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Access Atlanta > American Idol Buzz > Archives > 2008 > April > 12 > Entry
4/13: My CNN Radio guest spot, most shocking departures in Idol history
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I did CNN.com’s weekly “Idol Chat” last year during its final weeks. Unfortunately, we were cancelled this year. But CNN Radio has been doing its own audio version this season with Michelle Wright and Richard Benson. Benson was on vacation so Michelle invited me to sub in this week. Listen to our commentary here.
And before we get to the heart of this entry, I’ve been watching MTV’s ‘Rock the Cradle,” featuring the kids of Olivia Newton John, Bobby Brown, Joe Walsh and others. Sadly, most of the kids are nowhere near as good as their parents vocally or charismatically. MC Hammer’s daughter, as one judge noted, looks about 40 even though she’s 19. And Bobby Brown’s son strikes me as old and rather dull, too. The only one who stood out last week and has by far the best vocal ability is Joe Walsh’s daughter Lucy Walsh. Dee Snider’s kid Jesse isn’t half bad either. Olivia Newton John’s daughter Chloe is just strange.
The Michael Johns surprise cut Thursday enters my top 5 most shocking “Idol” exits ever. Here’s my list:
1- Chris Daughtry, fourth place, season five. That angry look on Daughtry’s face when he was given the boot is forever implanted in my brain. (I tried to find it online but couldn’t for some reason.) He was still peeved the day after during interviews. But he’s not angry anymore. Success does mitigate such pain. He was a favorite to win though there were plenty of Soul Patrol fans who slagged him for being a Nickelback ripoff. Daughtry’s rationale for his exit was complacency on the part of his fans, not any particular bad performance. Perhaps the rocker contingent wasn’t as enthusiastic to vote hundreds of times.
2- Clay Aiken, runner up, season two. Clay fans are still peeved about this one and his post-“Idol” sales at least gave them some solace. His success also proved that victory isn’t necessary to do well after “Idol.” Interestingly, Nigel Lythgoe, the producer, said Clay was far ahead of the others in votes throughout the season. One technical issue may have made it closer than it could have been and may have tipped the balance for Ruben: busy signals. So many fans couldn’t get through that the lines were packed with votes the entire time, thus ensuring a very very close final vote count. This was also before texting was a regular phenomenon, which might have helped Clay. I do believe Clay would have won if there had been more phone lines available. Nonetheless, Ruben was a force to be reckoned and few could deny his skills.
3- Michael Johns, eighth place, season seven. This is the earliest “shocker” the show has ever had. He’s a truly talented stage performer with solid vocals. And he’s never had a really bad day. But he didn’t always look totally comfortable on stage and lacked a certain edge to be a true rock star. And he didn’t mine the bluesy soul stuff enough. If you look at office pools and commentary before the results show. I doubt anybody pinned him to be going home Thursday. I was one of the few to even place him in the bottom three. And I did so out of default. We’ll miss you, Michael!
4- Jennifer Hudson, seventh place, season three. This was the classic week of the top 7 season when the bottom three were the divas: Jennifer, LaToya London and future winner Fantasia. Ultimately, any of their departures would have been construed as surprising but they did cannibalize each other at this early stage. I always found LaToya bland and Fantasia the most heartfelt (and the most deserving winner). But nobody could deny Jennifer’s vocal skills. In fact, I felt Jennifer’s final performance was one of her best (Barry Manilow’s “Weekend in New England”) Hudson carries a certain histrionic sadness to her being, which worked perfectly in “Dreamgirls” three years later but may not have helped her in voting circles. She did go home too early so even though she has yet to release her own album, that Oscar I’m sure looks great on her mantle!
5- Tamyra Gray, fourth place, season one. At the point of the final four, many had figured it would be a Kelly Clarkson/Tamyra Gray finale. Tamyra (who used to live in Norcross and is now on the Broadway production of “Rent”) already had great stage presence and incredibly mature chops. She lacked the gee-whiz freshness of Kelly but was far less cheesy than Justin Guarini. And nobody really could take Nikki McKibbin seriously. How she got as far as she did (third place, ahead of Tamyra) remains a mystery. So Gray’s departure still hurts. And just think: if Tamyra had made the final two, the film “From Justin to Kelly” would never have been made!
And just to show not everybody was shocked, this Newsday blogger was surprised, not shocked.. Here’s his interesting theory on why Johns is gone:
Michael Johns was good, but not great. His last few outings have been blah. Aerosmith on Tuesday? Blah blah. Kristi Lee, who effectively LIVES in the bottom three, has actually gotten better - or better at getting more clever in song choice. Brooke - one of my early favorites - has gotten worse, to the point of awful. Yet she has so completely conned her fans with that sweet lil’ ol’ me act that they don’t even hear her performances.
But Johns never seemed to work his fans, never worked the judges. He was a bit of a cypher, really, unreadable, inscrutable. The Great Sphinx of the seventh season.
Sometimes it’s not just about the singing. Sometimes it’s about selling yourself too. Johns never learned that little secret. That’s why he’s gone.
Do you agree? Did he not sell himself properly? I do think he should have loosened up more during his performances, showed his goofier side at some point. And stop being so earnest when defending himself with the judges. And it’s true: talking back to the judges, even in a calm way is seldom good. Brooke tries to talk over the judges. Michael always felt obligated to defend his song choices. It’s probably best just to shut up. This is a weekend entry so I’m not expecting a lot of comments so I’ll problaby make that an entry sometime in the future. Talking back to the judges? Good or bad?
Comments
By JTesla
April 12, 2008 4:29 PM | Link to this
Great list, it may be too soon, but I like the placement. Maybe Michael can go on to win an Oscar like Jennifer.
By JTesla
April 12, 2008 4:42 PM | Link to this
Rodney, the good news is that if you ever lose your day job you can go to radio. I liked the CNN radio spot. Great points regarding Queen songs, Syesha, David A, inspirational songs, and thanks for bringing up some good points regarding KLC, she has figured out how it works.
By Deirdre
April 12, 2008 5:16 PM | Link to this
Rodney…you did a great job on the radio! The two best sounding contestants on the radio with you were David Archuleta she said, snarling and(everybody better take a seat) Kristy Lee.
I liked the point made about using Queen too much although I would have added that Michael Johns made it on the show base on his Bohemian Rhapsody and probably stayed based on We Are the Champions.
As for the surprise exits, I think you pretty much hit the nail on the head.
People invest a lot of time, energy and emotion on their favorite contestants and have pretty solid ideas about what should be the order of departure. I can’t blame anyone for being upset, or dwelling on it.
I DO NOT believe it was rigged.
By Justin
April 12, 2008 5:17 PM | Link to this
It’s top 7, yes, where they do the groups…however who knows maybe they’ll stick with the lame backstage/couch thing again and again, seeing that lately the top 9 have been split in groups, but not this season.
By JTesla
April 12, 2008 5:32 PM | Link to this
Deirdre, I read on the internet that it is rigged, so it must be true. ;)And welcome to the KLC team!
Justin: let’s hope they stop with the walk on stage stuff.
By Deirdre
April 12, 2008 5:54 PM | Link to this
She sounded really good on the radio, JT. It’s just that lifeless, onstage girl that bothers me. Listening to her is good, watching her…if you’re female…is NOT!
By JTesla
April 12, 2008 8:24 PM | Link to this
Deirdre, I agree, and that also plays into the part that Rodney added regarding another bloggers thoughts on MJ. I agree with it, MJ had trouble connecting, that is something we discussed back in the top 24 phase.
As for talking back to the judges: BAD. It worked for a few people years ago, as a one time thing. It allowed them to show a little personality, it really only worked in a few minor cases. Unfortunately people now think that it is acceptable. It rarely works, Chris ended up wisely apologizing last season for joking with Simon, so it isn’t a new problem.
Brooke is a little different, she is really just annoying. When she talks to the judges or audience saying “it’s ok” or the repeated “thank you’s” she really sounds pitiful. That along with her being a one trick pony has really turned me off her.
By JTesla
April 12, 2008 8:45 PM | Link to this
And since I can never get all my thoughts out the first time…
One thing that Idol seems to be doing more of is having Ryan ask the contestants what they thought of the judges comments. I don’t have a problem with that, if they are asked they should feel free to answer why they did a certain song or arrangement. The problem I have is with them talking while the judges are giving their critique. Simon already doesn’t have much time after Paula drones on, don’t cut into it.
By Deirdre
April 12, 2008 9:10 PM | Link to this
I only recall Michael speaking to the judges once. The other times he defended his song choice was after Ryan asked him what he thought.
You’re right though, JT, Michael did not even start to connect with the audience until We Are the Champions and that hurt him a lot.
On arguing with the judges…it puts me off. Take the critique…if Ryan asks what you thought, then tell him, but let the judges have their say. There was one night with Brooke that I was hoping someone would gag her…she wouldn’t let any of the judges talk without commenting.
By Harmony
April 12, 2008 9:25 PM | Link to this
I for one didn’t like Clay then and don’t like him now, I’m glad Ruben won. This year , I’m having a hard time trying to pick who I want to win. I don’t have a favorite, only two that I don’t want to win. Those two would be Archie and Brooke. I don’t like those two for some unknown reason.
By Harmony
April 12, 2008 9:33 PM | Link to this
No matter what happens this year, it has already been better than last year. I lost all interest last year after Melinda left, I did watch the finale anyway though.
By Harmony
April 12, 2008 9:52 PM | Link to this
What songs do you hate? I hate * You light up my life* Don’t it make my brown eyes blue* Puppy love* Elvira* There are more, thats just a few.
By Harmony
April 12, 2008 9:57 PM | Link to this
I think I’m talking to myself again.
By Deirdre
April 12, 2008 10:20 PM | Link to this
I’m about to go to bed, Harmony, but I didn’t want to let you think no one was listening.
I like Don’t It Make My Brown Eyes Blue….don’t know why! Whatever happened to Crystal Gayle?
I decided to vote for Clay after his Bridge Over Troubled Water during the finale…..one of the best Idol performances EVER!
I really am not too concerned about who wins this year…most of them are pretty good. To tell you the honest to goodness truth…when I just close my eyes and listen to Archie…..the kid has something special…..I don’t like looking at him…he’s too young, too child-like and, like Simon, I’m not big on child-performers. But…eyes closed, listening to him is really nice.
Same goes for Kristy Lee.
I would be kinda upset if either Brooke or Jason won.
By Harmony
April 12, 2008 10:35 PM | Link to this
Thanks Deirdre, sleep well.
By JTesla
April 13, 2008 2:04 AM | Link to this
Good job at keeping the conversation going Harmony.
Deirdre, I can’t even remember a specific time that Michael spoke up to the judges. David C. has done it, Brooke of course has done it, KLC has done it perhaps to her benefit, but it still bugged me. Otherwise most of the back talkers have already been given the boot.
Songs that I hate: Puff the Magic Dragon, Cat’s in the cradle, Wind beneath my wings, Irreplaceable and probably many more that I can’t think of right now.
By jean
April 13, 2008 9:05 AM | Link to this
But most Clay fans (and more and more others are figuring out) do know what happened that night. Clay’s millions of votes way over Ruben just couldn’t make it through ONE phone line. Why did AI then have multiple phone lines and more hours to vote the VERY NEXT YEAR????? The producers knew who really won that year. And Clay has proven it many many times that he was the true IDOL and Ruben have proved that he never got near Clay in votes. I bet Clay would of still received 80 percent (the amount he WAS receiving every single week he was on)that night if ALL his calls came through. So very simple.
