American Idol boss Nigel Lythgoe has hit out at Rosie O'Donnell after she accused the show of being "racist and weightiest." O'Donnell was angry because previous contestant Frenchie Davis was axed from the talent contest for having appeared in porn pictures--and current contestant Antonella Barba wasn't, despite appearing to have committed the same offense. She claims Davis was picked on because she is black and overweight. But producer Lythgoe has called O'Donnell "utterly crazy"--pointing out judge Randy Jackson is both black and overweight. In a call to Idol host Ryan Seacrest's talk show earlier today he said, "Without wishing to add to the obvious self-promotion of Ms. O'Donnell, I feel as though I must refute her absurd and ridiculous claims that American Idol is racist and/or weightist. "Ms. O'Donnell has, once again, spoken without thought or knowledge. Viewers need only look at the show tonight to realize that American Idol constantly confirms to America that talent has nothing to do with weight or color. "Look at our past contestants--Ruben (Studdard) for instance, Randy Jackson himself... these are not small people! "Once you get into a situation where you can have a view and then put it on television... that comes with responsibility and that responsibility is you think before you open your mouth."
American Idol boss Nigel Lythgoe has hit out at Rosie O'Donnell after she accused the show of being "racist and weightiest." O'Donnell was angry because previous contestant Frenchie Davis was axed from the talent contest for having appeared in porn pictures--and current contestant Antonella Barba wasn't, despite appearing to have committed the same offense. She claims Davis was picked on because she is black and overweight. But producer Lythgoe has called O'Donnell "utterly crazy"--pointing out judge Randy Jackson is both black and overweight. In a call to Idol host Ryan Seacrest's talk show earlier today he said, "Without wishing to add to the obvious self-promotion of Ms. O'Donnell, I feel as though I must refute her absurd and ridiculous claims that American Idol is racist and/or weightist. "Ms. O'Donnell has, once again, spoken without thought or knowledge. Viewers need only look at the show tonight to realize that American Idol constantly confirms to America that talent has nothing to do with weight or color. "Look at our past contestants--Ruben (Studdard) for instance, Randy Jackson himself... these are not small people! "Once you get into a situation where you can have a view and then put it on television... that comes with responsibility and that responsibility is you think before you open your mouth."
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