Some suggest (including a few astute blog peeps) the story was planted to prop up Ryan Seascrest on the heels of his weird behavior on Tuesday night’s Idol…

Seacrest redirected the Internet conversation nicely and it served him well. But I don’t think the conversation was true as reported; it just wasn’t believable. I’m guessing it was no big deal at all.

But, the point is, they DIDN’T go home. Nor did Crystal. A “champion” who never has a moment of self-doubt or never questions if the sacrifice he/she is making is worth it is either a delusional narcissist or some sort of android.

I don’t understand the point you are making. Are you saying that everyone Always has self doubt when they go through difficult times? That is simply not true. Having great character is what leads one to not have those thoughts of self doubt. To achieve the ultimate prize in anything…even something as seemingly material as the “Idol” crown is reserved for the truly gifted in every facet. That is why not everyone who wants something, gets it, only the truly superior can win the highest honors, least of all take the top honor on a show where “hundreds of thousands” of kids auditioned!!

Maybe you have doubts about something before you began the journey…but once you make the decision to take on a task…I don’t want to hear any whining, especially when there are literally thousands of kids who would willingly take your place at the drop of a hat….say Lilly Scott or Katelyn Epperly!

And, while I thought it was wild to think it was purposely leaked for Ryan, I can see now how it might have happened that way.

But this is what the problem is for me. A TRUE champion never thinks of quitting.

Says who, Marty? A refrigerator magnet? A cross-stitched pillow? The head coach in some corny high school sports movie? Crystal is a human being, not a race horse. None of us has any way of knowing if David Cook, Kris Allen, Jordin Sparks, etc. etc. ever had their moment during the competition when they thought, “This is too much. I just want to go home.” But, the point is, they DIDN’T go home. Nor did Crystal. A “champion” who never has a moment of self-doubt or never questions if the sacrifice he/she is making is worth it is either a delusional narcissist or some sort of android.

She doesn’t sing in a style I prefer, but she sings very well, consistently gives good performances, chooses songs that suit her style, with no more dropped lyrics than the regular quota. This manufactured ‘gate’ is belied by the simple fact that she’s right there – singing, every week. But TPTB got their press out of it, bless their grimy little hearts.

Maybe Ryan will yell ‘it sucks” in another audience member’s face this week, then people will talk about that, because this does. Suck, I mean.

IMO. Of course.

As far as the “almost quitting” story, I don’t hold that against Crystal at all. Let anybody who has never thought about quitting something (job, school, sports, etc.) when times get tough cast the first stone. I know I have

But this is what the problem is for me. A TRUE champion never thinks of quitting. If you truly want something, especially as Crystal says she is doing this for her son, nothing should stop you from achieving your goal, especially when you are deemed by many as “the front runner”!! I want to vote for a person who Wants the Idol crown in everyway not someone who will just take it because it has been offered.

The winner is the show and this season’s representative, you have to be a true leader. I think what is happening is that some are equating moments of stress with “thoughts of quitting” they are not the same. We all get stressed out, by jobs, competitions, etc. but to contemplate quitting because of the stress is an entirely different thing and it makes me question one’s character and whether I should devote my energy to that person as a fan or a voter!

This was released to prop up the ratings against DWTS.

David Cook had cover-gate, but TPTB allowed him to address it directly on stage.

Yep, I think the real telling sign will be whether Crystal is allowed to do damage control on the show. If she does, they’re still in her corner. If not, I’d say they have somebody else in mind as the winner. After all, Archie was certainly never given a chance to address the stage dad rumors on the show, and I will always believe those stories were intentionally leaked to the media to slow his momentum.

As far as the “almost quitting” story, I don’t hold that against Crystal at all. Let anybody who has never thought about quitting something (job, school, sports, etc.) when times get tough cast the first stone. I know I have.

ETA: I agree with the theory that this story was planted to prop up Ryan. The show has an interest in maintaining his image long after this group of contestants is gone. Crystal, as talented as she may be, is just another blip on the AI radar.

I like the little guy, Aaron, not that I think he will win, but he’s just a really nice kid and a good singer with lots of years to grow. I think both he and Casey have definite country vibes which could work well for them no matter where they place in the finish. Country seems to be the closest thing to a sure thing these days, why? Maybe because country fans are more willing to actually pay for their music? IDK

Re: Ryan, I think he’s a bit bored with the job and is acting silly to escape the doldrums. He’s getting a little too loose lipped IMHO and should be reined in a bit by management. Unless of course they think ditzy people (aka Paula) are good for ratings?

‘American Idol’: Ryan completely loses his ever-lovin’ mind on the scene of Top 9.2 performance night

And, I like to think of AI as a talent show, instead of seeing it as a reality show…because, yes, in a talent show personality does matter, but all the behind-the-cameras drama? I prefer to pass. Do you imagine how many things we don’t get to hear about?

Do I think Crystal will win? I don’t, but only because the best contestant hasn’t always won. It’s all about enjoying her awesome performances and hoping she makes it to the finale.

And then she does the cheesy group singing with more gusto and enthusiasm than anyone else on stage. So clearly she has her good times and her bad times.

Again, I’ve been in and out this season so I guess I should stop even commenting. I have certainly never seen her perform group numbers with enthusiasm. The times I’ve seen her on the show she looks miserable for the most part – except when she’s performing. But then again, I usually DVR the show and fast forward through a lot of it. Maybe that’s how I missed whatever the heck it was that Ryan was supposed to have done. I certainly don’t think she’s weak or ungrateful at all. And I’m also a mom so I get that too. She just doesn’t seem happy to me but I don’t know her so, hey – what do I know, right?

The general consensus among people I know that are watching the show (and that is not very many) is that Crystal is good but they don’t think she’ll win. That’s kind of where I am on it too.

Maybe because Crystal was more serious about it than just a moment of doubt. I remember the night Lilly got voted off she looked mad enough to chew nails. Maybe she didn’t think she could keep playing the game. Sometimes her facial expressions look like she’d rather be anywhere other than at AI, jmo.

And then she does the cheesy group singing with more gusto and enthusiasm than anyone else on stage. So clearly she has her good times and her bad times.

And when I said “moment of doubt” I meant that I am certain more than one AIer has pretty much talked about walking away and come close to doing it. Just because we didn’t hear about it (especially in the pre-TMZ age) doesn’t mean it didn’t happen. I’ll bet not one solitary former AIer condemns her as weak or ungrateful for what happened. Casual fans, especially those who are also mothers, will understand. Overinvested AI fans who have no clue will be much harder on her than those who have been there.