Thoughts on the Judges Save, and A Few Other Odds and Ends

Well I hope one of those aforementioned favorites get a “shocking boot” either after the judges have already used the save, or after Top 5 week.

I will LMAO if Danny, for example, gets booted the week after Lil is “saved,” or if one of the favorites gets shockingly booted in the Top 4 anyway.

It’ll just prove that the save is really useless.

ITA mj. And I don’t get it, it’s not as if S7 was this awesome failure that needed a lot of fixing. Jeez, don’t tell me Nigel was actually keeping this whole operation *sane*!

I will LMAO if Danny, for example, gets booted the week after Lil is à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“saved,à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  or if one of the favorites gets shockingly booted in the Top 4 anyway.

ME TOO!

That’s exactly what I’m hoping happens. They use their save and then their favorite goes home anyway. Or something else like that. It would totally make me smile. lol

The new rule is really all about providing more attention and face time for the judges, just like the wild card show. In recent seasons, after the public voting rounds started, the judges were becoming increasingly irrelevant and they didn’t like that, or should I say, Simon didn’t like that.

And in worrying more about the judges’ egos, the show is again playing with the kids’ emotions. It’s not enough to simply get eliminated by the voters, but they’ll also have the opportunity to be rejected a second time by the judges. Woohoo!

Totally with you, MJ.

Although I wouldn’t have minded seeing Michael go a little farther on the show, at least past Kristy.

So what if they were able to save MJ last season? they didn’t sign him eventually anyway and they seem to be pretty happy with the David tandem they ended up with. I don’t see the purpose in this save thing.

and even if they end up saving one of my favorites – I’d disagree. I’d rather my favorite win on his own merit. Besides, if my fave ends up winning after the judges has saved him, he’s not gonna be the true American Idol in the sense coz he was already voted out by the public once.

Like I said before, I only like the save for purely selfish reasons! To save Adam from early elimination.

But yea, it could backfire on him if the save is used for someone else than he gets the axe. Oh noez!

Maybe the save was enacted so that Adam can break out the Ru Paul Drag Race makeup and do a glam rock performance? That I would love to see! Probably half of America would stop voting for him if he came out dressed like that. There you go! The Judges Save is really the “anti-homophobia” save rule! Just kidding…a little.

I don’t like the “Judges save” change. I was never really shocked by any of the boots. The shocked looks on the faces of Chris Daughtry and Michael Johns surprised me. I guess they thought that they performed a lot better than I thought they did the weeks that they were eliminated. Since I was not a fan of either, I really didn’t care that they left. I barely remember much about Jennifer Hudson’s elimination but I didn’t like her attitude most weeks so I didn’t care that she left. Constantine’s boot was a surprise but not a shock. Once again, I wasn’t a fan so I didn’t care. I saw Paula crying and I found it … interesting.

The only two boots that I cared about happened in Top 3 and Top 4 weeks so they could not have been saved if the rule was in place during those seasons. Neither was a surprise boot because I saw the buses heading for each of them.

If the judges use the new power, I hope that the person saved is eliminated the following week.

I think that it’s just a ploy to get people to vote more.

Top 5: Adam is eliminated. Judges invoke the new rule
Top 4: Lil & Danny are both eliminated

I’d lol all over the place

^^^Tony, I would lol too…and then I would cheer…if it went down that way then my guess would be Adam and Matt G. in the finale.

ITA MJ!

I definitely agree, and what annoys me is what you said about them not needing to use it until say the top 6, where they use it simply to utilize it for drama.

I will LMAO if Danny, for example, gets booted the week after Lil is à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“saved,à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  or if one of the favorites gets shockingly booted in the Top 4 anyway.

I want that to happen =P because I’m pissed at everything they’ve done to this show.

On another note, I thought season 7 was perfect in every way… *cries*

I understand the reluctance with the judge’s save, it was never going to be popular in the first place.
But I sincerly believe its purpose isn’t to void the voting process of its meaning (AI producers will be super dumb to do that), it’s to correct its imperfections.

The public will still get to elect the AI, even if the judges save one contestant, if it’s really underserved he will be eliminated the next show anyway and after the top 5 there is no escape anymore.

Sorry for those who love the “shock elimination” but I would rather have had more performances by MJ/Carly, jennifer Hudson or Mandisa.
Those eliminations were a result of the imperfections of the system. People often vote for candidates they believe are in danger instead of voting for contestants that give good performances (see the top 6 result show last year and WNTS analysis). If the show remains a singing competition rather than a popularity contest, I don’t mind having a safeguard in those cases.
Of course the success will depend on how the judges decide to use this power but we will have to wait and see.

Ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s not enough to simply get eliminated by the voters, but theyà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ll also have the opportunity to be rejected a second time by the judges. Woohoo!

This is like IGB week with Ryan being an asshat to MJ by dangling the possibility of non-elimination (like Season 6) and then snatching it away in the next breath. BUt the best part, they can jerk around contestants every week from now on.

First of all, I donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t think TPTB are primarily interested in saving anybody. Well, Ok, if Lil Rounds, Danny Gokey or Adam Lambert are eliminated before Week 5, you bet the judges will save their butts. Youà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢re looking at 3 members of the Top 5, right there. Especially now with the Judges Save in place.

I personally donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t mind the save. But has it always been this obvious this early on who they want in the top three? I guess suspense went out the window.

I think Adam Lambert, Lil Rounds, and Danny Gokey are really talented, especially Adam. But this seasonà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s winner will be known as a winner that won by default, unless a dark horse wins the race.

All in all, I still enjoy the show; and at least I donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t have to vote like a mad demon like I did last year.

I’m not a fan either, because well, either way you slice it, if it is their time to go, it is their time to go.

The “shock” boots have never been that shocking, really, if you take a time to really look at the boots themselves. They might have been shocking if you didn’t anticipate it coming, which most of us never did, but we can all see why after the storm has calmed.

Shocking boots is what gets people talking…message boards were flooded, outrage in interviews, etc, etc, etc.

I’m still wondering how a shock boot is not a POSITIVE thing because isn’t all these new changes to keep the show with higher ratings?

I wouldn’t be surprised, in the slightest, if they “faked” the shock boot. I’m sure, without a doubt, that at some time before the top 5 is announced a glorious favorite will happen to find him/herself in the bottom 3. SHOCK! If nothing else they’ll save the supposed bottom 3 favorite from elimination because afterall, you do not MESS with the chosen one. Then if some crappy people are still stuck muddling through the top whatever is left they’ll be gone next week. I figure this will be a fantastic way to get rid of some deadweight(looking at you Sarver, Cawing girl) in a one two punch and in turn possibly boost ratings and keep the chosen one in check and make fans vote harder.

