Idol Headlines for 4/24/08

By On 04/24/2008 · 85 Comments · In Uncategorized

Carly Smithson makes surprise à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‹Idolà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ exit

As à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“American Idolà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  pointed out in a video clip during Wednesdayà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s results show, plenty of former contestants have found a post-show life starring on Broadway. Judging from the way the audience voted this week, Carly Smithson shouldnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t plan on joining them.

Not that hitting the stage was one of her career goals anyway. Her ambition is to become a successful pop star, and pop stars tend not to put Andrew Lloyd Webber songs on their albums.

MSNBC

‘American Idol’: Getting Our Irish Up

I’m not gonna lie. I shed a couple tears at the end of tonight’s episode of American Idol. Over the past 10 weeks, I’ve slowly but surely fallen for Carly Smithson, looked forward to Tuesday nights so I could hear her wrap her big, bombastic rasp of a voice around whatever musical theme the show’s producers threw at her.

Not that I ever had any illusions she might win this thing à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬’  or even crack the top three. Carly’s tattoos, her unwavering delight in showing off said body art, her husband’s tattooed face, her desperate desire to please Simon Cowell, her angsty facial expressions, the pre-season brouhaha about her failed 2001 major-label CD, her sometimes off-putting stage banter, her occasional vocal inconsistency (see ”Idol Gives Back” week), and even the fact that she’s from Ireland, well, they were all warning lights that combined to spell a simple, disconcerting message: ”For a limited time only.”

Entertainment Weekly

American Idol: Top 5 Revealed

This week we had over 38 million votes split among the six contestants. The show started with the Top 6 butchering “All I Ask of You” while Andrew Lloyd Webber cringed behind the piano. Okay, maybe butchered is strong but there at the beginning when the guys all started in different keys it was a derailing train on the fast track to a wreck. The girls chimed in and improved things. But can someone tell the hired mosh pit girls that there are appropriate times to wave your hands back and forth and times where you just look dumb. I really hope they do away with the fake pit next year.

TV Squad

‘American Idol’ plucks an Irish Rose

Tuesday’s Andrew Lloyd Webber Night seemed to bring out the best in some American Idol contestants (Syesha Mercado and Carly Smithson, for example) and the worst in others (like Brooke White and Jason Castro). Would that make any difference in Wednesday’s (April 23) results? Hint: No.

Zap2it

How American Idol got its groove back

Never mind the numbers: American Idol has got its groove back.

This year’s singers are better, the show itself is more entertaining and American Idol’s Canadian ratings have recovered in recent weeks after a muted performance at the start.

TV’s most-watched regularly scheduled program has regained some of its cultural cachet, after an off-key year last season in which many of the contestants seemed more tone-deaf than pitch-perfect.

Canada.com

‘American Idol’ Battle Of The Davids? Finale Could Come Down To Cook Vs. Archuleta

It wasn’t long after Hollywood Week that the fans, the media, and the Las Vegas bookmakers started calling it. Come May 21, when this current and seventh season of “American Idol” is scheduled to conclude, there would be two men (well, a man and a boy) standing … and they’d both be named David.

In one corner, sporting the comb-over and that sexy, trademark scruff, it’s David Cook, the 25-year-old Daughtry-esque rock dude from Blue Springs, Missouri. And in the other corner, it’s David Archuleta, the charming 17-year-old with the cherubic face who calls Murray, Utah, home.

MTV

‘American Idol’: Is David Cook Unstoppable? by Nadia Turner

Andrew Lloyd Webber was the mentor of the evening à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬’  and what a mentor he is! Man, I would have given my left arm to be in the same room with that man. Genius, I say! He breathes life into musical theater. I can write this whole article on him alone, but I won’t torture you with all that razzamatazz. :) C’mon, that was good and you know it!

Entertainment Weekly

‘American Idol’ Favorite David Archuleta’s Dad Denies Stage-Parent Rumors: ‘I’m David’s Music Consultant’

Not only does David Archuleta’s dad claim he’s not the backstage terror that people have painted him to be, he says he wasn’t even familiar with the phrase “stage dad” until someone explained it to him recently. The “American Idol” front-runner’s dad à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬’  who was dubbed the “worst stage dad” by singer Naomi Judd, a judge on “Star Search” when a 12-year-old David performed on the show à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬’  told Us Weekly that he’s more like his son’s “music consultant.”

“First of all, I had to understand what the term meant,” said Jeff Archuleta, a small-business owner and musician from Salt Lake City. “When I think of ‘stage dad,’ I think of the overbearing parent who raises their kids to [compete] in every beauty pageant there is and puts them through a lot of dancing and singing and piano lessons. Once I understood what people thought of as a stage parent, I didn’t understand [why I was targeted]. I’m definitely involved with my son, and I encourage him, but I think that’s a lot different from forcing and threatening and all that stuff. There was absolutely no truth in any of the stories about me yelling at David, making him cry or withholding water from him. That was crazy!”

MTV

American Idol – Courtney Cox loves David Cook

Courtney Cox decided to take her daughter to see American Idol on Tuesday. Courtney watched the show with some friends, her assistant and daughter Coco.

A source told OK magazine: “Courteney attended the taping because one of her friends was visiting from New York City and is a huge Cook fan who was eager to see him perform in person.”

Her friend’s son had his face painted with “David Cook #1″ and held up a banner saying “David Cook for President.”

myparkmag.co.uk

David Cook: The Conspiracy Theories Continue!

After this weekend’s hubbub over David Cook’s Analog Heart topping Amazon’s digital-download chartà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬’ then getting mysteriously pulled from the storeà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬’ I was sure that the album would be somewhere in the lower reaches of SoundScan’s Digital Albums Chart, a 50-album list that is rounded out this week by the 1,700-units-sold Bloodrunk by Children Of Bodom. Doesn’t 1,700 downloads seem like a low-enough bar for an album that’s No. 1 on a major download site’s chart to leap over? Apparently not; Analog Heart isn’t there. But why? I have two plausible reasons!

Idolator

The Brooke White Reboot: How Big a Sin?

The American Idol judges couldn’t agree if Brooke White did the rightà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬’ or wrongà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬’ thing last night by rebooting her performance of “You Must Love Me.”

And there’s not quite a consensus among outside singing experts, either.

“Unless it’s a total trainwreck, I think you try to make it through,” James Lugo, a record producer and vocal coach, said today. “Personally, I think starting and stopping is kind of hack.”

To Gina Eckstine, a singer and vocal teacher, going forward is the only way to go. Most of the time.

Eonline

QVC to Offer Specially Packaged Version of Aiken’s On My Way Here with Bonus CD/DVD

Clay Aiken has been capturing the hearts of music fans everywhere since he shot to pop superstardom nearly five years ago. Since then, Aiken has sold more than six million CDs, authored a best-selling biography, performed on Broadway and has left fans “Aiken” for more. The multi-platinum artist will once again be exciting fans when he makes his QVC debut on Monday, April 28 at 7 PM (ET).

Scheduled to appear on QVC’s QSessions Live, Aiken is scheduled to perform songs from his much-anticipated new album On My Way Here, giving viewers exclusive insight into the inspiration behind the album. QVC shoppers will also have the opportunity to order On My Way Here, with a bonus CD/DVD created especially for QVC, eight days before its scheduled release.

