Simon on AI Season 7

tvsquad.com

Simon Cowell participated in a brief conference call this afternoon to talk about the upcoming seventh season of FOX's American Idol, and apparently a few completely unrelated topics as well. It was a strict question and answer format, so topics ranged from the style of the contestants to Simon's opinions of the current crop of Presidential candidates here in the US.

The "I'm not trying to be rude, but..." judge spoke confidently about the talent in this season's crop of contestants, stating that he felt the show was obligated to bring a better product to the screens than we had last year. Their job was to find better contestants and a stronger Top Twelve and he thinks they pulled it off.He also acknowledged that they will strive for more of a balance between the celebrity mentors (screen hogs!) and the contestants themselves, which I heartily agree with. When asked pointedly if he agreed that it was a mistake last year, he responded by asking what we knew about last season's winner (Jordin Sparks). He feels the show didn't let the audience inside the lives of that batch of contestants. More time should have been spent talking about where they were from, what their passions and hobbies were and humanizing them for their fans a bit more.

Here are a few more points that came up during the call

* On his thoughts on former winners Ruben Studdard and Taylor Hicks both being dropped by their label, he merely commented that it is indicative of the volatility of the record industry. "We've gotten it right more than we got it wrong."
* On if he has any favorites this season, Simon said that luckily there are three our four very strong guy contestants and three or four strong girl contestants. He says the field is wide open and that while he has an idea on who could make the finale he wouldn't spill.
* On whether or not Idol could exist without him and if he had an idea on when he might call it quits, he reiterated that his thoughts have been to see out his contract (through 2009), and do a nine season run, but even that's not definite. He says it's really up to when the people decide they're sick of him and/or are growing tired of the show. He figures the ride can only last so long, but definitely believes the show can survive without him, saying it would "probably get better."
* SPOILER! probably because I'm sure we'll see it. Apparently Fantasia Barrino's brother auditioned and was terrible, to the point the judges were questioning whether he was really her brother.
* It is "becoming increasingly like torture" to endure the horrible first rounds of auditions year after year, but in the end it's all worth it when the good talent rises to the top and they can crown their new winner.
* He's disappointed in the anemic sales of Jordin Sparks' and Blake Lewis' (1st runner up last year) debut albums, but again hearkens to the unpredictability of the industry. And probably a bit on the show's failure to help America connect more with the contestants last season.

And in a few off-topic tangents:

* He believes it's not too late for Britney Spears. She's the most searched singer on the Internet so the interest is there. But she definitely needs help and she's welcome to call him any time.
* He has no strong feelings on the writers' strike as he doesn't know the particulars well enough to comment. He feels, however, that it doesn't impact their show as it's still up to them to produce the best show possible, regardless of what the competition is or isn't airing.
* He doesn't think Hillary's tears have harmed her campaign any. He thinks this is one of the most exciting Presidential races in years and is impressed with several candidates from both sides. He's looking forward to watching it unfold, but predicts a Democrat will win the Presidency.
* When he was asked a question from a representative of Bloomberg News, he asked "Can you answer a question?" He then asked her "Is your boss going to run for President?" The answer was "He says 'No.'" to which Simon replied laughing, "That means he is."