I had a childish meltdown: Simon Cowell

Simon Cowell makes people cry. Everyone knows that. His curt act as a judge on American Idol for several seasons even sparked off a trend that is now synonymous with reality television across the world on various formats.

Simon Cowell makes people cry. Everyone knows that. His curt act as a judge on American Idol for several seasons even sparked off a trend that is now synonymous with reality television across the world on various formats.

But recently, while filming an episode of the American version of The X Factor, it was the acidic television producer who had a bit of a breakdown.

“There was no crying. There are always nerves before a launch, but they’re good nerves,” he says, adding, “One of the things we showed in that eight-minute promo was me having a sort of a childish meltdown because I hated what everybody was doing. When I watched it again, although it was a bit embarrassing, I thought, ‘Yes, why not keep it in?’”

The US version of The X Factor, a format that has been remade in various countries including India, airs on AXN in the 10 pm slot today.

Around the launch of the ‘desi’ version, there was talk that the broadcasters, Sony Entertainment, were trying to bring Cowell to India.
“I’d love to,” he responds, when asked whether he’d be interested.

Will he continue his signature act as a judge on this show as well? “I just say what I am thinking. If you have an opinion, people are always going to disagree or agree with you,” he says, adding, “And by the way, a lot of the contestants disagree now. When we were filming this show, we found that a lot of them were so full of attitude. They really gave as good as they got. But I love that! We saw one 14-year-old boy in particular. I have never met anyone that age as cocky as him — but he’s a star!”

Though The X Factor is being launched in America many years after its UK debut, and shows like Mark Burnett’s The Voice have led to a lot of comparisons, Cowell says, “I always wanted to make a show where you have groups competing against young solo artists and against older contestants in the finale. It (X Factor) will take over the country for that part of the year.”

Indian judges Cowell has inspired...
* Raghu-Rajiv, MTV Roadies: They’re rude, and known to use abusive words on the show.
* Anu Mallik, Indian Idol: Contestants love to hate him.
* Sonu Nigaam, X Factor, Indian Idol: Soft singer, harsh judge.
* Saroj Khan, Nach Baliye: Stern enough to scare contestants.

HT Image