Simon Cowell's Golden Touch

CNN's Anderson Cooper Interviews The Acerbic "American Idol" Judge

(CBS)  This segment was originally broadcast on March 18, 2007. It was updated on Aug. 14, 2007.

This year an average of 30 million Americans tuned in to every episode of "American Idol," on FOX. By any measure the numbers are impressive, but it's not just pop star wannabes that keep people watching — it's also the judges, in particular 47-year-old Simon Cowell.

His verbal assaults on the contestants are often downright cruel, but the TV audience seems to love them. FOX reportedly pays him more than $30 million a year and he gets another $38 million annually to be a judge on a similar show in England. What most viewers probably don't realize however is that Simon Cowell isn't just a high-paid judge.

As CNN anchor and 60 Minutes contributor Anderson Cooper reports, he's now one of the most successful music figures in the world — though he admits he has no musical ability at all.

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He doesn't sing, read music or produce albums, and he says he plays the guitar "very badly." So what does Cowell do? With a laugh, he tells Cooper, "[I] guess what's gonna be popular. Literally that."

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Photos: Simon Says
Photos: The Hate List
Photos: The Road To "American Idol"

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So does he ever feel like a fraud at times?

"Well, no, because I think 99 percent of the people who watch the show are in the same position as me. They know when somebody's good or not," Cowell says. "And for me, it's been a help not knowing too much. So I can rely on my instincts."

Instincts are what Cowell credits for his success, but it's how he displays those instincts that have made him a household name. And there's no shortage of people who want to take him on.

"American Idol," which wrapped up its sixth season in May, is more popular than ever. Tens of thousands show up to audition. There are a talented few, but an untalented many — and that's where Cowell comes in.

"Thank you, Nicholas. What the bloody hell was that?" Cowell said to one "Idol" hopeful.

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Photos: Sixth Time For "Idol"
Photos: "Idol" Worship
Photos: The Original "Idol"

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So aren't some of those hopefuls there just to get on TV?

"We've got a lot of people in the auditions who had — who were going to sing badly on purpose and we never show them. The people we show are the people who genuinely believe they're gonna win. And that's what's fascinating," he says.

"Every one of those people, no matter how bad they are, they really think they have talent?" asks Cooper.

"Every single one," answers Cowell. "Every single one."

Cowell is ruthless to them, critiquing not just their performance but, in some cases, their physical appearance.

"You look like one of those creatures who live in the jungle with those massive eyes. What are they called? Bush Babies?" he told another during "Idol" auditions.

Cowell says the conflict makes for good TV and he's not about to apologize for it — quite the contrary.

"Some people have equated it to a medieval stoning — that it's the same kind of motivation which people watch it," Cooper says.

"It's an interesting thought for a show where we actually could do that," he says.

But would Cowell really consider it?

"Why not?" he laughs. "I can see a similarity to a point. But it's human nature. You know, we are fascinated with that."

Does he think everything should be shown on TV? Yes. Even public executions?

"I think people should be given the choice to watch them, I guess. Yeah, why not?" he says.

"With commercials?" asks Cooper.

"Sponsorship," Cowell responds with more laughter. "Yeah, sponsorship."

[zinfulme]

As great a program as 60 Minutes is, watching Anderson Cooper "interview" Simon Cowell was journalism at its worst. Don''t get me wrong, I like Anderson Cooper''s style and poise, but SIMON COWELL? Mr. Cowell is the English verison of Howard Stern; a corporate pimp who admittedly has no talent to speak of. The sad part is, people actually like the guy, and some don''t even object to being insulted by him. Think about it...this guy makes millions of dollars each year without an iota of talent....as a society, we are surely doomed!

[eama-2009]

Simon who? Whenever Anderson Cooper reports on anything or anyone, he steals the show. The fact that he is the total package--gorgeous, intelligent and witty--make him the hottest man in the world. Every time I see him on TV, I can''t fully concentrate on what he''s reporting on. Sure, this story may have been a bit of a waste of AC''s extensive talents, but like always, he did an amazing job telling it.

[awbsdad]

Simple Simon.....

[southcst1]

There is no American Idol without Simon, period. Shock sells, he knows that, Howard Stern knows that, it's not hard to figure out. No one is waiting to see what Randy (waz up dawg)Jackson says, or Paula (whacked out) Abdul says. Who's opinion is everyone waiting for? Whether he is for real or an act, it doesn't matter. He's the only one that does what it takes to make that show so successful.

[clfish1]

I love 60 minutes and Anderson Cooper but Simon
I could live without, the man is a zit on the ***
of humanity. If Simon lived in Biblical times he would have made fun of Jesus's thorn crown and
he wouldn't have asked the Jews their opinion on
crucifixion. I don't watch reality TV or Idol
and the like,it make stars of Simon Cowell and Paris Hilton. Programing like that is the reason I won't pay for cable TV. Simon Cowell saying he should be paid more than Bruce Springteen now that sounds delusional.

