Simon gives lukewarm apology to contestant

NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
PASADENA, Calif. -- Simon Cowell delivered a halfhearted apology Saturday for calling a contestant on "American Idol" a "bush baby."
"If he's offended," said Cowell referring to Seattle contestant Kenneth Briggs, seen on Wednesday's show, "then I apologize."
Cowell appeared here at Fox's semiannual presentation to the press with fellow judges Randy Jackson and Paula Abdul.
"American Idol" and Cowell in particular have endured a flurry of criticism since the show returned last week for what many feel is an increasingly nasty tone.
"He says things that are shocking and funny and you feel bad laughing," Abdul said. "But he's never changed."
"It's what happens," Jackson said. "It's who he is."
And although Cowell was mildly contrite, he said that not televising the bad auditions would amount to censorship.