See thread here.
http://www.david-cook.org/index.php?showtopic=7336&st=0
Well, NemoCougar challenged us to take a look at Simon's comments the same way, and see whether or not Simon got it as well.
QUOTE (NEMOCougar @ Jun 20 2008, 10:49 PM) 
We should start another strand with a transcript of Simon's comments. All season -- over and over -- Simon said he liked it when DC "took risks." He applauded him for being "brave" more than once. Andrew Lloyd Webber coaching in the Top 2 show said the same thing to him --- you don't win by not taking risks. Even Randy applauded him and told him to be himself more than once. Well, he took a BIG risk and it looked like Simon punished him for it, but I don't think so. I don't think so at all. Have you seen Simon's wink at the end of his "completely wrong song choice" interaction with DC? I don't think he wanted to hurt DC, he just wanted him to win.
By then, Simon liked him a lot. I think he sealed the deal with those comments, and he knew exactly what he was doing. The anti-kiss-of-death.
By then, Simon liked him a lot. I think he sealed the deal with those comments, and he knew exactly what he was doing. The anti-kiss-of-death.
So, I took up the challenge -- here you go!
Audition
“And what would your friends say about you entering American Idol” “No friends ever do.” “Other than being a little bit worthy, it was good.” (we're still trying to figure out "worthy")
Hollywood Week
“I wasn’t crazy about it David. I think the minute you lose that guitar you’re going to look very vulnerable up there.” “I’m gonna say no”. “only my opinion” “I’m gonna say no” (actually, he did bare his emotions a few times, and we loved it -- but to say NO to David, not agreeing with you on this one Simon")
“That was a terrific audition” (I’ll be)
Top 24
“I can’t remember if it was worthy or wordy, I genuinely can’t remember, so I’m not going to answer. I thought it was good. I thought you shouted the song a little bit in the middle. It was a weird song to choose, because I’ve never heard that song sung like that before, but you almost made it believable.” (we absolutely believed it!)
Top 20
“David, it was solid, I agree with the guys, it was sort of believable. I don’t think that film helped you. Tennis, drag racing to crosswords, it’s boring, and that’s partly your problem, because you don’t have a lot of charisma. So therefore, which is fine, which means you have to rely…” “David, I think I know by now the rules of this competition, so I understand, you and I have a conversation, the public choose, this is called an opinion. I don’t think a film like that does you any favors, That’s all I’m saying.” “No, no, no, I’m just slightly irritated by the pointing out what the rules of the show are, I know what the rules of the show are, this is literally just an opinion. And in some cases, as we saw with people earlier on, the criticism is actually meant to be constructive, so that you do stand out in the crowd.” (ah, the famous backtalk episode. He actually liked the song, though.)
Top 16
“David that was very a brave thing to do, and I loved it. Good for you. You know what David, I like people who go out there and take a few risks. And it was unpredictable, I thought it worked, I think Lionel Richie’ll be very happy when he hears that, it was a terrific version, and I really, really hope were gonna see you next week.
(yes we all loved Hello, the first of the "risks" comments.)
Top 12
“David, I thought it was brilliant. David, for two weeks, now, you know Paula’s right, if this show remains a talent competition rather than a popularity competition, you actually could win this entire show.” (Simon calling it after Eleanor Rigby, not bad.)
Top 11
“David, I don’t think that was as good as you thought it was actually. You looked a bit smug throughout and I thought that the coder in the middle was just stupid. Just an opinion. You’ve lost your element of surprise a little I think. I thought last week you were terrific, you know I’m a big fan of you when you did the Lionel Richie song, this again was a bit predictable. (David winks) And I didn’t like that version.” (Simon being Simon.)
Top 10
“David, that was brave. I mean it could have either been insane or amazing, and I have to tell you, it was amazing.” (Second use of the term brave. Simon's digging the risks.)
Top 9
“David, I’m not gonna say it was as good as last week, because it wasn’t. But look, if you can make a song about sparrows good, which actually you did, congratulations.” (I have to admit, it's always a bit of a let down to hear Little Sparrow after Billie Jean. Simon was right on with this one.)
