American Idol's Top 5 Most Shocking Eliminations
Every American Idol season has its unceremonious ousting of a former frontrunner, the most recent being 2008's hunky Australian rocker Michael Johns. His elimination in season 7 sent shockwaves across the blogosphere last year; servers were practically melting and megaherting under the pressure of all the angry message board stampedes.
But this was hardly the first elimination shocker in Idol history. Every year, really, some fan fave who seemed untouchable, invincible, virtually guaranteed a golden ticket straight through to the Hollywood finale...gets cut. For some of these prematurely ejected rejects, it's the end of an era, but for others it's just the beginning of a fabulous new career.
So far, Michael Johns is falling into the former category, sadly performing at Idol-themed, family-fare showcases at Disneyworld, which doesn't exact jibe with his "rocker" image. It remains to be seen if the release of his upcoming debut solo album will change that.
Anyway, such "tragedies" may be avoided in the future, starting this season, with a just-announced Idol rule called the "Judges' Save." One time--and ONLY one time--the judges will be able to save one contestant that they think deserves to escape elimination this season. It's sort of like a Get Out Of Jail Free card for the judges. They can only use it once; the decision to use it must be unanimous; and it can only be used up until the top five. But it still could drastically change the game.
Just imagine how past seasons might have panned out differently if the Judges' Save policy had been in effect the nights that contestants like Michael were on the chopping block!
So to celebrate this new policy--and honor past Idol rejects not fortunate enough to take advantage of it--here in ascending order of overall shockingness are the five biggest surprise eliminations in AmIdol history.
5) Constantine Maroulis, Season 4 - With his David Cassidy-ish teen-dream appeal, theatrical flourishes, and bedroom-eyed manner of romancing the camera, Greek god (and future soap opera star) Constantine made all the girlies swoon. Unfortunately, there was one week when he didn't make them vote, so he was shockingly sent packing--this despite the fact that he'd never previously even been in the bottom three that season. Making matters worse was that Constantine lost out to charisma-free, socially awkward Scotty "The Body" Savol, VoteForTheWorst.com's season-4 poster boy and an alleged domestic abuser to boot. Yes, this was the evening when it became clear just how much influence Vote For The Worst wielded over the disgruntled, speed-dialing masses.
4) Josiah Leming, Season 7 - This was far and away the most shocking cut NOT decided by a public vote. The judges' puzzling decision to not include Britpop-loving homeless ragamuffin Josiah--one of the most favored hopefuls in the earlier audition episodes, at least in terms of screen time--in the top 24 spurned countless outraged protest posts across American Idol message boards. Petitions to reinstate Josiah via the old "wild card" policy were politely ignored by 19 Management and Fox; however, a star-making guest appearance on Ellen DeGeneres, more Yahoo! Search queries for "Josiah Leming" than for any of the actual 24 finalists, thousands of visits to Josiah's MySpace page, and a rumored contract with Warner Bros. Records nevertheless followed.
3) Jennifer Hudson, Season 3 - On one of Idol's most controversial nights, future Academy Award-winner Jennifer was unbelievably joined in the bottom three by the season's other two African-American divas, vocal powerhouse LaToya London and eventual champion Fantasia Barrino. Meanwhile, lesser contestants like redheaded (read: Caucasian) Sinatra impressionist John Stevens were safe that evening, causing some protesters (including Elton John) to cry racism. But obviously Jen got her revenge, when she channeled all her hurt over this very public rejection into her Effie role in Dreamgirls. Oscars and Grammys soon followed.
2) Tamyra Gray, Season 1- From the moment then-unknown Tamyra auditioned on the then-unknown Idol show, she seemed like the clear one to beat. And week after week, her octave-straddling performances like "A House Is Not A Home" left Paula Abdul in tears and the rest of America in awe. So naturally, on the elimination episode when it came down to Tamyra and the vocally limited, fuchsia-haired Nikki McKibbin, no one for a nanosecond believed that Nikki would be the one who'd stay. Even Nikki herself looked utterly dumbfounded when the vote results were read. Not since the "hanging chad" 2000 Presidential election scandal two years earlier had the public so vehemently cried out for a vote recount...but the fact is, people just didn't realize back then how crucial the voting process was to this show. This was the first real elimination shocker in Idol history, and in this case Vote For The Worst, which did not exist back then, was not to blame.