“Starting my career on national, live television, it seems fitting to be unveiling my new album live on QVC,” said Aiken. “To be able to connect with QVC’s viewers and broadcast my performance to over 93 million households is an amazing opportunity.”

Earthtimes

On the Scene: Andrew Lloyd Webber Night on ‘American Idol’

I should think the nearly 300 of you who commented on last week’s American Idol + Religion = Debacle! post would be surprised to learn just how into Carly Smithson’s rendition of “Jesus Christ Superstar” I was this evening. Sure, I knew it was coming — Richard Rushfield had tipped me off at the start of the show, because he reads TMZ whereas I’d rather poke my eyes out with a hot molten lava stick — but even in my wildest dreams I could not have imagined my girl’s sonic tour de force. The dress was hot, the soulful vocal line was hotter, and every single person in the Idol Thunderdome was on their feet before the last note came down. Which is why, when Randy busted out with “I mean, I don’t know if this was your best performance…” I was completely unable to stop a shriek of rage from escaping my lips. And I do mean “shriek,” PopWatchers — I shrieked so loud it was actually audible on the broadcast. Go rewind your DVRs: He’s not quite finished saying “performance,” and there is a sound like a cat being strangled from the back of the auditorium. Yeah. That was me.

Entertainment Weekly

American Idol Week 9: Broadway Week Sucks Majestically

It had to come to this. It’s almost a dirty secret for American Idol that former contestants are way more likely to find a second life on Broadway than they are to become honest-to-God pop-stars. For plenty of this season’s early eliminations, the show was obviously just a stopgap on the way to being a name at the top of one of those subway posters. Broadway musical producers seem to look at the show as a farm-league even more than Nashville studio execs do. And so this week, the show came just shy of acknowledging its Broadway ties by recruiting giggling toffy frog-man Andrew Lloyd Webber as this week’s guest-mentor.

Village Voice

‘American Idol’ Recap: Brooke White Gets A Do-Over, David Archuleta Flubs Too

Since so many “American Idol” alums eventually end up on Broadway, “Idol” decided to streamline the process Tuesday night by devoting an entire episode to Andrew Lloyd Webber’s music. It’s like they’re saying, “Psst, theater producers! Don’t bother auditioning these kids six months from now. You want to hear Syesha sing a ‘Starlight Express’ song? Voila! Now hire her for ‘A Chorus Line’ and get her out of our hair, would ya?”

Similar to last week’s Untouchable Mariah Carey theme, “Broadway” is often a pejorative term on the “Idol” stage, so I’m curious as to why producers thought an entire night of musical numbers would help viewers decide whose pop albums they’ll want to buy. But as I suspected during last year’s Gwen Stefani night, “Idol” is totally running out of theme weeks. Don’t be shocked if the top three are forced to sing Gerardo B-sides.

MTV

‘American Idol’ boogies down Broadway

And for the record: The musical theater is a training ground that Karaoke does not provide. It teaches a singer how to look inside a song, how to use dynamics and convey a story or emotion. The theatricality differs between the concert stage and theater stage, but it’s a key element in both. The Beatles did showtunes, the Jackson 5 did showtunes, many enduring country stars did musical theater as youths and the lack of interpretations of modern Broadway tunes on the pop charts is society’s loss. Were the judges from another era, their bias against music from the stage would be far less and sadly, not once on did the judges note any elements of sophistication or elegance that is so missing from modern pop music. And I’m not even a fan of Andrew Lloyd Webber and his overblown productions. If they really wanted to separate the best and the brightest, they would bring out Stephen Sondheim and make the kids sing brilliant, timeless music. But they probably have never heard “Send in the Clowns,” either.

Variety

Justin Guarini From American Idol Season #1 Launches American Idol Blog With Comcast.

Justin Guarini launched a blog in conjunction with Comcast, a Philadelphia based cable company to bring viewers of American Idol a real, behind the scenes look at Fox’s hit television show. The blog can be found at http://thebiz.fancast.com/justin_guarini/

Most of you will remember the talented Justin Guarini form the 1st Season of American Idol where he was second runner up to Kelly Clarkson. The final show was viewd by more then 30 million people around the country and Justin was voted the number one male singer.

PRLog

Fake-death Alzheimer’s film-maker Paul Watson slams Simon Cowell and ‘sneering reality TV’

The controversial documentary-maker accused of fakery in his Alzheimer’s film, has hit out at Simon Cowell and reality television.

Paul Watson, who faced a legal investigation after it emerged that he had not filmed the moment of an Alzheimer’s sufferer’s death despite initial claims that he had, launched a blistering attack on “sneering” and “bullying” reality shows.

He said: “[Simon Cowell] is an entertainer. But he is also a symptom of today, which is the bully factor.

“As a nation we have been taught to sneer. We have become a sneer culture. It does not make me laugh, it makes me f**king angry.”

Dailymail.co.uk

‘Lonestar & Friends Strike Out For The Kids’ Bowling Bash Sold Out!!!

In just nine days since ticket sales began, the fourth annual à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Lonestar & Friends Strike Out for the Kids,à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  bowling bash, presented by GAC, and benefiting St. Judeà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s Childrenà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s Research Hospital, has SOLD OUT!

This year, Lonestarà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s St. Jude bowling bash will be held on Monday, June 2nd at the Hermitage Lanes in Hermitage, Tennessee. Lonestar called on some of their friends, some of the biggest names in country music, to join them for the annual event. Those scheduled to bowl with Lonestar include Trace Adkins, Jo Dee Messina, Little Big Town, Lady Antebellum, American Idolà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s Bo Bice, Josh Gracin and Diana DeGarmo, Trent Tomlinson, Joe Nichols, Jamie Oà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢Neal, Darryl Worley, Chuck Wicks, Bryan White, Chris Young, Ty Herndon, Heidi Newfield and Crystal Shawanda.

Breathcast

Ryan Kavanaugh to Be Honored at Sheriff Baca’s Benefit Gala Dinner

Sheriff Leroy D. Baca and Sheriff’s Youth Foundation announced that they will be honoring Ryan Kavanaugh, founder and CEO of Relativity Media, LLC, at its 23rd Annual “Salute to Youth” benefit on Thursday, April 24th. Ryan Kavanaugh has been a very active supporter of the Sheriff’s Youth Foundation, as well as many other charities including the Jewish Big Brothers Big Sisters, Habitat for Humanity, First Star, the Art of Elysium and he is also on the board of the Jewish Television Network with board member Michael Lynton.

All proceeds from the event go to the Sheriff’s Youth Foundation which was established to raise money for underprivileged young people in Los Angeles County. American Idol Alum Bo Bice and Dwight Yoakam will be performing.

prnewswire

Meet Kevin Covais, Movie Star

In his far-longer-than-deserved run on the fifth season of American Idol, Kevin Covais was nicknamed Chicken Little, after the main character in the somewhat successful animated movie. This summer, Covais will take a stab at becoming a movie star on his own.

Covais is, unquestionably, playing the McLovin’ role in College, an R-rated comedy set for an Aug. 29 domestic release. That’s exactly one week after The House Bunny opens, which means that Covais’ Season 5 rival Katharine McPhee will hit the big screen before Covais, though it appears that Chicken Little has higher billing in his movie. At least both movies are more respectable than that Jessica Sierra sex tape.

Zap2it.com

The Brooke White Era Begins

What we learned from this weekà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s results show isnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t pretty. The performances of any given week donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t matter on this seasonà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Idol.à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  This is not, at this juncture, a singing competition. Nor does this season reward the virtues usually associated with champions — courage, determination, a strong sense of self.