Manipulation at its finest.

I’m torn. On one hand, I love the IDEA of a second chance given to someone who I kind of enjoyed seeing every week and who really got a bum deal with a song not getting cleared at the last minute or maybe a weird theme week or temporary insanity in selecting in the wrong song or something and that person capitalizing on the opportunity and going on to kick ass the next week. Last season, for example, would have been a lot more fun for me with more Mavid . I thought all of the goofy joy kind of got sucked out of the group numbers when Michael left and I’m not gonna lie, I would have happily traded another week or five of KLC or Syesha for more MJ.

On the other hand, I’m not thrilled that the judges (slash producers) are the ones to decide who gets the second chance, because their decisions thus far with the wild cards and such kind of suck. THey’d probably pull a WTF and dole it out to a pet fave who has been consistently underperforming and boring me to tears and give me another reason to curse the producers. And yeah, when the judges huddled together to decide if they were going to use their veto power last week I couldn’t help but think of the movie Gladiator, and the crowd waiting on Commodus to give the thumbs up or thumbs down to spare someone’s life. Or those movie death row scenes where the rehabilitated convict is hoping for a call from the govenor with a special stay of execution that doesn’t come. Okay, maybe that’s a tad melodramtic, but it does seem extra cruel to make the potential loser suffer rejection not once, but twice, from the “voting public” and then the “judges.”

But, hmmm, on the off chance that the show would surprise me and save someone who deserves it and that person turns around and makes the most of the opportunity and my overall enjoyment of the show is the better for it, I’m kind of down with the concept. I guess. Maybe. I will probably alternately love or hate the idea depending on whether a singer I enjoy gets the reprieve or not, because I’m selfish that way.

Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢m sure, without a doubt, that at some time before the top 5 is announced a glorious favorite will happen to find him/herself in the bottom 3.

That’s assuming this season had a “glorious favorite” and I’m not at all sure it does. There really isn’t any change they’ve made this year, that I can think of, that made the show better in my opinion.

Here’s what was wrong with Season 7: The ratings declined. So the producers are trying anything they can to increase them, or at slow that decline down. Anything that gets people talking about the show is a good thing as far as they are concerned.

Btw, JHud had the highest number of votes the week previous to her departure, when she sang Circle of Life. So she did connect with America (but not me, until her gospel flavored Weekend in New England, which may be my fave performance ever on AI.)

According to the group sing (the teller of all things) we are supposed to vote for Adam/!!Gokey!!/Sarver/Alexis then Lil. The rest of the cast is just there so we have something to do until the top 5. TPTB will do whatever they have to in order to get that top 5 (why this top 5, I really have no idea because I’d pick a different top 5)

Since I am mayor or Grassy-Knoll-Town, I believe they only loosely count the votes in the first place so that the “bottom 3″ is never the real “bottom 3″ and any week they have a double elimination is a week that gives them leeway to get rid of anyone they want to.

So in my mind, this “veto” thing is useless anyway, they count votes the way they want to anyway so a “veto” is just for the “dramz” anyway.

Each week, statistically, you can make an excuse for anyone going home (vote-splitting, judges comments, demographics). The only exception to this was Taylor in his season — his fan base was way too strong — (well Clay in his season too, but let’s not go there now.)

I was sooooo hoping that they would release the real voting numbers, because THAT IS something that comes up every year.

Out of all the “shock” boots (I would not include Michael Johns in this as he was totally set up to leave that week and I think he knew it), nothing beats Daughtry….ahhhh….good times, good times.

I agree MJ.

So, here we go. Potential bootees, standing in front of the panel, awaiting their fateà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦will the judges invoke the saveà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦or not? Dun dun dun! As if the contestants arenà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t freaked out enough, now they face the possibility of being rejected twice. It sucks.

Ryan: “Sing,monkey, sing for your life! Mwahahaha!
Contestant (singing): “You got me begging you for mercy…”
Simon: Thumbs down. Contestant is thrown to the lions, er, mosh pit.
Contestant: Gaaaaaaahhhhh! Noooooooo!!!!

It’s hard enough for these kids to deal with everything the PTB put them through on the show, not to mention making recordings ever week so that the franchise can rake in even more bucks, without having to be rejected twice.

I realize Simon has often been more of an asshat when given criticism than necessary, but this season feels even more callous and crass than previous seasons. If there’s ever been a pretense than it was about finding a diamond in the rough and polishing him/her, now they’ve stopped even pretending it’s about that. Now it’s baldly about finding a “package” who is “current” and pushing through what they think America wants. Well, I guess it’s worked for them so I guess they figure, why hide it? Feh.

As for the shock boots, I didn’t watch before season 5, but I don’t think they were so shocking – based my anecdotal evidence around the water cooler. It’s the media commentators that seem most Shocked!Shocked! about it. But sensationalism is good for ratings I guess. For example, I think the shock of Chris Daughtry’s loss actually helped him and coincidentally hurt Taylor to some degree (because I remember a lot of press that called Taylor and unworthy winner and somehow blamed him for Chris’ early boot). The point is, if the pre-ordained winner doesn’t win they PTB still have the right of first refusal to sign him or her. So what’s the problem?

I am okay with the judges twist for a few different reasons. One reason being is it’s only time, one vote, and no one gets voted off the week that it happens. If the judges used the veto to save one of their favorites and then the next lowest vote getter got voted off, I might have more a problem with the rule, but since no one gets voted off the week the judges use it, I’m okay it.

And even though there is a double elimination the next week, only one person can win, and the same amount of people are going to go home. And I think that it makes things interesting without giving the judges too much power. If they got to choose who went home, that IMO, would be too much power, but in this situation no one goes home the week that they use it.

Also, I think it one of the changes that the show has undergone over the years, that could help shape the history of the show in an interesting way. I think that there are some changes, that have happened on AI over the years, that if they weren’t made or had been done differently could have definitely changed some of the outcomes that this show had had.

Like if the show hadn’t waited seven seasons to finally allow instruments. Things definitely could have been different if the show had allowed contestants in past seasons prior to season 7 play instruments. I know that Bo said that he and Anwar, asked the producers to allow them to play instruments but the producers refused to let them. If they had been allowed to play instruments during their season maybe Anwar would have gotten farther than he did, affecting the outcome of the show that season.

