What did people think about the little 9-yr-old cheerleading girl that had on enough makeup to make Tammy Faye Bakker look pale?
Piers told the little girl that he thought she was doing it because her mom wanted a million bucks. I didn't care much for Piers during the entire show but I honestly think he was right on the money on this one.
During the girl's act the backstage camera flashed on to show mom doing the routine as well. After Piers's attack the little girl stated that she wasn't doing it for her mom but her mom helped her. Mom certainly didn't need to put a bulldozer load of makeup on her 9-year-old.

This has been addressed, and when you read the posts you will see I totally agree with you. The child was way made-over and not prepared for national television. Cute kid....but Piers was dead on. He came back and spoke very gently and clearly to her and I thought that was enough said. You could tell the whole thing had been pre- planned during rehearsals. Bad acting jobs by all back in the hallways and such. Sharon storming off seemed fake. Love her.....but I wasn't buying the whole thing. Even the kid knew exactly what to say.

Ah...at last...you hit the nail on the head...it's called getting ratings and getting buzz. Look at the number of posts on this forum about the whole. Look at the "outrage".

Hardly anyone is actually focusing on any of the good acts. It's all on one subject. Even during the promos prior to the airing and even during the show, there were cut aways...cut aways to Sharon's "putting her foot down". Cut always to just how "cruel" Piers is.

It accomplished exactly what it was meant to accomplish. People are talking. People are raising a furor.

But...if this was in fact the harrowing tale of child abuse that many on this board believe...why are none of pundits, the talking heads on the various news channels, who always are full of self-righteous indignation...not saying anything?

It's called getting ratings. It's called catching the buzz. It's called Hollywood.

Just my 2 cents.

MarkI