Simon Cowell saves his nice side for British audiences

From the moment the Singing Souls dived into "Taking Over Me" by Evanescence, it was clear Simon Cowell wasn't pleased. It didn't take more than a few seconds for him to weigh in with his verdict.

"One of the worst groups I've ever heard in my life," he told the young women, with characteristic hyperbole. "Girls, you sounded like three cats being dragged up the motor way."

Hannah, the most aggressive of the group members, barked back, as dismissed contestants often do. But rather than get flustered, Simon met her anger with charm. When she petulantly stuck out her tongue at him, he playfully stuck his tongue out right back: You can't out-brat the brat.

By the time Singing Souls left the stage, Simon was smiling like crazy, barely containing deep belly laughs. Which raises the question: Who are you, and what have you done with Simon Cowell?

Read more Simon Cowell saves his nice side for British audiences

(Photo courtesy ITV)

Comments

[Ovid]

This isn't restricted to Cowell. Gordon Ramsay is more charming in the UK version of his shows as well. I believe Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares UK is now available in the US on DVD. Everyone should check it out, just not in front of the children (his swearing isn't bleeped out).

It seems that producers of the US versions think the Brits have to rely on being shocking and rude to get attention. I wonder if it's the fault of Anne Robinson and The Weakest Link (although she's just as obnoxious in the UK).