Carly Smithsonà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s booting is not simply unjust; it threatens to undermine the very premise of à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“American Idol.à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  If this show is now officially about well-marketed personalities rather than vocal charisma or even dynamic performance skills, then why not make it a chronicle of the packaging of a pop star, more like MTVà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Making the Bandà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  or even (though I dread it) à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“The Search for the Next Dollà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ?

La Times

Elegy for Carly Smithson

Shock, grief, anger, betrayal. These were the feelings that swept through the Idoldome after the stunning dismissal of Carly Smithson, the contestant this column has called the most electrifying in Idol history. But the tidal wave of horrified feelings was entirely in the audience. On stage Carly Smithson herself, always the most spirited and nurturing of this yearà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s contestants, stayed upbeat and even cheery as she said her goodbyes and took a last look around from the Idol stage, knowing perhaps that for a talent such as hers, now that it has been loosed to the world, the journey is only beginning.

latimes

Syesha’s Close Call, and Carly’s Elimination

This week “American Idol” says goodbye to Carly Smithson. (4.24.08)

MTV

American Idol: Who is the Luckiest Girl in the Room?

Why, ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s Carly of course! She gets to miss Neil Diamond week.

With my favorite contestants finally out of the à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“American Idolà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  machine (until the tour and until they have to sell their souls to 19 Entertainment), I guess thereà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s nothing left to do but hope that Brooke has an actual meltdown right there on stage.

Things could be worse for Carly. Sheà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s now free to display her tattoos without viewer voting repercussions. She can go hang out with Michael Johns (Who wouldnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t want that?). She can avoid taking the Clay Aiken route and doing whatever the hell that was to his hair (I thought it was for the role in à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Spamalot,à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  but, no! He wears a wig on stage).

Phillyburbs

‘Idol’ style: mixed reviews

At this point in the competition on “American Idol” in seasons past, Clay Aiken had already transformed from geeky, tufted duckling to slick, metrosexual swan. Viewers are continually reminded that this is the “best group of contestants ever.” While that’s open to debate, no one is making similar claims for Season 7′s sartorial choices. Whether it was Chikezie’s traffic cone-orange leisure suit or the bizarre ascots of the departed Michael Johns, dressing the “Idol” contestants has clearly been a challenge for the show’s stylists. (In their defense, no matter what they suggest, the contestants have the last word on what they wear.) And even though “Idol” is a singing competition, like any contest – from beauty pageants to job interviews – we all know that points are awarded, or deducted, for style. Here, we take a look at the remaining hopefuls (one of whom was slated to be voted off last night, after press time), what they’ve been wearing, and what we’d like to see them in.

Boston Globe

Local DJ Had First Listen Of David Cook’s ‘Analog Heart’

t was the end of the road for Carly Smithson on American Idol on Wednesday. Meanwhile, Blue Springs native David Cook continues his positive momentum and is safely in the show’s final five.

Cook’s Idol performances are hot sellers on iTunes and Cook’s 2006 solo album called “Analog Heart” was the most downloaded album on Amazon’s mp3 service this past weekend. A local DJ, who is a friend of Cook’s, and a fan of the record, says Cook is a great artist.

MyFoxKC

American Idol’s Kimberley Locke Live in Concert

NORTHRIDGE, Calif., April 23, 2008 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ — American Idol breakout star and Billboard chart-topper Kimberley Locke will perform a concert on May 15, 2008 in honor of National Women’s Health Week. The exclusive event is sponsored by Nature Made Liquid Softgels, a new line of liquid softgels formulated for easy absorption and easy to swallow, in support of the Society for Women’s Health Research, a national non-profit organization whose mission is to improve the health of all women through research, education and advocacy.

This special one-hour event will take place at 2 p.m. at Nokia Theatre Times Square in New York City. Nearly 2,000 fans will be invited to commemorate National Women’s Health Week with Locke and show their support for women’s health awareness.

Foxbusiness.com

TobyMac, Mark Hall, Casting Crowns win big at Dove Awards

The evening’s performers included “American Idol” alum Phil Stacey, Chris Sligh and Mandisa with Amy Grant in a musical tribute to Michael W. Smith.

Associated Press

 
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  • MrsTrep

    I have to say, Slezak’s story with all the negative Carly moments (and he’s a Carly fan) pretty much sums it up for me, except I was never really a Carly fan! :) Unfortunately the faint praise from the judges was the kiss of death for her, as it has been for many others in the past. This,,,,,,is American Idol.

  • poporange

    deleted

  • poporange

    The show is American Idol It is a guilty pleasure for me the past years and heard all the arguements over the years why someone got voted off or stayed on or the so called shockeing element .The one that will effect lives is the big eleltion in november..That said onto the show…

    The to weekest prefromers from Tuesday were safe and two with stronger were in the hot seat and I agree with Simon why they were safe showed some “humananity” thier fan base helped.

    Jason being jason ( layed back cute puppy of this season) but the “what did he say?” statement about “CATS” comment probably nerves but made him seem less knowledgable about whats going on. I read that Andrew Lyod Webber called him out for not taking his advice yes it was harsh but the guy does not beat around the bush.

    I also agree with Metta Andrew Lyod Webber was a very good mentor he gave constructive critism to the contestants when needed and was quite up front with them and did not shy away. I wish the judges were more like him. The contestants respected and took his advice. I must say of the contestants Daivd C showed he was classy .

  • GwendolynD

    On the Scene: Andrew Lloyd Webber Night on à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‹American Idolà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢

    Simon, on the other hand, sits for [Carly's] whole performance with his fingers plugging his ears.

    He should have been listening. Maybe he could have given her a real critique and saved her behind.

  • wfowfowfo

    Come on, didn’t you hear the bus start up way back when they spot lighted the scary ink face husband out in the audience? It was complete with “Carly Smithson’s Husband” as the caption.

    She was a goner with a capital G.

    Oh, something else I’ve been meaning to mention — hasn’t Daddy Archeletta notcied that he’s the only class-less tool wearing a hat in the theater? Good lord man, buy a clue. Show that bald head.

  • gabam

    If everyone bailed on their favorites after one weak performance, none of them would ever acquire a fan base. By now, the ones left have fans who want them to get as far as possible and will work hard to make it happen.

  • skylight1219

    I wish people who are bemoaning Carly’s departure would’ve invested this much energy into voting for her. Simon giving praise isn’t the kiss of death. Carly didn’t have that big of a fan base, and, her annoying habits cost her. Her performances were spotty, inconsistent, and, her outfits didn’t fare much better. I think the tattoo was offsetting as well.

    A talent such as hers? She sold less than 400 copies of her CD, after they spent millions marketing her. Apparently, the public doesn’t see that she is anything special. After seeing Leona Lewis last night – I rest my case.

    I’m thrilled that Bo is doing so much charity work. He is a sweet, sweet soul.

    Seems like Clay Aiken is packing ‘em in on Broadway. Did you see the advertising he received?

  • 4got

    I wish people who are bemoaning Carlyà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s departure wouldà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ve invested this much energy into voting for her.

    Absolutely. I’ve infected so many of my friends with the Jason virus and they are the most fervent 2 hour voters for him. All it needed was a couple of weeks of AI parties and now it’s a regular happening every Tuesday night.

