[5-1-05] - When the show first started, he was THE reason people watched. Everyone wanted to see what he would say next & how horribly he could criticize some of the contestants. He was rather mean. But it was also funny. The only other aspect of the show that people LOVE is watching the horrible first round of auditions. Can he make them cry? Will someone throw water on him today? How many people will tell him where to stick it? These are the questions people want answered when they watch Simon. But now, into it's 4th season, Simon has eased up a bit and become a little more kind. On a few occasions, it was rumored that he was tired of doing the show and wouldn't come back. But he does. Contestants still fear him a little but his critique is probably the one they are most interested in. He is the most honest judge and doesn't care if the crowd boos him for saying how he feels. In recent seasons, he has even pulled Randy over to the "dark side" with him a bit. However, his remarks are a bit old and stale. His "kareoke" and "cruise ship/theme park" references are outdated and redundant. He is still one of the only reasons I still watch though.
Paula
[5-1-05] - Paula seems to have a problem understanding that she is a JUDGE. She has a problem giving anyone criticism because she doesn't want to hurt their feelings or look like the bad guy. She has to learn to be objective and tell someone if they are doing something wrong so that they can improve on it. If you constantly kiss butt and tell them they are "beautiful" and "doing a great job", they will never strive to become better. Quit being so nice. She doesn't have to be "mean" but she can tell the truth and express her actual opinion sometimes. She thinks she has to baby all of the contestants and support them.
Another big problem she has is "falling in love" with 50% of the male finalists each season. She tells them she is in love with them and all of this other crap. WTF? She gets all excited like a 13 year old girl when one of them looks at her while they are singing. Wow. She must be lonely. The clap bugs me too but what can you do? She says it is because she wears a lot of rings. Maybe she should take them off for the show since she is going to be clapping? Hmmm...what a genius idea.
And then there is the booing. Simon listens to her babble nonsense time after time and doesn't interrupt her but when he gives his opinion & she doesn't like it, she yells at him, hits him, and/or directs the crowd to boo him. See Paula, giving your opinion is ok and is expected...sorry you don't get that.
The big thing this season has become her actions during the show. She acts very loopy, causing many to assume she is high and/or drunk. Maybe she is just naturally loopy...I don't know.
Randy
[5-1-05] - This guy can get on your nerves. He has this "character" that he tries to play. I assume it's a character because if he acts like that in every day life, it is a scary thing. He's all "Yo man, yo dude, yo dawg..." and that is pretty much the extnet of his vocabulary. He'll say "you can blow" or "it was a little pitchy" or " that just didn't do it for me man". He is like one of those stuffed animals that talks when you push a button but they only have like 5 different things they say. Yep. That's Randy.
Ryan
[5-1-05] - Where to start with this guy? Some people love him. I don't. He reminds me of Carson Daly from the old TRL days. He stands there & attempts to be a "host". He doesn't amuse me. I can see a monkey doing the things he can do. It's the same thing over and over with him. Maybe it's just the show. Maybe he is a lot better off air...let's hope so. "Seacrest Out" got annoying after he said it the 2nd time. "After the break..." is so stupid. He even goes so far as to insult the judges from time to time. Oh Ryan...stick to radio.
Auditions
Voting
And the people that vote are stupid. The voting can be unfairly swayed or rigged due to families calling and a bunch of other crap. The best people won't necessarily be the winners. Miscellaneous
You can only listen to people singing these songs so many times...I've already heard more than I can tolerate.