Did Simon Cowell have a ‘mental breakdown’?
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Simon Cowell has a lot of pressure on him this season with "X Factor." CREDIT: AP
This past summer, during the St. Louis auditions of “The X Factor,” Simon Cowell bowed out for a few days, reportedly for bronchitis.
Now there’s speculation he was under so much stress, he was having a “mental breakdown.” True? Untrue? Who knows? He was supposedly taking a lot of pills and supplements and his doctor told him to stop. He was also told to stop smoking, which can’t be helpful.
He’s rightfully nervous about how the “X Factor” will play out this fall with “The Voice” breathing down the show’s neck. And who knows how Britney Spears will be, especially on the live shows, and whether she’ll boost ratings beyond an initial, curiosity bump Wednesday when “The X Factor” debuts.
And he’s also peeved, as noted earlier, that “The Voice” is adding an extra night Wednesday to blunt “The X Factor.” (It surely will.)
- <em>Bill Keveny of USA Today quoted me again today about “The X Factor,” “Idol” and “The Voice.” I’m always curious what ends up being quoted and he chose a throwaway line I made about Steven Tyler for me.
- I will review “X Factor” Wednesday just to comment about Britney and Demi but otherwise, I’m not sure how I’m going to recap that show or “The Voice” this fall. I’ll end up playing it by ear.
- Interesting how disinterested the Atlantic City folks were about this year’s “Idol” crew.
- Demi Lovato, the new “X Factor” judge, has a No. 1 pop song in “Give Your Heart a Break” on the Billboard chart. Good timing!
- On the radio charts, Phillip Phillip’s “Home” remains at No. 31 on the Mediabase top 40 and gets into the top 10 on the Hot AC chart. Carrie Underwood’s “Blown Away” gets into the top 10 of the country chart but the top 10 is pretty competitive right now. It’ll be interesting to see how high up it goes.
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By Rodney Ho, Radio & TV Talk
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49 comments Add your comment
JTesla
September 10th, 2012
11:20 am
I don’t buy it, someone is trying to sell a book, Simon is trying to sell a show.
Demi Lovato, I like her song, didn’t want to like it, but I do.
Rodney Ho
September 10th, 2012
11:21 am
I’m like you JTesla. I didn’t want to like Demi’s song but a good pop song is a good pop song.
Deirdre
September 10th, 2012
11:26 am
I thought it was the Voice that was on tonight.
Agree with JT. Simon would do anything at this point to beat The Voice. I’m thinking that, with the likes of Britney, he’s got it in the bag, at least for the first couple of weeks. The Voice is coming back too soon, imo.
And yes, Demi’s song is cute.
Rodney Ho
September 10th, 2012
11:28 am
Yes, it’s “The Voice” tonight. Too much going on in my brain!
DanJ
September 10th, 2012
11:29 am
I doubt Simon had a mental breakdown, maybe exhaustion from stress! However quitting smoking is a good thing. He should take some time off to rest if that’s the case. There’s more to life than making in his case another hundred million dollars.
Deirdre
September 10th, 2012
11:31 am
Simon also recently sent a series of semi-drunk tweets from a plane while flying from London to LA. I have a feeling that those tweets were just more publicity stunts.
Pitchy
September 10th, 2012
11:32 am
Simon is a clever media manipulator. He knows how to even milk his illness (which is due to stress). The promos showing Britney critiquing the contestants are comical to me. She “seems” to be blasting some right out the box…that’s Simon’s job.
Harriett
September 10th, 2012
11:36 am
Simon will probably have a nervous breakdown for sure when he tries to stop smoking.
DanJ
September 10th, 2012
11:43 am
Deirdre, I agree that The Voice is coming back way too soon. I also think it’s a mistake for singing comptition to compete against each other. It seems that there’s some bad blood between Simon and The Voice which will help ratings because at some point they’ll be some verbal shots on air at the other show.
Miss J
September 10th, 2012
11:47 am
I hope they change the format of the X-Factor. The reason the voice is so successful is because they focus on a single vocal talent (like American Idol).
Having a show that focuses on solo, duet and group vocals is crazy. It’s like a slicker version of America’s got talent……
david c
September 10th, 2012
11:53 am
I’ve got nothing nice to say about any of this.
TheInternetCensor
September 10th, 2012
11:56 am
It is so nice to read something about something I really could care less about what is or isn’t
Deirdre
September 10th, 2012
12:00 pm
Actually the phrase is “couldn’t care less about” Unless you were trying to indicate that you might be interested.