  • hicksaholic

    yea, I only threw a dozen or so votes Melinda’s way last year after voting non stop for Taylor the year before. I got in 150 or so votes for Jason the other night which indicates I am vested much more so this year than last. However, I know I won’t get to the point like I did in Season Five where I texted the entite time for Taylor and then stayed up all night worrying that he might not win. It was so much fun but I can’t get like that again.

  • sumidol

    You know what is funny and gives me hope for Jasons future. ALW was kind of an endearing goofy guy last night, not too eloquent, hunched over, not really wanting to be up there, just like Jason. Did you see ALW’s goofy cute wave goodbye. Made him more real too me and lovable besides being as brilliant as he is

  • sumidol

    Jason being jason ( layed back cute puppy of this season) but the à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“what did he say?à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  statement about à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“CATSà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  comment probably nerves but made him seem less knowledgable about whats going on. I read that Andrew Lyod Webber called him out for not taking his advice yes it was harsh but the guy does not beat around the bush.

    Did you listen to the studio version I liked it and I am glad Jason did Jason. That was actually a back handed compliment and I will take it as such. If you watch his live version, you can see how sick he is, at the end his wiped his eyes and his nose – even talking to Ryan he kept trying to take in a good breath. He had 104 temp and Iv in his right before going out and didnt even make that an excuse. Last night he was yawning, tired – he just got over the dang flu and I dont know about you but with that you need to rest rest rest to get better or you just get worse. Opera is NOT for Jason and really not for AI – they always, in the past they always made fun of someone for sounding like they were singing theater

  • http://www.xanga.com/hisaki_chan707 Hisaki

    “If David Archuleta really, really fumbles in the next couple of weeks, and goes through a Brooke White-style emotional meltdown, there is a chance he could go home,” Slezak said. “The pressure could get to him. Could David Cook experience a meltdown? Probably not. Archuleta? Maybe, but it seems unlikely. If that does happen, I think Jason Castro will be the one who benefits.”

    Oh, I hope. Still wanting a CC finale here…

    Slezak’s cap was hilarious. Thank you for pointing out her crazy antics from last night, Slezak. Ryan and Carly swapping anecdotes about their first tattoos…LOL.

  • GwendolynD

    The “on-the-scene” report from last night’s results show from EW’s Popwatch is up. Read it here. Meanwhile, here’s something I found disturbing…..

    Syesha and Brooke are hauled out next to deliver Shocker #1: Brooke ain’t going home. Even though Syesha, like, got to, like, play someone, like, different for a change, she’s sent to the space stools; meanwhile, Brooke heads to the couch where she proceeds to completely break down. First her head is in her hands. Then she puts her head between her knees while D.Cook rubs her back. I take a second to check in on Syesha, who has wandered offstage, and suddenly Rushfield is nudging me to look at the couch again, where Brooke is full-on lying down. I am not sure that America’s decision to keep Ms. White around is doing much for that poor girl’s psychological condition. She’s been in a steady decline for weeks, and tonight she practically went fetal in public.

    I almost want her to win, for fear of what will happen if she doesn’t.

  • http://www.xanga.com/hisaki_chan707 Hisaki

    @Gwen: …oh, wow. They didn’t show that on screen last night, did they? America needs to be merciful and send the girl home. At this point, I don’t know if Brooke is going to be able to handle two songs in one night, much less another “shocker” with her getting sent to blue velour heaven over Syesha/Jason. Or even a David, possibly.

  • hekawi

    Carly performance was one of her best. however, she didn’t take into consideration the lyrics of the song “Superstar”. to millions in middle America it is sacriligeous and borders on blasphemy. lots of people don’t take kindly to songs that bash Jesus.

    i don’t take the song that way myself, but i work for a Fox station and we got calls after she sang Tuesday.

  • bethanysuzanne

    I love Brooke, not as much as Jason, but she is NOT cut out for fame. The stress would just kill her spirit, i’m afraid. She’s like housewife incarnate, and I DON’T mean that in a bad way at all as I feel that is the noblest of “jobs”! She just doesn’t have the resiliency for failure, I don’t think. I would love for her to make an album, but it needs to me on some indie label where the pressure isn’t so intense! Just my two cents. I kind of feel the same way about Jason, i’d hate to see him manipulated and damaged by the “machine”, but he’s younger and unmarried and I think a but more up for it.

  • SpenserJ

    The à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“on-the-sceneà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  report from last nightà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s results show from EWà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s Popwatch is up.

    In the spirit of emotional breakdowns, I also found this part of the article really interesting:

    Syesha is being totally ignored. She emerges from the wings, clutching a Kleenex and looking visibly distraught, then starts swiveling around on her stool to collect herself while facing the back of the stage, hyperventilating with her hand on her chest, and clutching the other stool for balance. At one point, she goes to blow her nose, and a woman behind me gasps, “She’s gonna be sick!” She was not. But she was a little melodramatic. Broadway, baby. Broadway.

    I would never have guessed from her poise on camera that Syesha was having that kind of reaction off stage.

    Earlier, I was totally going to mention Leona’s cankles (such a tough flaw for such a pretty girl – just no way to fix it), but I felt kind of shallow. So, I cracked up when the EW reporter pointed it out.

  • wfowfowfo

    I’d absolutely forgotten that Lewis was even on the show last night! What does that say about her performance and/or the song?

    But, well, after my husband noticed that you could see right through her dress in the beginning shots with the bright lights behind her, he sure noticed the legs– ‘she’s got horrible legs!’… poor dear – cankles and Simon — she’s doomed.

  • poporange

    Calify–I read about the comment from another blog about Jason and “CATS”..I thought it was just nerves …I do not think Jason is un intelligent just from other blogs for some gives the impression that he is .AWL should not of called him out for it maybe a brused ego for him ..It does bother me with all this sickness and frayed nerves going around…

    Ok the poor baby was harsh should of deleted it ( time ran out ,no excuse)but if the contestantts do not want to use it as an excuse or when they do (some have) subpar prefromance even with stage fright they chiose to go on should like athletes suffer the consequences..Keep this in perspective Davids brother came to the show w/ cancer w/ medical team he deserves praise what jason or any other contestant preformed w/ an illness or nerves did was by far not even on the same scale…

  • primeminister

    Syesha and Brooke are hauled out next to deliver Shocker #1: Brooke ainà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t going home. Even though Syesha, like, got to, like, play someone, like, different for a change, sheà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s sent to the space stools; meanwhile, Brooke heads to the couch where she proceeds to completely break down. First her head is in her hands. Then she puts her head between her knees while D.Cook rubs her back. I take a second to check in on Syesha, who has wandered offstage, and suddenly Rushfield is nudging me to look at the couch again, where Brooke is full-on lying down. I am not sure that Americaà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s decision to keep Ms. White around is doing much for that poor girlà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s psychological condition. Sheà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s been in a steady decline for weeks, and tonight she practically went fetal in public.

    Wow. That bad, huh. Further proof that she needs to hold it together next week and leave gracefully.

  • thesheriff

    So happy to see Carly go. And I must be the only one who thought those tears were fake in her bye bye clip. Anyway, for her future I see her and her husband having their own San Diego Ink show…

  • mocha

    I think I said this in the other discussion about the results, but I really felt for Syesha, even before reading the Popwatch account of her reactions. She has been gracious and calm her other trips to the bottom 3, but last night seemed to really get to her. She sang her heart out on Tuesday and the voters don’t seem to respond. I’m a Cook/Castro fan, but I give her props for holding it together with class last night.

