Simon Cowell says Britney Spears is a tough judge; are ‘Idol’ judges finalized?
Simon Cowell is a man willing to hype his show any way he can. Talking up his new “X Factor” judge Britney Spears helps.
“She’s surprisingly quite mean,” he said in a press conference with press yesterday. “She can’t say no quick enough. She’s quite difficult to please.”
(I guess we’ll have to see it to believe it.)
Later, he told TMZ that Britney did indeed have a panic attack the first day of production and almost walked off.
The “X Factor” creator just phoned in to “TMZ Live” … and told us his people “half-lied” to the media back in May when they said Britney only walked off the set because she had to go to the bathroom.
“No one is going to admit that on the first day your highest paid star after 20 minutes has walked off set,” Cowell told us.
Cowell said he will have hosts finalized within the week. The early audition episodes will not have any hosts at all. Khloe Kardashian is rumored (TMZ being the source) to be a candidate. Ugh. He actually insulted Ryan Seacrest by saying one host is too “boring,” thus he’s shooting for two.
He repeated his complaint about Mark Burnett’s “Voice” adding a third night against “X Factor” as “mean spirited” and a “spoiling tactic.” “They don’t want people to see this first episode,” he said. “I pray that it backfires on them. I am pissed off about it.”
He said the groups are stronger this year (though the bar was set pretty low last year.). He said the teens are great. “They’re a new breed who weren’t even brought up on these talent shows. They were brought up on YouTube and social networking,” he said.
Cowell also noted that the other new judge Demi Lovato just happens to have the No. 1 single in America right now, “Give Your Heart a Break.” That’s good timing for “X Factor.”
He promises that the show will feature more back-stage material. “There’s an awful lot of back-stage bitchiness you don’t normally see,” he said. “I found it fascinating to watch.” He also hopes to show more of the mentoring process.
“The X Factor” debuts on Wednesday, Sept. 12, at 8 p.m.
- Deadline.com says “Idol” is ready to announce the three other judges: Nicki Minaj, Keith Urban and Enrique Iglesias. Nicki should be fun. I would have preferred Brad Paisley over Urban (but Paisley wanted more money, reportedly) and Adam Lambert. Iglesias doesn’t excite me at all. He strikes me to be a bore though I hope to be wrong.
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By Rodney Ho, Radio & TV Talk
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70 comments Add your comment
JTesla
September 7th, 2012
11:56 am
Thanks Rodney. I agree with you regarding Idol judges of Paisley and Lambert over Urban and Iglesias.
Rickster
September 7th, 2012
12:06 pm
RodneyI thought TMZ said Khloe – not Kim – was the candidate for host.
Rickster
September 7th, 2012
12:07 pm
http://www.seattlepi.com/entertainment/tv/tvguide/article/Report-Khloe-Kardashian-Is-Front-Runner-to-Host-3847452.php
Rodney Ho
September 7th, 2012
12:19 pm
It is Khloe. Sorry! Let me fix that!
JTesla
September 7th, 2012
12:19 pm
Khloe, Kim… pretty much the same thing, except one is being hunted by Cryptozoologists.
Deirdre
September 7th, 2012
12:27 pm
Yawn! Simon thinks 2 hosts are more interesting than 1. Really? Weird! Well, at least if Khloe is the host it will finally provide her with an actual reason to be on TV.
Agree that Adam would have been WAY more interesting than Enrique. I remember Enrique on XF last season but don’t remember anything else…like what he said or if he was any good. Again, I’ll give them all the benefit of the doubt.
JTesla
September 7th, 2012
12:28 pm
I like that Rodney kept the “Ugh” even after he corrected the name. My feelings exactly with anyone named Kardashian.
As for one host being too boring: so X-Factor will not only be about the judges, it will also be about the hosts.
Deirdre
September 7th, 2012
12:29 pm
I am feeling very anti-Simon these days. He strikes me as a real tool. I loved him on Idol during the early years.
DanJ
September 7th, 2012
1:00 pm
Simon is the face of X-Factor and like him or hate him he does stir things up. Personally I always cheered for the bad guys growing up. The Indians fighting John Wayne or Abdullah the Butcher rasslin against Dusty Rhodes. Where was Weight Watchers then? So I like Simon the character, how much is real I don’t know but he does push buttons. I personally think he’s great for the Singing Show Wars. I also prefer XF to Idol which makes me a minority here but part of the attraction to the show is Simon. While I like The Voice I think they’re coming back TOO soon!
