It's the American Idol results show and first thing that happens: Anthony appears with an "I'm so dead" look on his face.And we're thinking, yeah, you are so dead.Then Ryan, wearing a hideous Reynolds Wrap tie and a honeydew-hued pseudo leisure suit, did the recap. The only thing that caught my eye was that in Vonzell's clip, it was the first time I haven't heard her singing all body-parts-to-the-wall all the time. She was actually floating her notes sweetly and effortlessly. Huh. Must've missed that.Then cut to Anthony, who flashes a "I'm so dead" look at his feet.To prolong the festivities, we're "treated" to the final five's ensemble number, "Bridge Over Troubled Water." First, Ryan notes that Michael W. Smith took this song to #38 or #29 or #67, something like that, on some chart that supposedly matters.I'm thinking, Michael W. Smith? Are you nuts?These are people who routinely rag on contestants for not attaining the level of some mythical artist who went before them---Janis, Chaka, Otis---and Ryan introduces BOTW as a Michael W. Smith song?
So who are Simon and Garfunkel, chopped liver?Oh, yeah, and who is Clay Aiken? Liverwurst? Liverwurst with onions?If you're talking "Bridge Over Troubled Water" and American Idol, come on, people. Mr. Aiken practically re-shingled the Kodak Theatre roof with that song. And then he went on to sell, oh, half a million or so copies of it as a single. In a single week.To which fact Simon Cowell replied snippily: "Well, anyone could sell a half a million copies of that song. It's just a great song." Or words to that effect.Simon, how about words to this effect: This group couldn't sell half a box of "Bridge Over Troubled Water" with that sorry going-to-meeting-house rendition. The only remarkable thing about the performance was the swelling crowd reaction every time Bo---the "Captain of the Dawg Pound,"---(uh, exactly why do dawg pounds have captains?)---looking chilled and decked out in even-more-in-Simon's-face shades---launched a lyric. Very telling, that house reaction.Then they reveal that Anthony and Scott are the bottom two. (And did you catch that very nice kiss Bo gave Vonzell when they and Carrie were told they were safe? And how later on Bo was snuggling Baby V up to him on the couch? In a purely platonic way, natch, I'm not trying to start something here. Can't we all just talk about the fun stuff?)Now Anthony is really looking like, "I'm so dead." Not only that, they cut to his family sitting in the audience and they look like Stonehenge. To a person, row upon dreaded row, they are staring straight ahead with rock formation faces, like, "holy cow, Margaret, he's so dead."Then they announce that it's Anthony's birthday, and we're all like, "Man, it's the kid's birthday and he's so dead!"The clock is ticking. Scott lays down a creaky version of "Everytime You Go Away." Tick tick tick. There was no timbre in his voice. The high notes were thin. His falsetto was positively see-thru. But give the guy a break. I don't see how anyone sings decently when there's A GIANT AXE hanging over their head. So maybe Scott was also feeling that he was dead.It's Anthony's turn to sing and I'm thinking, "please, Anthony, come on, make us all sorry that you're dead."Then Anthony, who has always, always been the contestant who seemed the most nervous on Wednesday nights, came out and indeed did rip the socks off The Body (and, thankfully, only the socks) with a rich, poignant version of "Incomplete." I mean, I hate the Backstreet Boys version of that bucket of cliches swept up from the cutting room floor, but, I must say, on the birthday boy, at least tonight, it was very nice and warm indeed.Fact, even mtv.com said Anthony had pulled off that heart-string pulling Celine Dion tune two weeks ago.Nevertheless. As soon as he crooned out that last, dreamy ending, as soon the final vibe of the final note floated heaven-ward, Anthony's face announced: "I'm dead."But wouldn't you know it? The fortune cookie was cracked open and it was Anthony, not Scott, who lives on.Mr. Savol was a fairly polarizing figure, so I am sure there is sadness as well as, frankly, rejoicing tonight in Idol-dom. Those who did not care for him, did not care for him intensely. Had he not been bounced this week, millions of people would have been running for the loo at the same time all across America.That said, I believe that Scott's demise at this particular point in time probably was the cumulative reaction to three things.One, while Scott's brush with the law did not visibly slow him down, that's the sort of thing that AI fans keep under advisement for some time. These are the folks who take a wait-and-see attitude, watching to see how that one piece of the puzzle contributes to the whole package.Two, while Scott's fans no doubt viewed his sparring with Simon---what I have called Scott's sometime snarlitude---as standing up to The Man, others probably took offense or found it gag-worthy or just plain embarrassing. You can't be acting like Billy Idol when you want to be the American Idol. Also see item number one.Three, and likely most importantly, while Scott has been the subject of the chucklehead vote, and news and commentary pertaining thereto, the mere thought of rogue voting creates a spectrum of outrage among the AI voting public. Create a spectrum of outrage and, yep, a backlash is sure to follow.In other words, people get their feathers in a puff about a bunch of chuckleheads organizing a "vote for the worst" campaign, and they GET MAD AS H-E-DOUBLE TOOTHPICKS (to quote Richie Cunningham on Happy Days) AND DECIDE THEY WON'T TAKE IT ANYMORE.OOoohhh. So they . . . (whispered:) . . . vote.And they don't vote for the contestant the chuckleheads say is "the worst."This is America and we will not be dictated to by chuckleheads!Scott, my man, you said last night you weren't leaving until you became a star. A star on Broadway, no less. And I believe that. You are leaving American Idol, but it's a big world out there. Broadway is a long way from Shaker Heights, Ohio, but I hope you make it. Good luck.
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - -E
Yeah, I wasn't sure why he mentioned Michael W Smith either, that was pretty, um, weird.
I'm glad Scott is gone.
2 - Keefer
I think the one last cap in Scott's ass was his overly-cocky comment from last night about picking his songs for next week already. That comment made me laugh hysterically. In light of Constantine's early departure, no one should be too sure of themselves.
3 - karen
i am glad scotts off. I didnt like his attitude or how he acted so smart allecky. I wish CONSTETINE was still in. scott should have been gone last weak and Constiteen should still be here.
sincerely,
a confused subject
4 - Mark Lobban
Thank god Scott is not armed, America would have yet more to talk about. The guy is downright creepy/arogent/just plain strange, thank god for Simons honesty, there is not enough of that in the world right now.
5 - Sandra
They didn't mention Clay's BOTW because they were hoping like hell not to remind anybody of his rendition, because their version had no hope of surviving the comparison. Ahhh... such a classic denying-the-elephant-in-the-room moment needs to be replayed and savored. I must fire up the VCR.
6 - Sheba
I'm so glad Scott is gone...the guy seemed to think he was God's gift to the green planet, and his attitude was just pissing off! I'm just glad Carrie's still around!
7 - kelvin
Yea, scott's gone and rightly so....he sucks big time...cannot stand his attitude and arrogance...finally we have accurate voting..now Carrie is going to win AI...all in favour say AI
8 - mfj
Dude. Savol is creepy. Did you see him biting his lip and generally tweaking when he was watching his 'journey' on the projection screen? WTF? Dude is WACKY. Peace out.
Federov = still sucks. Name sounds like a Russian sniper rifle.
Salomon = sappy, giggly, drippy mediocrity at its absolute BEST.
Bice = the Bono glasses can't save you goober. More like the American Idle. You're days are numbered, goob'
Underwood = mesmerizing.. God if only for one night...
Corey Clark = believable. Paula needs to get booted for unprofessional conduct.
9 - Leslie
I don't think it mattered that Scott was out tonight because it would have been next week anyhow. The first time I heard Bo I thought a rocker can't win this but I have totally changed my mind as Bo continues to bring down the house each week - he is awesome!
10 - Elaine
I could not believe.....BOTW....and then Michael W. Smith. I like Michael W. Smith, but I had no idea that he sang BOTW. At least I knew Simon and Garfunkel sang it first. Just shows how dumb they are. Puhleese.....Clay Aiken helped put American Idol in the history books with his rendition. Sorry AI4 singers but, in comparison.....Well no comparison. Clay was the BOMB. You were....just boring, bland, out of sync....just not good.
Glad Scott is gone. I won't miss him. Never was his fan.
11 - jm_murphy
I am sooooo glad Scott is gone. I actually applauded right there in my living room. Finally I can take the cotton out of my ears and hear some decent singing. Carrie was my pick at first but now I'm a Bo girl. Rock on Bo!!
12 - Eric Olsen
thanks Sticker, some great lines in there, and as usual, once an offending item has been excised it's easier to be a bit more charitable. I think what really did Scott in was the relative praise he got from the judges this week: took the steam out of the votefortheworst element
13 - Dianne
Thank you very much for such a wonderful synopsis of last night's AI4. I must say that I, too, am glad that Scott was voted off last night; however, I am very disillusioned and upset with the ever-increasing cruelty which AI4's producers insist upon using in their illimination of their contestants. Granted, Scott's cocky attitude truly leaves a lot to be desired; however, he, nor Anthony, deserved the inhumane treatment which they received last night. Personally, between the Corey/Paula scandal, the "is Paula on drugs" scandal and the ever-increasing cruelty of this show I am rapidly becoming more and more disillusioned with American Idol. I have, therefore, decided to no longer validate AI's "ratings status" by watching.