  • http://www.idolicious.com Kat

    But, well, after my husband noticed that you could see right through her dress in the beginning shots with the bright lights behind her, he sure noticed the legsà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬’ à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢sheà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s got horrible legs!à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦ poor dear – cankles and Simon à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬’  sheà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s doomed.

    LOL. She is a beautiful girl but that dress did her lower half no favors. I actually Googled some pictures of her afterward — even in the ones that are probably not Photoshopped (from Wireimage and such), she looks noticably slimmer. So either it’s just a little weight gain or an unflattering outfit.

    I don’t like the song much, and I’d like to hear her actually sing a MELODY instead of just ooh-ooh-oohing, but she’s got some potential. Please, someone, just get her some better music.

  • primeminister
  • skylight1219

    I don’t know if this has been done before, but, I think it would be kinder to let Brooke go home. I really don’t think she can take much more of this pressure. Even though VFTW thinks it would be funny to see her have a meltdown, it ISN’T funny. They are playing with someone’s emotional future, and, I do hope that Brooke can pull it together, or she’s going to kill her chances of ever having a record deal. No record company wants to invest in someone on the verge of a breakdown. Maybe it’s time TPTB just quietly, discreetly step in, and, give her the relief she so desperately needs. After all, no one ever sees the results, so, who would be the wiser? I feel badly for her, I really do. This obviously, isn’t the field for her. Yes, she is talented, but, would be better off doing local gigs. I just don’t think she can take much more. She isn’t going to win, so, no harm, no foul.

  • mocha

    I hardly find the Castro singing Sublime video to be anything scandalous. Come on, he’s a good looking, fun loving college kid hanging with his friends, and yea, there very well may have been some partying going on. When I was in college years ago we did the same thing. Big deal. The only difference is there wasn’t youtube when I was in college, thank God!

  • jersey

    Well that vid of Jason was quite amusing.. I wonder if he’ll still be friends with that person after he sees it’s been posted, LOL.

  • http://airincaol.com coco

    My IDOL sicker than your IDOL

  • http://www.xanga.com/hisaki_chan707 Hisaki

    LOL, pm. If you hadn’t added in the “drunk” and I hadn’t read the video description, I’d have assumed that it was just him normally. Anyway, he sounded quite good in the video (and here I will ignore the fact that he’s drunk); probably better than he’s sounded all throughout the competition. He should, like Carly did, loosen up and do something just a tad bit more fun on stage, like when he sang that Sublime song. :)

  • http://myspace.com/girlgeek mj

    @Gwen: à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦oh, wow. They didnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t show that on screen last night, did they? America needs to be merciful and send the girl home. At this point, I donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t know if Brooke is going to be able to handle two songs in one night, much less another à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“shockerà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  with her getting sent to blue velour heaven over Syesha/Jason. Or even a David, possibly.

    Actually, right before the show went to break, you could see David rubbing Brooke’s back. She’s got her head in her hands. I’ve got the cap in my recap which is finally up…

    I think Brooke is ready to go home. More than ready. Carly should have advanced last night. Oh hell, Brooke should have gone home the week Michael was eliminated. Are her fans enjoying watching her disintegrate on camera?

  • http://myspace.com/girlgeek mj

    I hardly find the Castro singing Sublime video to be anything scandalous. Come on, heà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s a good looking, fun loving college kid hanging with his friends, and yea, there very well may have been some partying going on. When I was in college years ago we did the same thing. Big deal. The only difference is there wasnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t youtube when I was in college, thank God!

    EEP. Word. So many embarrassing moments… Heh.

  • http://www.xanga.com/hisaki_chan707 Hisaki

    Actually, right before the show went to break, you could see David rubbing Brookeà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s back. Sheà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s got her head in her hands. Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ve got the cap in my recap which is finally upà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦

    I think Brooke is ready to go home. More than ready. Carly should have advanced last night. Oh hell, Brooke should have gone home the week Michael was eliminated. Are her fans enjoying watching her disintegrate on camera?

    Thanks. I’ll check that after this. :)

    Brooke should have been gone weeks back. I’m not complaining that Carly’s gone (no more of her terrible wardrobe consisting of curtains, tablecloths, and couch covers! hee), but I didn’t think she deserved to be in the Bottom 2, much less get the boot (well, at least they didn’t need the paramedics this time around). Really, I am going to chuck something out of my 2nd floor window if Brooke cracks the Top 3.

  • primeminister

    I hardly find the Castro singing Sublime video to be anything scandalous. Come on, heà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s a good looking, fun loving college kid hanging with his friends, and yea, there very well may have been some partying going on. When I was in college years ago we did the same thing. Big deal. The only difference is there wasnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t youtube when I was in college, thank God!

    EEP. Word. So many embarrassing momentsà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦ Heh.

    But Jason doesn’t get embarrassed! LOL.

  • poporange

    deleted

  • jersey

    Good point, pm! Yeah, I don’t find the vid scandalous either. That said, I’m not sure I’d like my friends posting it on Youtube when I’m on a nationwide television competition!

  • Metta

    Syesha is being totally ignored. She emerges from the wings, clutching a Kleenex and looking visibly distraught, then starts swiveling around on her stool to collect herself while facing the back of the stage, hyperventilating with her hand on her chest, and clutching the other stool for balance. At one point, she goes to blow her nose, and a woman behind me gasps, à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Sheà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s gonna be sick!à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  She was not. But she was a little melodramatic. Broadway, baby. Broadway.

    So Brooke’s emotional reaction (to being SAFE) is authentic, but Syesha’s (to being in DANGER) is melodramatic?

    :wallbash_tb:

  • GwendolynD

    mj
    Apr 24th, 2008 at 2:00 pm
    @Gwen: à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦oh, wow. They didnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t show that on screen last night, did they? America needs to be merciful and send the girl home. At this point, I donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t know if Brooke is going to be able to handle two songs in one night, much less another à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“shockerà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  with her getting sent to blue velour heaven over Syesha/Jason. Or even a David, possibly.

    Actually, right before the show went to break, you could see David rubbing Brookeà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s back. Sheà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s got her head in her hands. Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ve got the cap in my recap which is finally upà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦

    I think Brooke is ready to go home. More than ready. Carly should have advanced last night. Oh hell, Brooke should have gone home the week Michael was eliminated. Are her fans enjoying watching her disintegrate on camera?

    I’m not. It really bothers me.

  • GwendolynD

    primeminister
    Apr 24th, 2008 at 1:45 pm
    Jason Castro singing Sublimeà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦drunk?

    I think he acts like that normally. Michael Johns even alluded to the fact that he seemed “out of it” most of the time, then all of a sudden, he would say something profound. Maybe this is him…unrestrained, around people he knows and he’s comfortable with. He seems a bit shy, honestly.

  • http://www.xanga.com/hisaki_chan707 Hisaki

    Ah, I just looked at TVGuide’s Top 6 rankings (a tad late considering it was posted here two days ago, but bear with my slowness). I’m excited to see how Cookie will do against Archie this week. :)

  • wfowfowfo

    He’s pretty flippen adorable – I wish I knew him when I was 20 (although he wouldn’t have been borne yet, but that’s beside the point).

    I love how loose he is in that video — and how strong he’s singing — wish he could let it go a little more on idol and let us see some of that guy. More open and out there.

