My Saturday evening post

Some quick news items. First, The Idol judges and producers are hitting back on the accusations that the show is getting meaner.

From AP:

PASADENA, Calif. --American Idol judges Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson and Paula Abdul say they're no crueler than usual this year, and that people who audition should know what they're going to get.
If you don't want to hear that, don't show up,'' Cowell told television writers at a news conference Saturday.
The talent show returned with a storm this past week, with episodes on Tuesday and Wednesday attracting around 37 million viewers. The episodes featured auditions by the good, the bad and the awful from Minneapolis and Seattle.
Cowell, whose reputation for blunt, nasty put-downs was established at the series' beginning, was in peak form, telling one contestant that his singing was horrendous and he looked like a "bush baby.''
Jackson told one contestant his audition was awful and perhaps ruined his business.
"You shouldn't be a vocal teacher,'' Jackson said. "I wouldn't take vocal lessons from you, I wouldn't tell anybody to take vocal lessons from you."
*snip*
Jackson said the judges are continually surprised at how people who should know they can't sing show up thinking they have a chance. They should see what it takes by the people who have won before, he said.

Full story here.

I give them credit for at least standing up for themselves and not issuing some sobbing apology. If you don't like how the people are being treated, don't watch. They know what they're walking into.

Here's a smaller one from AP, more FOX:

PASADENA, Calif. -- Every parent's nightmare -- being exposed for not knowing what's in your kid's school textbook -- will soon play out on national television. Fox announced Saturday that it is making a new game show, "Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader?" that will air sometime later this year, perhaps as early as the spring.
Adults will compete in a quiz based on questions from elementary school textbooks. Actual elementary school students will be on hand as "experts" for the adults to consult with.
"While most game shows measure how smart you are, this is a show that will measure how dumb you are," said Peter Liguori, Fox entertainment president.

This genius idea comes from Mark Burnett of Survivor. As if we don't already know how dumb many game show contestants can be, here's more opportunity to flash it on TV.