Or if they hadn’t raised the age limit. If they hadn’t Taylor Hicks wouldn’t have won and Bo and Constantine wouldn’t have been allowed to compete either. I know that the judges veto is different in some ways from these two other examples, but they are all changes that have been made that affect outcomes and the history of the show in some way. And I think they have affected the show in interesting ways, and I think the judges veto could do the same thing.

I think that if the outcome of Chris Daugtry’s and Jennifer Hudson’s exits were meant to be then whatever outcome the judges veto have on this season and maybe future seasons could be meant to be as well.

Last season, for example, would have been a lot more fun for me with more Mavid . I thought all of the goofy joy kind of got sucked out of the group numbers when Michael left and Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢m not gonna lie, I would have happily traded another week or five of KLC or Syesha for more MJ.

Me too, Sunchick. The group numbers were never the same after that. I think Michael would have had a good shot at staying if they’d been able to save him because the next week was Mariah Carey week. It’s all water under the bridge and I know the Davids would still have been the f2 but still it pains me still to see that pic of Michael. :down_tb:

I don’t really mind the new rule but hate that they’re going to ask the judges every time someone is being eliminated.

I am not a fan of the save. I love the “shock” boot. I do think the contestant is more shocked than America though. It’s entertaining tv.

I agree with t2 above who said that the judges want a top 5 of Adam, Gokey, Lil, Sarver and Alexis – and I’m actually ok with that, although I’d rather have Kris than Gokey, but whatever. I think that they’ll probably get that top 5 without manipulation. I think the only one of the 5 in real danger before top 5 is Sarver and I don’t really think they would use the save on him. I think the only ones they’re willing to use the save on are Adam, Gokey and Lil, maybe Alexis if it happens soon.

Since no one goes home, it’ll be like an IGB pass. It’s just another way to put drama into the show. Although, it’s very obvious who they’ll use it for. Scott, Meghan, Kris haven’t got a chance. I still prefer the SHOCKING BOOT or What have you done America? This is too predictable.

I can see all kinds of backlash against the “savee” – imagine if someone were saved by the judges, and then actually (although this is unlikely I know) went on the win the whole thing. The judges would certainly congratulate themselves but I think there would always be a question over whether that person really deserved to win.

At the least there will be all kinds of ugly backlash from the fans of the two who have to go home the following week … you know, “if X went home last week like they were supposed to, then Y might not have had to go home this week” … that kind of thing.

In the end, getting saved might have its own stigma. Of course, everything the contestants do, and everything TPTB do to/with those contestants, ticks somebody off, so maybe it all evens out in the wash. :rolleyes_tb:

I donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t really mind the new rule but hate that theyà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢re going to ask the judges every time someone is being eliminated.

This is what I was just thinking. It’s so stupid the way they did it this week, having the bootee sing and then have to stand there and have Ryan ask the judges if they want to save this person. It’s only going to happen one time so why not just have the person sing their final song and then go right to the journey video package and then end the show. If the judges decide to save someone, they can stop the proceedings before the video package (bells and flashing lights maybe?) and invoke the big save.

Unless youà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢re a favoriteà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬’in which case, come elimination time, instead of real shock, weà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ll get that labored look of someone working hard to keep their McSmugface in check.

How beautiful would it be to see the judges look Mr. or Ms. McSmugface in the eyes and say “we’ve decided not to save you” ? The ultimate shock. THAT would be good TV.

If the judges use the new power, I hope that the person saved is eliminated the following week.

hahaha ditto………………..if it’s Hokey Gokey.

In my cynical opinion the whole show is rigged anyway, the winner is predetermined, the votes are completely irrelevant so the ‘judges save’ is just for extra drama/ratings and totally pointless.

I’m with you, mj, and a little with sunchick too (in the selfish way. lol) With only last season to go by, that MJ got the least votes was not the problem for me, nor was it “shocking.” The way Seacrest threw him a lifeline, then jerked it back, was the real problem. THAT SUCKED!

Although I agree MJ was fun and funny and adding a spark, I thought he performed poorly (save Dolly Parton week) and made bad choices and frankly, didn’t have the vocal chops of the others who succeeded him (save KLC, but she was last year’s energizer bunny, who kept stepping it up every week whereas MJ did NOT.)

So, I’m not thinking the “judges’ save” is a worthwhile tool, other than for going after more viewers for the elimination shows, as you say. But, I will say, I don’t think the “stick it to TPTB” response of voting off two gifted contestants after the save is used is a productive response either. Talk about contestant cruelty! The public would have only switched places with the judges at that point, if it happens.

I agree with t2 above who said that the judges want a top 5 of Adam, Gokey, Lil, Sarver and Alexis

I definitely think that they want Danny/Adam/Lil in the top 5 and that they probably want those to be the top 3. As for the other two slots, for the top 5, I think it could be a toss up between some of the other contestants. I think that at this point, they would take some combination of Alexis, Alison, Matt to round out the top 5. And maybe possibly Megan.

I’m not so sure about Michael. I think they would be happy with him just making the tour, I don’t know if they want him to go as far as top 5. I don’t think at this point they want Kris in the top 5, or Scott, and I don’t think they really respect Anoop as a singer right now, so I don’t think they want him in the top 5 either.

Maybe the judges feelings will change about who they want in the top 5 and top 3 if. I hope that it does. I personally would like to see Anoop/Adam/Matt/Alexis, in the top 5 and even though I don’t like either of these two, either Danny or Lil to round out the top 5, or maybe Kris or Michael.

I would love to see an Adam/Anoop/Matt final 3 and am hoping that out of Anoop and Matt at least one of them (but hopefully both) can really step it up and put a stop to a possible Adam/Danny/Lil top 3. I think that Adam is going to continue to be consistantly great and I think that he is going to get very far in this competition. But I’m afraid that Anoop might continue to falter and leave early in this competition, and that Matt might get lost in the pack.

MJ you are awesome! Totally ditto everything you said. I yelled, screamed, cried, pitched a fit and vowed to never watch AI again when CD and MJ were eliminated. (that lasted until the next Tuesday night), but to this day I can see Chris and Kat’s faces clear as day that night and I believe their shock eliminations helped more than hurt them (Chris and Michael).

I happen to love the “dance for your life” part of SYTYCD and other shows. (I loved it on Rock Star.) I am also one of the few people out there that doesn’t care for the shocking boot. Mind you, I wasn’t sad to see Michael Johns go and I was thrilled to see Constantine leave.

The thing I don’t like is when people stay TOO long, which also “rears its head” every season- KLC, Sanjaya, and I predict Anoop for this season. This stupid Judges Save does nothing to rectify that or help out real frontrunners going down at #4 or #3. Like MJ said, it will only increase the tension on results night, so color me unimpressed.

edit: read my guidelines! Don’t be rude to fellow posters!

I don’t mind the Judges Save. The most shocking boots come in the top 5 anyway. Honestly, neither Michael Johns, JHud nor Constantine were going to win. MJ was not gong to take down the Davids. Connie was no match for Carrie and JHud was way too polarizing her season. Even if they had gotten saved, they would have gone home a few weeks later. Now, Daughtry and Tamyra Gray were great TV because they were perceived to be people who could win, at least in the media. The others were more like… “aww, they didn’t deserve to go home yet!” LOL.

Great news about the increased site traffic mj!

ETA: erennick, we said the same thing! Sorry. LOL

I thought I was one of the few or only thats was not shocked by the boot of Daughtrty one bit he was as MJ says predictable and he appeard to think he had it in the bag..Daughtry they set him and his look that day told it all.That was what AI wanted was buzz..now it is gone.(BTW I did not worry the guy had “it” ,Clive was waiting and would do well.)

The veto just gives more control to the producers and out of the voters hand . It just makes it more obvious this year than others .Taylor was one of my favs in Ai I have quite a few really, but like him or not the guy knew how to play the game..If it was surviver it is a good thing AI the oroducers get pissed if not tco…That will not happen again for anyone..

American Idol is a REALITY SHOW. And in order to survive it has to be reinvented and readjusted or it might as well fold up and go to TV show heaven. EVERY season they have tried something new, mixed things up, stirred the pot and, lo and behold, the fans have stuck around.

I was disturbed in Season 4 when they went to 24 finalists and made the he/she thing equitable and this year many people are equally as upset that they went back to the ORIGINAL formula and reinstated the wildcard round.

Last year they changed up Hollywood week and got rid of the DRAMA laiden GROUP sings, this year it is back. Whose to say that any of the Season 7 top 12 would have survived the group rounds. Last year the stupid rooms were eliminated this year they were back.

INSTRUMENTS ARE NOW part of the top 12…and, guess what, fans want them to be included in every round. Last year we had to endure the screaming idiots in the front and center mosh pit, this year not so much. This year people hate the “in floor” video screen. Early years had the contestants living in a common house…then it was gone…now it is BACK.

I, for one, am just going to sit back and see how this “new twist” plays out. Either it will be fun and interesting, or stupid and horrid, or fair or unfair, but HEH, this is REALITY TV. And, by the way, these KIDS know exactly what they are signing up for…they’ve watched the show for 7 years. They know there will be only 1 winner and only 10 will go on tour. They know that at some point they will GET THE AXE and be sent packing. They damn well better be prepared for it to happen, because their chance to survive to the end was only 1/100,000 to begin with. At least their odds are now 1/11.

IMO, Jennifer Hudson is a shock boot only in hindsight because of her recent success. What was more shocking that night was that all three “Divas” were in the bottom three, while Jasmine Trias and Jon Stevens weren’t.

I think at that time, if someone out of that bottom three had to go home, it should have been Jennifer. And the judges would not have saved her because it has to be unanimous. I don’t think Simon would have voted to keep her. That season he never really liked her and gave her really harsh criticism, IIRC.

I wonder, if the save isn’t used by the top 5, will the judges just use it anyways no matter who gets eliminated?

Ehhh…I don’t mind. Really, I don’t. The main reason is that I don’t think the judges are going to use the save all that much.

I could see a reason to save a contestant if he had been booted because after a week of repeated hits, he suddenly makes a bad song choice and hits bottom. But, most as you said, most “shock” eliminations, in retrospect, aren’t all that shocking. Michael Johns was on fire coming into Season 7, and then he sort of fizzled out because, hey, some people were just better – KLC aside, appealed to a broader audience, and mainly, he lost out in the vote split.

If the booty-licking is any indication, the judges seem to want an Danny/Adam finale. If either of these two were in danger of elimination, they would save him in a heartbeat. Truth is, I don’t think they expect these two to go before Top 5.

The de-pimping of Lil has already begun. But, I think she’s automatic Top 5, as well as Alexis.

Either way, I don’t think the save rule is going to be in effect every week. I just think it gives viewers hope that if their favorite is in danger, there’s a chance that he/she might be saved. Doesn’t mean they will be, though.

I am so tired of MJ and the alleged shock boot. Yeah, Carly was horrible and deserved to get booted before MJ for that performance. But seriously, it wasn’t that shocking, IMO. He wasn’t that good. America didn’t vote for him. I thought he had poor song choices. Are the judges suggesting that MJ would have made it beyond Brooke or Jason? Seriously? I cannot remember one breakout performance he did before that song. Unlike Brooke’s Let it Be or Jason’s Hallelujah.

I didn’t watch the other seasons, but would they have chosen/saved Tamyra Grey so she could go toe to toe against Justin over Kelly? But it just seems so highly manipulative and forced.

I didnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t watch the other seasons, but would they have chosen/saved Tamyra Grey so she could go toe to toe against Justin over Kelly?

She wouldn’t have been eligible, either. But her versus Kelly would have been more appealing than Justin vs Kelly.

Either way, her boot wasn’t shocking, either. Her time was simply up.

I still don’t get how this was this shock and outrage over Michael leaving at 8th. First of all when you aren’t in the bottom 3 at that point it’s still pretty early in the game. Second, it wasn’t until the two weeks leading up to his boot that he started to actually find his stride..before that his semi-final performances and anything before his Queen performance wasn’t anything special and he even made a crack about how he ‘apparently peaked in Hollywood’. I’m not really convinced he would have made it much further even with a ‘save’ either, I think even Jason at that point had more of a rabid fanbase.

Daughtry was a whole other story. Even though he had already hit the bottom 2 at one point he really was seen as a major contender.

I still donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t get how this was this shock and outrage over Michael leaving at 8th

I think that maybe a lot of people being upset about Michael’s departure could have been less about the size of his fanbase, or that a lot of people thought that he should have gone very far,. But more about the fact that a lot of folks may have simply felt that there were worse singers that should have left before he did.

