Thursday, April 10, 2008

American Idol:
The Top 8 Results Show

Bottom Three:
Syesha Mercado ("I Believe")
Michael Johns ("Dream On")
Carly Smithson ("The Show Must Go On")

Eliminated:
Michael Johns (Yikes!!!)








A wave of shock and disbelief spread throughout the theater when Ryan Seacrest made the announcement. After he sequestered the Bottom 3, we're sure most everyone, like ourselves, believed that either Carly or Syesha was doomed instead. In fact, we thought David Cook, whom we love, but who had a terrible night on Tuesday would be standing in Michaels' place. DialIdol.com placed Cook and Johns in a near deadheat for the third from bottom position, with Syesha second from the bottom and Carly dead last. Carly was so sure she was leaving, when the con-
testants were still back-
stage and Ryan broke for a commercial with the words "when we come back we'll see who's going home tonight," Carly actually raised her hand. After Seacrest eliminated Johns, Smithson was seen numerous times on the couch crying more than anyone else. Almost as if she had survivor's guilt. It was interesting to watch the reactions of the other finalists on the couch when the camera panned other there. Jason Castro wasn't even looking at Johns and Seacrest onstage, he was actually looking in the other direction, automatically clapping his hands with the crowd, but seemingly unaffected and uncaring. David Cook was visibly upset, even looked angry. Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul and Simon Cowell were also caught off guard. Johns was one of the few finalists left they all seemed to like when they appeared on Larry King's CNN show Monday night. We think all three judges, at the very least, expected Johns to make it to at least the Top 5. Abdul looked stunned, Jackson and Cowell upset, especially after Johns completed his exit song by the judges' table. All three approached him. Abdul embraced him for a long time, Jackson had his hand on Johns' shoulder and Cowell stood there waiting his turn to have a word with him.

Watch video of Michael Johns elimination. Note the really cruel act by Seacrest, who, after telling Johns he'd been eliminated, said, "Now, last year during 'Idol Gives Back,' we didn't eliminate anybody at this stage of the competition," making everyone think that Michael wouldn't go. Seacrest paused, then added, "Tonight, we're going to say goodbye to Michael Johns." How mean can you be? Why was that necessary? Everyone was already shocked and upset. It was a new low blow for "American Idol."



Watch video of "American Idol" Top 8 singing "Shout to the Lord":



Watch video of Season 6 winner Jordin Sparks and Chris Brown performing "No Air" on Thursday night's show:



Watch video of Ford commercial "I Just Want to Celebrate":


Next week, Mariah Carey is guest mentor, when, according to a Fox press release, the contestants will "perform songs by Mariah Carey." Well, doesn't that sound like a train wreck waiting to happen, especially for the guys? We had imagined it more like last year's visit by Gwen Stefani, when the finalists sang "songs that have inspired Gwen Stefani." All we can say is "Uh-oh."

In other Idol news, before the elimination Seacrest told the audience that "Idol Gives Back" had raised $60 million so far. Last year, the show garnered $76 million and this year's goal was $100 million. Ratings were significantly down for "Idol Gives Back" 2008. Despite being the top-rated show Wednesday, 17.5 million viewers tuned into the show, down from last year's 26.9 million viewers, according to Nielsen Media Research.

e-mail Idol Addict
© 2008

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

the way ryan seacrest mentioned that last year after the idol gives back no one went home led you to think they were doing the same. it was very mean spirited to do this and then say michael you are going home. i totally disagree with the vote and i my feelings for this show have changed. either one of the last two girls should have been eliminated. or in this special case no one since it should have been the same as last year

Anonymous said...

Ryan Seacrest owes Michael Johns a hugh apology for that slap in the face comment about no elimination last year. You could see the glimmer of hope in his eyes only to be given such a low blow. They torture the contestants on elimination night but last night they crossed the line. He is not a kid. Shame on them.

Anonymous said...

I was completely disgusted and shocked that Michael Johns was voted off last night! He has been our favorite since the very begining. My husband and I have always admired his voice and pressence. He is a star no matter what the idol outcome was. We definately won't be watching anymore Idol for the rest of this season as a result. As for Michael, we're sure he has an awesome future ahead of him!

Anonymous said...

I TOTALLY AGREE WITH ALL COMMENTS SAID ABOUT LAST NIGHT'S SHOW. RYAN SEACREST REALLY DID HIMSELF IN WITH HIS REMARKS ABOUT LAST YR'S SHOW. MICHAEL JOHNS IS AN EXCELLENT SINGER & I HOPE HE GOES A LONG WAY LIKE CLAY AIKEN, ANOTHER ONE OF SIMON'S DISAGREEMENTS. WHY DOESN'T SIMON LOOK AT JASON. HE EVEN JOINED THE CROWD WITH CLAPPING WHEN MICHAEL JOHNS WAS ELIMINATED. I WOULDN'T GIVE HIM THE TIME OF DAY. WHO IS HE TO JUDGE. HIS OVER THE RAINBOW WAS TERRIBLE, EVEN THOUGH THE JUDGES THOUGHT HE DID A GREAT JOB. HE RUINED A BEAUTIFUL SONG.

Anonymous said...

I agree completely with comments made about Michael Johns going too soon. I never liked Jason but I never liked his song choices either. I saw nothing wrong with Michael Johns song choice this past week. I also agree Seacrest owes him an apology. He got everyones hopes up that Michael was staying. Really a low blow. I usually agree with Simon but not this time.

Anonymous said...

I too agree that Johns should not have been eliminated especially because of all the other work they had to do this last week with the "Idol Gives Back" show. I too won't watch the rest of the season. The only reason would be for David Cook, but I can't listen to Syesha, Carly, or Kristy Lee's pitchy vocals for one more week. The only good thing is that Michael probably has already been given a contract to sign today!

Anonymous said...

I think Michael was possibly doomed when he spoke up to Randy about his song choice, and it being about reaching your dreams. Randy said back to him, "This isn't a show about dreams, this is a show about singing." Maybe Randy should feel a little twinge of regret for his choice of words and for this rude comment. Good for Michael for sticking up for himself when he shook his head as if to say "no" when Simon made the comment about song choice. Why Simon chose to push that dagger in deeper at that point is bewildering. I won't watch the show anymore. We know America won't allow David Cook to win and besides him, no one else, besides Michael, had a chance of beating The Chosen One, David Archuleta.

Anonymous said...

I unfortunately CAN believe what happened last night to Michael Johns, however, I do not agree at all, but when you leave the voting up to the "public" they like to screw around with peoples lives. If one of the judges, especially Simon says something nice, the sick public votes them off. Look at Daughtry and Tamara Gray.Every year the public acts like idiots and tries to eliminate a really good singer. But Michael, have no fear...I am sure you already have a record deal by this point today and you will do fine. They should not let the fans vote, they are jerks