'American Idol': Simon & Randy pick faves, ridicule Ryan's Botox
The Dish Rag talked with "American Idol" judges Simon Cowell and Randy Jackson at the Details magazine Mavericks party at a private Beverly Hills estate last night.
Here's what the bantering boys had to say about the show, the songs, who will win and — ouch — about the Botox job on Details cover boy Ryan Seacrest.
DR: You've both mentioned that you think a guy is going to win this season. Why?
Randy: I think the boys are stronger and more interesting than the girls this year.
Simon: Yeah, I agree.
Randy: It's different every year. It just depends what comes out
DR: What are the surprises that you have in store?
Randy: Ryan’s gonna streak!
Simon: It can all change at the end. Don’t rule out this girl Brooke [White].
Randy: Yeah. she’s very strong. Very consistent.
DR: What do you genuinely love about Ryan? And what gets under your skin?
Simon: Ego.
Randy: Yeah, ego.
Simon: Selfishness. Ego
Randy: Just ego.
DR: That Aussie, Michael Johns — what are his chances of winning?
Simon: Out of 100? Two. Because he’s not choosing the right songs and I’ve told him that.
Randy: He still hasn’t sung the right song on the show yet.
DR: So what are your picks, your favorites?
Simon: Top three: David Archuleta. Jason Castro. Brooke or Ramiele [Malubay].
DR: What is it about each one of them that makes them stand out?
Simon: Popularity.
Randy: Popularity and they also rule in consistency. The talent is always there.
Simon: But the best singer is the Irish girl.
Randy: Yeah, Carly [Smithson] is the best singer
Simon: But she’s not the most popular.
DR: What do you think being a Maverick means?
Simon: I don’t know cause I’m not. We’re just here because we’re invited.
DR: Did either one of you ever think Ryan would eventually become a Maverick?
Simon: No.
Randy: We knew he was a cowboy
Simon: He’s someone destined to be in the shadow. I've always believed that.
Randy: Yeah. Way back. He plays a very small part.
DR: I know he jabs you, so this is your turn?
Simon: Well, apparently he paid to go on the cover!
Randy: And he wore Steve’s shirt.
DR: Did America make the right decision in sending home Amanda [Overmyer]?
Related posts:
s Simon: Yeah, yeah. She wasn’t gonna win
Randy: She had her time.
DR: Did Ryan ever jab you a bit for the Botox comment?
Simon: Ryan criticizing me for having Botox is a little bit hypocritical!
Randy: Have you seen the cover? Have you seen the cover?
Simon: Ask him to drink a glass of water and watch what happens. It literally comes out of his head!
DR: Is it correct that all the contestants are living together this time around?
Simon: Are they? Haven’t got a clue
Randy: Are they?
DR: Do you know if they get along?
Simon: Probably not.
Randy: We have no idea.
Simon: Contestants shouldn’t get on. They won’t get on because it’s a competition. And I don’t believe they should be friends, and I don’t think they are.
DR: It's been said this is the more talented, better-looking lot of contestants. What do you think?
Simon: Look, you can’t say that these people are more talented than Kelly Clarkson, Fantasia, Chris Daughtry or Carrie Underwood, because they haven’t proved it yet. As a group of people there is a lot of talent, and it’s a good competition, but we've got a long way to go.
Photos: WireImage
Reporting: Sal Morgan
Ramiele needs to STEP IT UP and choose better songs!!! I hope she goes farrr on American Idol!!! Plus, I don't like this David Archuleta kid...he's boring!
Posted by: MS | March 21, 2008 at 04:04 PM
Agree with Simon almost completely. Don't agree that Ramiele will make the top five...not if you go by sales on itunes.
Posted by: eve | March 21, 2008 at 04:15 PM
I'm agree with simon with his pick for this season top 3. I think ramiele can do it only if she choose the right song for her, afterall she has a very good voice! Go ramiele we support you! Don't listen to your critics they are just being envied of you! Go girl!
