Simon Cowell Not Completely Insensitive

Simon Cowell wants America to know that he's not an insensitive brute. On last night's episode of Idol, judge Cowell was critiquing Chris Richardson's "nasal-y" performance when Richardson interrupted to pay tribute to the Virginia Tech tragedy. Cowell is being accused of rolling his eyes and being otherwise insensitive to Richardson's nod to the massacre. However, he's denying the charge, explaining that he had "switched off" and was talking to fellow judge Paula Abdul about Richardson's claim that he was singing nasally on purpose. The British Cowell, renowned for his often-jarring honesty and snippy criticisms, spoke out on Ryan Seacrest's radio show, saying that it was a misunderstanding. He went further, commending Richardson for his tribute, saying that the Idol hopeful's comments were appropriate, as he is from the area.

Ironically, Cowell says, they had been discussing how the tragedy should be acknowledged, if at all, on the show: "What do you do in a situation like this when something terrible happens? Do you ignore it?"