Canadian Idol judge disses Simon Cowell
By Alexandra Heilbron on June 5, 2007 | 21 Comments
Canadian Idol judge Zach Werner must still be smarting from the tongue lashing American Idol judge Simon Cowell gave him during the World Idol competition several years ago. Cowell blasted Werner for criticizing American Idol Kelly Clarkson, whose debut album went multi-platinum and who has a range and personal style that rivals singers such as Whitney Houston and Celine Dion. Werner says, “Paula Abdul, Simon Cowell and Randy Jackson don’t know a thing about finding unique talent. We are far, far more about people strutting out their own unique artistic interpretations of songs.” He goes on to criticize AI finalists Jordin Sparks, calling her “just a professional pageant kid” and Blake Lewis, whose music he calls “generic, knock-off, imitative crap.” Does anyone actually watch Canadian Idol? That’s what we thought.
I find this tooooo funny. Zack Werner thinks he can pick better talent. So let me see, Canadian Idol first season and second season winners. Where are they now??????
American Idol…Kelly Clarkson, still kicking the charts…Carrie Underwood, doing just as great. Clay Aiken was second place and still did far better than anything Canadian Idol made a winner. Why don’t we really see much of the Canadian Idol winners doing as good or even nearly as good. Why does Canadian Idol need four judges?? I find Canadian Idol boring and too much of a rip off.
Well Tony, talent isn’t always judged by album sales… particularly when AI has 12x the audience (and yet, not 12x the sale… hmmmm). Where are the first and second season winners? They’re making a successful living in the music industry, that’s where. Kalan Porter has more voice in his snoring than any AI top-10er ever. Jacob Hoggard is the best musical entity to come out of any Idol competition anywhere ever… period. Canada has consistently had talented singers throughout its entire run. American Idol couldn’t even manage a single person who could sing in their boring competition this year (and if you have done any reading, you’ll know that Simon Cowell said so himself numerous times this year). And please don’t talk to me about the hum-drum, boring, stereotypical back-up singer that looks like Shrek. Ugh!
Why does CI need 4 judges? Why does AI need 3? That’s just a stupid question.
And it’s funny that you’d call CI a “rip off.” Clearly your USA-centric idiocy is completely unaware that Pop Idol started this all off and AI is every bit as much of a rip-off as any of the dozens of Idol franchises around the world since then.
I also thought it was pretty funny calling CI a rip-off…that said, regardless of geography, they’re all incredibly stale and mind-boggingly boring and are the best statements for the deplorable state of today’s music and television (although the latter is, thankfully, getting much better). AI just happens to come off as more glamorous and dazzling than its low-rent, north-of-the-border counterpart.
Seriously, as obvioused by his attitude Zach Werner is nothing but jealous because he knows that if he left the show no one would care. However, if Simon Cowell left the show it would shut down.
GOD! I CANT REMEMBER WHO ARE IDOLS ARE? AND WHY WOULD THIS GUY YAP AT SOMEONE WHO ENDORSES HIS PAYCHECK?
PLEASE ONLY TRYING TO GET SOME PR FOR A CRAPPY ASS SHOW!
Zach Werner shouldn’t have said that..
“Does anyone actually watch Canadian Idol? That��s what we thought.”
A lot of people watch Canadian Idol.. I hate when people think Canada’s nothing and America’s everything..
“Cowell blasted Werner for criticizing American Idol Kelly Clarkson, whose debut album went multi-platinum and who has a range and personal style that rivals singers such as Whitney Houston and Celine Dion.”
Are you comparing KELLY CLARKSON to WHITNEY HOUSTON?
Have to agree. The Canadian Idol judges are not only dull to watch but they are horrible judges of talent. Anytime I’ve tuned into this show I’ve found myself jumping off the couch in disbelief. They are easily satisfied by a terrible performance, unlike the American judges who are usually right on the mark with their judgements and are also a lot of fun to watch. Sorry, I am a proud Canadian but cannot watch this cheap knockoff until some new (proven) judges are found. How about Brian Adams, Bruce Alan and Sarah Mclaughlin?