    I think Gwendolyn’s right — he’s a shy guy. He’s not usually in the big group clutches — but Shyesha had lots of smiles for him during the group sing last night — I think he’s well liked, just more to himself.

  • skylight1219

    Let’s not forget, Jason has only sung like 5 times in public. This is all new to him, so accordingingly, he is the rawest talent on AI this year. Being in Cheyenne doesn’t really count, since he wasn’t singing, nor was he in front of 30 million people. Yikes, that would make me shy too!

    Dear heavens, someone needs to intervene where Brooke is concerned. Maybe her husband should. Syesha and Carly are stronger emotionally, and, probably should’ve advanced. What’s done is done, but, this isn’t funny any more. I”m talking to you people at VFTW! It is messing with someone’s well being, all for a few jokes.

  • skylight1219

    Heà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s pretty flippen adorable – I wish I knew him when I was 20 (although he wouldnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t have been borne yet, but thatà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s beside the point).

    I love how loose he is in that video à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬’  and how strong heà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s singing à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬’  wish he could let it go a little more on idol and let us see some of that guy. More open and out there.

    LOL, I think we did see some of that guy when he sang DayDream during the top 24. The rest of his personality is slowly emerging. He is a riot!

  • http://myspace.com/saltwatercures pj

    LMAO at the Jason vid. I’m pretty sure he said he was effed up and not to film him, but I could only watch it once before having to leave the computer with sound. LOL. Looks like a fun party to me.

    I’m feeling good about his chances now. If he can survive fevers and IV’s, a bad performance spot, Simon saying not to vote for him, and glamour puss Andrew Lloyd Webber and not even make it into the bottom 2, I think he stands a good chance of nailing some Neil Diamond and sailing into the top 4. That’s been my goal for him. Anything after that is gravy!

    I bet if they had let the top 24 pick songs instead of these endless themes, we would have seen more of that Jason. I don’t mind themes, but I think the show really lost some of its magic for making them conform so early. I’m loving this season, but it would’ve been so much better if the semi’s had been themeless.

  • gabam

    I want video of Jason playing the drums in his band shirtless. There are pictures floating around but no video. Darn it. LOL.

  • SpenserJ

    The only difference is there wasnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t youtube when I was in college, thank God!

    Amen to that!

    I guess I’m in the minority on this Brooke thing. I can see her nerves, and that she’s an emotional person, but I’m just not seeing this complete and utter meltdown that everyone else is. Maybe I’m not in tune enough with other people’s suffering? When Ryan questioned her last night – her responses to him and what she said to the judges seemed perfectly fine to me. She looked composed. Perhaps her reaction to being safe (shock? relief?) appeared a bit over the top to those in the audience – but who knows what that was about.

    Other than her false start (again!) the other night, I thought her performance was pretty good. I could see that she was disappointed in herself, and it appeared to me Wednesday that she had mentally prepared herself to go home. But, I didn’t see any really drastic reactions (again – perhaps I don’t pay close enough attention to these things).

    I voted for her because I like her. I didn’t think I was doing any kind of psychological damage to her. Now I feel kind of bad. I guess next week I’ll examine things more carefully so I don’t accidentally contribute to her mental breakdown.

    Maybe a months-long talent competition isn’t for everyone, but I don’t think that necessarily makes them mentally unstable.

  • Natasha

    Yeah, am I supposed to be scandalized at that video and the possibility that Jason was drunk? Come on. Frankly it’s hard to tell what, if anything, Jason is on at any particular moment. He could be on something or maybe that’s just how he is. Either way, it’s a non-issue to me. I like his sound and his antics like his choo-choo thing last night are amusing.

    As for Carly, I don’t think she ever found her niche either on the show or with viewers. She just didn’t have the fan base that some of the other contestants have. Jason I can understand but how Brooke managed to fire up a fan base large enough to save her is kind of a mystery. Obviously people out there like her though.

  • sumidol

    I dont think he is drunk, just being goofy but if he is, oh NO WHAT? a college student(over 21)drinking some beers playing music with his friends? OOOOhh WOW you got a scandal here boy oh boy – Oh PLEASE

  • sumidol

    And oh good song choice Jason

  • primeminister

    I dont think he is drunk, just being goofy but if he is, oh NO WHAT? a college student(over 21)drinking some beers playing music with his friends? OOOOhh WOW you got a scandal here boy oh boy – Oh PLEASE

    Since it’s pre-idol, he would still be underage. Not that I think it’s OMG! SCANDALOUS!, I just want to clear up that factual error.

    And yeah, great song choice. I wish he could have done some Sublime or more of those types of songs on Idol. Like pj said, if there were no themes in the semifinals, he would have owned. But then again…we probably wouldn’t have had Hallelujah.

  • http://myspace.com/saltwatercures pj

    Gabam, here are links to videos of “rocker” Jason drumming. Beware, though, if it’s shirtless Jason you’re most interested in. He looks really, really young.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gpJLdlZUL-Q

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HsYEQcsZEPk

  • Chicago-sally

    Mocha & all: First — On the Scene is hilarious. And yes, Brooke is having a mini-breakdown each week, and yes, she’s not cutout for stardom. She wouldn’t know how to handle all the managers, stylists, publicists, et al that swarm around her to make her the perfect star.

    As for Syesha, you would be a wreck too if you spent 24/7 with promotions and commercials, then flying to Vegas to meet with ALW, then back to Hwd to rehearse, and wishing-hoping that they would send you home. Yes — I stated that! Syesha wants to go folks. She’s tired of all the manipulation and yanking and pulling going on.

    She’s not as arrogant as people make her out to be. I see her as shy and totally uncomfortable being in that type of environment. Carly is probably sighing with relief and glad to be gone too. You would too, wouldn’t you? Geez, week after week, you’re in the bottom 3 thinking the worse and then “saved” and have to come back, and hold your temperament together. If you don’t believe me check out Idolatry at ew.com and KLC, she looks really relaxed! and her personality is coming through.

    You know your average “star” wouldn’t take that B-s**t! And all for the sake of ratings.

    Rock on — on the SCENE!

  • Chicago-sally

    Lastly, I looked at Brooke’s vid of the ALW tune, and honestly, she did a better job than Madonna did. And as you recall, ALW was totally against Madonna as Evita.

  • jersey

    I agree with PJ. I’m pretty sure he said he’s effed up, don’t record him. Again, so what? Part of the college experience.

  • grayhound

    Are her fans enjoying watching her disintegrate on camera?

    MJ: I was thinking that her fans are voting because they felt sorry for her? But then I read spenser’s comment from above, and I guess they’re voting cause they like her.

    Maybe a months-long talent competition isnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t for everyone, but I donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t think that necessarily makes them mentally unstable.

    spenser: I think the months long competition is designed to weed out those who are obviously talented, but to mostly see who can withstand publicity, criticism, pressure, performing on a huge stage with a huge audience, pressure to sing genres they are not familiar with, who can evolve into more than your average bar singer and performer. Some withstand it better than others. It seems to me that Brooke is having a hard time with the pressure of the actual “performance” since we hear that her rehearsal went well. But I can’t picture her at the Grammy Awards, about to perform, and forgetting her lyrics and stopping and starting the band up. I’m so surprised the judges let her have a pass on that. And, to drift into another subject, the only reason they let Archie and Carly slide on lyrics forgotten – the judges didn’t know those song lyrics themselves!!! Many of us out here who know the words knew they were sung wrong.

