Hated Simon. Didn't miss him, in fact I was glad when he left. The mean judges are just being that way because they are told it would make good television. I doubt that any of them would be that mean if they had heard those singers in real life.
When Lionel said to Catie that when he forgets the words he points the microphone toward the audience and asks them to sing along. Now how clever is that! That is really useful advice for a newcomer. I'd much rather hear that sort of comment than an insulting bitch fest. It's hard enough being up there much less fearing that you'll be raked over the coals, and Clay of all people should know that. I thought it was especially mean that he posted Catie's flawed performance in his twitter feed. Being a parent usually makes you more kind and empathic. But he's being really unkind lately and it seems to be about anything to do with AI. I think he should stop watching.
I thought Clay was really showing sour grapes. Does he want the show to get better or just stay the stale old show that we all had grown tired of. If you want to see people be mean to each other tune into reruns of Jerry Springer. I personally don't think that's what this show should be.
From the sounds of it, if Clay were a judge he would be the Simon. I agree with Cindy that I was surprised by his reaction too, but then I've been surprised by several things he has said lately--like that article he wrote about Ada Vox. I think he is spending too much time on twitter. His snark has been resurrected. It's not flattering.