Your right veronica. There is no comparing Whitney and Kelly.
Kelly – is a down to earth women who is just starting here career, and a very good start I might add.
Whitney – at Kelly’s current age had a crack habit and was in prison. Did she sound good yes… Did she completely go celebrity mental? yes.
As far as Canadian Idol vs American Idol it is not a competition. Everything about American Idol is so much better. The CI judges try to be like the AI judges. Have you not noticed how much more of an idiot Zach and the blond haired judge have become. Those two single handedly ruin the show.
I’m a big fan of both shows. But the only real talent I’ve seen emerge from AI is Clarkson and Underwood—and apparently Chris Something according to my teenage daughter. I, however, enjoy a really great voice. Something lacking in many of AI’s winners. And I think the *paying* American audience must agree. Because other then those I mentioned, the sales for these so-called winners certainly don’t reflect their winning votes.
In regards to the lack of Canadian talent and sales, I agree with Ynot that Canada simply does not compare to the exposure America has and isn’t really fare to judge the two. But here in their home country, they certainly became national stars. Particularly Porter and Jake Hoggard. Many of these singers have the voice and talent to become as big internationally as Celine Dion or Shania Twain (who are two of the world’s top international singers and who happen to be Canadian), but may lack the drive to get them there.
And if CI is a rip-off of any show it would be the british version which started the whole chain.
Why do you silly little wankers digress to compare American talent and record sales to their Canadian counter-parts. The apparent issue was the tiff between two judges. Your assumption that the talent and developement of the performeers resides solely in the hands of these insepid old fools is ludicrous.
I would just like to mention that Zach Werner is quite possibly the most abnoxious, humourless, talent vaccuum that I’ve ever been exposed to on a nationally broadcasted program. Perhaps, his failure as a performer, failure as a producer, and success as a lawyer will testify to that. I mean he opened for Mother Love Bone, and calls that Pearl Jam…
I saw about half an episode of season 2. It sucked ballz. I look for songs they sung on the episode then compare to AI contestants. Every match up they lost.
Veronica. You said that Zack said that nobody watches Canadian idol. He didnt. THere are no quatation marks. THe writer of this post is dissing him. Correct me is if I am wrong.
This is such an unfair comparison!
First of all, all Canadians and only a handful of Americans living close to the border can watch Canadian Idol shows.
Whereas all Canadians and well, of course, all Americans can watch American Idol.
That disparity is due to the fact that we only have one-tenth of USA’s population, so Canada is treated like another “state”. That’s why all American’s music albums can be sold in Canada, but not the other way around.
All in all, I am proud of Kalan Porter from Canadian Idol Season 2 (Sept 2004) because just within Canada alone, his debut CD “219 Days” which was produced in 6 weeks, went 2x platinum. And even more significantly was his award single “Awake In a Dream” which became the highest selling single in the history of Canada — 8x platinum!!! That is quite a feat for a young Canadian (then 19) who hasn’t gone abroad yet. His “219 Days” tour of 65-date was sold out across the country! I am incredibly proud of his achievements up-to-date.
Now he is back with a new album called “Wake Up Living” which is an awesome artwork! He wrote 7 of the 11 tracks and did all the string arrangements for the whole album. Yes, he is an accomplished musician who is well versed in violin, viola, piano, guitar and bass. He is also a trained vocalist. Now, not many idol contestants have that credentials.
“219 Days” is mostly made up of rock songs, so most guys would like this one. There are ballads too which everyone would enjoy. He played viola and violin on this CD for some songs. He also included one self-penned song called “After All” which is impressive for such a newcomer.
“Wake Up Living” is darker and moodier with a few upbeat rock songs like “Hurray” and “Karma King”. The reason is because most of the songs were written during his most trying time when he found out that his mother had breast cancer. He ended up leaving his newfound music career in 2006 after his tour to be home with his mother as she battles the disease.
