him a pass.

[Always Right]

who gives a rat's ass. we need to step back and give this new found desire to roll it back to happy days a little rest. extremism is bad, either direction.

Because giving the finger is not appropriate on a show where a large portion of the audiance is younger kids. That is hardly an extreme view point.

[Hildy]

I didn't even notice it. This is getting absurd.

[johnfrink]

I think it's hilarious that you can make out details of the living room of whoever took the photo up on Drudge's front page--you can see the curtain, a wall system, and some other stuff in the reflection. It's funny to think that Drudge is sitting in his living room aiming a digital camera at his TV.

[MJM59]

Nothing to see here. Keep the line moving....

[HitmanLV]

Who is Simon?

[Stone Mountain]

Wow, this is series. Better get the FCC to launch a multi-million dollar investigation...

[Always Right]

I saw this when it happened and I think it was accidental. You could kind of see him realize what he was doing and then he changed fingers. I thought....."hmmmmmmm..." LOL!

I am sure it will be blown off as a wardrobe malfunction.