An annoyed look from "American Idol" judge Simon Cowell as a contestant expressed sadness over the Virginia Tech shootings was drastically misintrepreted, Cowell and the show said Wednesday.

Cowell rolled his eyes and raised his eyebrows as contestant Chris Richardson of Chesapeake, Virginia, followed his performance on Tuesday's show with a comment about the 32 people killed on the campus by a student.

"My hearts and prayers go out to Virginia Tech. I have a lot of friends over there. ... Be strong," Richardson said on stage.

The camera caught Cowell's expression and showed him tapping his hand once, in apparent impatience, on the table in front of him and fellow judges Randy Jackson and Paula Abdul. In contrast, Abdul could be seen nodding in approval.

The show went into damage control Wednesday, with Cowell -- known for his acerbic comments -- and a series producer denying that he had heard what Richardson said.

Instead, he was talking to Abdul about Richardson's contention that he deliberately sang "Mayberry" in a nasal tone, Cowell told "American Idol" host Ryan Seacrest on Seacrest's radio show Wednesday.

Hmph.  Try being a Republican candidate for office these days, Simon.