His first single “Down In Heaven” was written after he found out that his mother was cured. It expresses his exhilaration and relief which set him high above Heaven. It is a Top 10 hit.
His 2nd single is “Destination (Where I Belong)”. It’s a beautiful ballad. Reminds me of the sentiment of James Blunt’s “Beautiful”
Upcoming single expected is “Hurray” which has been released as a viral video on youtube and has proven to be a viewers’ favourite because of its ingenuity. Check it out of curiosity.
For the record, I love Canadian Idol and American Idol. Regretably, I think Simon Cowell makes more sense than Zack Werner. But in terms of humility and down-to-earthness, Zack is the winner.
Oh, I forgot to add that I do think they are both equally cocky.
It’s quite apparent that CI is not bringing in the die- hard regular viewers- oh yea, we might glance at it for as long as we can take it, before becoming so bored, frustrated and embarrassed.–Without the viewers the AD. companies will drop out from this pathetic show.
Doubt if it will be on much longer –unless big changes are made.
Who is that skinny, ugly blonde —what’s her talent.? What’s her name? Where is she from?
Veronica— YOUR RIGHT.!!
I think that Zach (ass) should take a look at his own bands talent before make horrible comments about others. He is rude, ignorant and non-intelligent.
Now Canada finally has a Canadian Idol who is going to go somewhere. Theo Tams is an incredible talent. Looking forward to watching that young man become a star.
I have to seriously agree that Canadian Idol is EXTREMELY BORING. And I am speaking from a 3rd party’s point of view. I am living in Singapore and have seen several versions of Idols. My personal opinion is that Australian Idol is the best of the lot. The singers are fantastic. I love the judges – Mark Holden, Marcia Hines, Ian Dickson and Kyle Sandilands. Even the hosts are TONS better than the other idol shows with their humor and all. Out of the many contestants, Guy Sebastian, Shannon Noll, Anthony Callea have all gone on to have good music careers and won awards, equal to that of Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood and Chris Daughtry who all won Grammys too! I googled many of the Canadian Idol winners and finalists and none of them aside from Kalan Porter, seem to have that great a career – most of them seemed to have disappeared into oblivion. And I measure the scale of an artiste’s success from how far their fame reaches overseas. All the aforementioned Aussie and American Idols have albums selling here in Singapore! And I can’t even find any of the Canadian Idol winners’ singles or albums selling here, apart from Kalan Porter – that’s really pathetic. As for American Idol, I do agree that the show seem to center on more glamor. But hey, we viewers love watching the BIG glitz and glamor on screen. Both the band on Aussie and American Idol are very impressive in size and sound. Canadian Idol just seem like a enclosed studio show, whereas Aussie and American Idols seem more like rock on concerts with massive, manic, enthusiastic crowds. And as for the finals, Sydney Opera House and Kodak Theatre seriously trumps the Canadian Idol final venue. I actually threw away my copy of the Canadian Idol episodes while I kept those of the Aussie and American Idol shows, cos I can and want to rewatch old episodes again in future and feel no need to do so for Canadian, since I was struggling to stay interested even during the first watch. I mean, the judges are soooo blah with their comments. They seem to be so easily satisfied with almost all the contestants each week, when some of them clearly performed WAY below the standard of some of the Aussie and Australian Idol finalists! They really should either amp up the glitz and glam and also scale of the show or it may just be cancelled eventually with dwindling viewership. Oh…hey, I think it IS CANCELLED – due to budget constraints apparently. Erm, and what of the Aussie and American Idols? Oh yeah, they’re still running on air. Nuff said.
american idol is way better than canadian idol..im canadian and canadian idol sucks so bad..the stages are horrible and pathetic compared to american idol and nobody can sing on canadian idol. they all are stupid indy people and apparently they allow contestants to wear muscle shirts and jeans when performing.. please youtube melissa oneil and rex goudie final performance of against all odds and everyone will agree with me!