• AOL
  • MAIL
    • You might also like: 
    • Music | 
    • Movies | 
    • TV | 
    • Celebrity News
    •  and More
    Sign In / Register
Spinner
  • Main
  • Spinner RPM
  • Features
    • The Hit List
    • Spinner Interview
    • Tributes & Essays
    • Music Appreciation
  • Songs
    • Free MP3 of the Day
    • Play Full Albums Free
  • Videos
    • The Interface
    • Sessions
    • Video of the Day
    • All Videos
  • Radio
    • AOL Radio
    • AOL Radio Toolbar
    • Shoutcast
  • AOL Music Sites
    • The Boot
    • The BoomBox
    • Noisecreep
    • AOL Music Blog
  • SXSW
  • Send Feedback
  • Katherine McPhee

    Watch Katharine McPhee Sessions
  • Sugarland

    Watch Sugarland's Sexy Duet With Matt Nathanson
  • Beyonce

    Get Beyonce News
  • Katy Perry

    Read Latest on Katy Perry
  • Ringo Starr

    Read Ringo Starr Interview
  • Jill Janus of Huntress

    Huntress Reveal Debut Album Art
  • Kellie Pickler

    Read Kellie Pickler Interview
  • Chris Brown

    Chris Brown 'Wins' Unwelcome Award

Spinner Exclusives

  • The Interface - Live Performances
  • Listening Parties - New CDS for Free
  • Spinner Radio
  • Listening Parties - New CDS for Free

Features

  • Best Songs 2011
  • Top Albums of 2011
  • Sad Songs
  • Music Geeks in Film
  • Best Opening Lyrics

All Categories

  • Monthly Mixtape(1)
  • A Day in the Life(5)
  • All About Jazz(96)
  • Awards(233)
  • Free MP3 Download of the Day(1674)
  • Around the World(205)
  • Between the Notes(36)
  • Book Club(94)
  • Celebrity Doppelganger(18)
  • Clash of the Cover Songs(49)
  • Coming Out Stories(23)
  • Concerts and Tours(6846)
  • Count Five(83)
  • Exclusive(5981)
  • Guest Blogger(133)
  • Holy Hell(1016)
  • I Fought the Law(111)
  • I Freakin' Love This Song(252)
  • In House(12)
  • Listen Up!(18)
  • Movies(424)
  • Music Appreciation(123)
  • New Music(862)
  • New Releases(615)
  • News(12277)
  • PhotoSynthesis(88)
  • Picture Book(31)
  • Politics as Usual(61)
  • Pop Culture(93)
  • Potent Quotables(776)
  • Q + A(494)
  • Quizzes & Trivia(6)
  • R.I.P.(454)
  • Road Report(61)
  • Rock Almanac(366)
  • Rock Hall(44)
  • RPM(263)
  • Spinner Says(16)
  • Spinner Interview(212)
  • Television(245)
  • The Chum Bucket(777)
  • The Hit List(1388)
  • Twisted Tales(194)
  • Video(1785)
  • Video of the Day(1226)
  • What's That Song?(134)

Sting and Simon Cowell Trade Insults Over 'X Factor'

  • Posted on Nov 16th 2009 11:30AM by John D. Luerssen
  • Comments
Email This
StingSting and 'American Idol' antagonist Simon Cowell are in the throes of a public dispute. The war of words began last week when the former Police frontman criticized Cowell's talent show 'The X Factor.'

"'The X Factor' is a preposterous show and you have judges who have no recognizable talent apart from self-promotion, advising them [contestants] what to wear and how to look," snipped Sting, who dismissed it as "televised karaoke." "It is appalling. I am sorry but none of those kids are going to go anywhere, and I say that sadly."

Cowell hit back at Sting on Saturday night's episode of 'The X Factor' and challenging him to prove himself on the show. "I'm probably going to get into trouble for this," Cowell said. "If I may just mention something Sting said in the papers about these contestants and past contestants being a bunch of karaoke no-hopers ... I'm going to take exception to that."

