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Sting says Simon Cowell's only talent is 'self-promotion,' calls 'The X Factor' 'appalling'
By Joe Dziemianowicz
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER
Thursday, November 12th 2009, 1:10 PM
Sting called a music competition series similar to 'American Idol' 'preposterous,' and said judges like Simon Cowell 'have no recogizable talent except for self-promotion.'
AP/Getty
Sting called a music competition series similar to 'American Idol' 'preposterous,' and said judges like Simon Cowell 'have no recogizable talent except for self-promotion.'
Rock star Sting has come out slugging against "X Factor," a hit British TV music competition that's often compared to "American Idol."
In an interview with London's Evening Standard, the singer's harsh words made it clear he can't stand any move "X" makes, any breath "X" takes.
In the story, done in support of his new album "If On a Winter's Night," Sting referred to "X Factor" as "televised karaoke," "preposterous" and "appalling."
The former Police frontman's icy comments came shortly after "X Factor" judge Simon Cowell — yes, that Simon Cowell, known in the U.S. as the caustic "American Idol" judge — came under fire for allegedly rigging results so the show would play better.
Thousands of angry fans renamed it the "Fix Factor."
Sting had his own description. "It is a soap opera which has nothing to do with music," he told the Evening Standard. "In fact, it has put music back decades. Television is very cynical."
The rocker expressed sympathy for the contestants. "I am sorry but none of those kids are going to go anywhere, and I say that sadly," he said. "They are humiliated when they get sent off. How appalling for a young person to feel that rejection."
In the same week Forbes proclaimed Cowell the highest paid man in television, Sting didn't hold back on his criticism for the judges, either. "The 'X Factor' is a preposterous show and you have judges who have no recognizable talent apart from self-promotion," the singer said.
Sting says Simon Cowell's only talent is 'self-promotion,' calls 'The X Factor' 'appalling'
By Joe Dziemianowicz
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER
Thursday, November 12th 2009, 1:10 PM
Sting called a music competition series similar to 'American Idol' 'preposterous,' and said judges like Simon Cowell 'have no recogizable talent except for self-promotion.'
AP/Getty
Sting called a music competition series similar to 'American Idol' 'preposterous,' and said judges like Simon Cowell 'have no recogizable talent except for self-promotion.'
Rock star Sting has come out slugging against "X Factor," a hit British TV music competition that's often compared to "American Idol."
In an interview with London's Evening Standard, the singer's harsh words made it clear he can't stand any move "X" makes, any breath "X" takes.
In the story, done in support of his new album "If On a Winter's Night," Sting referred to "X Factor" as "televised karaoke," "preposterous" and "appalling."
The former Police frontman's icy comments came shortly after "X Factor" judge Simon Cowell — yes, that Simon Cowell, known in the U.S. as the caustic "American Idol" judge — came under fire for allegedly rigging results so the show would play better.
Thousands of angry fans renamed it the "Fix Factor."
Sting had his own description. "It is a soap opera which has nothing to do with music," he told the Evening Standard. "In fact, it has put music back decades. Television is very cynical."
The rocker expressed sympathy for the contestants. "I am sorry but none of those kids are going to go anywhere, and I say that sadly," he said. "They are humiliated when they get sent off. How appalling for a young person to feel that rejection."
In the same week Forbes proclaimed Cowell the highest paid man in television, Sting didn't hold back on his criticism for the judges, either. "The 'X Factor' is a preposterous show and you have judges who have no recognizable talent apart from self-promotion," the singer said.
Sting says Simon Cowell's only talent is 'self-promotion,' calls 'The X Factor' 'appalling'
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