Is everyone else out there “bolded”? It looks kind of nice.
Pitchy
September 10th, 2012
12:02 pm
I’m bolded, Deirdre…thought it was something I did and didn’t know how to undo.
Mercedes S.
September 10th, 2012
12:03 pm
Yes, I’m bolded too,once my comment is “printed”.
I believe Simon has a nervous breakdown the day he alters his hairstyle.
♥ kelly&carriefan ♥
September 10th, 2012
12:03 pm
Hi y’all.
Well, Rodney, hilarious and dead-on quote about STyler.
Simon is a master media manipulator, so he’s doing his job there. But I do agree with him that the singing shows have turned into a celebrity contest. I don’t know how long that’ll be successful. I like the 1st season of The Voice, but I’ll admit that I skipped the middle parts (because amazingly I have a life and the show didn’t fit my schedule). I watched the whole 2nd season, and I was annoyed. It started with promise, but the stupy “battle rounds” and made-it-up-as-we-go rules, just drove me away. I’ll probably watch the auditions because that is my favorite part of this show. I’ll give XF a try, because it seems like it’ll be a totally different show with Demi and Britney.
I’m honestly just getting to the point where I’m starting to feel sorry for the kids/people trying out for these shows. I mean, yeah, you get to be heard and show up on TV, but your odd of hitting it big as a result keep getting smaller…
(Sidenote: why is everything bold?)
JTesla
September 10th, 2012
12:12 pm
The bold started up in the article, I’m sure it will be fixed soon.
Mercedes, I had a question for you (important stuff too). What is it called when you can see the whites of someones eyes under the iris? I know it’s something that was discussed a few years back.
How’s that for random?
Otherwise, I agree with everyone regarding Simon, master manipulator.
Deirdre
September 10th, 2012
12:19 pm
Agree with k&cf. The only part of The Voice that I enjoy is the blind auditions. I have heard that they have “reworked” the rest of the show so…we’ll see. The judges are fine except I’m not too fond of Christina’s attitude but I guess that’s what helps sell the show.
Deirdre
September 10th, 2012
12:22 pm
As for XF….I’m hoping that all the personnel changes will help. Also, Simon is mentoring the groups this year which helps a bit with the ick factor. Still no final word on the new host(s).
JTesla
September 10th, 2012
12:29 pm
XF’s lack of a host during the early rounds seems odd. That is when I like the host. During the live voting rounds the host is just there to move the show along and runs the risk of getting in the way.
Sam-A
September 10th, 2012
12:54 pm
JT: Don’t know if there’s an actual “name” for it, but my sister has a theory that people whose whites are visible below the iris, sadly, die young. The only person she used to “prove” it that I can remember is Princess Diana. She used to get a little freaked if someone she liked has this thing with their eyes.
Sam-A
September 10th, 2012
12:54 pm
PS: I like the bold – much easier to read.
JTesla
September 10th, 2012
1:14 pm
You all need to get one of those large magnifying glasses that old people put over television screens, just hook it up to your computer monitor.
Princess Diana didn’t seem to have it that bad, I’ve seen some people recently where it is really pronounced. Hence my inquiry, and yes I remembered a conversation that was on the blog a few years back that I didn’t even take part in.
Hello Atlanta
September 10th, 2012
1:29 pm
I think people who spend a lot of time commenting on stuff like this have shorter lives, too. (Including myself: back to work now!)
JTesla
September 10th, 2012
1:35 pm
If that were true “Hello Atlanta” they wouldn’t be so happy with the bold type, seeing as it is easier on their old eyes.
Sam-A
September 10th, 2012
2:05 pm
JT: Haven’t you been WARNED on numerous occasions by a couple of people about your “old” phobia?????
JTesla
September 10th, 2012
2:15 pm
Have I been warned? Maybe I need one of those magnifying glass thingies too!
Deirdre
September 10th, 2012
2:18 pm
It’s called sanpaku, JT. I remember that whole discussion a couple of years ago…except the actual word, of course…had to go look that up. It isn’t my eyes I’m worried about but my brain activity is becoming questionable.
JTesla
September 10th, 2012
2:28 pm
Thank you Deirdre, that’s it!
Sam-A
September 10th, 2012
4:02 pm
Looked that up – it does say the Japanese (at least) believe it denotes bad luck, exhaustion, ill health. Hmmmmm – My irises go fully from top to bottom. White on the sides only.
