Activists lash out at 'American Idol' judge Simon Cowell's cruelty

"American Idol" judge Simon Cowell's sharp tongue has gotten him in trouble with gay rights activists and now fat activists are joining the fray.

When "Idol" hopeful Anthony Andolino, 28, was dismissed by the judges after his audition that aired Tuesday night on Fox TV, Cowell remarked: "Just as well, we couldn't afford the food bill."

Sandy Schaffer of the National Association To Advance Fat Acceptance told "Access Hollywood" she found Cowell's remark "childish" and "stupid."

"The show seems to be saying you can't be gay, you can't be fat, you can't be anything different," Schaffer said. "It absolutely desensitizes the audience. It starts to make you feel this is OK."

Fellow judge Paula Abdul did not defend her colleague to "Access Hollywood."

"He's an ass. He's a pill," she said. "He says the dumbest things sometimes."