"I think this show and other shows have given people like Leona [Lewis] and Susan Boyle a chance," he continued. "And I'm going to extend an invitation to Sting to come on the show and impart his knowledge."
  • Filed under: News, Holy Hell
  • Email This

All the AOL Music info you want to know

Katharine McPhee: 'Smash' Misadventures…

AOL Music Blog

Stephen Lovekin, Getty Images "'Smash' has a set in Brooklyn, and on my…

Andrew W.K. Writes a Snowboarding…

Noisecreep

Andrew Strasser The World Snowboarding Championship kicks off today, Feb. 10,…

Jason Aldean and George Jones Bond Over…

The Boot

WireImage for NARAS Jason Aldean got to spend some with his mother's favorite…

See all AOL Music »

Add a Comment

Sign in »
*0 / 3000 Character Maximum
7

9 Comments

Filter by:
gumpo

1) Sting,bit of a cheap jibe !!, Obviously the karaoke is in much demand given Simon Cowells bank balance. And for all those who say Cowells talentless, Simon Cowells very clever, he has millions of people talking, slating, voting , and more importantly,spending each week making him a very wealthy man !

November 27 2009 at 3:50 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to gumpo's comment
Allen M

There's always blind people. But then we need Simon's around so as things don't get so boring. It's just we pay him too much

January 13 2010 at 11:26 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
Jacquie

Firstly, why does Sting care, he should save his energy and comments for something that can make a difference. Is X Factor worthwhile (I've never seen it) but ask Susan Boyle, Leona Lewis and a few others. I think it's supposed to be entertainment, not education and not altruistic. As for Simon, he always has something to say - like him or hate him, he doesn't care, and getting responses from people like me and you keeps him in the spotlight - something he really likes.

November 17 2009 at 10:20 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
Popcorn

After working in the major touring concert business for over twenty years, I can say Simon is a parasite, not representative of the entertainment business, and that Sting, for whom I have worked with the Police, is a class act. Of course Simon Bar Sinsiter wants Sting on his trash program, it would raise ratings. Sting does not have to prove anything to Simon, his comments are very accurate.

November 17 2009 at 8:21 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
jbjg24m

opinions are like aholes, everybody has one !

November 17 2009 at 8:03 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to jbjg24m's comment
Popcorn

You must be either a 16 year old or a person desperate for a post.

November 17 2009 at 8:27 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
Stacy

Don't take this seriously. This is another promotion of American Idol. Get people talking about the "war of words", ask Sting to be "apart of the show", he'll "accept the invitation", and then they will have good ratings for that particular night sting appears on the show. It's all script.

November 17 2009 at 7:56 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
Frances

I agree Ted Mason. And I can't imagine why anyone would think naming themselves "Krotch" is cool. Guess they really are part of this "trash culture".

November 17 2009 at 7:43 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
Ted Mason

Sting might be a bore musically but Simon Cowell is tragically obscene. To think Mr. Cowell could ever be "brutally hones" shows the delusion of a new consumer world that has arisen to his taste in trash culture. It will be a clear day when Simon Cowell's egotistical, foul commentary brand of entertainment self-destructs.

November 17 2009 at 7:16 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Follow Us

  • Newsletter
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • RSS

Sign Up for Spinner's Newsletter! Get free MP3s, play a selection of each week's new albums free, read features, win sweet music swag and more!




  • Contact Us
  • Send News Tips
  • Advertise with Us

SIGN UP FOR SPINNER'S NEWSLETTER

  • Get free MP3s, play a selection of each week's new albums free, read features, win sweet music swag and more!

  • Sign Up!