I liked Michael okay, but he wasn’t my favorite, and I didn’t really feel like he connected to the audience that well. However, I do think that he had a good voice and that he should have outlasted Kristy Lee Cook who stayed too long IMO, and Brooke and Syesha, who also IMO, stayed too long.

I thought that Kristy Lee Cook gave some poor performances and even though she did end up improving I thought she should have left before Michael did. I thought that Brooke was not a very good singer, and should not have lasted as long as she did, and not longer than Michael. And I never connected with Syesha, and I don’t feel like she ever had a ‘”wow” performance. Not one. Truth be told I didn’t really connect a lot with Carly either even though I thought she had a good voice

So even though Michael may not have connected with the audience that well, I think that there were people that gave worser performances than he did overall, and/or also didn’t connect that well with people that should have went home before he did. So I think that maybe there were a lot of people that might not have necessarily wanted him to win, but thought that he should have had a better finish than he did, because there were worser people that outlasted him.

I happen to agree with Richard Rushfield of the Los Angeles Times in that I think Carly Smithson is the best contestant ever on American Idol and I wouldn’t even have saved her with this crappy new rule.

Why? Well, certainly not because I don’t think she “deserved” to be on Idol, but because one of the underlying bedrock premises of this show is, or has been up to this point, that the cast will be determined, for better or for worse, by fan popular vote. American Idol should maintain that illusion without manifest post-vote tinkering.

This is strictly a publicity stunt to try to generate viewer interest because I seriously doubt that TPTB would ever “save” somebody they want to win, or even have Sony/BMG sign to a deal, because it would undermine their perceived populism.

For example, would Carly be liked or resented more if she had been reinserted into the show and had hung around for the finale, somehow displacing one of The Davids. I suggest the latter, the Archuleta fans are still sniping at Cook nearly a year later.

I’m not a fan of the save rule, either.

Peter Noone said it best: This isn’t a singing competition, it’s a voting competition. If you haven’t motivated people to vote for you on a particular week (incur a time/effort cost on your behalf), then you need to go.

Singers gain or lose momentum over the course of the show in terms of public opinion, but I think one of the strong points of the show is that each week, everyone’s vote totals are cleared back to zero. It’s an even playing field (in theory). You did great last week? OK, well that was last week; show us what you got this week. You did horrible last week but managed to survive anyway? OK, good for you; you have the chance to redeem yourself this week.

I think the rule will encourage what I believe helped Daughtry get the boot in the first place: He thought he had the AI title in the bag and had therefore become predictable and lazy. The pimped favorites surely know who they are. Both Adam and Danny know TPTB want them in the finals. Why should they knock themselves out or take risks if they feel they can coast for the next seven weeks?

Not to unfairly single out Adam and Danny, however. I think this could effect any of the singers who have been pimped so far. They might be thinking, “OK, this week’s genre is going to be bad for me, but I’ll just sort of muddle through because I know the judges like me and will save me if I fail.”

Edited to add: I think the save rule discourages the non-pimped singers too. We’ve all seen it: struggling singers who take some huge risk that pays off or just really steps it up one week. They are motivated because while they are still in it, hey, it’s anyone’s game. But the rule alters that. They could be thinking, “Even if I get lucky and do great on a week a pimped one is lackluster, I still will not be able to get past him/her, because the judges will bring out the save rule.”

They might be thinking, à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“OK, this weekà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s genre is going to be bad for me, but Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ll just sort of muddle through because I know the judges like me and will save me if I fail.à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ 

Hmmmmm…anyone thinking like that deserves to go home.

I am so tired of MJ and the alleged shock boot. Yeah, Carly was horrible and deserved to get booted before MJ for that performance. But seriously, it wasnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t that shocking, IMO. He wasnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t that good. America didnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t vote for him. I thought he had poor song choices. Are the judges suggesting that MJ would have made it beyond Brooke or Jason? Seriously? I cannot remember one breakout performance he did before that song. Unlike Brookeà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s Let it Be or Jasonà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s Hallelujah.

IKR? I really don’t think he would’ve made it past 6th at best.

I think even Jason at that point had more of a rabid fanbase.

He did and he still does. Jason’s fanbase is really rabid, even on the tour… some people reported that at some cities he had even more fans than the Davids.

Too many judges… Too much influence and power. Judges are ruining the show!!

I happen to love the à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“dance for your lifeà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  part of SYTYCD and other shows. (I loved it on Rock Star.)

I love the dance/sing for your life structures as well, but I see them as very different than this judge’s save business. With both SYTYCD and Rockstar, the bottom-three each week is essentially given a chance to redeem themselves, either in the eyes of the judges, the audience, or both. I like the conceit mainly because on both shows the contestants are allowed to perform something different from the night before, and something completely of their own choice (well, you know….as much as anything can be their choice what with song clearances etc.).

This allows for contestants to overcome the pitfalls of vote-splitting (aka The Mighty Mouse Effect), an unfortunate theme week, a particularly poor song-choice, or simply an off-night. While the decision about who goes home is ultimately in the judges (read: producer’s) hands, this eleventh-hour performance at least forces TPTB to make a decision that is justifiable to the audience. It also gives departing contestants the ability to leave a positive final impression and to exit with some dignity and pride. It can also help build a fanbase for contestants who really bring it and are saved (remember contestants like Danny or Gev on SYTYCD).

But I agree with mj that this one-time judges save rule is nothing more than a gimmick that does nothing to benefit the competition. I see no scenario in which its use will be anything but a hyper-predictable pretense, just like the “sing-offs” during the chair episode and the entire wild-card show were. All this does IMO is further limit the element of surprise (or at least the perception of surprise) that used to make Idol so addictive. I want my game-changing moments in the hands of the contestants, not the judges. I want to be thrilled by an out-of-nowhere performance, or by a scrappy underdog proving their worth week after week. Or by a complacent contestant getting called-out by America’s vote. I honestly don’t remember a season where the contestants themselves have been so irrelevant to the show.

I pity the person who gets a save no matter how it turns out. If they win, the victory would be tainted. If they get booted agian they would always be a two-time Idol loser. Either way they would be answering questions about it forever. I wonder if a contestant can turn down a save. Now that would make things interesting!

Who didn’t go home in Season 6 in IGB week? Did that person get in the top 5? Has he/she had a career since then? (Sorry, didn’t watch so don’t know these questions.)

The only thing I keep thinking is that winning just won’t/can’t be as sweet knowing you had a save by the judges one week. I could be wrong on this, but either way, from what I’m reading here, whoever wins probably won’t need the save anyway…

Wasn’t the whole wild card and top 13 all along whole ‘judges save’ line anyway?