I’m actually pre-bowling so I can watch XF live! Something I didn’t do for Idol except for the final. So next week can’t get here quick enough.
♥ kelly&carriefan ♥
September 7th, 2012
1:05 pm
Hi y’all.
I’ve seen a few previews of the show, and so far, it looks funny. I feel like with XF and The Voice, I’m more looking to be entertained by the judges and the contestants are there as moving scenery…I mean, it’s pretty obvious with The Voice, imo. Conversely, I’ve always viewed Idol as a talent showcase, probably because this is how Kelly and Carrie got their start, at time when there was only one show.
As far as one host being boring, I have two words for Simon: Brian Dunkelman. Checkmate.
I don’t watch the Kardashians and cannot stand Kim, but I’ve heard Khloe a few times. She sounds a lot better and more likeable than all of them put together. Still, I’d rather someone else. NOT the Glee kid, either. I wish he could “borrow” Cat Deeley.
As much as Idol still holds a place in my heart, I’m starting to feel like it’s losing it’s identity. They are basically turning into XF/The Voice with these stupy choices. I wanted Brad Paisley ’cause he’s a nice guy, but he’s also funny. Adam has a personality as well. Enrique? MEH. I like Keith, and he’s an awesome entertainer, but he’s not exactly Mr. Soundbyte.
The Unofficial the of THE X FACTOR USA | THEXFACTOR.com | X FACTOR | ‘X Factor USA’: Simon Cowell discusses Britney Spears, new season – Examiner.com
September 7th, 2012
1:18 pm
[...] Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) [...]
Harriett
September 7th, 2012
1:29 pm
As for hosts, Cat Deeley is going to be looking for a gig, too, if SYTYCD is not staying around, as rumored. Who wouldn’t want her as a host?
The more Simon talks, the more he alienates folks who once loved him. But he probably really cares, huh?
DanJ
September 7th, 2012
1:32 pm
K&CFan, I do agree with you especially about being entertained by the mentors/judges on The Voice and XF. I think Simon is doubling down with the two hosts. Maybe he remembers the first year of Idol and hopes he can find another Ryan. It would kinda be funny if he ended up with two Dunklman’s!
I didn’t mind robohost last year after everyone started to bash him. If was funny in a dark way. It was like watching someone who doesn’t like dogs trying to pet one.
Harriett
September 7th, 2012
1:34 pm
Sorry, KCF. I did not “refresh” before commenting, but we’ve both got the same idea about Cat. She is wonderful.
Deirdre
September 7th, 2012
1:57 pm
Dan: It was like watching someone who doesn’t like dogs trying to pet one.
LOL! That’s probably the most perfect description of Robohost that I’ve read to date!
ANY show would jump at the chance to have Cat Deeley as a host. She is perfection. She, Ryan and sometimes Tom Bergeron are the best hosts currently in the market.
JTesla
September 7th, 2012
2:08 pm
Must… resist… comment… on Cat Deeley. Whew, luckily I didn’t go there, except I typed this out so I guess that I actually did. Tonight I’ll have to watch the Sugarcubes video “Cat”.
Harriett
September 7th, 2012
2:09 pm
Ok, JT!
Deirdre
September 7th, 2012
2:14 pm
Nicki Minaj has been quoted as saying she doesn’t know whether she’d make a good judge. She usually thinks everyone is amazing, even the crazies.
Oh goody….another non-critical judge. That’s just what we needed!
Dum-Bass
September 7th, 2012
2:24 pm
Since RoHo’s article on “Honey Boo Boo” was a couple days ago and has gotten lost in the shuffle, some of you, like I was, will be intrigued to read the article in today’s Macon GA Telegraph(near McIntyre) about the wig shop owner being very upset. It is just as I thought. The producers are embellishing that show to some extent and trying to make it more “insane” than it actually is. Here is the link: (or just google Macon Telegraph, it’s right there front page) http://www.macon.com/2012/09/06/2165300/macon-wig-shop-owner-angered-by.html
JTesla
September 7th, 2012
2:30 pm
For Nicki Minaj to call someone crazy… that’s crazy. I mean she isn’t “LOL she be so crazy” NO, she’s like really pants on the head crazy.
