Be Careful! American Idol Apologizes
From the Associated Press:
LOS ANGELES (AP) – “American Idol” is apologizing for misinterpreting a contestant in Louisville, Ky., who told the judges “be careful.”
Mark Mudd had failed his audition, and on his way out told the judges, “Take care and be careful.”
Paula Abdul and Simon Cowell took that as a threat. Abdul scolded Mudd, telling him, “You don’t say that to people, ‘be careful.’ That’s just not a normal thing to say.”
“Be careful” is a regional expression. The show’s producers say they had not heard that from any other contestants, so it took everyone by surprise.
A statement from “Idol” producers says, “We now know better and look forward to visiting Louisville again someday.”
I’m not from the South, and have never used that expression, but I didn’t find Mark’s remark particularly threatening (watch his audition HERE).
Just another example of Idol stereotyping gone awry. Now, who needs to be careful…
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20 Responses to “Be Careful! American Idol Apologizes”
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That is nice that AI is apologizing. I didnt’ find anything threatening about it, either. We have a news anchor here in the Tampa Bay area that always closes the broadcast with “do take care.” I guess it is very similar to what Mark Mudd had said. I have to think that Paula has remained leery since this whole stalking incident involving a fan of hers, and may responded out of that.
I’m southern, and while that dude was weird, I totally didn’t see what the fuss was about. Isn’t there enough manufactured drama on AI? It’s common here to tell someone something along the lines of “be careful” when saying goodbye. My 83 year old grandfather tells me to “be particular” every time I leave his house.
That was such a weird overreaction by the judges (and the editing!) It’s sort of funny that they’d highlight it even more by doing this public apology, but I guess tptb figure “any publicity is good publicity”.
I do believe you can communicate a threat with the words, “Be careful,” if spoken with a menacing tone and affect. But, yeah, Mudd didn’t seem to me to be doing that, and the whole reaction appeared odd to me when I watched that clip awhile back. Then again, I wasn’t there. And, I can empathize with Paula on this one, too.
Good that they straightened this out and apologized to the poor guy…
I’m from South Texas, and we say that all the time. That’s why I died laughing when Paula freaked out. Mark Mudd had a strange way of looking at the judges, so that coupled with the “be careful” must have set her off. But, I found nothing strange about him saying it at all.
The apology was good.
Simon said something like “Is that a gun” referring to Mark Mudd’s phone when he walked into the audition and then it sounded like he said “what ya gonna sing Muck”, I thought that was just plain rude and as ridiculous as the over reaction to Mark’s ‘be careful’.
It was a big overreaction.
I’m from NC and people say “Be careful” all the time. Matter of fact, I think my mom said it every time I left the house growing up.
It’s really no different than “Take care.”
I seriously thought everyone all over the country said it…until this audition, that is. Interesting. I guess every region has its sayings. It retrospect, it was a bit over the top.
We don’t say that around here but even then I could tell he didn’t mean anything bad by it… ehh, anything to add drama and “interest” to the show I guess…
MJ should put up an apology meter for how many ridiculous apologies AI makes this season. Between the four judges…I have a feeling the mercury will be rising.
I find it funny that with all of the apology worthy comments that they make…the only ones that get publicized are the ones that receive the most backlash. Just shows to go ya that they only care about appearance…not sincerity!
You couldn’t offend me if you tried, so I still enjoy the entertainment value of the Idol judges…but while we’re on the subject…the whole apology concept is rather silly…and awkward.
Why don’t they just start or end the show with a disclaimer that the statements and opinions of the judges are not endorsed or shared by the show’s producers or the network blah blah?
Hilarious. There should also be a meter for how many apologies the judges SHOULD issue but don’t. Like the apology Paula SHOULD have made to Jason but didn’t. And the apologies Simon SHOULD make after every broadcast but doesn’t get around to.
IN that context, this whole incident is laughable.
I do wonder why they apologized.
Maybe someone threatened to shoot them…with a phone.
I thought they were being paranoid, but I attributed it to being extra sensitive because of the Paula stalker.
Hey Neighbor
I thought Paula’s reaction to this was way over the top. When she said, “that was a threat”, I was thinking “huh?”. I think because he kind of had the crazy eyes, they tried to make him look like a full-on loon.
This is hillarious to me. I live in NC and everyone (including myself) say this all the time.
Its a typical good-bye statement here. When I watched the episode I didn’t get what all the fuss was about and why it was considered a threat. Oh well.
Reason 1 for “Never want to be famous”….
You think everyone is out to get you, or use you, or embarase you.
After watching (yup I actually did) a bit of Paula’s reality show I can see why she said what she did. Most paranoid female I have ever seen!
The stalker chick didn’t kill herself outside Paula’s house until during Hollywood week. These auditions were way prior to that.
Of course, I’m sure with the background of that, Paula is always a little leery and anxious. But I wouldn’t blame Paula’s reaction on her being freaked out by Paula Goodspeed’s suicide, because it hadn’t happened yet when this was filmed.
I’m from the south too and I was freaked to see how dramatic they all were. My Lord! But then it could have been just for the drama. They can be a bit transparent!
I’m in SC and we say that ALL THE TIME. I was shocked that she got so bent out of shape about it. I was like, he was trying to be nice!
“I do wonder why they apologized.
Maybe someone threatened to shoot themà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦with a phone.”
:lol_tb: