'American Idol': A Crying Shame?

"He did come willingly, because he wants to be famous, because we live in a society where good role models are being replaced by celebrities," she said.

The Public Loves Cruelty

But Matt Rousch, a critic at TV Guide, said mean or not, the American audience wanted it.

"I think memory plays a funny trick with 'American Idol,' because you end the season with a sense of triumph and it's hard to remember what it's like at the beginning of the process," Rousch said. "Every season begins on a very cruel note."

But was this one too cruel?

"They were killing those kids with their auditions," one man told ABC News.

"I think it's over the top mean because they play these people for fools," another woman said.

Still others say contestants are foolish if they walk into "American Idol" thinking it's going to be any different for them.

"Have they never watched this show before? Simon is always mean," Rousch said. "Randy is always laughing in their faces. And Paula is always nuts."