1) Chris Daughtry, Season 5 - Chris was another clear frontrunner from his very first audition, and in season 5 it looked like a rocker was finally set to win Idol. In fact, no one, not even Sylvia Brown, could have predicted that it'd be silver-haired, purple-blazered, drunk-dancing Taylor Hicks, and not Chris, who'd walk away with the season's top honors. The easily YouTubed clip of Chris receiving the stunning news of his early exit (via Ryan Seacrest's blunt and almost downright nasty delivery) has been described as a "snuff film for people who enjoy watching others' disappointment," and millions of viewers' hearts immediately went out to the rejected rocker. And millions of their dollars later went out to him as well, when Daughtry's album became the fastest-selling debut in SoundScan history and one of the overall top sellers of 2007. (This made him one of the four most successful Idols of all time, along with Carrie Underwood, Kelly Clarkson, and Clay Aiken). Meanwhile, the two contestants who actually made it to the finale in season 5, Taylor Hicks and Katharine McPhee, have since been dropped by BMG.
http://new.music.yahoo.com/blogs/realityrocks/45678/idol-elimination-shocker-michael-goes-down-under/?page=292#postcomment
As of 6:09 AM EASTERN TIME, SATURDAY, APRIL 12TH.
***This is my interpretation of Nigel's comments of course. But the American Idol executive producer did get defensive and testy with reporters over the issue of so-called "experienced ringers", and in the process insisted that the show is neither for amateurs or Americans. Remember how Lythgoe got defensive about Carly Smithson, and insisted about whether or not the show has addressed her previous recording contract. “We’re doing everything about who they are and what they are. … We’re not ignoring anything — we never do. … We have never not shown their past when we can. There is nothing wrong with saying she had a deal and she didn’t get anywhere in that deal and now here she is,” he said, according to Reality TV World. “I don’t honestly know what the angle is, because all we’re saying is this girl is extremely talented. It’s within the rules of the competition. What’s wrong with it. She’s not broken any rules.”
He noted that those rules would permit someone like Elvis to compete, repeating that professional experience does not matter. “The rules of the competition state it’s if you do not have a contract now. Goodness me, if Elvis Presley came back and was out of contract — and was able to participate through [Idol’s] age [restrictions] — then he would be in the competition. Nobody said this is an amateur competition. This is something that people are making up for themselves.”
Those people making that up include his own host, Ryan Seacrest, and whoever writes Seacrest’s lines. He opened the Charleston audition episode by asking if there would be “fresh, untapped talent” there, and ARGUABLY professional singers who’ve had millions of dollars spent on producing and marketing their previous records aren’t exactly fresh or untapped.
Anyway, Lythgoe implied that these discussions are limited to web-surfing trolls who don’t actually have an impact on the competition. “It’s an online backlash. We talk about getting between 35 and 65 million calls [for viewer votes]. I really don’t think online — even when you have complete online focus like Vote For the Worst — has an affect on the show. There are too many people who vote. They’re going to have to decide, ‘Is she good enough to be on the show?’ It’s not what’s happened in her past. She’s not breaking any rules of the competition. I don’t see the logic. I don’t see any logic in there,” he said.
Source:http://www.realityblurred.com
Source:http://www.realityblurred.com/realitytv/archives/american_idol_7/2008_Feb_17_producer_defends_pros
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I only mention it here since approximately 6 people out of the 5839 who have posted on the MJ elimination thread have complained that MJ and Carly should be eliminated as they are not American. 6/5839 is a pretty "insignificant" (statistically speaking) number.
Apr 20 2005 1:52 PM EDT
'American Idol' Contestants Say Elimination Drama Is Cruel
Ryan Seacrest's verbal tricks, forced performances draw fire.
By Corey Moss
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Put yourself in the shiny shoes of an "American Idol" finalist for a minute. It's Wednesday night and, as Ryan Seacrest reminded you at the top of the show, "Someone is going home."
In other words, you or someone you've developed a deep friendship with over the past few months is about to have their lifelong dream shattered because, let's face it, you have to win or be Clay Aiken to do anything substantial after the show.
You're sweating from the cheesy group song you just performed, the stage lights aren't helping, and all you want is to find out if it's you. And then ... a commercial break, of course. And after that ... the games begin.
Seacrest tells someone, "I'm sorry, but ... you're safe." He brings another singer out to center stage and then sends her back. Every possible mind game to be played, he plays it. So, in the end, even the most flawless performer from the night before feels doubt.
It's a cruel world on "American Idol," where not even the crushing of your soul is done with kindness.
"There's some psychotherapy madness going on there," said Nadia Turner, who was eliminated last week after Seacrest at first made it seem as if he was sending Bo Bice packing. "It's crazy."
