Simon and Ryan's American Idol spat is scripted

There has been some obvious suspicion that it is so, but now a source within American Idol confirms the sometimes nasty sparring between Simon Cowell and Ryan Seacrest on the show is scripted for the ratings.

When Melinda Doolittle complained that her high heels tortured her more than the typical stage fright, Seacrest took the first jab at Simon, asking, "Any advice on the high heels?"
Ever so delightful Simon shot back, "you should know, Ryan."
For some odd reason Seacrest looked surprised and told Simon to "Stay out of my closet."
"Come out," said Simon.
The orchestration is perfect, almost too good to be true. The way the camera lingers on Simon before Ryan baits him has been suggestive. However, the Simon wink on Tuesday (20 Mar 2007) night's episode was the clincher. That had to be orchestrated.
"Most of these rifts have been outlined," an insider tells Star. "Simon and Ryan are real good friends off-camera. . . . When the show is on the road for auditions, the two go for drinks and dinner."
"The executive producer of the show, Nigel Lythgoe, watches the rehearsals and writes notes on who Simon should make snarky comments about," the source tells Star. "That's what's on the sheets of paper on the judging desk. Simon is not the evil guy you think he is. . . . The truth is Ryan is just as focused on the show's popularity as Simon. There's no real drama. It's all for the cameras!"