American Idol is giving me some serious mixed messages, PopWatchers. On the one hand, I step away from CBS Television City for three weeks, and Michael Johns and Carly Smithson both get handed the semi-regular Jennifer Hudson No Prize, events that severely shake my enthusiasm for this year’s season and force a good friend to repudiate Idol altogether. On the other, while I was gone, Kristy Lee Cook also won the Sanjaya Malakar No Prize, which coaxed our beloved Idolatry producer Jason Averett into fits of coruscating genius unabated (and perhaps even enhanced) by the departure of the aforementioned (and dearly missed) Carly. On the one hand, when I returned to the Idol stage yesterday afternoon, the warm-up comic was not our be-loathed Cory, but a laid back old-school emcee named Johnny D. who I vaguely remember enjoying from last season. On the other, this was also the night that Paula very well may have singlehandedly lifted the entire American Idol juggernaut over an entire school of sharks purely on the power of whatever magic she’s sparkling to these days. I know Idol’s trying to tell me something, but I’m not sure if it means it wants a booty call, to move in, or just be "friends" who sporadically play a game of online Scrabble.
I’ve already given the on-the-scene lowdown on the whole Paula two-song-no-sorry-one-song debacle — it was too juicy not to download to the blog ASAP — so all I have to add is this: I should’ve realized things were heading down the crazy-train track when Nigel Lythgoe scurried through the audience from his usual stage-left berth halfway through Syesha Mercado’s first performance for what appeared to be a last-minute pow-wow with Ryan and Debbie backstage, something I’d never seen him do. (And it’s not like there weren’t ways of getting cross stage that didn’t include whacking through the sea of swaying hands in the mosh pit.) Lo and behold, Ryan said on his radio show this morning that Nigel was indeed changing things mid-stream after a directive from a Fox exec (you can read more about that here).
As for the rest of the show, I could just boil it down to David Cook’s a total mensch and Johnny D. once played dead for Mulder and Scully, but that’s not what y’all come here for, is it? So let’s all raise ourselves over the jump on the power of Paula’s magic, and dive into this most bizarre of Idol evenings, how ’bouts it?
First things first: I must give a shout out to the lovely woman who coordinates the Idolseating for the audience each and every night. I was seated in thethird row alllll the way to the stage right edge of the audience, afantabulous spot to see the stage, but not so much the best to scopethe entire scene. (Example: Save the Glenn Close lookalike in thefront row, I saw exactly zero celebs, not even, apparently, Rita "Mrs.Tom Hanks" Wilson. Wah wah.) But just before Johnny D. started things pumping, the audience coordinator woman — whose name I will learn by tonight’s results show — cleared enough seats in my row that I was able to move closer to the aisle. And justin time to witness a dude who I guess knows Brooke White’s husband begand plead the woman now behind me to give up her Brooke White sign,which had a really impressive portrait of the Sunshine Bambi in coloredpencil. (This sign wasn’t even hers; it was brought in by someone inthe mosh pit, which is by-and-large a sign-free zone. Can’t have thosehands occupied with anything but swaying!) Even after the guy told herthe sign was for Brooke’s husband and then offered her money, she would not be deterred. That’s some serious fandom right there.
(My favorite signs of the night, meanwhile: bronze goes to "Brooke,Be My Nanny"; silver to "Jason Castro is my Guitar Hero"; and gold to"My husband has a man-crush on Seacrest." Uh-oh, Whitney, you’ve gotcompetition.)
Johnny D. introduced himself to the audience by announcing that "I’mthe guy with the free stuff. The louder you are, the more free stuffthey give to me to give to you." He then did a cursory dance-off toBritney’s "Oops!…I Did It Again," which was won by a nine-ish girl named,yep, Britney. After a classy shout out to the audience coordinators,Johnny D. harshed my new WUC mellow with the following two statements.One: "We don’t let the ugly people in any more.… We sent them next doorto The Price is Right." Two: "Do not clap along with the songs. We love the swaying." Sigh. The relationship started off with such promise, too.
