Cowell: Reality check over fake praise
New book by 'Idol' judge due December 2
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Simon Cowell
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NEW YORK (Billboard) -- Simon Cowell wants to set the record straight.
The famously blunt judge of "American Idol" and the U.K.'s "Pop Idol" says his caustic remarks are meant to help, not hurt, the aspiring pop stars who appear on the show.
Cowell does not hold back on his opinions of the music business and "American Idol" in his brutally honest book "I Don't Mean to Be Rude, But ... ," which Broadway Books will issue December 2.
"I wrote the book the way I would want to read it," Cowell tells Billboard. "What I do on the show is an extension of what I've learned. And I've learned more from people in the business giving me a reality check than fake praise. So I have no qualms about doing the same in my job and when I judge the contestants."
There are three main elements to the book: Cowell's autobiography, which details his family background and career path; backstage gossip about "American Idol"; and advice to wanna-be pop stars on how to make it in the music business.
The behind-the-scenes part of the book includes Cowell's frank observations of his "American Idol" colleagues and the "American Idol" finalists from the show's first two seasons.
The finalists who receive his highest praise include Tamyra Gray, Clay Aiken, Kelly Clarkson and Ruben Studdard. The "American Idol" people not spared from Cowell's insults include judge Paula Abdul, host Ryan Seacrest and former co-host Brian Dunkleman.
Cowell, who is a senior A&R executive at BMG Music in the U.K., tells Billboard that he has signed a contract to be an "American Idol" judge for the next three years.
The outspoken judge says of the third season of "American Idol," which premieres January 20, 2004, on Fox: "The audition sequences are the funniest so far. It's getting harder to find real talent until the top 10 or top 12."
Next up for Cowell is "Dreams," a TV drama series he is developing with Fox through his Simcow production company. He hopes the show will be on the air by next year, and he describes it as having elements similar to "Fame" and "American Idol."
Cowell notes that much of his career's success is testimony to TV's power in selling music. "The 'Idol' shows prove how much radio and the public can be out of synch. Contrary to what many radio programmers think, the public still wants old-fashioned pop music."
Copyright 2003
Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
