Fox executive denies new "American Idol" is meaner

PASADENA, Calif, Jan 21 (Reuters) Days after the hugely successful return of ''American Idol'' to the airwaves, the Fox network's chief programmer shrugged off complaints from viewers the hit talent show had grown too mean-spirited.

Appearing at the network's semi-annual gathering of TV critics, Peter Liguori, entertainment president for the Fox Broadcast Co., denied the show was focusing too much on the worst contestants and that the celebrity judges had become gratuitously harsh.

Simon Cowell, the British record producer known for his bitingly sharp commentary, has been criticized this season for being especially cruel toward some of the less-talented and offbeat contestants appearing on the show's popular audition segments.

Singling out one performer for his appearance, Cowell said the contestant resembled ''one of those creatures that live in the jungle with those massive eyes ... what are they called? Bush babies?'' That episode even drew an outcry from TV talk-show host Rosie O'Donnell.

''I don't think America likes to watch people be ridiculed, made fun of, and called ugly monkeys,'' O'Donnell said on her show, ''The View.'' Liguori defended Cowell, saying, ''I've actually had people say to me it seems Simon is somewhat toned down this year.

''More people are coming to the show ... they know what to expect. They have to appreciate the spirit in which that commentary is given,'' he said.

Ligouri denied asking Cowell or the other judges to rein in their remarks. ''The judges know what makes the show tick,'' he said. ''This season has just been a continuation of what has been a very successful formula.'' RECORD AUDIENCE Indeed, Tuesday's two-hour premiere of the sixth season of ''American Idol'' drew a record 37.3 million viewers, the most ever for a debut episode of the show, and nearly 37 million more tuned in on Wednesday for another round of auditions.

Those kinds of numbers make ''Idol'' the most-watched show on US television, dominating the prime-time landscape for months at a time and giving Fox a powerful promotional platform for new and struggling series. Fox is a unit of News Corp.

To that end, Liguori unveiled plans to launch three new scripted shows this spring, including a drama about a family of wedding planners from acclaimed producer David E. Kelley.

Even ''American Idol'' rejects have basked in the show's afterglow. Several contestants thrown off this week, including Cowell's ''bush baby,'' turned up on the talk-show circuit this week.

Liguori also dismissed questions about the recent erratic behavior of Cowell's fellow ''Idol'' judge, singer Paula Abdul.

''America loves her. She's successful on the show,'' he said of Abdul, who made headlines last week when an online video emerged of her slurring and gesticulating her way through a promotional TV appearance.

Liguori repeated Abdul's previous explanation the TV interview in question was fraught with audio problems and followed dozens of back-to-back interviews. ''I would probably be a little slap-happy at that point as well,'' Liguori said.

REUTERS MQA BST0525