Oh, by the way, regarding the group's rendition of "Bridge Over Troubled Water", their rendition only made me appreciate Clay Aiken even more. In my humble opinion, no one can ever compare to Clay's performance of this wonderful song. As I watched this fine young man and talented artist's performance of that song on AI2, I literally had very noticable chills and emotionally and physically "melted" out of my chair and onto the floor, only to find myself jumping up, clapping and cheering when our Mr. Aiken ended that song with the most beautiful, pure, powerful and passionate note I have ever heard. Bravo, Clay!!!!
Thank you.
14 - Rose
Okay, so maybe the contestants LIVE sound different on tv (either better or worse)and maybe tv viewers need to turn their set's volume WAY UP to really hear how the contestants sound but SCOTT has never sounded better than Anthony to me and I'm glad he's gone.
15 - Sticker
eric - you are so right! I knew the judges were going to be nice this week in an effort to confuse the chuckleheads
every little bit helped
16 - Sticker
diane -
thanks for the shout-out.
I agree with you that the Clay Aiken rendition of BOTW is one of the all-time classics of goosebump soaring pop.
I can't believe I'm saying this, but he even outdid Simon and Garfunkel.
Don't leave yet. The show needs people who appreciate good music!
17 - Sticker
rose -
like the little engine that could, Anthony seems to be picking up steam.
He's not going to win, but he does seem to be gaining and will end up going places anyway.
18 - Lisa Roy
Hi....still stand by it...Constantine should have been Idol #4...he had it all.. the whole package...has not been the same without him...what a scam..whatever the reason...that is why I will never watch AI again..
19 - Eric Olsen
I will never breathe again because there is pollution in the air
I will never drink water again because fish copulate in it
20 - Sticker
lisa roy -
understand how you feel about Constantine, but something about never say never . . .
trust me, things will get better with time
and only 5 more days until PFTSOB drops!
21 - GreyPoupon
Simon wasn't being his smart ass self Tues. night when he told Scott he's had more escapes than Houdini - it was simply the truth! Ya have to laugh at Simon's witty repertoire of put downs even if you like the contestant he's crapping on.
It was almost depressing watching Anthony and his baby-lost-his-pacifier expression throughout lastnights show. I so wanted Scott gone but I thought maybe his unusual/bizarre luck would hold out one more week - sooo glad it didn't! I almost expected him to whip out an uzi and start spraying the audience as soon as the news was out! Must not've been able to smuggle one in the auditorium!
22 - Mike
"I will never drink water again because fish copulate in it."
Geeze, Eric, I didn't need to go there. I mean intellectually I know it but, oh, man..... Its gonna be a dry day.
23 - Eric Olsen
sorry Mike
I had somewhat mixed feelings about who should go too, Grey, in that Scott DID do better than usual and Anthony's "Poison Ivy" was just suck, but in the end I am just glad the boil has been lanced
24 - Mir
Great write up, as always, Mr. Sticker!
I am a little surprised that no one has mentioned the crazy reaction by Scott when Ryan told him to move to the couch. Did you see his relief and point upward? DUH! Like anyone in the world thought he and Anthony were sitting on the couch because they were both safe!!!?? come on! The funniest part of the night was when Scott was making his way to the couch and Anthony shook his head at him. It appeared like he was trying to explain to him, "dude, we're not safe! get real!" I wish Anthony had still been miked! That would have been worth hearing! :)
Luckily I could rewind it and watch that part over and over again! It was good stuff!
There may be another explaination of why Ryan Seagrest mentioned Michael W Smith's version of BOTW instead of Simon and Garfunkel. Tuesday night's theme included today's top40. Isn't BOTW a "hit" for MWS right now on the top 40?? I think thats why Ryan announced it that way. I totally agree that its Simon & Garfunkel's song though and Ryan could have at least mentioned that it was originally their hit song. Being that Ryan hosts the top 40 every week, thats probably all he thinks about, when it comes to most music. Don't you think?
I think its so funny about the Baby V and Bo "friendship" kisses and snuggles! I hadn't noticed that! I will definitely go back and watch that part again. Bo does have a girlfriend but did you see her? I dont think she's ultimate-pop-star-girlfriend material. I would definitely be packing my bags to move out if I were her.
Well the scandal of Scott is gone so now the emphasis can be on "who will win", which is how it should be. I personally dont care about the Paula stuff. I just want the show to be able to continue and stay the great program that it is.
Peace out!
25 - Mickey
Am I the only person disappointed that good ol' Scott is gone ? I mean - he was such a comic relief !! Watching him perform week after week like a fish out of water and yet have the airs of a world beater was hilarious....but then I am no American Idol purist/fanatic..