Deirdre
September 7th, 2012
2:34 pm
Thanks Dum-Bass. I wouldn’t watch that show if you guaranteed I’d win tonight’s Mega-Millions drawing. Well, maybe I’d just turn it on as background noise. The drawing is over 100 million!
Deirdre
September 7th, 2012
2:34 pm
JT, maybe that’s why she likes the crazies….she’s lonely.
Seth T
September 7th, 2012
2:38 pm
If Nickie is on-board for Idol, here’s another fine musical composition by her that can help get us ready for her judging skills.
Explicit language, so play with caution – regular Youtube video; some others of hers you have to sign-in for, but this should open on the regular Youtube.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6j4f8cHBIM
Sam-A
September 7th, 2012
2:40 pm
I’m not even sure just who Cat D is. If she’s on the dance show, that’d explain it – don’t watch that sort of show, as I don’t like jazz/freeform/modern dance of any nature. Never understood why rolling around on a floor is considered dancing – and seen a lot of that in the commercials for “So You…..”.I much prefer the singing shows.
I did watch 5 minutes of “Gong Show” – oops, I mean “Am’s Got Talent” the other night as I was told the dog act was spectacular and I was told when to switch to it – must say these fabulous dogs made it worthwhile watching that show! If they go on, I’ll have to watch again.
Anyone else feel like this 4 day week will never end? Why do the short weeks feel longer than the regular 5-day ones do?
Rickster
September 7th, 2012
2:49 pm
Sam-A… even Einstein couldn’t figure that one out.
Deirdre
September 7th, 2012
2:50 pm
Expectations, Sam.
Dum-Bass
September 7th, 2012
2:55 pm
That’s funny, Sam-A as I have been avoiding AGT this year due to Howard Stern, but have been checking in occasionally to try to catch those dogs. Those dogs are special. AGT lost me after being a regular for several years, as well as others, based on their ratings, and AI is getting close with the likes of Nikki Minaj, but will give it another look-see if Keith Urban makes it on. Like others would have preferred Brad Paisley. KU is a little “stiff and stuffy” based on my observations while in Nashville for 13 yrs., just as he rose to stardom. Actually saw his first concert at the Ryman (for $10, front row seats,LOL).
Sam-A
September 7th, 2012
3:18 pm
Here’s a link to the poodle act, if it works. They are amazing, beautiful animals.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a-E8QKUOhFY
Dr. Bob
September 7th, 2012
3:20 pm
Is he really insulting Ryan by saying one host is boring? Debatable. Is he insulting Steve Jones? DEFINITELY.
Deirdre
September 7th, 2012
3:47 pm
I think Simon thought all the ladies would drool a little over Steve Jones. Sorry Simon, I’ve never been into robots no matter how good looking they are.
Dum-Bass….no matter ow much AGT’s ratings have dropped, it is still the #1 summer show. Much like Idol, the ratings drop has more to do with a network wide ratings drop than a dissatisfaction with the show in particular. I think we are looking at what is a sea-change in TV viewing where the standard networks will lose more and more viewers to the frequently more interesting cable networks.
In other words, it isn’t that Idol or AGT are failing so much as it is that viewership is changing and leaving them behind.
Harriett
September 7th, 2012
3:47 pm
I always watch AGT. I like it, actually.
Sam-A
September 7th, 2012
3:56 pm
I think (hope/pray/beg) that we the people are finally getting fed up with “reality shows” in general, and going back to scripted tv, ie dramas/comedies/mysteries/dramedies. Lots of good series on in the last two-three years.
Of course there’ve been failures, like “River”, “Alcatraz”, that prehistoric one – but lots of successful ones, ie “Walking Dead”, “Revenge”, “Falling Skies”, “Suburgatory” – I’m glad to see them flourishing once again.
JTesla
September 7th, 2012
4:16 pm
Dr. Bob, great point.
Sam, most “reality” is scripted.
Sam-A
September 7th, 2012
4:49 pm
another disappearing post! Oh well.
Good weekend, all – perhaps we should prepare for a big announcement next week – about the time the two also-rans start up.