And yet, I feel tired, exhausted, and have had my share of bad luck!
Mercedes S.
September 10th, 2012
4:49 pm
Sanpaku or bedroomn eyes. Most movie stars have it. Supposed to be a “good sign”
If there is white ABOVE the iris (it has a japanese name too, but I forgot it)this is a very bad sign. Usually applies to insane and evil people. Charles Manson one example.
Mercedes S.
September 10th, 2012
4:54 pm
And yes, JT, this sanpaku thing IS important. It makes quite an impression when you mention that this or that actor has sanpaku eyes. Good converstaion starter.
Harriett
September 10th, 2012
4:57 pm
Time to flee this place. See y’all tomorrow.
trtnmntatitzbest
September 10th, 2012
4:58 pm
‘Bolded’ not needed, nothing wrong with our eyes, just an error that will be adjusted I hope. Simon wouldn’t allow himself to get to the point of a nervous breakdown. Clearly anxious, nervous and stressed about the competition and not knowing what to expect from Britney and Demi, especially together. Just like he thought sexy Nicole would’ve worked.
Seriously...
September 10th, 2012
5:00 pm
I think “Phillip Phillips” is a dumb name and a turnoff to any reason to take interest in his music.
JTesla
September 10th, 2012
5:06 pm
Too bad Phillip Phillips isn’t from Phillipsburg and formerly employed with Phillips 66. Can you guess what Phillip’s favorite tool is? I wonder if he gets to visit the Philippines or Philippi with Idol.
By the way Rodney, I think the apostrophe in Phillip Phillips’ name is misplaced, but then I’m no expert at the subject.
Annie
September 10th, 2012
5:33 pm
I’ve never been able to get into the voice. I may be the only person who has sampled it, who can’t stand the chairs round. Like everyone else, I find the battle round boring, and the show becomes pointless for the rest of its run.
I do find the addition of Britney Spears on the X Factor intriguing. That show was boring last year too, but I’m going to give it a shot just because Britney will be on.
I don’t watch a lot of television, American Idol is the only show that I watch whenever it is on, so I probably won’t watch either of these shows every week.
Deirdre
September 10th, 2012
6:06 pm
A treat for Idol fans. Jennifer Hudson and Katherine McPhee in a duet to promote Smash. Be patient, there’s a 15 second ad and Kathy Lee Gifford first(only about 10 seconds worth of her:
http://broadwayworld.com/videoplay.php?colid=403323
Deirdre
September 10th, 2012
6:10 pm
Wikipedia on sanpaku:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sanpaku
3d
September 10th, 2012
6:25 pm
I just don’t know if I’ll be able to sleep tonight.
Deirdre
September 10th, 2012
9:58 pm
Reports are that Idol has ended negotiations with Enrique Iglesies and Randy Jackson is back in as a judge.
JTesla
September 10th, 2012
11:39 pm
I guess Nicki Minaj was using “creative humor and sarcasm” when she endorsed Romney. I didn’t get that at all. I think she has issues and judging others is not something she should do. Major issues.
Seth T
September 11th, 2012
12:22 am
Randy & Nigel likely decided to end the talks with Enrique. Randy can name-drop the whole phonebook and wants to come back. If Nickie is also on-board, could be a hip-hopin’, rap-boppin’, season —- with a few 70’s/80’s style crooners thrown-in for Randy.
Debbiedoo
September 11th, 2012
1:11 am
Reporting on rumors. What a lazy job journalism has become.
Great quote
September 11th, 2012
5:17 am
Rodney, Excellent Tyler comment. If that was a throwaway, keep ‘em coming.
Deirdre
September 11th, 2012
7:12 am
Morning!
Debbiedoo….this is a blog. blogs are all about rumors.
JT, very much agree about Minaj. Idol may have opened Pandora’s box when they signed her.
Annie
September 11th, 2012
11:32 am
Deidre, by Pandora’s box do you mean that idol has finally hired someone who is relevant to the current music scene, and who won’t be using American Idol to help them launch their stalled carrer? Or do you mean that she will attract new and younger viewers, and who could hopefully balance out the voting influence of the middle aged white women, who will only vote for white males?
Dum-Bass
September 11th, 2012
2:14 pm
“Did Simon Cowell have a nervous breakdown”? YES, at birth!
Peachy
September 17th, 2012
2:26 pm
I think the discussion about the bold type is far more exciting than the discussion about these lame shows.