I Don't Mean to Be Rude, But...: Backstage Gossip from American Idol & the Secrets that Can Make You a Star [Hardcover]

Simon Cowell (Author)

Book Description

Release date: December 2, 2003

Do YOU have what it takes to be a star? Simon Cowell reveals the answer and takes you behind the scenes of American Idol in this wickedly entertaining tell-all. Since the debut of American Idol, puckish Brit judge Simon Cowell has become America s most notorious critic not only on account of his incredible instinct for spotting the next breakout musical stars, but for his hilarious, shockingly candid repartee with everyone who crosses his path. Now, true to form, he holds nothing back, offering you a backstage pass to America s hottest show the highlights, the gossip, the contestants who blew their chances and takes you on a whirlwind tour of the music business while sharing his own insider opinions, on everything. From his days in the mailroom at EMI Records to the creation of American Idol, Simon has always had a knack for judging talent and for being center stage. Here, he tells the rollicking stories of his first insult (to his mother), his first music criticism (to first-grade teacher Mrs. Prigg), his first image makeover (on his unfortunate younger brother), and his first appearance on television (dressed as a dog). And of course, the side-splitting backstory of the birth of American Idol and all the dreadful auditions, bad hair days, judges squabbles, juicy rumors, surprise triumphs, and #1 singles that followed. With his trademark wit and brutal honesty, Simon delivers the real dish on: Who gave the best and worst performances on the show? What really goes on between the three judges (and what was it like to kiss Paula Abdul)? Who were the biggest divas when the cameras weren t rolling? And, if you re an aspiring Justin or J.Lo, you ll also learn the trade secrets that only Simon knows: how to develop an image and make the most of your talent, how to find an agent or manager, how to nail an audition, and should you be so lucky to make it to the top how to stretch your 15 minutes into a career. Packed with razor-sharp insights into music, the fame game, and pop-music powerhouses from the Beatles to Britney Spears, I Don t Mean to Be Rude, But...is your ticket inside American Idol, and a highly amusing, no-holds-barred look at what it takes to make it big.

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

Do YOU have what it takes to be a star? Simon Cowell reveals the answer and takes you behind the scenes of American Idol in this wickedly entertaining tell-all.

Since the debut of American Idol, puckish Brit judge Simon Cowell has become America?s most notorious critic?not only on account of his incredible instinct for spotting the next breakout musical stars, but for his hilarious, shockingly candid repartee with everyone who crosses his path. Now, true to form, he holds nothing back, offering you a backstage pass to America?s hottest show?the highlights, the gossip, the contestants who blew their chances?and takes you on a whirlwind tour of the music business while sharing his own insider opinions, on everything.

From his days in the mailroom at EMI Records to the creation of American Idol, Simon has always had a knack for judging talent?and for being center stage. Here, he tells the rollicking stories of his first insult (to his mother), his first music criticism (to first-grade teacher Mrs. Prigg), and his first image makeover (on his unfortunate younger brother). And of course, the side-splitting backstory of the birth of American Idol?and all the dreadful auditions, bad hair days, judges? squabbles, juicy rumors, surprise triumphs, and #1 singles that followed.

With his trademark wit and brutal honesty, Simon delivers the real dish on: Who gave the best and worst performances on the show? What really goes on between the three judges (and what was it like to kiss Paula Abdul)? Who were the biggest divas when the cameras weren?t rolling? And, if you?re an aspiring Justin or J.Lo, you?ll also learn the trade secrets that only Simon knows: how to develop an image and make the most of your talent, how to find an agent or manager, how to nail an audition, and?should you be so lucky to make it to the top?how to stretch your 15 minutes into a career.

Packed with razor-sharp insights into music, the fame game, and pop-music powerhouses from the Beatles to Britney Spears, I Don?t Mean to Be Rude, But?is your ticket inside American Idol, and a highly amusing, no-holds-barred look at what it takes to make it big.

