Steven Tyler just couldn’t help himself. Following Casey Abrams’ Wednesday night performance of Maroon 5’s “Harder to Breathe,” the American Idol judge commented that Abrams brings out jealousy and anger in others because, “You’re so f—ing great.”
The audience, which included its share of tweens and kids, was aghast, but Idol executive producer Nigel Lythgoe and Fox head of alternative programming Mike Darnell simply laughed it off. Executive producers Simon Fuller and Cecile Frot-Coutaz were also present for the live show as was Fox Broadcasting chairman Peter Rice.
Moments earlier, Casey also planted a kiss on Jennifer Lopez’s cheek, to which Tyler applauded him for achieving “what I’ve been trying to do for four months.”
During the commercial break, a war-room-like huddle formed at the judges’ table, with Lythgoe clutching his head as he jokingly dropped to his knees.
Said Abrams following the brouhaha: “I kissed Jennifer Lopez and made Steven Tyler swear.” Not a bad night.
Also during the show, Tyler held a copy of The Hollywood Reporter’s Reality Power List issue, featuring Idol host Ryan Seacrest, who holds the No. 1 spot, on the cover. Tyler stuck his tongue through a slit in the magazine cover and quipped that it was going be the cover of his next album.