IMO, the only person worth getting through on the WC round was Matt G., unless Anoop steps it up…

Wasnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t the whole wild card and top 13 all along whole à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‹judges saveà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ line anyway?

I definitely think that the top 13 decision is similar to the judges veto. They kept at least one person around a week longer than they would have been around, had they just made it a top 12 instead. And they made it a top 13 to help control who they wanted to make it into the finals and their decision may help some contestants possibly advance farther in the competition.

I think that the veto can be used/will be used for reasons like that, to help the judges favorites get farther and to help the judges have more control over the outcome of this season.

I am not sure how I feel about the judges save. I think mostly it’s an ineffective gimmick. It’s not going to really do anything to enhance the show. Will it create a water cooler moment? Will it cause everyone to step up the next week, will it create viewer backlash who feel that their will is being trampled on. Why the heck should we vote if we aren’t being heard? Will that hurt the person saved and will that be the point? I feel very gnollish right now. What a freaking odd season.

I dont mind the twist, nothing mind blowing about saving one Idol, one time – big deal. What I hate is the way they poll the judges after the Idol sings out, that isnt necessary and is cruel

MJ, I totally agree with all your comments on the Judge Veto/Judge Save. Simon was right, the viewers won’t like it. This gives them more control over the Final Five. They may not be our choice.

I felt so sorry for Jasmine and Jorge. They received cruel treatment, IMO. The game playing with Anoop is mind boggling. Must this continue?

I want my old (Season 7) American Idol back! THE CHANGES TPTB HAVE MADE ARE AWFUL.

LoL-

and i thought all along that MJ deleted my comment about Kelly’s Ghetto Booty on Wed. hahahaha

I agree with those who conclude that the “Judges’ Save” is primarily a stunt to increase the suspense of the results show, and I’d go so far as to say there’s a good chance it won’t be used at all, allowing Simon to say (on the last night it is available)”America’s gotten it right all along.” That said, it’s a flexible tool that MIGHT allow them to rescue a favorite in the mid-game, or (to cite a possibility no one’s discussed) to manufacture the right Top 10 for the tour. If either Alison or Megan is the lowest vote-getter next week, I think the judges will be very tempted to use it and avoid a 7-man, 3-woman tour.

If either Alison or Megan is the lowest vote-getter next week, I think the judges will be very tempted to use it and avoid a 7-man, 3-woman tour.

I don’t think this is possible. If they don’t eliminate someone next week, they’ll have to eliminate 2 the following week, which will leave a top 9. How then can they then decide on a top 10 for the tour.

Hmmmm, now this might make for interesting TV…lol.

sumdial, I agree with you. I also think it’s cruel. It’s like they have to hear twice that they are going home.

Who didnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t go home in Season 6 in IGB week? Did that person get in the top 5? Has he/she had a career since then? (Sorry, didnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t watch so donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t know these questions.)

I heard that Lakisha Jones was supposed to go home the week of IGB, and she ended up lasting until Top 4.

When they eliminated two contestants the following week, Phil Stacey and Chris Richardson, the producers made public who had the most votes–Chris went out at 5 and Phil at 6.

So, if there is a double elimination during week 9, only one of the two would make the tour.

Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢d go so far as to say thereà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s a good chance it wonà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t be used at all, allowing Simon to say (on the last night it is available)à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ Americaà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s gotten it right all along.à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ 

I’m also not convinced they’ll even use it. I mean wouldn’t it be fantastic if one of TCOs receives the lowest number of votes, has to peform again and then awaits the judges’ final verdict, only to be told: “Sorry. You weren’t good enough!” That would be an awesome Television Moment, even if unnecessarily cruel. It could also be a way to allow the sweeping away of somebody they misjudged in terms of his or ability to move iTunes units.

The other thing is that they could “save” a contestant “America” is clearly finished with. That would be in keeping with a season where they allowed Tatiana and Nick (and several others) to advance over other more promising artists.

I can see them using the save with Anoop. They can continue to complain about his performance (no matter how good it is), hope that the voters listen to them and then save him for another week so his fans hit the phones for another “record” number of calls.

I heard that Lakisha Jones was supposed to go home the week of IGB, and she ended up lasting until Top 4.

So no one really knows who the bottom vote getter was that week? In other words the MJ ‘tease’ wasn’t really a tease because the pass had been handled differently the year before? Well, maybe it was somewhat…

Anyway, this does make the judges’ save different than IGB since if they continue to handle it as they did last week, everyone will know who has been saved. I’m a little interested to see how they do handle this and how it plays out, if they use it before they’re forced to.

I’m with those who believe they will use it at the last possible moment if they haven’t before, just because they can…

When they eliminated two contestants the following week, Phil Stacey and Chris Richardson, the producers made public who had the most votesà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬’Chris went out at 5 and Phil at 6.

So, if there is a double elimination during week 9, only one of the two would make the tour.

Okay, that makes sense.

So no one really knows who the bottom vote getter was that week? In other words the MJ à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‹teaseà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ wasnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t really a tease because the pass had been handled differently the year before? Well, maybe it was somewhatà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦

I want to say they tortured Jordin(?) somewhat by telling everyone else they were safe except her, letting her assume for a hot 2 seconds she was gone, then Ryan “saving” her by revealing it was a non-elimination week cause of IGB. (That might not be totally accurate but it went down something like that.) So the next year we had IGB and everyone thought they might do the same thing.

(eta: okay, yep. so i guess that’s an example of how they took something cool from S6 and screwed w/it in S7

And even if it would be cool for them to NOT use the Save this year if/when we expect it….isn’t that just taking the “credit” away from voters for the awesome shock boot and giving it to the judges instead?

Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢m not enamored with this idea of a judgesà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ save, but I agree with whoever said they donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t mind it except that ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ll get annoying if they ask the judges every time someone is about to be booted. That was just awkward for Jasmine and Jorge, and like someone said, reminded me of when Ryan jerked around Michael Johns by pretending he was going to get an IGB pass. But speaking of MJ, I really don’t think the judges would’ve saved him last year even if they had this tool, precisely because of the way Ryan jerked him around. I lean towards the belief that the “judges’ save” is really the “producers’ save” anyway, much like the WC choices were producer determined (“casting the show” etc.) So last year, if the producers were really that outraged when they saw MJ at the bottom of the vote totals, they would’ve used the IGB excuse to save him, and used it as an opportunity to give America a heads-up that they needed to rally behind MJ if they wanted to. But bottom line, TPTB’s were done with MJ by the Top 8 last year, and enjoyed the shock boot buzz and narrative. I feel like by that time, they were clearly gunning for a Davids finale, and would have only used it for one of them. So if they had that choice last year, I don’t think they would’ve used it. This year, I think they’ll only use it if Danny or Adam are in danger. And I don’t think they will be leading up to the Top 5 unless something crazy happens.

