I don't make any excuses for that, either. The reason why we have such a wide demographic is the mums and dads go, 'I remember that song from back in the '70s. That was a great song.' A lot of great music was around in those times and we want to appeal to everybody.

It's good fun and it gives validity to the program. You need the bad singers to give the good singers attention.

It's all part of the charm of the show. Just when you think you've seen it all and no one crazy is going to walk through the door, in walks someone even more outrageous and the judges put them through.

It's all about engaging and entertaining the audience as well as having a good voice, good range and being a bit unique.

There's a lot of really good singers we were turning down because of the age limit, and we realized it was silly. You're certainly not over the hill by 28.

Austin is very good compared to the others. The talent is very good there, which is why we keep coming back.

We want a singer who's going to be around in 10 years' time, and the only way that you can guarantee that is to throw everything at them. We don't want a one-trick pony.

We always know when we go to big cities we're going to get some of the crazies. Down South we're going to get some real talent that still has rough edges.

People like to laugh. You could not write this.

I think underneath that black jumper, somewhere, there is a sense of conscience. It's his job. I mean, he does enjoy it. He would be a fool not to enjoy it. Nobody in their right mind is going to walk out on the most popular television show in the country for whatever reason, no matter how much money they've got. It's not just money. He loves it and he's good at it. What else is he gonna do? I can't see him selling records in a record shop.