Rosie says humilation on “Idol” is “terribly sad”
For the second day in a row, Rosie spoke out against American Idol during the hot topics segment on The View. While, overall, she likes the show for its ability to help out young singers, she is not a fan of the early episodes of the season, which primarily show bad singers getting made fun of by the judges.
She stated that she does not understand why they have to humiliate the people so badly, especially when the attacks are very personal and often have nothing to do with music. They then showed a clip of one contestant from the previous night’s show. Simon Cowell, one of the three judges, did not stop after saying the contestant was a bad singer, but went on to compare his physical appearance to “creatures that live in the jungle” with “massive eyes” and then called him a “bush baby.” Paula Abdul said Simon was “sick” and told the contestant to his face that he was “awesome.” After he left the audition room, Paula proceeded to laugh along with Simon.
Rosie suggested that the American public does not really enjoy seeing people being ridiculed, but explained the ratings success on the fact that over time if you are “serving people crap and telling them it is a meal, they’re eventually going to think it is a meal.” Joy Behar chimed in that the early rounds of “Idol” are the modern day equivalent of a freak show.
Elisabeth Hasselbeck, who stated that she was also bothered by the humiliation some of the guests went through, pointed out that each contestant had to sign a release and knew what to expect. Guest host Kellie Pickler, a former American Idol contestant, said that she had to sign a release before auditioning and agreed with Elisabeth that after seeing previous seasons, the contestants did know what they were getting into.
Rosie also said that many of the contestants are possibly suffering from some mental illness and it is unfair to prey upon them for the sake of ratings. She suggested that instead of showing people being ridiculed, the producers should air the auditions of those people that were almost good enough to make the cut, but just didn’t have enough skill. She said that people would continue to watch the show if those auditions were aired instead.
What do you think? Has American Idol gone too far its humiliation of the contestants? Would you watch the early rounds of auditions if they eliminated the really bad singers?
Rosie O’Donnell, American Idol, The View, Joy Behar, Elisabeth Hasselbeck, Kellie Pickler, Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul
January 18th, 2007 at 2:29 pm
What is wrong with Rosie. Is she really that dumb or what? Rosie should just take that opinion and stick it. If America didn’t want to see this then this show would not be one of the most watched, ever. I think Rosie knows that she is slowly fading off the face of the Earth, and she is trying to pick a fight with just about everyone to stay in the light. IMO she should be taken off the view before she brings ABC down with her. But thats just my 2 cents
January 18th, 2007 at 4:06 pm
I know what Rosie is trying to say here. She’s not saying that American Idol is bad, but the humiliation aspect of the audition episodes is getting a little out of hand. I tend to agree with her, I don’t think the show needs to necessarily indulge in so much negativity to be a good show. People would still watch if not for all the embarrassing auditions. “Someone”, I don’t think this has to do with Rosie, but with Fox exploiting young singers. Release signed or not… doesn’t make it “right”.
January 18th, 2007 at 7:06 pm
I TOTALLY AGREE WITH SOMEONE.. that is exactly what my husband and I said…
January 19th, 2007 at 6:36 am
I understand where Rosie is coming from. And I’m actually one of the few poeple who would love to see good auditions over the bad ones.
But I also think that the people who lines up for auditions know what was going to happen. They’ve watched the previous shows. They know how outspoken Simon is. I like him better than the other 2 coz at least he tells his criticisms to their face. Paula and Randy try to beat around the bush and act all nice but once the contestants are gone they laugh endlessly. That to me shows how fake they are. Simon could be an ass but at least he doesn’t hide it.
January 19th, 2007 at 8:34 am
[...] In addition to her comments about American Idol, Rosie also spoke briefly about T.R. Knight and his recent appearance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show to discuss how a fight on the set of Grey’s Anatomy led to him coming out of the closet. Rosie said to T.R., “Bravo young man. Hold your head high.” [...]
January 19th, 2007 at 8:09 pm
Rosie just doesn’t have enough sense as to when to shut her mouth, people watch the ai auditions to see the crappy people and it is the judges job to tell them that so therefore they aren’t just voiceing there opinions about what they see but they are paid to do it Rosie just need to shut her mouth
January 21st, 2007 at 3:23 pm
I happen to agree with Rosie. I think it is a sad commentary on people who watch….humiliation should not be a spectator sport. I simply don’t watch until the competition begins…if I decide to watch then!
January 22nd, 2007 at 8:46 pm
[...] Rosie meets American Idol cast-offs January 22nd, 2007 by Winnie McCarthy On her Flickr account, Rosie posted this photo of her with two of the American Idol contestants that she felt the judges were too hard on and humiliated for the sake of ratings. The caption of the photo reads “spare the innocent ones…i’ll take them with me.” [...]
January 26th, 2007 at 2:17 pm
It’s one thing when the person is of competent mind but just a bit wacky and untalented- Those people know what they are getting into. It’s quite another to exploit someone who has clear mental issues or even worse is somehow slow or developmentally delayed. Some of the people shown do not have the mental capability to realize that they are being humiliated. How would you feel if it was a member of your family paraded in front of all of America to be humiliated so Fox can make a few bucks. It’s just disgusting. I can’t believe anyone in their right mind would think that was okay or chastize Rosie for denouncing it. God People, where is your compassion?