"Dude, they are cruel," Mikalah Gordon recalled of her elimination night. "I was literally going to faint on the floor. I made myself sick. It's like, 'I'm gonna throw up now. Thank you.' "
In a television era dominated by reality shows, you can watch a contestant being eliminated from something every hour. None of them, however, are messed with like the young singers on "American Idol."
"It's traumatic," said Jason Rich, editor of American Idol: The Magazine and author of the "American Idol Season Four All Access" book. "They know it's a TV show and everything, but their lives are on the line. And there's no rehearsal for the results show, so they have no idea what's going to happen. They're told just before it starts where to even sit. It's been more emotional this year, and from a producer's standpoint, it's brilliant television, but for the contestants, it's tougher."
Whether it's that the singers are better, closer friends or that Seacrest and the producers are just meaner, this season has certainly featured the most emotional elimination nights, beginning with the first hour-long show of the semifinals, where all four booted contestants had to sing afterward. But, like Rich said, the producers love it.
continued next...
Apr 20 2005 1:52 PM EDT
'American Idol' Contestants Say Elimination Drama Is Cruel
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"Everyone criticizes us for being cruel, but it's the yin and the yang," "Idol" co-executive producer Ken Warwick said. "The prize is all the more worth having because of the tough road to get there.
"We find out who America likes the best in the last two minutes of the finale," he continued. "The journey to get there is what the series is, and it has to be as entertaining as possible, with highs and lows and goods and bads. We would never manipulate something for the sake of ratings, but we tell the kids on the first chat we do that we will take a situation that exists and drag as much drama out of it. That's what we do."
Because of that, contestants have no choice whether or not to sing after being eliminated. "We still have to put a show on, and them are the rules," Warwick said. "Sarah obviously didn't want to do it, but tough, get over it."
Sarah is Sarah Mather, who was voted off in the aforementioned hour-long elimination night during the semifinals and was clearly not happy to have to perform.
"There was just so much focus on the wrong song, so to have to perform it again, I was like, 'I'm not into this,' " Mather remembered. "I was sad. I was upset. I wasn't gonna try and pull this great performance out. That's just how I felt. I wasn't trying to have an attitude. It was just upsetting."
Judd Harris' elimination, in the same show, probably ranks as the cruelest ever. Seacrest had already told him he could sit down, and then later quickly went back to him and said he was out. Regardless, Harris performed with a smile.
"You're on TV in front of millions of people. It's the last chance to say, 'Hey, I've got something to show you. I hope you like it,' " he said. "And I wanted to show that I'm a professional. Even in a difficult situation, I can do my thing. Hopefully, people saw that and thought, 'Hey, maybe we should sign this guy.' Maybe I can take advantage of the respect I might get from that."
After that episode, "Idol" went down to 30-minute elimination shows (with the exception of last week's), and during the semifinals, when four singers went home each week, there was no longer time for them to perform.
"I was happy about that," said Joseph Murena, who was eliminated the following week. "It was like, 'If they didn't like it the first time, they're not going to like it now.' Why bother? For me, if I'm going to do a performance, I want to be focused and I want to be prepared and ready. I don't want to be put out there and made to sing when I wasn't in the best frame of mind."
As cruel as the elimination shows are, several of the finalists had no complaints.
"They have to do that, it makes it more fun," Lindsey Cardinale said. "It makes it more interesting."
Apr 20 2005 1:52 PM EDT
'American Idol' Contestants Say Elimination Drama Is Cruel
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"[One week] Ryan was like, 'Carrie, I'm sorry you're going ... to go sit over here with the other people who made it through,' " recalled Carrie Underwood. "I was like [angry, thinking,] 'Oooh.' It is mean, but you know, it makes for good TV."
QUOTE:
Because of that, contestants have no choice whether or not to sing after being eliminated. "We still have to put a show on, and them are the rules," Warwick said. "Sarah obviously didn't want to do it, but tough, get over it."
Sarah is Sarah Mather, who was voted off in the aforementioned hour-long elimination night during the semifinals and was clearly not happy to have to perform.
"There was just so much focus on the wrong song, so to have to perform it again, I was like, 'I'm not into this,' " Mather remembered. "I was sad. I was upset. I wasn't gonna try and pull this great performance out. That's just how I felt. I wasn't trying to have an attitude. It was just upsetting."
"Seacrest had already told him he could sit down, and then later quickly went back to him and said he was out. Regardless, Harris performed with a smile."