By Deirdre
April 13, 2008 9:12 AM | Link to this
I LOVE conspiracy theories.
We ALL need excuses for why the person we think is the best didn’t win.
To answer jean’s question…I think, just maybe, it’s possible that they had more phone lines and more voting hours the following year because they were as stunned by the upswing in the number of votes coming in for Ruben and Clay as everyone else was….and being a show that likes ratings and is in it for the money, having more phone lines and more hours to vote makes a lot of sense.
But then I could be wrong…it probably WAS because Clay got cheated! :-)
By Justin
April 13, 2008 11:07 AM | Link to this
know what i was thinkin about? it sucks that my favorites usually always get voted off early. i dont get it i really don’t.
season 3, my first season watching, was a bit mixed because it was new to me. I like Matt Rogers, Amy Adams, LaToya London, and Diana DeGarmo best. After the first 2 were eliminated early on Diana was my clear favorite. And she is one of my only favorites who actually did make it far, so that was exciting, my first season watching and my favorite comes in 2nd… would been even better if she had won.
Season 4 I had no clear favorite for some reason. I just liked Carrie and Vonzell, and Bo Bice was somewhere along that line. They happened to be the top 3 so that was good, but the thing is, i had no favorite really, so it wasn’t all too exciting for me. But so far Carrie is my favorite winner.
Season 5 I can’t quite remember my favorite. In the beginning I did like Ayla Brown and Lisa Tucker. And as time progressed I liked Chris Daughtry and Katharine McPhee, in what would have been the perfect finale. But Katharine was my favorite above all after a few weeks in, and I knew that for a fact after I was saying it sucks that she’ll go home top 4 in that bottom 2— which she never did! Yeah!
Season 6 my favorite came more from feeling sorry for. It was Haley Scarnato, as you know. I started liking her after Alaina was voted off top 20, cuz i liked her distinct voice, but then she was voted out. Haley ended up coming in 8th, but she did have a nice voice, so it’s not a ridiculous favorite. After that I liked Blake and Jordin, but wasn’t obsessed so I wasn’t super excited about them in the finals. LaKisha I liked toward the end just because I felt bad she’d be out lol.
Now, Season 7. My favorites from auditions included: David Archuleta, Asia’h Epperson, Kady Malloy, and I and I think his name was Colton Swon.. well he never made the top 24. Then Hollywood Syesha was bumped to that list, still didn’t care for David Cook.
By the time top 24 rolled around, my favorites were David, Syesha, Asia’h, and Kady. Kady left top 16 and so did Asia’h so they are bumped off.
And I didn’t like David much until top 24, but he was a solid favorite after he sang top 20: All Right Now, and that was before he first got praise from Simon for Hello. So no, I didn’t add him as my favorite like most did just b/c of that song. I’m a fan from before, so I don’t know.
Now in the top 7 David A. is beginning to bore me a bit with his same thing week after week, but I’m trying to keep up.
David C. is doing great, but his last 2 songs I haven’t been crazy about.
Then Syesha Mercado: she’s been in the bottom 3 3 times now. Now I’m not saying they have left early yet b/c they haven’t, but everyone is predicting her demise lately and it sucks because I didn’t become a fan of hers because I felt sorry for her, she’s been so good since Chain of Fools and Tobacco Road, so she’s just one of those people who does really well, then doesn’t have a clear fan base yet.
Oh yeah and David Hernandez, but he was voted out top 12.
By flats
April 13, 2008 2:07 PM | Link to this
I hope everyone’s having a real good sunday!!!
By flats
April 13, 2008 2:48 PM | Link to this
:-(…Well,the second casualty to the braves senior pitching staff.Glavine just hurt his hamstring.
By flats
April 13, 2008 3:07 PM | Link to this
Rumor has it,phil neikro might be coming back!
