Randy, Simon, Paula and Ryan Appear on Larry King Live – Video

Randy Jackson, Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul and Ryan Seacrest took up the entire hour of Larry King Live last night. After discussing Idol Gives Back, the gang opined on Season 7 and where they think each of the eight stand. They also predicted who would be the last two standing…
Watch the clips after the Jump…
Highlights:
- All four plan to donate their earnings for that night to Idol Gives Back.
- They agree that it will come down to a Battle of the Davids–David Archuleta and David Cook–for the Final Two.
- Simon predicts that Syesha Mercado, Kristy Lee Cook or Jason Castro will be eliminated Thursday.
- David Cook is favored by all 3 judges. Simon calls him “fearless” and says he’s his personal favorite.
- They agree that Carly Smithson has not figured out who she is as an artist yet.
- They think Michael Johns should stick to blue eyed soul. They don’t like him as a rocker.
- Brooke White should stick to what she does best–singer/songwriter stuff. She could make it into the Final 3 or 4 if she picks the right songs.
- All the judges agree that David Archuleta is the one to beat. He needs to pick the right songs to maintain his front-runner status.
- Simon says the odds of Kristy Lee Cook winning are “one million to one”. Randy thinks she could have a country recording contract somewhere down the road. Simon doesn’t think she’s a great country singer. “She’s forgettable,” he says.
- Randy thinks Jason Castro is “OK” as a singer–he’s just a “singer/songwriter in a bar”. Ryan challenges Randy. He says Randy said something different on the show. Paula thinks he has a very “definitive style”. Randy would not give him a recording contract, but he’d sign Kristy Lee Cook. Simon thinks Jason is all about song choice. Simon says, “the trouble is, he turns up every week and he looks like he doesn’t care.”
- Randy thinks Syesha Mercado is more of an actress/singer and that she’ll end up on stage. Simon doesn’t think her vocals are good enough.
- Simon’s favorite Idol is Kelly Clarkson. He thinks she brought legitimacy to the franchise, and he likes her personally since he’s gotten to know her.
- An email question uses the phrase “pimp spot” and the judges find that funny. They have NO clue whatsoever how performance order is picked. They think names are picked out of a hat!
- Randy thinks America has gotten the winner right every year. Simon thinks America got it wrong Season 5 with Taylor Hicks.
- Larry King is an idiot.
The gang discuss David Cook, Carly Smithson, Michael Johns and Brooke White:
The gang discuss David Archuleta, Kristy Lee Cook, Jason Castro and Syesha Mercado:
Scandals on AI, Simon’s favorite Idol, questions from the Audience:
How much longer will Idol go on? Who do they think will win? Simon’s boredom, Paula’s new single:
The gang discuss Idol Gives Back:
More discussion about Idol Gives Back and this season of Idol:
More on this Season’s crop. Simon and Ryan discuss their relationship:



I like the way Jason dresses. He is one of the best dressed, IMO. He’s looked pretty hot in everything that I’ve seen. I like his casual style. He wears jeans impressively well. (Now that he’s 21 I can say that. LOL.)
It’s just odd to me that the judges tell some contestants to step out of their boxes but they tell others to find a box and stay in it. Makes me want to scream.
I think Castro is anything but forgettable. I have this bond with him, normally would have just read the synopsis by MJ and then left but then I read the last sentence. Larry King is an idiot.
Bwahahahahaha! yes he is. I still think he’s dead and the studio just props him up and pulls his jaw strings for the question asking and we know how hard hitting his questions can be. My goodness they’re hard enough to bowl over a feather.
I think the dynamic between Simon and Taylor has always been fascinating. Talk about water and oil. In the end it will be up to Taylor to make a great CD and prove him wrong. If he doesnt or cant do it then Simon was right and America got it wrong. It wouldnt be the first time, there was an obscure season 2 with Clay and Ruben. The Idol upper echelon gave it to Ruben but we all know who won that season.
Slaps self in face, shut up Dingo and try to get on with your life. Its just that I have been “robbed” so many times in my lifeeeeeeeee. I mean there was that 2000 election with Gore and………nevermind, I’ll be ok.
SciFan, your mother has good taste. Heee
Watched LKL again. Randy has verbal diarrhoea, he didn’t give anyone a chance to complete a sentence.
Dingo, you know I love you, but if Taylor won, then so did Ruben. If the voters chose Taylor, then the voters chose Ruben. I did both times and think I was right both times. Can’t be one way when you support, and another when you don’t. Watch the rewind show, listen to the audience. They are the ones who voted. Now that election with Gore was another thing entirely, lol. Still pissed about that myself, so much that I still refer to him as Mr. President.
I think Jason should be extremely glad that Randy wouldn’t sign him. That’s hardly a slap in the face. Randy’s not exactly Clive Davis, for whatever that’s worth. I think Jason’s studio recordings are phenomenal, but post-Idol, when it comes to an actual music career, he could flop if he’s in the wrong hands. Jason’s a sensitive case, I think. But, that takes nothing away from his talent.
I guess KLC is marketable. Remember, she was semi- , partially- , kinda-sorta signed before the show.
Seaon 5 I look back and think year of the D and that is it meaning Daughtry of course who else. I really do think American Idol wanted Chris D to win with Kellie P for obvious reason . What if Taylor came in second to KAt or Elliott Yamin I really doubt they would done allot better also overshadowed . Thier may not be as many comments but always the undercurrent of how well Chris D did compared to the so-called winner. I think winning ment something in 5 You were named Daughtry and Kelly P the rest not so much including elliot and kat . That is how it was which really turned AI upside down and made it not meaningful to win the show . Remember it was a clsoe vote in the finale three an E or K would of won and that year a new word “excpet for” was invented.