'American Idol' Played A Cruel Joke, But Michael Johns Is Unfazed: 'I Get The Television Aspect Of This Competition'
Apr 11 2008 5:43 PM EDT
'American Idol' Played A Cruel Joke, But Michael Johns Is Unfazed: 'I Get The Television Aspect Of This Competition'
Last year, the decision to not eliminate any contestants during "Idol Gives Back" week was billed as the most shocking results show in "American Idol" history. Well, Michael Johns fans might beg to differ.
Although he had spent no previous time in the bottom three, the 29-year-old Aussie was given the boot after wailing Aerosmith's "Dream On" on Tuesday. And to add to Johns' distress, Ryan Seacrest implied that history might repeat itself with another no-elimination week — only it didn't.
We caught up with the aspiring rocker to talk about Ryan's cruel tease, how his professional background affected his time on the show and why Nicole Kidman got in touch with him.
Q: How were you feeling after you were eliminated?
A: I would be lying to say that I wasn't shocked. I hadn't been in the bottom three, and I thought definitely the last two or three weeks had been my strongest. We're in this competition, and stuff can happen — and it did.
Q: During the results show, Ryan made you — and the rest of us — think that you might be spared for "Idol Gives Back" week. How did you feel about that twist?
A: You know, look, I get the television aspect of this competition, but yeah, it was tough, because I thought, "OK, I'm going home." And then they did that, and I thought, "OK, wait a second, I'm not going home, and they're having a good laugh." And I haven't been in the bottom three before, so I was thinking that was a possibility. But then reality set in, and Ryan gave me a look that said, "I am so sorry I had to do that." You get it. You're in this business, so you get it. ... And after this, I'm going to make a great record, and it won't be the last you see of me.
Q: What did the judges say to you after your final performance?
Q: How were you feeling after you were eliminated?
A: I would be lying to say that I wasn't shocked. I hadn't been in the bottom three, and I thought definitely the last two or three weeks had been my strongest. We're in this competition, and stuff can happen — and it did.
Q: During the results show, Ryan made you — and the rest of us — think that you might be spared for "Idol Gives Back" week. How did you feel about that twist?
A: You know, look, I get the television aspect of this competition, but yeah, it was tough, because I thought, "OK, I'm going home." And then they did that, and I thought, "OK, wait a second, I'm not going home, and they're having a good laugh." And I haven't been in the bottom three before, so I was thinking that was a possibility. But then reality set in, and Ryan gave me a look that said, "I am so sorry I had to do that." You get it. You're in this business, so you get it. ...
'American Idol' Played A Cruel Joke, But Michael Johns Is Unfazed: 'I Get The Television Aspect Of This Competition'
A: You know, Paula's been -- I think Paula's been spot-on this year. It's been kind of a weird judging year, so all the contestants kind of feel that. But Paula just grabbed me and goes, "Look, I have no doubt in my mind that I'm going to be sitting in a concert you're doing very soon. You're super-talented." And Randy gave me that kind of advice, like, "Dawg, you know I can't wait to see what you're going to do with your career." And the fact that Simon told me that he's going to miss me and that I'm a good guy, you know, "You're a good guy," from Simon, that's really cool.
Q: How has it been a weird judging year?
A: I've watched the show for about six years, and sometimes the judges just got it wrong this year. Like, I think Syesha's performance Tuesday night [of Fantasia's "I Believe"] was absolutely stellar, and some of the notes she hit and everything, and she got bagged for it. And Carly's the same way. We've all been there. What I've learned from "Idol" is, you've got to stay true to yourself. You can't go out there and go, "I've got to go out there and sing this song because it's going to impress Simon," you know what I mean? You can't plan those days when the judges are going to like it.
Q: What do you think about Simon Cowell's comments?
A: Sometimes Simon is just off the mark, to be honest. I mean, most times he's on, and I respect his opinion a lot, but you know, he wanted me to sing that blues/soul stuff every week, and ... I'm a rock/soul singer. I like to do both genres, and so I wasn't necessarily going to pander to what the judges say every week. You have to go out there and say, "This is the kind of record I'm going to make, and this is the sound I do." And some weeks they loved it, some weeks they didn't. That was all.
Q: How important do you think the judges are as far as voting goes?
A: Simon's very influential. They all are. But for me, what was more important was showing America what kind of record I'm going to make after the fact. ... That was more important to me than getting the three thumbs-up at the end of the day, you know what I'm saying?
Q: What was it like to work with Dolly Parton?
A: Absolutely amazing. I even got to speak to her this morning. And she was just saying ... what a fan of mine she is. And that's just, it's just so surreal to hear Dolly Parton saying, "I can't wait to sing a duet with you one day." I mean, that's awesome.
