![]() While writing songs for the duo’s fifth album in the spring of 1969, Simon had borrowed an old Swan Silvertones album from the musician Al Kooper. This was the US public’s inauspicious introduction to what would become one of the defining songs of the 1970s and beyond: Bridge Over Troubled Water. Songs of America wouldn’t be seen again for over 40 years. One million viewers responded by turning the dial and watching the figure skating on NBC instead. ![]() The musical accompaniment was unfamiliar: a kind of white gospel song, stately and hymn-like, building to a shattering climax as the long black train sped through America’s broken heart. The heaviest sequence was a dark twist on the film’s travelogue theme, juxtaposing clips of the Kennedys and Martin Luther King on the campaign trail with footage of mourners watching Bobby Kennedy’s funeral train go by. ![]() But the average CBS viewer didn’t want to see the world crumbling. Songs of America was screened on the eve of the country’s first draft lottery since World War Two, amid the years of the My Lai massacre, the Manson murders, the Days of Rage demonstrations in Chicago and the anti-Vietnam War March Against Death in Washington DC. Even more sympathetic viewers found the movie’s earnest sermonising hard to swallow. Directed by actor Charles Grodin, Songs of America used the duo’s hits to soundtrack footage of riots, marches and the war in Vietnam, much to the horror of sponsors AT&T, who demanded their $600,000 investment back. According to executive producer Robert Drew, Simon talked about using the primetime opportunity as a Trojan horse for “a home movie about where he thought the nation was”. Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel certainly hoped so. Why Pet Shop Boys are the cleverest men in pop “We think you will find the next hour both entertaining and stimulating.” “These two young men have attracted a tremendous following among the youth of America with their lyrical interpretation of the world we live in,” said Ryan, who was a genuine fan. There’s a lot of creativity in the world right now, it’s like everyone is auditioning, and if I can do something to help then I get a buzz out of that.On the evening of 30 November 1969, the silver-haired actor Robert Ryan introduced CBS viewers in the US to a buzzkill of historic proportions: Simon and Garfunkel’s first ever TV special. ![]() I’d like to do more mentoring because I get frustrated with people bringing me the same thing. Read more: 'I'm not making it up!' Loose Women's Linda Robson reveals she once glued her breasts to her carĭiscussing potential ideas for future projects with The Sun, Simon said that he would like to do more mentoring and get rid of tired formats. He said that it was "more likely than not" that the UK version will return in 2024. I genuinely can’t think of anything worse." Earlier this year, rumours began to circulate that Simon, 63, has plans to reboot The X Factor, which last aired in December 2018. He added: "The idea of The X Factor not being on so I go on a game show. I don’t want to be just a TV personality." If X Factor doesn’t come back, I won’t be looking for other shows to appear on. So yes, those shows aside, it’s possible I won’t appear on screen again. I would only do it if there was a purpose to it. Famous for his roles on The X Factor and Britain's Got Talent - both of which he also created - the TV judge has now said that he may "never appear on screen again".ĭiscussing the potential return of The X Factor's UK and international versions, Simon said: "I’m not desperate to be on TV. Whether you love him or loathe him, Simon Cowell always seems to be on TV.
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