The whole get in the box/get out of the box thing gives me a headache. Brooke should stick with the singer/song writer vibe, but Jason is too boring for doing so?
KLC more marketable than Castro? I guess strictly based on the fact that she’s “country.” Do these people even listen to the radio?
I think if David A wins it has the potential to be Taylor Hicks all over again … wildly popular while on the show but no carry over to real life.
I can’t help thinking they’re so hot on David C because they want to recapture the Daughtry win that got away. Talk about unimaginitive.
They slam Carly for being too tense and not having an artistic identity, while they criticize Jason as too laid back and predictable.
They couldn’t recognize current, marketable style if it bit them in the ass.
Abbysee and Sarah, I agree with the both of you. A: You are right on the money! S: I loved the judges on NGAB – even Jon – I thought they knew the music better.
Maybe they could guest judge one at a time until people were used to them.
BTW: Kristy Lee has grown on me. I like her a lot better than Syesha. I think with the right song, she could have a big country hit. Syesha does not stand out as a singer to me. I think she will be successful in acting. She is my pick to go home on Thursday.
Jason will be signed by someone, I’m sure. He is unique. He has a wide range of fans who will support him. I like that he doesn’t need to scream to be heard and gets his feelings and message across just fine! Go Jason!
Between Little Sparrow and Travelin Thru – my new cd is being majorly overplayed!
LOL at the “names are picked out of a hat” idea. I’m sure that’s true. I’m also sure that most weeks, and this week especially, there are about 25 pieces of paper with David A’s name to every one of the other Idolettes’ names.
Two years Simon let it go and deep down everyone knows that you think Daughty should of won . The runner up and third placer would not as done as well either it is a fact and would be compared.Elliott would not of gotton five hundred thousand in sales more to reach 1 milion and Kat would not either…quit dreaming.Thier both happy no to have won now.
Larry King is borring
I heard Randy’s asshat comment on my local radio station this morning. They made a point to play it. I hope his comments don’t turn casual fans away from Jason.
>>Canà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t be one way when you support, and another when you donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t.>>
Abbysee, ya gotta come and live in my world some time. Its awesome, you can have conspiracy theories run rampant in your mind and you can use them whenever you dont agree. Besides, Im right and your wrong. Clay won and Ruben was the chosen one.
>>Watch the rewind show, listen to the audience.>>
Pfffftttttt, they were plants.
OK, I have always thought that Mr Aiken won and I think the vote was close enough for the big shots to call it for him (Ruben) and no one would be the wiser. Except me of course. kinda like the 2000 elect…….nevermind lol.
Love you too Abbysee!
sorry to ramble just tired of it. I find it disturbig the use of “except” or winning means nothein if ya not TCO antmore atmosphere AI has created . It is unfair to the future contestants and influenced the fan….Move on and I wish Simon would shut up about it………………………….he should stick to Leona. Realistically he will complain and fans will argue untill the cow comes homwhom hsould of won and why for thier past and present contestants……………………….enough said sociologicaly I find it intersting .
I thought I heard them say that the order they sing is shuffled around – one week someone starts, the next week someone goes near the end, then the middle, etc. I heard that but I can’t remember who said it!
I will say, however, that it seems that certain people seem to go last more often than others. Not mentioning any names……
Dingo, your world is truly interesting and colorful I must say, rampant with bunny slippers and cds used as doorstops.
I am so big on conspiracy theories and such, I have a grassy gnoll out back, and a closet full of tin foil hats, so I would be comfortable hanging with you, just not this time, lol. Then there are those nightmares about hanging chads. Arrgh!
You can also try Gizmo if you want to call from the computer. I have a cable modem with wireless, and it works fine for me on a Mac w/Firefox, and they have a Windows compatible version too. You may have to deposit a small amount of $, but the 866- calls are always free.
I doubt that Taylor was the best singer in season 5. But, neither was Chris. I would think Kat or Elliot were superior singers. But they may as well confess that Taylor got sucky material to put on a CD and didn’t have a chance in hell as far as sales.
I agree with Simon 90% of the time – was happy to hear what he said about Kelly. Imagine if Kelly’s sales were less than a million than first year on top of that horrible movie. Shaky for her back then… and thank GOD they gave her Miss Independent to put on that CD! (though personally i liked the whole thing)
Eh….Jason’s style of music is what’s popular right now? I could swear that the same things were being said about Blake (the non-stop comparisons to Maroon 5 and artists that Timbaland work with).
I’m not seeing anything big with him at all. I’d definitely sign him but I wouldn’t expect much.
mj’s right ! Stay tuned to CNN for Larry King ! (cue the attendants to slap him alive and start the voice recorder).
I like Simon but he’s way to full of Simon being uber-Simon. He needs to learn when to hold and when to fold. Take a smoke break.
I also suspect that Randy is really more confused than Pauler. Whatever way the winds blows. Either get a grip or some ritalin.
Terry, I agree on How to Save a Life — although, maybe he could get the Muslim vote with Peace Train?
Elliott sold 500K on an INDIE label. To suggest that he couldn’t at least double that with major label is a pretty bold statement, IMO.
4got
I’m older than Randy and appreciate Jason. It’s not the age. It’s the intelligence level. That’s what Randy is missing.
Simon doesn’t get it right, get over it.