Q: Have you heard from celebrity fans other than Dolly?
A: Yeah, I got a reach-out from Keith Urban and Nicole Kidman, saying that I was their favorite and they watched every week and just — it's just amazing how far this reaches. Everyone from Dolly Parton to Keith Urban. It's just amazing.
'American Idol' Played A Cruel Joke, But Michael Johns Is Unfazed: 'I Get The Television Aspect Of This Competition'
Q: You've been rocking an ascot during your past few performances. Do you think your fashion choices had anything to do with your elimination?
A: [Laughs.] No, I don't think so. I mean, the ascot that killed America? It was a fun outfit, it was time to step it up a bit stylistically, and I went for it and I have no regrets.
Q: The top eight sang a pretty overtly religious song during the results show on Thursday. Was there any debate about having all the contestants sing a Christian song?
A: Religion is personal. I think there's a big difference between spiritual and religious. But with "Idol Gives Back," it's a bigger picture out there. Just to be a part of something like that, it's just magic. ... You think [you're in] this singing competition, but then Sunday night [the "Idol Gives Back" taping] happens, and it's like, "Oh, my goodness." It's amazing seeing these artists giving back. I was happy to sing it.
Q: What does it mean to you that people are so shocked about your elimination?
A: Nothing has sunk in just yet, but the backlash I've been seeing ... means a lot, and it means that I struck a nerve somewhere. And this year more than any year, I really believe, especially with this top eight, you can't look at the person that's your favorite and go, "Oh, he had a good week," or, "She had a good week. I'm going to give them half of my votes and give my votes to the other one that didn't do as well," you know what I mean? A split vote like that happened, and unfortunately the people you thought were going to be safe went home.
Q: Did you feel any of the backlash about people not wanting a foreigner to win "American Idol"?
A: If you look at all the contestants, it's been a pretty amazing year. It really has been "Melting-Pot Idol." ... It was really cool to see that America didn't care about that part as much. They cared about the fact [of], "Are you a real person?" and "Can you sing?" I think that's all that you can ask for out of this kind of competition.
Q: A lot of early "Idol" front-runners have been eliminated before their time, like Chris Daughtry and Jennifer Hudson. Do those people give you hope that an early exit isn't the kiss of death?
A: Yeah. Look, I mean, especially this year, it's been written in the press [that] this is the best top 12 they've ever had. ... But if I had any season I could have been on, to be a part of this one was just really special. There was no laughing stock, there were no jokes. I think we had a lot of respect in the public eye, and that's something I can be really proud of.
Q: How do you think your previous professional experience affected your time on "Idol"?
'American Idol' Played A Cruel Joke, But Michael Johns Is Unfazed: 'I Get The Television Aspect Of This Competition'
Q: How do you think your previous professional experience affected your time on "Idol"?
A: Yeah, I wasn't sure how that would work out for me. The thing about this season is a lot of us have made records or worked with producers, and we all had something cooking, you know what I mean? And I think that's why you're seeing such a strong top 12. It's really refreshing for me to be on a show that had so such talent this year, you know? ... So did it help me or hurt me? I don't know.
Q: Your farewell video showed a very goofy side of you, but you seem so serious onstage. Why didn't we see more of that fun side?
A: When I perform, I go into it — even when we're in dress rehearsals and stuff, I go up another notch from there. I don't know what comes out of me. But offstage, that's a whole different person — I'm just Michael, I have a bit of fun — but onstage is where I go to work.
Q: What song were you planning to sing for Mariah Carey week?
A: I was going to do a really cool version, a soul version, a soul/blues version of "Vision of Love." And it was hot, too, so I'm a little bummed.
Q: What are you looking forward to on the Idols Live Tour?
A: Just getting out there. I mean, how many chances [do you get] to have 10,000-plus people at a show? That's a pretty rare concept that we get to do this for the show. It's an honor. I just can't wait to get out there and rock.
Q: Do you have any advice for future contestants?
A: Absolutely. I think so highly of the show. I liked the show before as a fan, but after being through it and coming out the other side, it's like you're in the best hands with people who actually care about you. Just go in there and stay true to yourself, and good things can happen.
Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1585305/20080411/id_0.jhtml
http://new.music.yahoo.com/blogs/realityrocks/45678/idol-elimination-shocker-michael-goes-down-under/?page=293#postcomment
'American Idol' Elimination Shocker: Michael Johns' Dreams Dashed, As Carly Smithson And Syesha Mercado Squeak By
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Australian's surprising ouster causes even Simon Cowell grief.
AT: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1585223/20080411/jordin_sparks.jhtml
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