[barnsinger]

Kudos to 60 Minutes and Anderson Cooper for a wonderful interview with the magnificent Simon Cowell. He is England's greatest gift to America since the Beatles. He's brilliant, funny, witty, honest, and hotter than steaks on a grill. Simon IS American Idol; without him, it would be Star Search. He also is an excellent race car driver; 175 on his first time at the wheel of an Indy car isn't shabby at all!! Andretti, Waltrip, and Busch were just having fun with him; he knows they were really impressed. Thanks again for giving this amazing man some much deserved coverage.

[etoilebebe]

You guys that have convinced yourselves that Cowell is talented, are delusional!! %u201CSimple Simon%u2019s%u201D so-called %u201Ctalent%u201D are nothing more than Muzak singers who merely interpret someone else%u2019s songs. How many of Cowell%u2019s people write their own music? That is the real talent of people like Springsteen, John Mellencamp, Alicia Keyes, Anita Baker, James Blunt, George Michael, Bono, even Madonna, and others. I could go on, but I think you get the picture. %u201CAmerican Idol%u201D isn%u2019t even unique; it%u2019s nothing more than a glorified %u201CGong Show.%u201D

Capiruza88, I am soooo glad you think "Sadistic Simon" is soooo hot, h'ell feel right "at home" when he gets to Hell!!

[capiruza88]

I think he is soooo hot and he tell it like it is no running around there it is he is total honest and thats why we love him. GO SIMON!!!!!

[mateoc1]

I work with kids and when announcing the judges on American Idol they cheer for Paula and Boo for Simon, because in their infinite wisdom they understand what Simon is, a bully. Its really to bad that as we age we become bitter and embrace nastiness instead of love.

[mateoc1]

I work with kids and when announcing the judges on American Idol they cheer for Paula and Boo for Simon, because in their infinite wisdom they understand what Simon is, a bully. It is really to bad that as we age we become bitter and embrace nastiness instead of love.

[mitywhity]

I work with kids and when announcing the judges on American Idol they cheer for Paula and Boo for Simon, because in their infinite wisdom they understand what Simon is, a bully. It is really to bad that as we age we become bitter and embrace nastiness instead of love.
...............................Posted by MateoC1

Just shut up! That is puke! Kids resent any and all authority by nature of being kids. LOVE? No person hiring one of your little darlings is going to hire them because they "LOVE" them! They will only hire them IF they have the skills! Keep on raising up your little losers and we "Simons" will just kick their teeth in later on down the road.

[mitywhity]

I do not watch this show because I don't watch any TV at all - period. BUT I love the fact that this dude is not a weenie-backed appeaser and he sticks it to the those who get in the way of real talent. Why is he so hated? He goes against all this political-correctness that has infected the USA like a plague. We need more Simons in this country!

[chucktr150]

Did Cowell learn anything from the brutal and accurate comments on how he%u2019s doing with his own dream made by Messrs. Andretti, Busch, and Waltrip? No way. But, for the rest of us who despise the ugly side of %u201CIdol%u201D and its spokesman, it was payment in coin that Cowell should know well. The poor unfortunates he crucifies on Idol are NOT there to %u201Cgive them a chance%u201D , but to give the show%u2019s creator, Cowell, a public forum for his sadism.

But what really amazes me is the revelation the Murdochs and Fox didn%u2019t embrace this concept instantly. It%u2019s a perfect fit for their lowest-common-denominator approach to entertainment AND journalism.

It was once said of a great newspaperman that he %u201Chad his finger on the pulse of the people%u201D. Murdoch%u2019s success comes from his ability to fondle the public genitals. He and Cowell are a marriage made in the nether regions.

[wiredwilly]

Simon Cowell is to Bruce Springsteen as " The Gong Show" is to
" Easy Rider ".

[teeus]

Hey, teeus, no one would even know who Springteen is if someone like Simon Cowell hadn't been around to record, market, and distribute his records. There's ALWAYS a Simon and there ALWAYS will be.
Posted by ajaxrose1 at 02:13 PM : Mar 16, 2007

DIdn't say otherwise. But that doesn't make the AGENT more important than the artist.

[gqgirl]

Wow, Cowell is truly barbaric!

[mbr4317]

So what if Simon gets a little rough with his insults. Some of those contestants should have been told by their friends or family that they can't sing. I would think that if you have the courage to stand in front of people and sing that your skin is already tough so a little of Simon's criticism would only make you tougher!. These people subject themselves voluntarily so when they open their mouths and the train wreck begins it's fun to see Simon finish it off. So get over it! If you are living in that good-feeling-touchy-feely-every one's a winner in little league world, get out more: that's not real life!

[plowhandle]

Please remove this stupid story from your website, as we have had enough of this talent-free asswad Cowell's face and name being splashed across our screens. He has LESS talent than Groucho Marx's cigar and far less camera appeal than Anna Nicole Smith, even as a rotted corpse.

Stop trying to flout this piece of ******* as anything but what he is - a twisted, one-note pony whose time has passed.

[macolley]

as a british springsteen fan I can only apologise for inflicting the american people with Mr cowell.He does not write spine chilling lyrics that relate to everybody he is just a buisnessman who takes advantage of desperate,talented people and creams off the money from their record sales and dumps them he has no feelings just selfishness.If people stopped voting for the artists in his show that would be the end of him.

[sainethepain]

You are kidding? This guy is not worth the power to blow him up. He is a big ***.