American Idol's judges have blasted claims that they’re even crueller with their put-downs this year than ever before, saying auditionees should know what to expect from them by now.
"If you don't want to hear that, don't show up," Simon Cowell said at a recent press conference.
Last week, Rosie O’Donnell blasted how the show’s contestants are treated by "three millionaires, one probably intoxicated".
Fox’s entertainment president, Peter Liguori, also defended judges Cowell, Randy Jackson and Paula Abdul saying their acid tongues are what have kept people watching the show since season one.
Fox entertainment president, said the judges know what makes "Idol" and that this is just the continuation of a successful formula.
"Let's face it, the show has been on the air six years, the judges have been critical for six years," he said.
"In order to have a reputation and continue in a healthy manner in this business, you have to tell people `no' all day long," he said. "I'm telling people 'I'm not going to sign you, that song is not a hit' ... And there's no gracious or wonderful way to tell somebody, whose hopes and dreams are on the line: `no.'"