About the Author

In his twenty-five years in the music industry, record impresario Simon Cowell has shaped modern pop music. A BMG record executive, he has thirty-four #1 singles, over one hundred Top Thirty records, and has sold more than ninety million albums.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: Broadway; 1 edition (December 2, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0767917413
• ISBN-13: 978-0767917414
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (66 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,488,213 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

51 of 54 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Read the book then make up your mind December 24, 2003

By Kimberley Wilson

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

I never watched American Idol so I came to this book with no preconcieved notions. Simon Cowell has written an extremely amusing book. It starts out logical with Simon's childhood. He was by his own admission a really ghastly little kid and grew up into the kind of teenager that makes teachers retire. His saving grace was his love of music. Luckily he ended up with a music career and became a producer. From that success he was able to create Pop Idol and it's American spin-off, American Idol.

Simon is very, very frank in his opinions and I think he is mostly right. Britney Spears has made a miscalculation with her image, Madonna really hasn't produced a monster hit in America in years and Michael Jackson's career has suffered a totally self inflicted wound.

The behind the scenes gossip is the meat of the book and the tidbits are fascinating. One contestant alienated the show's crew members because of a foul attitude, another contestant blew it due to weird behavior. Another, probably lost because of one off night in a performance.

The best part of the book is Simon's advice to aspiring singers. Talent isn't enough to get you over. As he points out, there are a lot of talented folks singing in hotel lounges, and at amusement parks. Getting to the big time takes smarts, guts and strategy. I wouldn't want to sing in front of Simon and I don't think I'd invite him to dinner but the man has a way with words and I enjoyed the book.

32 of 34 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars I hate to be rude, but did you READ this??!!? It's FUN! December 4, 2003

By Brett D. Cullum VINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover

Despite how you feel about Mr. Simon Cowell he is honest and funny. He may take potshots at your favorite IDOL, or even Madonna, Britney and Michael Jackson (they all deserve it)! But here is a man who knows music and the industry! And he is an egotistical hack that has written one of the most readable books of the year. It should be REQUIRED reading for music fans, aspiring singers, and IDOL junkies! Not only does he dish music and the show that made him famous, but he offers advice on how to nail an audition and how to make it in the business!

Get past the life story bit, and the book whirls into a comedic journey of AMERICAN IDOL stories and pop culture criticism. Simon is an intergral part of the show - he's the man you love to hate, but honestly folks he knows his subject! You watched from a distance, but he was 10 feet away the entire time.

Seems most people are ready to dismiss this book on the grounds of the author's television persona. But I find him witty and engaging as an author. You can't go wrong! Unless of course you plan on audtioning for the next IDOL and dress like a giant banana and sing a poor karoke imitation of another singer. Then you can go VERY wrong!

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars An insider's look into the entertainment industry December 7, 2003

By A Customer

Format:Hardcover

This book is part autobiography and part an inside look into the music industry, and in particular American Idol.
You can divide the book into four major parts: (a) Simon's early life - very entertaining, (b) Simon's early work in the Music industry -probably, the weakest (and driest) part of the book (c) The two American Idol season's - lots of gossip, and fun, even for someone like me who only partially watched the show, and (d) How to become and survive as a pop artist - a very honest, I think, view of the brutal entertainment industry, and probably the best part of the book, especially for people who dream and aspire to become the new Madona or Justin.

As you would expect, Simon is not shy about expressing his opinion, but he also never fails to aknowledge the people that helped him in his life. In other words he is not always negative, something I found very positive about him.

Overall the book is fun to read. The only weak point in the book is his continuous bragging about the million records he has sold. One senses that Simon still tries to prove to the music industry and to the rest of us how smart he is.

A key lesson from Simon is that pop stars don't appear out of thin air. Outside of talent and key determination, they also need a platform - a music band, a TV series, even American Idol. TV in particular seems to be Simon's favorite medium to launch a star.

In summary, Simon delivers both the gossip about the American Idol but also his valuable lessons to aspiring artists.