Posted by: walgreen | March 21, 2008 at 05:37 PM
David Archuleta is the best AI contestant of all time and probably the most exciting! He has universal appeal and ALL the attributes to make it big.In Latin America and Asia, he is the hot favourite. God bless you, David.
Posted by: Morningstar | March 21, 2008 at 06:46 PM
Can Simon EVER pay Ryan a compliment or at least be nice? I hope Ryan has the last word soon.
Posted by: Kay | March 21, 2008 at 07:36 PM
They must be kidding about Ramielle -- she's as exciting as watching clothes go around in a dryer. I'm surprised she's still around. A good voice but ZERO charisma. Also, don't rule out David Cook in the top 3.
Posted by: James | March 21, 2008 at 11:12 PM
I can't believe Brooke and Ramiele would make it to Simon's cut. They may be pleasant but they're really weak performers. The battle IMO is between little David and rocker David.
Posted by: matilda | March 21, 2008 at 11:42 PM
ramielle has a great chance since the coming themes are very exciting and can showcase her voice. if its true that there is a broadway week, she should sing leah salonga.
Posted by: spiderye | March 22, 2008 at 02:37 AM
I think Simon is right with Ramiele... I mean she's really really good, she just doesn't choose the right kind of songs... BUT, she has what it takes to be the next IDOL... GO RAMIELE!
Posted by: JoLaS | March 22, 2008 at 04:49 AM
I completely agree with Simon. David, Jason, Brooke and Ramiele are the most popular at this point in the competition and the best chances of winning this season. Aside from their singing talents they are very likeable because of their great personality. Carly is the best singer of the bunch but I don't think she can win this because she lacks the charm of either Brooke or Ramiele. Like Simon always says.. When yo got IT you got IT. talentwise she got IT. If only talent is the measure... sadly it's not the case.
Posted by: Sam | March 22, 2008 at 05:07 AM
I totally agree with Simon. This Ramiele girl though has something in her and I admire her voice that she can change it to several octaves. David A is good but it's the same slow song all the time. Brook is good and Castro has the charm. Popularity wise it's David and Ramiele.
Posted by: Rick | March 22, 2008 at 06:51 AM
David Archuleta is going to win he has the best personality and he can actually sing he's consistent and he generally wants to be american idol he's trying hard every week unlike Michael John who just gets up there sings bores the heck out of me because there is no emotion and then leaves the stage.
Posted by: Marissa | March 22, 2008 at 08:16 AM
Are you kidding me? David Cook is the most talented and charismatic on the show.
Ramiele has a great voice, but she's been consistently terrible. She looks visibly uncomfortable when she is performing.
Posted by: Sarah | March 22, 2008 at 08:31 AM
Are you kidding me? David Cook is the most talented and charismatic on the show.
Ramiele has a great voice, but she's been consistently terrible. She looks visibly uncomfortable when she is performing.
Posted by: Sarah | March 22, 2008 at 08:33 AM
I don't agree about Ramielle. I think she is boring and scared and annoying. Carly is the best singer but my vote is between Michael Jones and David Cook. I also like Brooke White - she brings a 60s charm without being boring. And I did love Amanda and was very sorry to see her go. I think Kristy should be the next to go, then Ramielle.
Posted by: Amit | March 22, 2008 at 10:19 AM
Simon knows what he is doing on AI. I think he is well loved inspite of his comments. Ryan needs to cut him some slack with his comments. Focus on the performers guys not on what Simon is wearing etc. He is handsome, he doesn't need to dress up to show it off. David A. and David Cook are my favs. Love you Simon keep it going. Monica
Posted by: Monica | March 22, 2008 at 12:34 PM
Everyone here has almost not liking ramiele. But behind this small woman in this season she has BEST that she can offer that every1 hasn't.Versatility,good & croner voice,charm and admirable beauty.She maybe underdog by her height but she has SOMETHING to offer: her voice & being true.
To rami's detractors: Prove them WRONG Ramiele! :) Thanks Simon!
Posted by: ms_emmie | March 22, 2008 at 06:37 PM
i agree with simon, vocally ramiele was the best given the right song, she's cute and sweet. i also love brooke is charming, jason, i dont think he has the talent and this archuleta thing i think his vry boring.