By Vernae
April 13, 2008 3:32 PM | Link to this
I wanted to know if you could possibly let Michael know that I had a tattoo done, in his honor…I can send pictures if you’d like…I just want Michael to know just how much he touch my heart, and that he has a lot of support, and none of his fans or non-fans think he had the lowest amount of votes, nothing about this elimination makes sense!
By Vernae
April 13, 2008 3:36 PM | Link to this
I was wondering if I could send you a photo of my new tattoo, in honor of Michael Johns? I want him to see it!
By flats
April 13, 2008 3:58 PM | Link to this
LOL @ VERNAE!!!!IT’S JUST A TALENT SHOW!!!
By flats
April 13, 2008 5:43 PM | Link to this
5-4…LOL!!!!TOMAHAWK CHOPPED!!!!
By ,,,=^..^=,,, from home
April 13, 2008 6:32 PM | Link to this
V if you’re serious, just find his myspace page and send it that way, good grief, do you think that Rodney could possibly handle every such request anyone might have? use your imagination!
By JTesla
April 13, 2008 6:37 PM | Link to this
I got a tattoo in honor of flats…
What?
By Deirdre
April 13, 2008 8:54 PM | Link to this
Vernae…don’t you think getting a tattoo in honor of someone who you don’t know personally is just a tad over the top?
Take linny’s suggestion and send a picture to his Myspace site. But I can’t guarantee that he won’t hire body guards.
By Harmony
April 13, 2008 10:26 PM | Link to this
OK Its official, I’m not the craziest person on this here blog! Tatoo beats my talking to myself. I have another song to add to my list* paper roses*
By Harmony
April 13, 2008 10:56 PM | Link to this
This is a test, only a test. Trying to see how to indent. Only a test.
By Harmony
April 13, 2008 11:05 PM | Link to this
I didn’t learn how to indent, oh well!
By War Eagle
April 14, 2008 7:04 AM | Link to this
Harm What are you trying to do?
Indent is what you do at the beginning of a paragraph.
Are you trying to *italic*?And I have no comment for Vernae. I think that post says it all.
By flats
April 14, 2008 8:22 AM | Link to this
MAN!!!I’M P**!I want to be first so bad on the new thread but cant get on it!!!Georgia Bulldogs swept there 2nd sec series in a row!!!!!GO DIAMOND DAWGS!~!!!BRAVES!!!THANKS AGIAN FOR A SUCKY YEAR!!!
By Deirdre
April 14, 2008 8:39 AM | Link to this
Rodney The Bucky thread won’t let us comment.
Morning mushblogians.
Not a good day. Mom is sick….don’t know how much I’ll be able to chat.
By kellyfan
April 14, 2008 8:56 AM | Link to this
Hi y’all!
Rodney, I too, was insanely shocked about Tamyra back in the day. I definitely wanted a Kelly/Tamyra finale. And not just because we would’ve been spared FJ2K…(I can’t even bring myself to type it…)
I’m looking forward to the Mariah theme tomorrow night. Something tells me there’ll be a few train wrecks. So, what’s the over/under for how many times Randy’ll say “You know, when I worked on that with Mariah….”? (Ha!)
And while Michael John’s leaving was a bit of a shocker, I don’t think that’ll be the biggest one this season.
By linny ,,,=^..^=,,,
April 14, 2008 9:33 AM | Link to this
kellyfan! how are you? haven’t seen you much lately, sorry to say :-(
i think your observations about Mariah theme night and there being more shockers is probably pretty accurate!
btw, new blog appears to be working now, flats seems to be ecstatic rolling my eyes
By Marnie
April 14, 2008 5:46 PM | Link to this
I’m still shocked about Michael Johns leaving. Also, I’ve been a Huge Clay fan since I first saw him on Season 2. It’s been 5 years now, he’s happy and doing very well. Maybe the Clay fans who are still upset, need to just let it go. Clay said he didn’t care at the time and he and Ruben are still good friends.