Lemingheads, Lament: Josiah Is Gone!

Posted Wed Feb 13, 2008 6:42pm PST by Lyndsey Parker in Reality Rocks

Well, only hours after I sung the praises of American Idol semi-finalist Josiah Leming and prematurely cleared a space for his voting number on my speed-dial (sorry, Mom, I'll re-program your number later), I've been hit with the shocking news that this favorite contestant of mine did not make it through to the final 24.

I'm about to cry on cue--just like Josiah himself!

Seriously, despite Josiah's barely-standing version of "Stand By Me" last night, I stood by him. I definitely still thought he was worthy of a spot among the the 12 final boys. And my respect for him only grew when I checked out his MySpace page and discovered that his influences included cool, credible Britpop bands like Radiohead, Travis, Blur, Echo & the Bunnymen, Oasis, Supergrass, and Keane (not to mention Mika, the U.K songwriter he covered on last night's show).

I honestly can't believe a Brit like Simon Cowell let a promising young Anglophile like Josiah slip away. Blimey!

Well, until the Idol powers-that-be reinstate the "wild card" policy that once gave ousted Idol semi-finalists like Clay Aiken a second chance, I encourage all my fellow Lemingheads to petition on the message board below, begging Simon, Randy, and Paula to give poor Josiah another shot. Or at least encourage Idol sponsor Ford Motors give the boy a new Focus or something, so he has a nicer, newer car to sleep in.

And since we won't be seeing Josiah on future American Idol episodes, I'll leave you with this amateur video of the boy wonder in all his fake-English-accented glory. He will be missed:

4571 Comments

21. JohnnyH - Thu Feb 14, 2008 4:51am PST

I agree. The more we saw of him, the more I really didn't like him. He was a real egomaniacal jerk, and I really think he would have continued to grow on the jerk meter as the season progressed. Anyone that didn't like him shouldn't fear, as he'll always be a legend in his own mind :).

Report abuse

22. mike - Thu Feb 14, 2008 4:51am PST

He wasn't right for American Idol but if I was a music producer I'd give him a chance at some studio time without a doubt! The kid has talent but needs some work on his singing.

23. Darla G - Thu Feb 14, 2008 4:52am PST

I agree the boy has talent, but he does have some growing up to do. I really feel bad for him, I hope he will be alright.

24. Yahoo! Music User - Thu Feb 14, 2008 4:52am PST

I'm so glad he's gone. One more crying bit and I was probably going to scream. I honestly think he knew his crying was going to get him viewer sympathy. And truthfully? He wasn't that good. He tried to sing in a falsetto he didn't have and once Simon complimented his faux-English accent, he held on to it for dear life. He tried to make dismissing the band look like some big brave thing, when in fact it was only because he couldn't get the rehearsal right. And no, I don't much care that he lives in his car when he came right out and said HE moved out and that his family was still supportive. I'd had it with that kid and I am SO grateful the judges saw through him.

25. Ravon27 - Thu Feb 14, 2008 4:52am PST

I bet he got what he wanted. He wanted to get noticed. His name probably gets googled everyday. You even have his YouTube site up! What more could he want? The winners of Idol have to live by a stringent contract. I'm beginning to believe that the people that don't win are better off. The most popular are usually second runner ups.

26. Yahoo! Music User - Thu Feb 14, 2008 4:53am PST

The kid was a phony. If you couldn't tell from his fake singing accent, then all you had to do was watch him. He thought a lot of himself, and was a jerk. What was the problem he had playing with the band? Has anyone else pulled that crap in 7 or 8 seasons of Idol? Then the fake praise for the band as he asks them to leave the stage. He was a simple mimic of some lame current British pop bands. He would have been this years Sanjayah. Irritiating, but getting enough votes to stick around for a while.

27. Yahoo! Music User - Thu Feb 14, 2008 4:53am PST

Josiah was just a little too weird for me. What's with that accent? Maybe he would sound better if he sang in his real God given voice instead of trying to be someone he is not. He is talented and should definately keep trying, but loose the weird accent, it just makes him look and sound fake!

28. k b - Thu Feb 14, 2008 4:53am PST

I'm sure a record label gobbled him up already. If not they are crazy. He was one of the best. I'm sure he will go places, maybe better off without simon!!

29. cat w - Thu Feb 14, 2008 4:53am PST

You get a guy with some uniqueness and imagination and you cut him because he won't conform to "the band". I thaught Josiah was trying to be creative, fresh and new, which is what Idol and the recording industry needs. Too bad Idol is like the Grammy's and just do not get it.