Posted by: donna | March 22, 2008 at 07:21 PM
David Cook has impressed the **** out of me.
Posted by: heehaw honey | March 22, 2008 at 07:33 PM
simon is 100% right. ramiele is one of his favorites because she got the personality and charisma. as well as the BIG voice. can't wait for the next theme especially mariah carey as mentor. OH LOOORD!!
Posted by: nins | March 23, 2008 at 12:19 AM
why would people base popularity on the itunes sales? the mp3s (live and studio versions) are free to download in a lot of sites already? it's stupid to pay for it if it's already free..
Posted by: bleepbleep | March 23, 2008 at 01:33 AM
Ramiele will be this year's champ! Trust me, I'm clairvoyant enough!
Posted by: thorn | March 23, 2008 at 02:18 AM
i agree with simon's top 4 picks... about ramiele, she has this very very nice and powerful voice... but her song choices are consistently weak... blame it on the songs that the "idol" staff choses... ive read in an article which has david hernandez on it. he has mentioned that the staff chooses 24 songs and they get to pick their song of choice from these songs..
let the contestants choose!
Posted by: jeff | March 23, 2008 at 04:00 AM
David A is not just popular, but he has talent.I think ge is great. For me this top 3 sounds very good (David A, Jason and Brooke).
But my favorite all the way is David A!
Posted by: sara | March 23, 2008 at 08:19 AM
David A.'s "Imagine" made me cry! Fabulous. Everything since then has been, sorry David A. - just boring. David Cook is the one I can't wait to see every show. Something about the way he sings...! Watch his vids over and over. That's who I would pay money to see.
Posted by: safroniamay | March 23, 2008 at 12:08 PM
i think david cook will win....great vocals and cute
Posted by: debbie | March 23, 2008 at 07:26 PM
usually i agree with simon..his top 3>i guess he's right..it would be david a..jason..ramiele...
MARK simon's statement..he is the only that we almost all of us agree..
Posted by: elijah | March 24, 2008 at 04:39 AM
RAMIELE MALUBAY is my favorite !!!
She has a set of powerful pipes, talent, personality, polite, gracious & very beautiful person. And she has a solid, strong fan base.
Voice + Personality + Popularity = American Idol Winner & 100% Ramiele CD's will be sold out quickly )Is just like a marketing
/indicator tools that can predict her future CD's album will sell to the public in no time. And that is we called big money for the recording company, legal fees, Ramiele.
Remember Arnel Pineda another Filipino guy? the lead singer of Journey Band? His first big concert ever in Las Vegas & Chile " Festival del Vina 2008 " came out great success !!!
Is no relation to American Idol context but Ramiele & Arnel are Filipinos, both of them are very thankful & gracious people to " America "
the land of opportuniy & the home of the famous, legendary singers in the world.
Thanks Ramiele, AI, Arnel, Journey Band, U.S.A., Brent Jones, KNBR 680 radio station,
CNN, Ellen Degeneres for believing in them.
Yours truly
Maria
Posted by: Maria | March 24, 2008 at 06:39 AM
I agreed with Simon&Randy about Jason Castro & David A butI don't agree with Brook & Ramielle. I can't believe Ramielle still arround.
Posted by: Ann | March 25, 2008 at 03:33 PM
Ramiele is a lounge singer. A really good lounge singer, but a lounge singer nonetheless.
Posted by: David Cook Rules | March 26, 2008 at 01:23 AM
I love David Cook. Period. So tired of all the hip hop people winning. I think both Chris Daughtry and Elliott Yamin got cheated last year. Not only does David Cook have talent, he is truly a nice guy. His version of bill jean gave me goosebumps. And he definately is easy on this gals eyes !
Posted by: dusty | April 01, 2008 at 01:44 AM
I'm tired of Simon picking on Carly. Is there an English/ Irish problem here? She's awesome! David Cook looked great last night, although I now understand why he understated the song. I send his brother the best.
Posted by: Debby | April 02, 2008 at 07:32 AM