Simon Cowell explains David Cook apology, didn't know he'd won 'Idol'

Simon Cowell continued to be in an apologetic mood the morning after American Idol's live seventh-season finale -- further explaining his desire to repent for why he felt his Tuesday night criticism of David Cook was "verging on disrespectful
"I was almost horrified when I went back home and watched [Tuesday night's performance show]. It was literally like watching and listening to a whole new show. What you thought was good wasn't very good and what you thought was bad actually was a lot better," said Cowell as a guest on Thursday's broadcast of Ryan Seacrest's KIIS FM radio show.

"[Idol's live finale] is the only opportunity I got to sort of say something publicly, because he's quite a proud man, David. That felt like the right time to say it."

Cowell's apology to Cook came moments before Seacrest revealed home viewers had crowned the 25-year-old Tulsa, OK resident Idol's seventh-season champ over 17-year-old David Archuleta.

"I didn't know at that point who was going to win -- but win or lose, it had to be said," Cowell told Seacrest about the timing of his apology.

An Archuleta vs. Cook finale was both forecasted and anticipated by Cowell, who only predicted Cook as his favorite to take home the title during a Tuesday appearance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show. However during that night's live performance episode he awarded all three rounds to Archuleta and said the teenager scored a "knockout" over Cook.

Cowell told Seacrest he was only thinking of one word when Cook was revealed to be the champ -- "justice."

"I thought it was the right thing," said Cowell. "You always think in a situation like this where someone who's cute like David Archuleta, that it's going to be carried by young girls or grandmothers or [whoever] vote for people like David Archuleta. But actually the person who I thought did the best performances over the 11 or 12 weeks actually deserved to win and he did win. It was good."

In addition, Cowell said he was "actually quite emotional" after Cook was crowned, however he couldn't tell if it was because the seventh-season's resident rocker had won or because the latest installment of the Fox mega-hit had come to a close.

"A bit of both I think," he said with a laugh. "As soon as the announcement [of the winner] comes in, you realize how long its been. It's quite a relief when it's over."

http://www.realitytvworld.com/news/simon-c...n-idol-7169.php

I've always loved Simon- he usually is dead on, so this was really the first time I disagreed with him. I am so happy that he had the b*lls to apology on live television. Makes me respect him even more.

It was a good thing Simon apologized for his disrespectful and peculiar criticism towards David Cook's performance. But either, an apology from Simon not only means that he's accepting the fact that he's wrong in his judgment but more likely saying that David Cook really has the potential to wow and baffle great producers like Simon. Now that's one history AI won't forget.

I love you Simon. That's all I can say. That's a proof that he's a gentleman. He's accepting his wrong deeds and he's willing to apologize if needed.. and i Love him for that.

This was a fantastic interview! And to know how he truly feels is... well, it's like a vindication. The best man won!

That's to shut up everybody that thinks he only apologized because he knew who was winning

Aww that's such a nice interview, and I feel the same way. The best guy won, not only because I am her fan, but because he really really deserved it as he worked so hard for it.

LOVE YOU COOKIE! And very nice Simon

Simon is so funny...he was "almost horrified"...lol.

I always did love Simon. I got to meet him seven years ago and he was such a gentleman

And, Simon loves dogs! He must be a sweetie deep-deep down.

Aww, that was great. Thank you for posting.

I'm really glad that not only did Simon apologize, but I love everything he said in that article up there. I've been a fan of Simon's for years because he's just so honest and he actually knows what he's talking about. So on Tuesday when he said all of those things about how "bad" David was, I was just shocked because I couldn't have disagreed more. I thought David was perfect on Tuesday. So when he apologized on Wednesday, I was SO glad.

I've heard the thing about it sounding different on TV from a lot of people over the past 2 days. I was listening to my favorite radio station yesterday and the two DJ's that had gone to the finale said that they thought the same thing as Simon, that Archie had sounded better, then they watched it on TV and it was completely different. The one DJ said she could barely hear David during his performances, but she could hear Archie fine, so she thought that maybe THAT was the reason he sounded off.

~Steph

Excellent interview. Has to be said, Simon is another articulate man.

I agree with him most of the time (except for Tuesday night - and even he doesn't agree with himself now!). He is incredibly well-spoken and thoughtful (thoughtful, not considerate; thoughtful, as in has something poignant and relevant to say when he speaks).

I was so glad to hear Simon's apology to David. When the judges kept saying the round went to Archie, I was thinking... "What? Is the sound that different in the new theatre they're in that they couldn't hear how fantastic DC was?" Apparently, yes.

I respect the fact that Simon apologised to DC - he didn't have to do it publically but it's cool that he did.

I loved the way Simon apologized to Cookie!
I agree with him (Simon) winner or not, Cookie deserved that apologize :3