The Idols are brought out, then Ryan, then Simon and Randy (every oneof the Idols applauds their entrance except Castro, whose hands remainin his pockets as his eyes wander off to find Planet Paula). The lightsgo dark, and just as Ryan’s 15 seconds from starting us off, Debbieannounces that Paula’s arrived "but don’t applaud her." After Ryan’snot-so-subtle scripted dig at Brooke’s "You Must Love Me" reboot, hegives her a soft low five as they walk off in different directions, asif to say "Hey, B, you know I just doin’ what I gotta do here, but Istill gots your back." (Because Ryan, and Brooke, and I, are sostreet.) At the break, Cook, D’Archie, Brooke and Syesha walk off stageleft and Castro does a quick nervous jig as he saunters off the on-deckchair stage right. It was the last time I saw him with any kind ofenergy all night.
After Jason finished his first song — there’s a comment about beingforever in Jason’s blue jeans that I’m strenuously trying to avoid here— and we were at the ad break, Cook and Brooke shared a good luckshoulder squeeze, and then the rocker scooted across the stage tocongratulate Castro. He checked the mic-stand height, and then sat insilence next to Ryan on the interview stools as some Idolroadies (though, I guess, they’re technically studioies?) fiddled withthe guitar amp. Watching them sit there, I had two thoughts: One,Seacrest really needs to sit with better posture. And two, Cook’s hairwas looking very Christian-from-Project Runway-hot-tranny-mess-but-not-in-a-good-way.They execute the Cook-interviews-Seacrest gambit, give each other a "Iguess that went well?" shrug, and soon enough Paula’s up and dancing asCook sings about being alive. And when I said Cook was a mensch, I meantit; he stuck around after he was done specifically so he could giveBrooke a good luck high five.
I could’ve been entranced by the sunshine hair, or maybe it was justthe flawlessly uninterrupted opening, but I didn’t nearly find Brooke’s"I’m a Believer" to be as disastrous as Simon made it out to be. I’veseen some serious disasters up on that stage, and Brooke didn’t comeanywhere near it. She certainly didn’t think so, flashing her hubby inthe front row a thumbs-up that I swear somehow resembled anexclamation point. At the ad break, Syesha stopped to hug and wave toher fans, something, actually, that she’s always doing whenever shecan; I suspect she’s even giving the TV the one-handed clap-wave backin the green room. It was about this point that I realized Johnny D. wassharing an anecdote with the audience about the time he spent eighthours playing a dead body on The X-Files, a gig he had to audition for. "Hey, it bought me a car." Ah, Hollywood.
When D’Archie came out before his first number, he was as relaxedand confident as I’d ever seen him; no nervous tic smiles whatsoever.And the judges were looser too; perhaps because they’d been silencedfor the first half of the show, they’d shockingly remained silentduring the performances too, but that broke down once D’Archie begancrooning to his sweet Caroline. (I’ve also got to give mad props — see!street! — to the tall blond dude in the mosh pit with the palegray-blue short-sleeve shirt, who never once clapped with his handsabove his head, let alone swayed them. History will look back kindly onyour brave service to the nation, young man, I promise you.)
Syesha Mercado apparated on stage — honestly, she was just suddenly there — and soon we were into Paulagate 2008. (Click herefor the full rundown.) And, oddly, even though the judges got tocomment in the second half of the show, it moved a lot more brisklythan the first half. (In fact, full disclosure, it all unfolded sosmoothly, with none of the crew or talent betraying a hint of anxiety,that I didn’t realize what Paula had done would be such a Big HugeHonken Deal until after I’d left the studio and found a bajillione-mails about it on my Blackberry. Okay, like seven, but still.)
Castro looked like he gave up during his performance; Cook put theaudience on their feet; Brooke looked over her lyrics on the interviewstools and chatted up Simon’s "nightmare" comments with Ryan beforedoing it over again on the air; D’Archie sang about coming to Americain a haze of red, white and blue lights, and then rubbed his right handnervously through the entire judges’ critique (as if he has cause toworry); Johnny D. nearly blew out my ear drums after telling my entiresection he’d give Chicken Soup for the American Idol Soulto whoever screamed the loudest; Syesha warmed up for her second numberwith a strangely wide-stance back-and-forth dance; and then Simon wasdeclaring the evening "kind of a bit chaotic."
During the recap sequence, Castro mostly kept to himself — seriously, as much as I’d like to keep him around for the eye andear candy, I got the distinct impression he would not care too much ifhe was gone tomorrow — while the rest of the Idols cheered each other’ssegments on, with Cook issuing the most emphatic applause afterSyesha’s numbers came up one last time. (Methinks someone was unhappywith Simon’s prevision of tonight’s results.) Ryan said NatashaBedingfield would be in the house, D’Archie’s face lit up, and they allwaved us a good night. Afterward, Syesha worked the crowd as the otherIdols shuffled offstage, but not before Cook asked Debbie to page hismom: "Mom? Where’s David Cook’s mom?" Mama Cook waved to her son, hewaved back — see! mensch! — and I emerged into a world far, far moreshaky and uncertain than when I’d exited.
