FOX Execs Warn Simon Cowell Over Middle Finger Salute

‘American Idol’ judge Simon Cowell gestured a middle finger during Tuesday night’s broadcast from Hollywood during a heated exchange with fellow judge Paula Abdul and host Ryan Seacrest after the performance by Fantasia Barrino. A FOX executive told the Drudge Report: “We were not sure he was doing what he was doing, quite frankly. It appeared he was simply resting his head on his middle finger, but I now think we made a mistake, the gesture should not have aired.”