I dunno, maybe Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢m talking out of my ass cuz I’m relatively new to Idol. Season 7 was the only one I watched in its entirety, and the only time I got invested, and for me, it was the perfect season because it turned out how I wanted – but I also know invested fans get really upset when they feel like their Idol got kicked off prematurely, so maybe those people will be happy if the save is used on their favorite. And then if their favorite ends up leaving the next week, or soon after, they have less to gripe about because America really confirmed their choice? I dunno if that makes sense. Like I said, I donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t particularly care for this change, cuz I liked how Season 7 turned out without it, but I also don’t think it’ll change things too much? Or maybe if my favorite this year (there isnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t a clear one yet) gets saved, Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ll turn around and love it haha.

I think it’s very possible they would have used it for Michael last season because the judges all seemed shocked that it was him. Paula had even picked Michael and Carly to be in the top 4 with the Davids shortly before that. I’m sure there are plenty here that didn’t find it shocking but the media seemed to and I certainly was.

There are so many reasons for why the votes shake out how they do and can understand why it’s tempting to have more control but I hope the judges don’t use it this season but am not holding my breath.

For example, would Carly be liked or resented more if she had been reinserted into the show and had hung around for the finale, somehow displacing one of The Davids.

Good point. The saved contestant could wind up being very resented. I hadn’t thought of it from that angle. I’m not sure the show has thought this through.

If the saved contestant actually won, there will be a lot of resentment from the other camp about not winning based on popularity but because that person is a judges’ pet. I can already envision the fanwars…

There was a shocker in the first season too, when Tamyra got booted. The shockers are good for the show, they are what keeps people coming back, because you can’t predict everything that will happen. That ability to surprise is one of the strengths of American Idol.

I was truly shocked when Tamyra, Constantine, Jennifer, Daughtry, and Michael Johns went home. Reverberations went through my body. I was stunned. In a couple of cases I was angry and upset. But I kept watching. It’s the potential to be shocking that makes the show so compelling. Most tv can’t do that without trying to be ever-more violent and graphic. To me that’s the wrong way to shock people. Making them eat worms is another gross way of creating shock.

American Idol shouldn’t lose that ability to shock. But I don’t really worry about the “save” until I see it in action. It might end up being a hoot in some way. For sure it will create controversy. The truth is, this season I don’t care who wins, don’t have a favorite, and will barely be watching, so I don’t think anyone could shock me unless it was Adam going home early. That would definitely be surprising.

I completely agree that this is all about trying to boost ratings by creating !drama! and !suspense!, just like the “personality” contestants, the horrible staged sing-offs in Hollywood and the Wildcare farce in the semis. The producers seem to really not understand what made the show fun to watch in seasons past.

Good point. The saved contestant could wind up being very resented. I hadnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t thought of it from that angle. Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢m not sure the show has thought this through.

The saved contestant would only be resented if there is a clear-cut top 2 or 3 that most people are in agreement should be the top 2 or 3. Last year, whether people liked the Davids or not (or thought one was awesome and the other blah), most still agreed that they should be the top 2, and that an all-David finale would be the most exciting. Last year there were the Davids… and everybody else.

This year, whether by design or by chance, it’s simply not as clear-cut. Sure, we have the two mega-pimped contestants, Adam and Danny, and the semi-pimped Lil, but it’s not like we can’t imagine a perfectly reasonable scenario where 1 or more of those people don’t make the top 3. It’s not Danny, Adam, Lil… and everybody else–despite the pimping.

So I don’t think a “saved” contestant, if not one of those 3, would be widely resented for taking the spot of Adam, Danny or Lil unless he or she is simply terrible. Possibly there would be some anger from the Adam, Danny or Lil fan base, but no mass outrage. And as much as I think this season has less talent as a whole than last year’s crop, they did manage to get rid of the potential Kristy Lee of the bunch early on (Jasmine). There aren’t any Sanjayas, either. Some contestants need to step it up, but I don’t think anybody is so dreadful that they deserve scorn for replacing one of the TCOs, or would really receive scorn in any large amount if they do.

But I suppose we’ll see if anybody starts sucking it up in the next few rounds.

I think it’s fun to think about what would have happened to figure out if this save thing really makes a diff.

My conclusion: I don’t think the save really helps. If someone gets the fewest votes when there are still 6 or more in the competition, then that person just doesn’t have the fanbase to make it much farther anyway. Thus, this twist is a load of hooey.

If they’d saved Michael last year, AND if he’d done great with the Mariah Carey song he’d planned, then Kristy and Brooke would have been out as Nos. 8 and 7. Then how would Michael have done with Andrew Lloyd Webber? Maybe worse than Carly, who picked a controversial song for middle America? So Carly might have lived longer in the competition with Michael going out at 6 instead of 8. Or he’d be out at 5th for sure–I can’t imagine him doing well on TWO songs by Neil Diamond. Maybe better than Jason? Hmmm.

If they’d saved Carly at Top 6, then there would have been two out at Top 5. Syesha and David C did best that week. Would Carly have done better than Jason (yes), Brooke (maybe but Brooke did great on her second song) and David A (probably no)? I think Carly might have lived until 4th maybe.

If theyà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢d saved Michael last year, AND if heà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢d done great with the Mariah Carey song heà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢d planned, then Kristy and Brooke would have been out as Nos. 8 and 7.

There’s another big “if” to think about with Michael staying–there was a belief among many that he was splitting votes with DC. It makes sense. Same general type of audience, even if their musical styles weren’t exactly the same. And the two were major buds and it showed. I think a lot of Michael’s votes ultimately went to DC. So what would have happened if Michael had stayed in the competition? In season 5, I think Elliott was basically out of the top 2 because he and Taylor were splitting votes, but Taylor had a more loyal, consistent fanbase. Kat was getting the girl power vote all to herself, meaning that Elliott probably lost a spot in the finale simply because his audience wasn’t different enough than one of the other contestants, even if his performances were better.