I turn the discussion over to you, PopWatchers. Do you think Paula’sgaffe will be addressed in tonight’s results show? Will any explanationquell your wildest conspiracy theories? And do you think Jason’s willto make the final four really was diminished, or became so afterhearing Paula say it?
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I noticed Cooks hair last night too.
WTF? David, Guys + Flat Irons = Yuck
Poor Jason (I mean this sincerely)… It’s bad enough to know that they thought your first song sucked, but then to have them say that your second song is GOING to suck , really well, sucks. I don’t blame the kid for getting down, as it’s hard enough to come back a week later after criticism, but 5 min? Brutal. I think he’s going tonight, but I wish him well.
I dont think Jason “couldnt care less” but he was really dissapointed in the attitude the judges gave him. Like they had already given up on him before he ene opened his mouth! i voted for him like 800 times so i hope he stays.. he deserves a chance he is AWESOME!
I dont think Jason “couldnt care less” but he was really dissapointed in the attitude the judges gave him. Like they had already given up on him before he even opened his mouth! i voted for him like 800 times so i hope he stays.. he deserves a chance he is AWESOME!
Much as he deserves to, Jason will not be going home tonight. Sadly and unfairly, Syesha will. Jason gave an objectively dreadful performance last week and he wasn’t even placed in the bottom two. At the same time, Syesha got nearly rave reviews and wound up on the stools with Carly. Simon ensured Syesha’s departure tonight with his needlessly damaging remarks about her fine performance (even he thought so) at the end of last night’s show. Simon somehow believes he must always point out that soulful Syesha is not “memorable” enough … yet the invariably mechanical David Archuleta is?
I don’t sympathize with Jason. He didn’t look nervous at all during either performance and was way too laid back. If anything he should be greatful for Paula’s pre-performance critique because it told him what he needed to fix before he sang. Unfortunately he was still as nonchalont as ever. He was not affected by her comments.
Any explanation they give us tonight is going to reek of conspiracy. I think Idol F’d up colosally last night, and they are not going to be able to be honest about that. I’d like to say it was just Paula being drunk or whatever, but I can’t help but feel like the cat is out of the bag, and they are going to struggle to get us to believe them. Let’s hope they never try this again.
Sorry, but Kristy Lee Cook has a decent country singing voice, and she sings better than Babbling Brooke. She is way more talented than Sanjaya.
Actually, ABW, I disagree with you that Simon did Syesha a disservice. He knows that if he says someone is in danger of leaving that their fans will vote overtime. He may have actually saved her in a very sly way.
Also, Syesha gave the best performance of the night. She has THE best singing voice out of the remaining 5. She has style, class, beauty, and she knows how to perform on the stage. She has it all, and if you don’t see that you are totally blind. Even Neil Diamond seemed pleased with her song choices. He wanted to hug Syesha.
The sabotage of Jason began last week when Simon virtually told the audience not to vote on that performance. There was an interview the judges did on Larry King where Randy was running Jason down and they did a phone in poll and jason was the winner, and the judges were shocked. That night was the only time this whole season that Randy backtracked and complimented Jason. Last week Randy took sick pleasure in knocking Jason. He kept on talking all through the others judges critiques, nodding furiously and interfering. It was disgusting. The clip beforehand showing Andrew Lloyd Webber almost laughing at Jason for choosing that song, being a guy and then saying a dreadhead chose that song. The fix began last week. They were told in advance to run down Jason this week and Paula being so drugged, read out her notes handed to her, incorrectly
ANYTHING that happens tonight is going to prove conspiracy. If Jason goes (as should probably happen) then it’s going to be “the producers script the results starting with the performance night” and if Brooke or Syesha go home it’s going to be “someone besides Jason had to go to prove that the results are not rigged.” Personally I don’t know what I believe about AI anymore. At the moment I am with Slezak and a little disillusioned but I do know that no matter what the outcome it is no-win for the remaining competitors and the rest of the season.