    I think Brooke is having “thinking too much” issues – when the cameras click on – she goes into some kind battle with her mind, maybe “overthinking” everything she does. Not sure if she can win that battle or not.

    Just some thoughts on the subject.

  • http://stores.ebay.com/BookWomanBlues-Book-Nook Bobbi

    I agree with you, Spenser. She’s obviously an emotional, nervous girl. I think she has a bad case of stage fright. But, if she or her husband thought things were that bad, she could always withdraw for medical reasons. It made me sad that she was apologizing to Syesha last night. She had every right to be there and should not have felt as if she needed to apologize because people wanted her to stick around. Obviously Brooke has made a connection with her audience that Syesha and Carly never did. That isn’t her fault.

  • sumidol

    Ahh, you are right primeminister, duh! I stand corrected, well actually, I sit corrected right now -

  • http://myspace.com/girlgeek mj

    Are her fans enjoying watching her disintegrate on camera?

    Sorry, that was a very flip statement. I’m sure her fans aren’t actually enjoying watching Brooke when she’s in distress.

    I just find it really uncomfortable to watch her these past few weeks. Both on the big stage and off.

  • GwendolynD

    Chicago-sally
    Apr 24th, 2008 at 4:08 pm
    As for Syesha, you would be a wreck too if you spent 24/7 with promotions and commercials, then flying to Vegas to meet with ALW, then back to Hwd to rehearse, and wishing-hoping that they would send you home. Yes à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬’  I stated that! Syesha wants to go folks. Sheà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s tired of all the manipulation and yanking and pulling going on.

    You know her?

  • SpenserJ

    MJ: I was thinking that her fans are voting because they felt sorry for her? But then I read spenserà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s comment from above, and I guess theyà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢re voting cause they like her.

    Well, there could be another explanation too….. perhaps I’m as batshit crazy as Brooke is? :lol_wp: Those who know me would know that this is entirely possible.

    spenser: I think the months long competition is designed to weed out those who are obviously talented, but to mostly see who can withstand publicity, criticism, pressure, performing on a huge stage with a huge audience, pressure to sing genres they are not familiar with, who can evolve into more than your average bar singer and performer. Some withstand it better than others.

    Yes Gray, I agree with that. I’m just thinking that it doesn’t automatically disqualify them from being successful in the music business.

    For instance this:

    And yes, Brooke is having a mini-breakdown each week, and yes, sheà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s not cutout for stardom. She wouldnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t know how to handle all the managers, stylists, publicists, et al that swarm around her to make her the perfect star.

    That’s just a huge leap for me. No one can know how Brooke will respond after a year or two of performing on big stages in front of large audiences. I mean look at the drastic improvement to Elliott’s performance skills from the Idol stage to after the tour. Maybe she does have a bad case of stage fright, but so does Carly Simon and she was a huge star.

    I’m not saying that Brooke should last any further in the competition, and I’m 99% sure she’s on her last legs here, I just don’t think she’s a complete washed-up basket case loser.

    And, Chicago-Sally, for what it’s worth, I complete disagree with the fact that Syesha wants to go home. She may not be my favorite, but I see a lot of fight in that girl. Sure she was disappointed to be in the bottom 2 after a successful performance, but I’ll lay money on the fact that next week, Syesha comes out swinging.

    ETA: I used Elliott as an example because I adore him – I was not trying to compare him to Brooke’s crazyness.

  • SpenserJ

    Sorry, that was a very flip statement. Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢m sure her fans arenà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t actually enjoying watching Brooke when sheà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s in distress.

    No offense taken MJ :)

    I’m being serious when I say that I’m concerned I’m not being sensitive enough to her distress. I really am going to watch for it next week.

  • GwendolynD

    It’s posts like this that could cause the YouTube video to make waves for Jason Castro. Whether or not he’s inebriated or stoned, no one will ever know. Prior to Idol, he was a musician for the praise & worship team at his church in Texas. He has a massive fan base, most of whom are devout Christians, just as he is. Whoever posted this couldn’t have done it innocently. Hopefully, people view it platonically.

  • Chicago-sally

    Spenser: Okay, I give you points….I agree with most of what you wrote, I over-exaggerated. However, it is true they’re trying to weed out the real stars who can take the pressure and handle it and those that can’t, and I just don’t see Brooke handling it. She goes from remorseful to forgetful to apologetic….good for Syesha for telling her not to apologize….and maybe you’re right about Syesha that she’s fighting — her way….I just see someone who looks a little irritated at it all, esp. when she faces Simon….you can see that smile wipe off her face.

    Last night do you remember, she fluffed her hair while the camera was on and Ryan was talking? I think that’s nerves, or — not knowing what to do in front of the camera.

    Overall, they’ve never been in this type of spotlight. Even Carly… when they auditioned they probl. imagined something totally different from what’s happening….however, last year, S6, I got the feeling that all the contestants were comfortable….we didn’t see any emotional breakdowns — oh one, when Sanjaya cried in Lakisha’s shoulder….but overall the S6 group went out like winners. I’ve never seen so much crying and sobbing on AI than this season. Also remember right about now, it’s like a marathon and people are getting tired.
    But Brooke has been the emotional one from day one of the finals.

    You would think they were being sent to an encampment :smile_wp:

  • tinawina

    Well, I’m going to go ahead and say it – in retrospect I am not surprised at last nights bottom 2. I don’t think either one of them were that good on Tuesday.

    Honestly, I think in context, they were great. This is, if you’ve been watching every week, they both delivered more personality than either had up until this point. It was like “Finally! Carly looses up! Syesha sings something uptempo! They both seem like real people!”

    But if you are a casual voter who is not that familiar with their stories, then you have Syesha whose vocals were okay – a little pitchy in spots IMO, and Carly who shouted half the song. Sine neither has the largest fanbase, both need to score casual votes to stay around week to week. Syesha went first and Carly was screaming. Both got good reviews so there was no sympathy votes heading their way. So there you go.

    Still, Brooke (I LOVE BROOKE) needs to go. I don’t think this format is for her. That said, I wouldn’t worry abut that recappers account of her behavior – they also added that she was up and laughing with the mosh pit girls a few seconds later. So it may not have been all that bad.

  • SpenserJ

    Last night do you remember, she fluffed her hair while the camera was on and Ryan was talking? I think thatà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s nerves, or à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬’  not knowing what to do in front of the camera.

    LOL – I probably didn’t notice this because I play with my hair constantly. I know it’s annoying because my friends point it out to me, but I cannot stop myself. I don’t even know I’m doing it!

    I think if I were about to be on national tv, my mother would tell me only 2 things: Don’t play with your hair, and please don’t say the F word. Unfortunately, I would probably do both :lol_tb:

  • Natasha

    Brooke’s nerves really are getting the best of her and it’s probably not going to get any easier. There’s only five people left. Anyone would be nervous but she seems to have a lot of trouble handling it.

    Gwendolyn – Jason isn’t going for sainthood here. His fans love him and I’m sure they can make allowances for any, um, youthful indiscretions that might have occurred. He seems like a genuinely nice person and that’s the most important thing.

  • dancingqueen

    I think Jason says not to record the video because he “messed up”, not “F’d up”.

