Chris Richardson Needs To Explain As Much As Simon

Simon Cowell has explained his antics from last night’s episode of ‘American Idol.’ Of course, that’s not always enough for people. Cowell has taken some heat today for a moment in last night’s episode where he rolled his eyes during contestant Chris Richardson’s well wishes for his friends at VA Tech. Personally, I didn’t get the impression that Simon was mocking what Richardson said. Cowell told TMZ that he had rolled his eyes during a conversation with Paula in regards to Chris claiming that singing nasally is a form of singing. For the record, it is not.

There’s no issue with questioning Cowell in regards to what is obviously an editing faux pas. What I’m wondering is why so few are calling Chris Richardson to task for what transpired last night on ‘American Idol.’ The episode opened with a statement from the show as a whole delivered by Ryan Seacrest. It was quick, sincere, and appropriate. That should have sufficed for the evening. Later in the night, after he had performed, Richardson made a statement regarding friends at VA Tech and that his thoughts are with them. Everyone here at Cinemablend join Chris in sending our thoughts and prayers to the victims of this tragedy.

What I cannot do is respect someone who would interject such a plea at the very moment we are being told to vote for him. I find it reprehensible to think that even one additional vote could come from his statement. There was certainly no malicious intent on Chris’ part; he appears to be a nice guy. Nor do I think he was intentionally fishing for votes. However, he should have recognized the situation and joined the entire ‘AI’ group at the end of the episode in a statement, rather than using the voting moment to do it. It was an ill-timed statement from a guy who was probably feeling emotional. Whether Simon rolled his eyes at the statement or not, I can say for certain that sitting on my couch last night I rolled my eyes.