TV Notes: Simon Cowell showing his softer side
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No one ever accused Simon Cowell of being compassionate -- until this year.
Three weeks into the new season, the resident "American Idol" grinch has been sugarcoating critiques of mediocre and helplessly tone-deaf wannabes.
"He's nice for three weeks, and then suddenly he'll flip and he'll turn out being [a] bloody horror again," said "Idol" executive producer Ken Warwick. "Wait until we get into this next batch, you know, the top 12."
A prime example of Cowell's benevolence was when he gave the thumbs-up to a sweet young mother who had a new lease on life after a terrible car accident but no real shot at cracking the finalists' ranks. It was an uncharacteristic move for the blunt record exec famous for his brutal, dream-crushing honesty.
Then again, any act of Cowell kindness would seem significant following the outrage he provoked during tryouts last season with vicious attacks on an assortment of earnest, defenseless contestants, even comparing one singer to a "bush baby."
That's not to say Cowell doesn't still have moments of stinging criticism on Fox's top-rated talent circus. He spared few brave souls from the cold hard truth but seemed to fully return to form on Wednesday's final audition show.
He was mean to an unassuming woman who claimed her voice was a gift from God, asking: "Does He have a return policy?"
Cowell seemed to delight in needling targets such as an abstinence-promoting high school cheerleader (whom he sent through to Hollywood, ostensibly in the interest of good TV). But he joined Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson in consoling 16-year-old Temptress Brown after telling her -- in the kindest way -- that she's "not a great singer."
"If there's anybody that comes in that he can honestly see does have a problem -- a genuine problem -- then he will be nice to them," Warwick said. "He gets nothing to gain out of beating up on kids who are disadvantaged, genuinely having a real tough time with their life."
"American Idol" has had a slight ratings dip this year, premiering to 33 million viewers and slipping below 30 million per episode in the past two weeks (it still remains the most-watched show on TV). Last season the show premiered to 37 million viewers and only dipped below 30 million for one audition episode.
The show has dug deeply into contestants' back stories to foster a stronger connection with viewers. Producers said "Idol" suffered last year by giving too much air time to celebrity mentors who had personal projects and concert tours to promote.
True to its word, the show upped the ante in introducing new hopefuls. It also upped the melodrama with profiles of single twentysomething moms (with one or two kids in tow) and an 18-year-old guy who lives in his car (and sings with a faux British accent).
(Erin Carlson, Associated Press)
With Hollywood about to rev up again after a three-month writers' strike, ABC announced Monday that it had ordered a season's worth of episodes for nine series next fall, including four freshman series.
The prime-time soap "Dirty Sexy Money," fantasy forensics series "Pushing Daisies," the "Grey's Anatomy" spinoff "Private Practice" and Christina Applegate comedy "Samantha Who?" will all be back for a second season.
The other pick-ups aren't a surprise: "Desperate Housewives," "Lost," "Grey's Anatomy," "Brothers & Sisters" and "Ugly Betty."
The rest of ABC's fall schedule will be unveiled in the next few months.
(AP)
Fox News Channel has fired the host of its weekly "Fox News Watch" show that discusses the performance of the news media.
Eric Burns, the show's host, said Monday he was told in a phone call last week that his contract would not be renewed. He said he was not given a reason.
The show airs Saturday evenings and, along with CNN's "Reliable Sources," is one of two cable news programs that focus on the media. "Fox News Watch" has included conservative commentators such as Cal Thomas and Jim Pinkerton, as well as liberals such as Jeff Cohen and Neal Gabler.
Dana Klinghoffer, Fox News Channel spokeswoman, would not comment on the firing. She told The New York Times "the show will now focus more on the evolving new media, and we didn't feel the current talent would be capable of handling the new direction."
Burns said new ideas were discussed in a meeting Feb. 1, although "nothing in the meeting indicated that I wouldn't be part of it." He was fired Feb. 4.
While surprised by the firing, Burns noted that he had been downgraded to Fox "contributor" last year, with a pay cut attached.
Burns has been host since 1998. During that time, he said, "Our show editorially was left alone" and included perspectives from both the left and right. Fox News chief Roger Ailes would occasionally suggest topics, Burns said, but that was his right -- and Ailes would do it knowing he could be criticized on his own network.
Burns drew a goodbye salute from frequent Fox News critic Keith Olbermann of MSNBC, who named Ailes his satirical "worst person in the world" for firing the host.
"It was a good show, it was a fair show, and Burns made it an entertaining show," Olbermann said.
(David Bauder, AP)
The fourth season of Sci Fi Channel's "Battlestar Galactica" will premiere April 4 at 10 p.m. Two half-hour specials about the series air in the same time slot March 28. Season three will be on DVD March 18. ... FX's "The Riches" returns for its second season at 10 p.m. March 18. ... Cara Cammarata, a mental health case manager from Edgewood, will be a contestant Friday on "Wheel of Fortune" (7:30 p.m. weeknights, WPXI).
(Rob Owen, Post-Gazette TV editor)
First Published February 13, 2008 12:00 am
