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Dour Simon Shows Smiley Side in UK

Carping Idol judge is happy, sweet over on Britian's Got Talent

By Katherine Thompson, Newser Staff

Posted May 1, 2009 9:41 AM CDT

(Newser) – Viewers of American Idol might not recognize the jovial figure who regularly flashes his white-toothed grin from the judges' table on Britain's Got Talent. But that laughing man saying "awww" at adorable child contestants is indeed Simon Cowell. His transformation across the pond is nothing short of striking, writes Jon Caramanica in the Los Angeles Times.

So why does the "sour, dismissive, unhappy, brutal" Idol judge suddenly turn into Santa Claus when he goes back to England? It might be a symptom of Cowell's impatience to finish up his American contract: "I think nine seasons is a lot." Or is he trying to sink Idol to make room in the market for a show of his own? Only time will tell. "America may have talent, but apparently all we've earned is Simon's acid," writes Caramanica.

[Images (3)]

[Quotes (1)]

Television personality Simon Cowell poses on the press line at the Elton John Academy Award viewing and after party in West Hollywood, Calif. on Sunday, Feb. 22, 2009. (AP Photo/Dan Steinberg)

In this Aug. 26, 2008, file photo, "American Idol" judges, from left, Simon Cowell, Kara DioGuardi, Paula Abdul, and Randy Jackson arrive at a promotional event for the show in New York. (AP Photo/Jason DeCrow, file)

In this 2008 image released by FOX, "American Idol" judges, from left, Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul, and Simon Cowell are shown on the set in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/FOX, Michael Becker)

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"The example you've just shown is [that] with a focus, with a commitment, with confidence, but with hard work you can achieve something. This is one of the best things I've ever seen in my life, really. - Simon Cowell, praising a dance group

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Dour Simon Shows Smiley Side in UK