Simon Philip Cowell (born October 7, 1959 in Brighton, England) is a British A&R (artist and repertoire) executive for BMG Records, but is probably best known as a judge on the television programs Pop Idol and American Idol. Cowell is notorious for his uncompromisingly harsh and occasionally controversial criticism of Pop Idol and American Idol contestants.

• At five seasons, I think, potentially, you are the best male vocalist we've ever had.

• Did you really believe you could become the American Idol? Well, then, you're deaf.

• I don't mean to be rude, but you look like The Incredible Hulk's wife.

• I don't think you're the best singer, but you're interesting. I kind of prefer you to last year's winner, actually.

• I never want to hear that song again. I cannot stand it. I'm allergic to it.

• I think that by ignoring the show you're ignoring the audience who put you there.

• I think it was a complete and utter mess. It didn't work — it was all over the place. You were forgetting your words. I mean, it was "We Will Rock You Gently". I really, really, really hated that.

• I think he knows how to articulate something that people are entertained by and still be true to the message he's trying to send, ... very aware of himself.

• I think you're going to be a very successful model. And it's best to be great at something rather than not so good at something.

• I think you just booked your plane ticket home.

• I thought the song was boring. It is "American Idol" and you've got to be as broad as possible.

• If your lifeguard duties were as good as your singing, a lot of people would be drowning.

• In my opinion, this was your best performance so far.

• It's a lesson learned. You have to stand out from the crowd. You didn't stand out from the crowd, simple as that.

• It's everything I love about reality shows, which is the good, the weird and the completely and utterly disillusioned.

• My advice would be if you want to pursue a career in the music business, don't.

• Shave off your beard and wear a dress. You would be a great female impersonator.

• That was terrible, I mean, just awful. You have to have a talent to progress it. I don't believe Cassandra has a singing talent. She's completely wasting her money. Sorry.

• This is a singing competition, not a dancing competition!

• This was the only performance which stands up in the real world — tonight you were the standard.

• Why are you having a normal conversation with him? This is a dairy farmer dressed as a woman.

• You and Latin music go together like chocolate ice cream and an onion.

• You are a saucy little thing aren't you?

• You are the worst singer in America.

• You are the worst singer in New York.

• You are the worst singer in the world.

• You are the worst singer I've ever heard in my life.

• You are what we call a naughty little minx.

• You're useless, I'm bored - yes or no?

• You can't sing; you can't dance; so what do you want me to say? (Towards William Hung)

• You've got quite a good voice, the problem I have is this looks to me like 10 years ago.

• You have just invented a new form of torture.

• You singing is like ordering a ferocious guard dog for your home and getting delivered a poodle in a leather jacket instead.

• You sung like you were on a dentist's chair.