AOL Radio

Listen to Slacker AOL Radio Now
play arrow
Top Indie - Today's best indie rock and pop
play arrow
Indie Rock Mix - A mix of new and old indie rock
play arrow
New Indie First - The latest in indie music
Online Radio Guide

Listen to Full CDs

  • Paul McCartney, 'Kisses on the Bottom'
  • Sharon Van Etten, 'Tramp'
  • AIR, 'Le Voyage Dans La Lune'
  • Bahamas, 'Barchords'
  • Band of Skulls, 'Sweet Sour'
  • Play More Albums Free

Most Popular

  • Can You Guess This Famous Face?
    Like

    21

  • Katy Perry Divorce: With No Prenup How Much Will Russell Walk Away With?
    Like

    17

  • It's Pink!
    Like

    12

  • M.I.A., Fiance Benjamin Bronfman Split, Singer Rarely Sees Son -- Report
    Like

    55

  • Alori Joh Dead: Singer and Kendrick Lamar Affiliate Dies at 25
    Like

    107

  • PHOTO: Miley Cyrus Wears Racy Garter Tights
    Like

    92

  • Can You Guess This Famous Face?
    Like

    7

  • PHOTOS: Anti-Gay Protesters Getting Pwned
    Like

    2K

  • It's Madonna!
    Like

    2

  • The Best And Worst Burgers
    Like

    212

  • Randy Travis Apologizes for Public Intoxication
    Like

    248

  • Powell 911 Call Released: Cops Declare Investigation Of Missing Mom A Murder Case
    Like

    324

  • Thudda Boy Dead: Rapper Brondon McDaniel Dies From Gunshot Wound
    Like

    40

  • Woolly Mammoth Allegedly Caught On Video In Siberia
    Like

    746

  • Chi Cheng Improving: Deftones Bassist Raises Leg After Three Years in Coma
    Like

    218

  • PHOTOS: Massive Whale Shark Reeled Into Harbor
    Like

    2K

  • Mike 'The Situation' Sorrentino To Housemates: Stop Hinting I'm Gay
    Like

    125

  • WATCH: This Is Your Body On Ramen
    Like

    16K

  • WATCH: Rose McGowan, Christie Brinkley & Minka Kelly Stumble On Runway
    Like

    16

  • Steve Jobs FBI File Reveals Bomb Threat, 'Tendency To Distort Reality' And More
    Like

    1K

  • WATCH: JFK Intern Discusses Sordid Details Of Affair
    Like

    811

  • 10 States Receive Waivers From No Child Left Behind Law
    Like

    4K

  • Third Photo Rejected By Yearbook, Editors Choose For Her
    Like

    90

  • WATCH: 7-Year-Old Girl Kicks And Screams Out Kidnapping At Walmart
    Like

    4K

  • U.S. Marines Posing With Symbol Resembling Nazi Logo 'Not Acceptable'
    Like

    2K

  • Santorum Sweeps Colorado, Missouri, Minnesota, Embarrassing Romney
    Like

    998

  • Valentine's Day: Celebs Show Us How To Wear Lingerie (PHOTOS)
    Like

    12

  • The Oldest Found Work Of Art Ever!
    Like

    967

  • Women Of A Certain Age With Hair Of A Certain Length
    Like

    61

  • THE HUNGER BLOGS: A Secret World of Teenage 'Thinspiration'
    Like

    1K

  • Post 50 Celebrity Dream Homes on the Market (PHOTOS)
    Like

    21

  • Is This The Legendary Worm Monster Of Iceland?
    Like

    698

  • Werewolf Sisters Are Coated In Hair (PICTURES)
    Like

    1K

Also on AOL

Quick Links

  • Slipknot Masks
  • Saddest Songs
  • Funny Music Videos
  • SXSW 2011

Also on AOL Music

  • Concert Tickets
  • Grammys 2012
  • Music Videos
  • New Music Releases

Blogs on AOL

  • Country Music
  • Hip Hop Music
  • Metal Music
  • Pop Music News

More on AOL

  • Best Lyrics
  • Best Metal Songs
  • Break Up Songs
  • Online Radio

More on AOL

  • Christmas Music
  • Classic Rock Songs
  • Best Songs of 2010
  • SHOUTcast

Help Links

  • Terms of Service
  • Privacy Policy
  • Trademarks
  • About Our Ads
  • Follow Spinner on Twitter
  • The Interface
  • Free MP3
  • Full CDs
  • RSS

Spinner.com © 2011 AOL Inc. All Rights Reserved.