Blingy
September 7th, 2012
4:52 pm
I love Simon to tears, but how much longer can he insult our intelligence by telling us Britney is a good judge? Each and every account that I have heard from those who attended auditions have said she’s completely useless. Personally, I think it’s wrong to entrust someone who has mental issues and is under a conservatorship with deciding the futures of aspiring artists. She’s legally not allowed to make decisions for her own life; how can she make decisions for someone else’s? She’s nothing but an overpaid seat filler who’s there for name value only. I pity the contestants who have her for a mentor. As for Khloe as a host, how much more could this show be dumbed down? The Voice instantly wins for having a classy, intelligent cast. And was anything learned from the Dunkleman disaster?
Harriett
September 7th, 2012
4:57 pm
Have a good and a safe weekend everyone. Go Gamec0cks, Go Dawgs (except when they are playing the Gamec0cks)!
Highlander
September 7th, 2012
5:30 pm
Blingy, …so you’re aaying you don’t care much for X-F??
Uhh, Simon, …one host isn’t boring, just the one you hired on X-Factor last season!
Ha!! Nailed it!
DanJ
September 7th, 2012
6:40 pm
Blingy, we haven’t seen Britney as a judge yet so I’ll give her a chance. She can’t be much worse than some of the others we’ve seen through the years. While I really like the chemistry of the judges/mentors on The Voice I will disagree with you about them being classy. They got bleeped quite a bit and some of the innuendos were a bit risque although I personally enjoyed them.
Seth T
September 7th, 2012
6:54 pm
Khloe – dough no much about her, so I assume she must be a great musical talent, very refined and classy with high intelligence and great powers of judgement in order to be a host on X-Factor.
Highlander
September 7th, 2012
7:28 pm
I see Seth T is missing the sarcasm emoticon, too!
Deirdre
September 7th, 2012
7:51 pm
Yep Seth…the name Kardashian is rooted in the tradition of family values, easily defined talent, and an unflinching devotion to the happiness and fulfillment of others over themselves.
I figure I don’t even need a sarcasm emoticon for that one
Sarah
September 7th, 2012
11:38 pm
Khloe, Kim, then count me out. I cant stand the k”s and I wont have my kids watching them either. They are rich white trash. I think Simon you can do much better.
Seth T
September 8th, 2012
1:17 am
In your spare time, try checking-out The Next – the episodes so far, 4 cities, are available at
http://www.cwtv.com/cw-video/the-next
Most singers/performers are very good. Fame is at your doorstep,
Britney Spears Has Dyed Her Hair Blue (Photos) | Allie is Wired
September 10th, 2012
1:26 am
[...] surprisingly quite mean,” Simon Cowell said in a press conference yesterday. “She can’t say no quick enough. She’s quite difficult to [...]
Deirdre
September 10th, 2012
6:58 am
Morning!
Big week for the blog! Both The Voice and XF premiere this week.
Deirdre
September 10th, 2012
8:26 am
I love Sept. The weather starts to cool a bit(how about these 58 degree mornings we’ve been having…gonna miss that next wek when it gets hot again) and the new tv season begins. I know, I’m such a dweeb!
Looking forward to a number of returning shows. Once Upon a Time, The Big Bang Theory, How I Met Your Mother(which actually brought happy tears to my eyes a couple of times last season)Modern Family, Glee, Grey’s Anatomy and, of course, The Walking Dead!!!!
Can’t say I’m all that excited about the new shows. Revolution has piqued my interest. 666 Park Avenue might be good depending upon the writing. I hear Ben and Kate is pretty good. Mostly I’ll give it a shot just to see Don Johnson and Melanie Griffith’s daughter Dakota in the Kate role. Nashville will get a shot as well.
If tradition continues, I will abandon some of these new shows shortly after they begin.
Deirdre
September 10th, 2012
8:30 am
Some shows have completely turned me off. In particular, The New Normal which strikes me(at least in the previews) as a cheap, tawdry rip off of the delightful Modern Family.
Deirdre
September 10th, 2012
8:31 am
Oh and the vet with the monkey show. I HATE shows with monkeys. I almost completely abandoned Friends until the got rid of Marcel.
Deirdre
September 10th, 2012
9:40 am
OK, so I’ll just keep talking. someone will chime in eventually, right?
How about this weekend in Georgia sports???? The Braves when all 3 games over the weekend, UGA wins, Georgia Tech wins and the Falcons win. It’s like being in sports heaven!
Deirdre
September 10th, 2012
9:41 am
“WIN” all three games…we already know “when”