I meant to say, but forgot to, that there are a couple situations on American Idol in which I was entirely in Simon's corner. Recently, two of the contenders in the third or so round of judging rehearsed for their auditions the next day by partying on the town, getting drunk, being late for the bus the next morning, and so forth. The lack of rehearsal was painfully apparent the next day. Simon called them "an insult to this competition." I'd have laid into them, too.

In my criticism of personal insult in my post, I meant to clarify the difference between showing up for an audition and earnestly trying one's best, even if one's best is terrible, and showing others the discourtesy of screwing around, blowing people off, and wasting everybody's time.

I'm far from one to be preaching against making derogatory comments about people in all contexts. But I'd like to think I am understanding enough to distinguish between an honest failing and old-fashioned disrespect; moreover, that I give the benefit of the doubt when there is any.