Simon's Unfortunate Eye Roll

So how much crap is Simon Cowell gonna catch for that poorly timed eye roll Tuesday? If you didn't catch "Country Night" on Idol, it went down like this: Chris "Timberfake" Richardson was absolutely lousy. And after whining something really moronic to the judges ("Nasally is a form of singing"), Chris then referenced the Virginia Tech tragedy -- never mind that Ryan Seacrest had already opened the show with a thoughts-and-prayers message. The camera then turned to Simon, rolling his eyes at what he thought was Timberfake's blatant plea for votes. Later, after Blake Lewis' Cure-meets-Tim McGraw performance, Cowell awkwardly referenced Virginia Tech again, obviously because producers told him about his eye roll. He was trying to save face. Cowell shouldn't take any crap for it -- he was right to think Chris was being manipulative -- but he probably will.

IN OTHER NEWS: I'm now thoroughly convinced Martina McBride is a robot. I'm also convinced there's going to be a surprise vote-off tonight. Maybe Sanjaya, who was strangely charmless. Maybe LaKisha, who WAS SHOUTING "JESUS TAKE THE WHEEL" REALLY, REALLY LOUDLY.

Comments

[Ibhstree]

I don't watch American Idol, but if memory serves, I believe Chris is from Chesapeake, VA. That could justify him a little bit. As a resident of VA myself, I would have to stand behind him. Of course I may not not the whole story either.

[Jessica]

The kid is from VA and he probably has friends at VT. If the largest mass murder in the history of the country had taken place in my state, I would have sent out my well wishes too, and not been satisfied with Ryan's kiss off at the beginning of the show.

[Sherrie]

Yeah, I saw that eye roll followed by the really throwaway mention in his comments after Blake's song. Bleh. It was very clearly damage control, and poorly done at that. I had high hopes for Lakisha after hearing her do the first line in her tape with McBride, but just like others said, she was just plain yellin' when it was time to do it live. I really don't like any of the remaining contestants, it isn't terribly interesting this season. Do we have American Idol fatigue?
Sherrie

[sparky]

I saw that too, but I think it was more disgust to Chris' plea for votes than it was Simon's disgust of the topic.

I don't think Sanjaya is going. Last night I was trying to call my credit card company and was on hold for two hours. The out sourced customer service reps must have had the phone lines tied up.

[Virginia Tech Hokie]

I think your comment about Chris's comment is worse then Simon's eye roll. Chris being from VA and with VA Tech being in his backyard (and mine) he can say what he feels. I can't believe that it has been insinuated that it was a plea for votes. Most Virginians have friends and family who are associated with the university. It hits pretty close to home. How insensitive are you?

[Virginia Tech Hokie]

I think your comment about Chris's comment is worse then Simon's eye roll. Chris being from VA and with VA Tech being in his backyard (and mine) he can say what he feels. I can't believe that it has been insinuated that it was a plea for votes. Most Virginians have friends and family who are associated with the university. It hits pretty close to home.

[Jamie]

I believe that Simon thought that Richardson's gesture was a plea for votes, and that is why he rolled his eyes. I do not, however, believe that Chris was being fake. Personally knowing people at VT, I have been profoundly affected by this tragedy...and I understand Chris wanting to do anything in his power to show his support. I felt that Simon's eye roll was a bit tacky, but what really made me mad was his insincere blurb at the end. It was so obviously fake that I would rather him have not said anything at all.

[Slush]

This contestant is already catching Dixie Chicks disease, a condition characterized by turning an entertainment venue into a personal podium. I'm not interested in what these contestants feel, only in how well they sing. Well-intentioned as he may have been, the American Idol stage isn't his personal greeting card to America. We all have the right to say what we want, but not to force someone to give us a microphone.