Bravo's Andy Cohen Says School Kids 'Ruined Everything' at Oscars

By Nicki Gostin Posted Mar 2nd 2011 02:30PM

It seems that Andy Cohen, the Bravo exec and genial host of all the 'Housewives' reunion shows, did not like the Oscar ceremony. At all. But it wasn't James Franco's lethargic performance, Anne Hathaway's cheerleader perkiness or the sheer length of the show. No, the culprit was -- are you ready for this? -- the children's choir from Public School 22 in Staten Island, who performed a rousing rendition of 'Over the Rainbow' to close the broadcast. No lump in Cohen's throat, just bile.

"It was just bad," he professed on MSNBC's 'Morning Joe' on Tuesday. "It was just awful. It was horrible."

Not finished chiding the kids, he carried on about how much he abhorred the performance. "I literally -- if I wasn't going to go out to some parties I would have slit [my wrists] right then. It was the worst. I was looking for a knife to stick in my eyes, it was so terrible." Ouch.

Cohen compared them to Up With People, a singing group from the '70s. They were a saccharine choir made up of fresh-scrubbed teens with sensible haircuts (no long hair on the boys).

So what was it exactly about those munchkins clad in multi-hued tees that so offended the man who brings us 'Housewives,' 'Millionaire Matchmaker' and 'Tabatha's Salon Takeover'?

"Not the time," said Cohen firmly. "Everything has its time and place. The end of the Oscars is -- we don't want to see this. You just ruined everything."

Gregg Breinberg, P.S. 22's charismatic choral director, had a quick retort, telling the New York Daily News, "Anyone who would diss 10-year-old public school kids probably has some issues."

By Tuesday night, Cohen labeled himself the "Jackhole of the Week" during a segment on 'Watch What Happens Live.' He said that he was a product of public education and that the school kids didn't deserve his dissing.

Tags: Andy Cohen, Oscars, P.S. 22 Chorus

Comments

(61)

Wednesday 02 March

By emmecarollacasse

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Get over yourself, Mr. Cohen. Whether you enjoyed the performance choir is irrelevant; you don't trash children EVER.

By Susan

"Andy Cohen is a moron. Im sick of him"
A no talented moron. Sounds like jealousy that talented 5th graders were on an Oscar stage that he will never stand on. It was touching and seemed to be ok with the Oscar winners behind them singing along. Which, by the way, didn't include Andy Cohen. And really Andy, a time and a place for everything? You make your money being more tasteless then the next channel.

By Mixie

The singing was fine. Maybe the placement was wrong at the end. It was the fake turning of the heads back and forth that was distracting. The kids aren't to blame, I'm sure someone choreographed that feature.

By Donna

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I agree Mixie, but I thought they were special ed kids and that was why the movments were robotic

By lacie

None of you have been in a choir where you really get into what you are singing. How you "feel" for the song/music/time is what brings out great singing. While it might be a little distracting for people who don't understand the true meaning of getting what you are thinking .. I feel sad for you. It's amazing when you feel the music to that level. Like dancing to music you like ... only they were also singing the wonderful song about dreams. Which every person who won that night, and all the others that didn't had those dreams at one time (or still) and not to give up. Just my opinion.

Thank you very much.

By Cissy

The Oscar show, just like Mr. Cohen, was a train wreck from the beginning!! What a mess. The kids were the only decent part of the entire evening. I suggest Mr. Cohen go sing a song with his ridiculous "housewives"....blech

By lovetmd98

I agree, they were annoying, unnecessary and irrelevant.

By jnash

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Thank You Andy! They were even lip-synching. Did show how fat the kids of our nation are though. Thanks for the insight Oscars!

By robert casale

TO BAD HE HAD A PARTY TO GO TO. HE SAID HE WOULD OF KILLED HIMSELF IF HE DID NOT!!! LETS HOPE NEXT TIME THERE IS NO PARTY!!! HE RUINED T.V. BY BRINGING THE C R A P !!!! SHOWS TO T.V.!!!! ON HIS LIVE SHOW HE SHOULD BE STONED FOR HIS CRAP T.V. ANDY YOU SUCK!!!!! BUT EVERY TOY BOY IN L.A. KNOWS THAT!!!!!

By math704

Andy should know the child crap spectrum. One end is his garbage on Bravo... women acting like dogs, the other end if the sickning sweet childrens choir from the awards. NEITHER of which belonged at the Oscars.

It's a sad day when Andy Cohens opinion matters.

By Miles Paloympis

Andy Cohen apologized last night on his tv show. He even called himself a jackhole. It was his opinion. No one has to agree with him.

By Bait

While I would not say this singing act ruined the show, I must agree a children's choir has nothing to do with the Oscars. Did the producers just run out of ideas and then cast someone's niece or nephew's school choir for filler? Not to mention, if I hear Over the Rainbow one more time I am going to vomit.

By Dorothy

I'm from New York City and I stayed up all night watching the fabulous Oscar Award Show. I enjoyed the show very much. The kids from PS 22 - Staten Island, NY - did a fantastic performance of singing "Over the Rainbow". They travelled all the way across the country from New York to California. BRAVO to PS 22 singing group and may they continue to shine! BRAVO!!!!!

By mec1140

I thought it was lovely. How can you not have enjoyed those beautiful little faces full of joy?

Andy Cohen thinks it was not the time or the place....there's never a bad time to have your spirits lifted!

Absolutely lovely!!!

By florissantgirl01

The kids sang really well regardless of who was promoting them. At least they seemed to have personality, unlike James Franco's plastic faced performance all evening. He basically dumped the entire night's hosting on Anne Hathaway and I think she did the best she could given the situation.

By BLONDIE & GRUMPY

Wait until I stick Charlie Sheen on your sorry diatribe!!!

By mroneoftheguys

The kids did not ruin anything...Cohen's remark that the kids ruined everything is just self-serving so as to give him some air-time and what he must think is some needed attention. I thought having the kids do the number was a little strange as was their moving around during the number. The show, was at the very end and the kids were way, way, way to late to ruin anything...silly remark.............

By Yourm Amma

WHY ARE ALL THE KIDS SHIRTS IN REVERSE?????
AND WORSE, WHY HAVEN'T ANY OF YOU NOTICED THAT?

Is this some kind of special school where they teach people to use mirrors to read?

By draconis

The Oscars ruined the Oscars.

By scout

Why did we have to "import" kids from NY? Why not use LA kids?

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