Well, I don’t like the idea of the judges save. If it is in the hands of America (and the voters from wherever) it should be in our hands. The judges already have enough influence when a Simon says “pack your bags” or “this is the end of the line for you”. Or they fawn all over someone who actually had a rather mediocre performance. I agree that they won’t use it unless Lil, Danny, or Adam get booted earlier than the top three. I will be very, very surprised if we are not looking at those three for the homecoming week. I personally am liking Kris and hope he builds up a fanbase and a following. But I don’t think the judges will save him when his time is up.

Interesting analysis Soundscene. I was and am a David Cook fan, but never was that into Michael Johns. He seemed a bit too cocky and sure of himself while David was, to me, more likeable. One of his endearing qualities was that he seemed to be friends with everyone but especially Michael and Carly. I also didn’t think their sound was very much the same, although I get your point. Michael preferred the big rock anthem kind of songs and was pretty predictable, while David’s choices were often surprising and very different week to week. I loved his versatility. I didn’t see Michael Johns as being versatile. I don’t think I would have voted for anyone if David Cook had been voted off. He was my only choice from Top 24 week forward. I do agree that it would have been interesting if Michael Johns had been saved, but think it would only have postponed the inevitable one week anyway. I actually thought season 7 finished just the way it should have. The Daughtry year was the only year that I really thought the voters missed the boat. I couldn’t believe it when he was voted off. Latoya London was a big surprise to the judges, but I didn’t think she connected with people very well. Sometimes when the judges are surprised, I’m not so surprised, but I was with Chris Daughtry, and like someone earlier said, he wouldn’t have been saved because it was week 4. I wonder why they chose week 5 to be the last time to use the save. If they save someone, will two be voted off the next week? I wonder how that will work.

The only way I will like this rule is if it results in Danny Gokey being eliminated 2 weeks in a row. Otherwise, I hate it.

I personally am liking Kris and hope he builds up a fanbase and a following. But I donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t think the judges will save him when his time is up.

Shari, you may not see this, but I say, yes! Great minds think alike. I also like Matt G, Alexis and Allison. I would so love for for one these four to go forward. Dark Horse FTW! I especially think Kris is the darkest horse in this race. I don’t think we’ve seen everything he can do yet! I hope we can!!!

I especially think Kris is the darkest horse in this race. I donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t think weà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ve seen everything he can do yet! I hope we can!!!

I agree with Randy’s comment last week that there’s something very Jason Mraz-ish about Kris. He doesn’t have the pipes that Mraz has, but he’s got that same appealing quality and acoustic-y charm, with a slight lilt in his vocals that makes a song his own without a complete overhaul of the arrangement. At this point I think Kara likes him the best and he needs more than just her to get a save should he get the boot one night. I don’t think Simon is really on board yet with him, even though I think he’s probably one of the more marketable contestants.

American Idol in 60 seconds is up. Jim Cantiello is so clever and so funny.

http://www.mtv.com/videos/news/353228/american-idol-recap-michael-jackson-week.jhtml#name=news&id=1605360

At this point I think Kara likes him the best and he needs more than just her to get a save should he get the boot one night. I donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t think Simon is really on board yet with him, even though I think heà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s probably one of the more marketable contestants.

Oh, I agree! It would be a complete shocker if the judges would save the likes of Kris. Therefore, I hope the fans do, at least for a couple more weeks…I want to see more of him.

ETA: thanks Suzanne! For some reason I’ve missed all of these and got to watch them all. This week’s was imo the funniest!

I don’t see the judges ever saving Kris nor do I think they should. He’s too ordinary as far as the competition goes.

I doubt the judges will use the save unless it’s for a truly shocking boot, in other words someone that has the talent to stay but for whatever reason didn’t get the votes. It could be they picked the wrong song that one week, fans are voting to keep someone who has been in the bottom a lot (like Syesha and KLC last season), the judges were particularly hard on them and knew it once they watched the show again, and so on. I’m not saying I like it but I can see what they’re thinking. I’m not sure about the resentment from others but it could happen especially if 2 different ones go the next week.

I was and am a David Cook fan, but never was that into Michael Johns. He seemed a bit too cocky and sure of himself while David was, to me, more likeable. One of his endearing qualities was that he seemed to be friends with everyone but especially Michael and Carly.

Michael was also friends with the others and seemed to be well liked by all including the crew backstage according to someone who works for the show. I don’t know how far he’d have gone if saved (I’d hazard a guess at anywhere from 6th to 4th) but I do think that Michael being booted so early helped DC with votes although I didn’t vote for him until the f2 because I wanted him to win over DA.

I get the idea that some of you really believe that your voting for two hours really matters. hee! they are following a script. I truely believe that DA was suppose to be the real winner last year…But, figured let’ make it DC and everyone can be happy. If votes really mattered… For one..No way Could Syesha Beat out Jason..if his fan base is as great as everyone says. Jason could have came out and just batted his eyes and received more votes then her.
As for Michael..he did not deserve to leave..he has way more talent then alot of them. TPTB needed to get rid of him to make it easier for Cook. (I am thrilled Cookie won) Yes, It was a shock and it was a horrible thing they did to Michael.

The new rule is pretty much a joke for me.

As for Michael..he did not deserve to leave..he has way more talent then alot of them. TPTB needed to get rid of him to make it easier for Cook.

They might have wanted him gone but honestly, MJ made it easy for them since he hardly shone or stood out in the Finals. Everyone was lifting their game and was experiencing increased momentum, except that MJ would have weeks of mediocrity with occasional glimpses of former glory. In a way, he did peak in Hollywood.

While I was shocked that he was booted off instead of the other two girls, I think that it was believable that he would be sent home because of a less enthused fanbase. ON a night where he and DC stunk up the place, it was no contest since despite splitting votes, the Word Nerds were more vigilant and rabid than MJ fans.

So what if they were able to save MJ last season? they didnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t sign him eventually anyway and they seem to be pretty happy with the David tandem they ended up with.

I am a massive MJ fan and won’t get into a whole argument about whether he was or was not a shock elimination (though consensus publicly and in the media seems to indicate he was, but everyone has their own opinion). I did want to note, however, that 19 did try to sign him, he considered but ultimately asked to be released from his option because of his previous label issues, and they agreed. Both MJ and 19 have made statements about this, so this is not some fantasy created by a crazed, delusional fan. And, his new Sony distributed CD drops June 2 with his single releasing 3/31. :grin1_ee: