Simon wont evev look at contestants...

while they're performing. Is it just me or does he seem different this season? I used to think he was 'dead-on' with his criticisms, even if he was brutal in giving them. This season, he just seems plain mean, just for the sake of being mean. Even the look on his face most of the time is one of total contempt.

was : brutal in giving them. This season, he just seems plain mean, just for the : sake of being mean. Even the look on his face most of the time is one of : total contempt.

It's just his on-air shtick that he thinks people expect from him. He is a major part of the selection process for both contestants and song venues that will be performed, and then criticizes both on-air. My five year old grandson shows more maturity than he does.

Consider the possibility that his contempt is for his colleagues rather than for the contestants. Both Randy and Paula are absolute disasters with tin ears, but large rolodexes. Even Simon is somewhat marginal in his knowledge*, making him the one-eyed man in a village of the blind. At some point early this season, he got tired of hearing all the meaningless blather from his right.

The Other Mickey

* Simon hates country and doesn't understand it, doesn't have any sense of humor and consequently has no positive appreciation for 'novelty' songs, subtlety seems lost on him, etc.

Yes, he seems totally bored. What did Ryan say? Something like, 'I've never seen such an unhappy millionaire''? I thought, _really. He acts like he would rather be anywhere else but there. & Yes. it seems he's been told.. 'go all out with the mean stuff, it's getting good ratings'. The whole show is losing it's spark for me. Not sure if it's because everything gets old after awhile, the judges, the contesants, a mix of all that, or simply because I'm still bummed Bucky is no longer there¿

I think the problem is we have a bunch of *sparkle-less* contestants this year.

Sure, we all praise, gripe and moan about our preferred and non-preferred contestants, but IMO each one has faults;

Ace: So-so voice, no stage presence, has no command over the tunes he sings. Paris: Great singer, wierd annoying speaking voice, very young. Katharine: Good voice, bland personality, appears stiff while performing. Taylor: So-so voice, oldest contestant to get this far, stinks when he can't move. Chris: Not much of a range, overpowers everything, one trick pony. Kellie: So-so voice, the accent and dimwitted style has turned off many. Elliott: Great singer, forgettable personality, lacking in the style and looks dept.

Each contestant also has some very good and positive attributes, but there isn't one that seems to be the total package; - Clarkson could sing like nobody's business, was cute, humble and gracious. - Studdard could sing well, which coupled with humbleness and a likeable personality, was enough to get him the win. - Fantasia 'can' sing, actually I think she way over-sings but that's just me, had a large presence on stage, commanded the songs she sang, and had a sympathetic backstory. - Carrie has a great earthy tone to her voice which you coudl use to go hard or soft, very pretty, humble and approachable, and also had a simple backstory.

This year, we're looking at a bunch of contestants who can either not sing very well, or have an off-putting or simple lack of a personality - sparkle-less.

Each contestant also has some very good and positive attributes, but there isn't one that seems to be the total package;

This year, we're looking at a bunch of contestants who can either not sing very well, or have an off-putting or simple lack of a personality - sparkle-less.

I think you're spot-on with that. It doesn't excuse Simon's worse than normal behavior, though. I think it makes him feel better about himself to spout insults to 16 year old girls. Pretty sad really.

He's actually watching them in the monitor to see how they come across on television. That's usually what he's doing when he's looking down. I think it's a good idea. I wish they could go one step further and put headphones on all the judges so they could hear the shitty mix the way we do.

I take it you missed his SNL cameos that were hilarious

Okay, limited sense of humor. At funny school, he was a special needs child and unfortunately got 'left behind.' (I know several comedians who find no one other than themselves amusing.)

The Other Mickey

I'll meet you at limited

Wasn't Pauly Shore and Rob Schneider dropouts of that school?