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Be careful -- Kentucky phrase??

Posted by ESC on January 30, 2009 at 16:59

Idol Judges Misconstrued Louisville Contestant's Remark
POSTED: 10:05 am EST January 30, 2009
UPDATED: 10:08 am EST January 30, 2009

LOS ANGELES -- Be careful not to read too much into what someone from Louisville says while heading out the door - like the "American Idol" judges did.
The producers of "Idol" apologized Thursday on behalf of its judges, who apparently misinterpreted what a contestant in Louisville, Ky., said after a failed audition. On his way out, Mark Mudd said: "Take care and be careful."

Paula Abdul and Simon Cowell took that as a threat. Abdul scolded Mudd, telling him, "You don't say that to people, 'Be careful.' That's just not a normal thing to say."

It turns out that "Be careful" is a regional parting expression.

The show's producers said they had not heard that from any other contestants, so it took everyone by surprise.
A statement from "Idol" producers said: "We now know better and look forward to visiting Louisville again someday."
WLKY -- http://www.wlky.com/news/18603272/detail.html