Top 8
“David, I didn’t like this performance at all. I thought it was a teensy weensy bit pompous. I didn’t like the whole white jacket in the crowd. David we say this week after week after week, originality, choice of song, and something you’re gonna remember in two or three days…And this for me was the weakest performance in the last… it just wasn’t anywhere near as good as the last two weeks. Sorry… (after "give back") well that was a nice thing to do.” (Not one of my favorites either.)
Top 7
“David, it was like sort of coming out of karaoke hell, into, into a breath of fresh air. Because, that was … It was original, it was daring, it stood out by a mile, and this is the sign of a great potential artist, someone who takes risks, congratulations.” (Daring -- risks again).
Top 6
“David, I think you made the most of the song, this is not the side of you I like, I much prefer the grittier, more raw, it was too rounded off, but you made the most of the song you were given.” (Simon doesn't like sexy??? He was so wrong on this one)
Top 5
“David, I’m going to be honest with you, I thought the first song was OK, I thought the second song was brilliant. David, you actually made that feel like that song was written this year, that was the point I was trying to make to Jason, you changed the arrangement, you made it work for you, that was smart.” (another indirect reference to taking risks.)
Top 4
“David, I thought it was good, you know, I know where Randy’s coming from, because it was a little bit copycat. You know, you didn’t do what you’ve done in previous weeks which is to choose a song and make it your own. Is it good enough at the moment to probably get through to next week? Yes.” (Simon was upset because he didn't take a risk -- I agreed on this one as well, not one of my favorites either.")
“Welcome back David Cook!” ('nuff said!)
Top 3
“Well first of all, it is one of the great songs of all time. And unlike Randy, I want him to do something different. You know David has a chance to show some originality, it’s a very, very, very tough song, but you know what? I think you’re gonna do well. ” (Again telling David to take a risk, and believing in him.)
“Well, David, this may sound a little bit biased, but I thought it was actually one of your best performances to date. This is what makes you brilliant, because you take risks, it’s original, round one goes to Cook and Cowell.” (and pleased as punch that he was right!)
“You know what David, there’s not much I could add to that, I mean, it was, it’s pretty much what I would have expected, I don’t think it’s the best melodic song in the world. I think all three of you had an OK middle round. We’ve got one more round to go.”
“David, one of the great songs of all time, and I have to tell you, David Cook wins the night.” (Yep!)
Top 2
“You know David, I could see at the top of this show, you looked very tense, very emotional, I could understand why. Taking all of that together, I think it was phenomenal.”
“Uuuh..Using the boxing analogy, it was a bit of a lightweight, I thought. I thought the end was ok. You know you made the most of what you had. Bearing in mind that this was supposed to be like a winning song, it didn’t feel like a winning moment for me. Just an opinion. The good news is … we’ve got a third song. That was a six and a half out of ten.” (yeah, weakest song of the night).
"I just want to say publicly that you are one of the nicest, most sincere contestants we’ve had. I thought that was – it was a beautiful song, but I’m gonna be honest with you, it was completely and utterly the wrong song choice for you on the night, because what you should have done, you should have sung Billie Jean or Hello… But you understand what I’m saying." (winks after David’s rebuttal) (He liked the song, but disagreed with strategy, winks to show -- "nothing personal"?)
Final Thoughts
“I want to congratulate both of you last night, because on the night I thought it was terrific show, I went back home to watch it, it wasn’t quite so clear cut as we called it. And in fact, David, I will take this opportunity to apologize, because I think I was verging on disrespectful with you, and I don’t think you deserved that. Because over the season, both of you, what I liked about both of you is that you’re triers and you’ve both given it your best, you’re both very nice people, and for the first time ever, I don’t really care who wins, I think you’ve both done terrific.” (realized he contradicted himself by disagreeing with David's strategy and by urging him to play it safe, because he was the one encouraging him to take risks all season -- either that or it was all part of the reverse psychology master plan!!)
On the whole, Simon appears to have been a David supporter pretty much from the beginning. Nemocougar, I think you've got it right!
Thoughts everyone?