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TVR Awards -- Reality TV's Most Judgmental Judges and Crankiest Contestants (VIDEO)
by Aimee Deeken, posted Dec 28th 2010 5:20PM
Reality TV -- with all its challenges, critiques, eliminations and votes -- is bound to create friction between judges and contestants. And after looking back at the year that was, it's clear that Simon Cowell wasn't the only snippy judge in the land of reality-TV competitions. We've found several other examples of testy critics, and their victims aren't always quietly stoic, either. Check out our video playlist of berating judges and cocky competitors. Which judge or contestant do you think was the most out-of-line?The Nominees:
Ryan Seacrest Tests Simon Cowell's Personal Space: Simon Cowell criticized an 'American Idol' contestant's performance as "corny" and "desperate," which wasn't exactly a shocker. But when Ryan Seacrest asked the curmudgeonly judge to be more specific, Cowell snapped testily, "Do you want me to talk to you or talk to Mike [Lynche]?" But Seacrest wasn't intimidated; he got right in Cowell's face for an answer. "This is getting very uncomfortable," said Cowell. "Back on the stage, Ryan. Ryan! Back on the stage!"
Michael Bolton Demands Apology from 'Dancing' Judge: On 'Dancing With the Stars,' judge Bruno Tonioli called Michael Bolton's jive with Chelsea Hightower the worst "in 11 seasons." Bolton was stunned by Tonioli's harsh tone and felt the Italian judge "let everybody down," including his 90-year-old mother, who was sitting in the audience. "You heard the tone. Even Len [Goodman] stopped him and said, 'That's inappropriate,'" he said. "I think he should apologize publicly and he should be reprimanded for it."
Johnny Weir Hates on Bethenny Frankel: After receiving weeks of criticism on 'Skating With the Stars,' Bethenny Frankel said she was just having fun and didn't care if she scored zeros. How dare the plucky 'Real Housewife' simply have a good time? After she and partner Ethan Burgess skate-danced to 'Superstition,' judge/Olympian skater Johnny Weir told her, "To me it's very clear. You don't care what we think, and I don't really care to watch you actually perform anymore." Meow.
A Cheftestant Refuses to Admit She's Wrong: According to Jen Carroll, Tom Colicchio is just plain wrong. He and the rest of the Judges Table on 'Top Chef: All Stars' criticized her dish of pork and eggs. "No way!" retorted the cheftestant. "It wasn't bland; the egg was seasoned perfectly. It was everything I wanted it to be. I will fight to the death on this. Zero doubt in my mind it was under-seasoned." Colicchio responded with a diplomatic, "We're gonna have to agree to disagree on that one."
Iman Upstages a Contestant's Bad 'Fashion' Attitude: On 'The Fashion Show,' contestants Francine and Calvin traded profane insults, but that was just a warm-up argument: judge Iman had the last word. Calvin insisted the team's "golden" dress would go well with the supermodel's skin tone. "It's not golden; it's yellow," she protested. "Tomato, tomato," said Calvin. Iman replied, "It's not a tomato or a tomato. It's a yellow ... It is a fashion emergency, and it needs an evacuation."
'Runway' Judges Annoyed by Whiner's Blame Game: Nothing was Ivy Higa's fault, in her own mind. The 'Project Runway' contestant blamed her teammate's "limitations of skill" for the poor design they created. But even guest judge/actress Kristen Bell chided Ivy for not working with Michael Drummond's strengths. Ivy still didn't take any responsibility, leaving Heidi Klum to conclude that she "threw him under the bus."| Ryan Seacrest invades Simon Cowell's space | |
|---|---|
| Bruno Tonioli vs. Michael Bolton | |
| Johnny Weir hates on Bethenny Frankel | |
| A cheftestant refuses to admit she's wrong | |
| Iman vs. Calvin | |
| Runway judges get annoyed by blame game |
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