  • TylerWV

    I guess I just don’t get all the Brooke love. Ive always thought she comes across fake on tv. I especially dislike the pouty mouth thing and the poor little me looks she gets on her face.

    Im not a big carly or syesha fan either but thought both those ladies nailed it tues. I really hate seeing people go on their best performance nights. No wonder syesha looked so put out, do the best and still cant get past those dreaded stools.

    Ive watched all but season one and to me, it seems the voting is more out of proportion to talent this year then ever. Wish AI would put up a poll, do we think the judges need replaced? They are so predictable and tiresome this year. Randy seems like he mostly parrots simons opinions and manipulations. Ive actually thought Paula has been more unbiased this year if you can decipher her ramblings. Still, this season is better for me then I expected after last year, but I still can’t get that old AI excitement I used to have. All the manipulations on that show just wear me out.

  • poporange

    NYTimes newspaper —-
    American Idol still has the top spot with 24 million viewers….
    Could not find link online

  • GwendolynD

    Gwendolyn – Jason isnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t going for sainthood here. His fans love him and Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢m sure they can make allowances for any, um, youthful indiscretions that might have occurred. He seems like a genuinely nice person and thatà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s the most important thing.

    Oh…I’m well aware of that. Believe me. I’m also aware of how sincere he is as a contestant on this show. That post does not reflect my personal feelings about him. There’s no such thing as a “perfect saint” – not in this world. However, I can’t control what other people think. Just looking at the bigger picture here. :)

  • idolwatcher

    “Women vote for this show. It’s obvious, and they vote for the boys,”

    This was a quote by Carly in an interview posted on Reality TV World’s website. Guess she didn’t realize that out of the first six seasons of Idol females won four times.

  • http://myspace.com/saltwatercures pj

    Ohà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢m well aware of that. Believe me. Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢m also aware of how sincere he is as a contestant on this show. That post does not reflect my personal feelings about him. Thereà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s no such thing as a à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“perfect saintà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  – not in this world. However, I canà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t control what other people think. Just looking at the bigger picture here. :)

    I didn’t click on the link, but I can only imagine. My take on it is that if people are putting him on a pedestal, they’re bound to be disappointed eventually. Jason seems like a nice kid, but no one is perfect, like you say. They might as well get their disappointment over sooner rather than later.

    I remember the Taylor backlash in Season 5. How anyone could think he had never smoked, drank or cursed is beyond me!

  • http://stores.ebay.com/BookWomanBlues-Book-Nook Bobbi

    Carly really has become expert at explaining away the results she keeps getting.

  • poporange

    That jason religious thing was scary…

    24 million was for tuesday
    22 milion watched AI in wednesday according to ET

  • J.S.G.

    I think Syesha made the mistake of thinking she was safe based upon one well received performance.

    She’s been in the bottom three four times already, yet always stayed, she was working on some good karma so it is not surprising she was in the bottom two. She certainly wasn’t going to be picking up any KLC votes, obvisously they went to Brooke.

    The image of her seated on the stool with her back turned to the audience letting go her emotions during the commerical break maybe melodramatic to some, but to me it is nothing short of gut wrenching.

    And then what happened?

    Her performance of ‘One Rock and Roll Too Many’ was far from a perfect vocal but it was smoother than performance night(like all her studio recordings are) and she walked right past Simon into the audience. That was nothng short of brilliant.
    Then the ineraction btwn Syesha and Carly…just weeks after the ‘Rami is the only one who gets me’ statemenmt was quite moving. When it is announced that Carly is going home, there was nothing in Syesha’s reaction that suggested celebration.

    And the reaction today???

    Of the five remaining idols, Syesha Mercado took the biggest strides during ALW week.

  • cheese

    Carly has been mentioning in her interviews that she was going to sing “Sweet Caroline” next week. She only mentioned one song, so this likely means that they are only doing one song for Top 5 night this year. I really wanted double doses of Jason and Cookie!

  • http://myspace.com/saltwatercures pj

    Carly has been mentioning in her interviews that she was going to sing à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Sweet Carolineà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  next week. She only mentioned one song, so this likely means that they are only doing one song for Top 5 night this year. I really wanted double doses of Jason and Cookie!

    What? How are they going to fill an hour doing one 2 minute song each? I feel cheated. Maybe she hadn’t chosen her second song. *pouts*

  • cheese

    What? How are they going to fill an hour doing one 2 minute song each? I feel cheated. Maybe she hadnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t chosen her second song. *pouts*

    Well, this show has no problem with filler. I guess it’s possible that Carly only had one song chosen so far. I hope that’s the case.

    I can’t remember if they’ve had a mentor on Top 5 night before. The intro packages with mentors take up more time, plus they need to run a reel about how great Neil Diamond is. With all that, they might all have one song that’s about 15 seconds longer than last week’s, maybe 2 and a half minutes or so.

    I remember in Season 5, they did the birth year/Billboard theme with absolutely no intro videos and they just barely squeezed in 10 songs that were barely a minute and a half long. I guess it makes sense that they couldn’t fit in two songs each this year?

  • gabam

    Thanks for the links to Jason drumming, PJ. I like the band. They were really getting into the music. He’s a good drummer.

    I will suspend reality and believe that he was 20 years old when the videos were made. LOL.

  • GwendolynD

    The contestants will be singing two songs next week.

  • primeminister

    Carly has been mentioning in her interviews that she was going to sing à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Sweet Carolineà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  next week. She only mentioned one song, so this likely means that they are only doing one song for Top 5 night this year. I really wanted double doses of Jason and Cookie!

    Cookie or Jason better snag Sweet Caroline.

  • cheese

    GwendolynD – Did you read that somewhere reliable? I haven’t seen anything official yet. I still wonder how they can fit in 10 songs with intro clips in one hour, but I hope you’re right!

  • marymagdalene

    I happen to be in my upper-mid 30s, and out of ALL of the theme weeks that we have had, the only one that I did not care for was Mariah Carey…

    I have never particularly cared for Mariah, as the melisma that she is known for is NOT AT ALL my taste, though I was always FASCINATED by her range, which is TOTALLY OMG…

    I am a HUGE Broadway freak, as you can probably tell by my name, LOL…
    So of course, I was THRILLED to see ALW on the Idol stage…

    I have EVERYTHING that he has done on both CDs AND CASSETTES, not to mention that I have even purchased FROM ENGLAND the London CDs ASAP they were released…

    I forgot who said it earlier, but they are right in that the only genre of music that AI has NOT done is JAZZ, which would really be cool…

  • GwendolynD

    cheese
    Apr 24th, 2008 at 11:15 pm
    GwendolynD – Did you read that somewhere reliable? I havenà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t seen anything official yet. I still wonder how they can fit in 10 songs with intro clips in one hour, but I hope youà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢re right!

    My source is reliable. :wink1_tb: Otherwise my lips are sealed. Prepare for two songs next week. That’s what…two minutes per song? So, that’s only twenty minutes.

    They’d better not be going back to a two hour show. Bore……

  • primeminister

    My source is reliable. Otherwise my lips are sealed. Prepare for two songs next week.

    Weren’t you the person who also knew that Jason’s “Memory” wouldn’t be brilliant like the rumors said? Gwendolyn, I’ll be keeping an eye out for you…(haha, creepy, I know).

  • http://myspace.com/saltwatercures pj

    Thanks for the info, GwendolynD! Much appreciated. I wonder if they’ll do one ND song and somethinge else, or 2 ND songs.