When American Idol, the reality TV show in which contestants compete to become the next great American pop star, debuted in 2002, one of the show's judges immediately began to stir up emotions and controversy. Described alternately as rude, pompous, or just brutally honest, Simon Cowell has reduced more than one teenage wannabe to tears with his caustic comments. Although many viewers disdain his unkind treatment of contestants, it is this very treatment that has perhaps contributed to the success of American Idol. Simon has, more than anything else, come to represent the show in people's minds. Fans can even purchase a talking Simon bobble head doll that dishes out some of his more frequent insults such as: "That was totally pathetic", "You are the most boring person I've ever met", or "Words can't describe just how dull you really are".