30. - Thu Feb 14, 2008 4:54am PST

Thank God...the last thing that show needed was another friggin Sanjaya!!

31. Yahoo! Music User - Thu Feb 14, 2008 4:54am PST

Yo Dawg! It's like he never should have even made it to the three judges other than for some cheap drama.

32. __A_YAHOO_USER__ - Thu Feb 14, 2008 4:55am PST

He's a little girl...he needed to leave.

33. Yahoo! Music User - Thu Feb 14, 2008 4:56am PST

I think his age has alot to do with what you might construe as ego - he has to be scared to be competing against older contestants. Give him alot of credit - bring him back - he's a refreshing contestant.

34. Florence P - Thu Feb 14, 2008 4:56am PST

I thnk the parents need to re-consider him as their child and come get him. I bet if he won they would all of a sudden be there! Ummmmmmm

35. Dorene M - Thu Feb 14, 2008 4:56am PST

He needs to grow up. He thought it was in the bag. Crying should be in his own privacy. He was good in the beginning, but dismissing the band.....he blew it. There were others who would want a second chance. There is always next year.

36. Bossofu - Thu Feb 14, 2008 4:56am PST

He is such a freakin wuss!

37. J B - Thu Feb 14, 2008 4:57am PST

Josiah may be talented but he was not stable enough for this show. I liked him at first because I was thinking he had a tough life living in his car pursuing his dreams. My opinion changed though. Doesn't seem like he has it too rough having a myspace page and all this equipment. He turned me off when he proclaimed that he was gonna get a yes upstairs.... Be careful, arrogance will ruin you...good luck josiah.

38. justme - Thu Feb 14, 2008 4:57am PST

I am VERY relieved to see him gone. He was egotistical. He was fake. He had a really bad attitude. Thank God that we didn't have to vote him off. I think that there were other people that should have made it & didn't, but DEFINITELY NOT HIM!!!! At least he isn't taking up a spot that someone more deserving has.

39. cindy - Thu Feb 14, 2008 4:57am PST

I think he was robbed.He should get another chance.

40. Wazzupwdat - Thu Feb 14, 2008 4:57am PST

Both Josiah and Kyle should have made it. I don't even remember that Colton kid or a few of the others. Based on that, they will probably be amongst those that fold like lawn chairs under pressure. I think Simon was right about Kyle and should give both boys another chance.

« Prev

Page: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9

Leave Your Comment

You must sign in to leave a comment

	And The Winner Is... by Paul Grein	30
	As Heard On... by Lyndsey Parker	48
	Chart Watch by Paul Grein	150
	Framed by John Kordosh	123
	GetBack by Shawn Amos	346
	Hip-Hop Media Training by Billy Johnson, Jr.	239
	List Of The Day by Rob O'Connor	339
	Maximum Performance by Lyndsey Parker	167
	Musictoob by Justin Mathews	204
	New This Week by Dave DiMartino	126
	Reality Rocks by Lyndsey Parker	611
	Rock's Backpages by Nick Hasted (2003)	200
	Stop The Presses! by Lyndsey Parker	88
	That's Really Week by Lyndsey Parker	129
	The Blender Burner by Blender Magazine	27
	The MOJO Blog by Bill DeMain	92
	The NME Blog by Luke Lewis	50
	The Spin Blog by David Marchese	80
	The Y! Music Playlist Blog by Robert of the Radish	533
	Video Ga Ga by Lyndsey Parker	74
	Viva NashVegas by Wendy Geller	68

Music Blogs

Lemingheads, Lament: Josiah Is Gone!

Yahoo! Music Blogs

Music Blog Archives

Most Comments

Adam Lambert's Album Cover: Xanadu, Or A Xana-Don't?

Chris Brown Responds To Rihanna's Tell All TV Interview

"Bad Day" Named One-Hit Wonder Of The Decade

Shakira Changed Name And Wore Disguise For UCLA Class

Nov. 30-Dec. 6: Grammy Whammies & Runner-Up Rebounds

52nd Annual Grammy Nominees Are Fierce & Fearless

Double Trouble: Worst 'X Factor' Performance Ever? Or BEST?

Taylor Swift Triumphs In Absentia, And Other AMAs Bests and Worsts

Musical Makeovers

The 2009 CMA Awards: History Is Made

Music News

Tim Hart of Steeleye Span dies in Spain at 61

Ke$ha sets female download record in U.S.

U2 tour tops annual rankings in North America