mscisluv, I wish that were true. Unfortunately, the history of the show is that when Simon tells a contestant that they had a bad night, he demoralizes a lot of marginal supporters who then sit out the vote. The same typically happens in most elections, including governmental ones. It is the rare person who makes the minimal effort necessary to vote and voice their support for a pre-ordained loser.
i love american idol im for england and i only watch it cuz of ummm geuss
chelsea
i love american idol im for england and i only watch it cuz of ummm geuss
chelsea
If AI wishes to retain ANY semblance of integrity (ha!!) then they need to keep Jason Castro even if he’s voted off tonight, Paula’s little flash forward to the second half of the show ( and la la land) totally negates the possibility of a fair (ha!!!) outcome. (not that I’m crushing on j.c. or anything, I’m just sayin..) If, however, due to some unforeseen mass breakdown of 12 year old girls phones, David A. gets voted off I will again see that there is some hope for AI, sorry to those who would miss his twitchy, lip-licky, freaky performances.
last night was my favorite david cook hair ever.
i like super-stylized boys. i love his hot mensch self; what a sweetie.
I have no doubt that Ryan will talk about Paula’s flub tonight, just like they addressed the buzz about David Cook supposedly ripping off other people’s versions without giving them proper credit. But regardless of the explanation they come up with, it was obvious that Paula was unprofessional and disrespectful at the least, and does not justify her salary and her position. Hopefully Jason’s fans will make up for last night’s disaster and save him. It’s time for Brooke and her deranged/awkward antics to go.
“Castro looked like he gave up during his performance.” That really says it all, doesn’t it Adam? Thank you for the follow-up in depth recap. I think what Paula did would affect anyone, but especially someone like Jason – he is young and has less experience singing/performing than the others. Another comment of yours I found interesting: “And the judges were looser too; perhaps because they’d been silenced for the first half of the show, they’d shockingly remained silent during the performances too.” What, no mad scrambling for pads & pens because they were OH SO SHOCKED to be asked NOT to critique the first songs as Paula claimed in her radio interview with Ryan? Hmmmm. Lastly, I am with you – I found Brooke’s 1st song much better than Simon thought. But perhaps he never really heard it either – Paula says he didn’t even know Jason went first. Perhaps Simon thinking it was a strange night was due to him not actually hearing any of the songs he critiqued.
Syesha did not have the best performance. There’s nothing about her that says interesting recording artist. She is merely a capable singer with one spirited performance. David Cook was far and away the best last night. He’s the real deal!
Carry,
You obviously are tone deaf and don’t know talent when you see it. Tween girl.
David Cook or Syesha have the most talent. I take offense to Carry’s ridiculous comment. Get the wax out of your ears girl.
Syesha isn’t getting the vote probably because they don’t want a Black girl to win.
I do feel bad for Jason, but most of the judges’ erratic comments have that “damned if you do; damned if you don’t” quality. So I’m not sure how it impacted Castro. -I read this on another PW blog, but I agree that Fox & Nigie are going to have to come up with a better answer than Paula’s on Ryan’s show. How can it be okay to critique someone’s performance based on a partial viewing of the rehearsal? She gets paid a lot to sit in that seat for an hour or two a week. It’s bad that she thinks it’s fine to do such a half-***ed job. (And Simon and Randy are just as guilty of it too.)
It’s totally racism…er…what was the question again??
Not everyone has to like everyone – I don’t personally care for Syesha that much, though I do think she has had some awesome performances. It has nothing to do with color either – sheeeesh. That said, it was nice that the 3 of you found each other just 5 minutes apart. lol I do think Simon may be right – that Syesha is in danger tonight. She’s been in the bottom 3 too many times and I thought he was right that her 2nd song just wasn’t that memorable. JMO. OTOH, perhaps he riled up her voters and she will be safe. Guess we will see soon.
I agree – there is no way that interview settled a dang thing. She was still contradicting herself all over the place, with Ryan’s help. It was bad enough last night – now to have them lie about it and show absolutely NO remorse? Sad.
Uh, Susana, you *do* realize Fantasia Barrino, winner of Season 3 is, in fact…wait for it…a black girl?
::Shakes head::
to susana- sing along with me…Oh Susana…don’t you cry for me…it’s not all about racism…it’s who can really sing! say goodbye tonight!
SUSANA…it’s always the go-to excuse when something you don’t like happens..racism?? get real! YOU MAKE US LOOK SAD