Are the ‘AGT’ Judges Too Soft Now? The Case for Bringing Back the Old Simon Cowell
TRAE PATTON, NBC Reading Time: 2 minutes
The fourteenth season of America’s Got Talent kicked off last night! Along with new acts and a new host, we also saw some new faces at the judging table. Gabrielle Union and Julianne Hough joined Howie Mandel and Simon Cowell.
But with Simon’s evolution into a softy throughout the years and the addition of two judges who are “bringing empathy and compassion” to the show, are we missing a bad guy? Here’s why we need the old Simon back.
As you can see, the judges are quick to hit their X’s when an act is really bad. Well, not all of them at first but now Julianne is in on it too. But when it comes to criticizing acts that are fine could use more work, the judges are much less quick to hop on. Simon used to be all about criticizing acts like this. Heck, this is the same guy who told Tori Kelly her voice is “almost annoying” on American Idol.
But since that time, he has become much more soft on acts. Yes, you hear him deny the worst acts. When it comes to just okay ones though, he doesn’t go into them like he used to. He has been caught breaking down in tears for inspirational acts too! The old Simon would never.
It’s that drama and criticism that makes for entertaining television though! Let’s not forget about the drama between Nicki Minaj and Mariah Carey on Idol when they constantly disagreed on contestants. We need someone to just tell it like it is! That is always a fan critique of The Voice as well.
So could Julianne be filling that “bad guy” role that Simon Cowell then Mel B left vacant? Well she doesn’t think so. And it’s too soon to tell! But from her responses last night, it seems like she’s catching on and could be moving that direction. Plus, she didn’t shy away from harsh criticisms when she was a judge on Dancing With The Stars!
If Simon Cowell can’t do it, fingers crossed Julianne becomes the bad guy. It’s the drama that AGT needs, especially since the show is so tearjerker/sob story heavy.
