American Idol 3, April 28: Coming Out of the Dark

The day after the malaise, I want to extend my sincerest thanks to all of you who sent me emails trying to cheer me up, looking on the bright side, staying positive. It helped.

It also helped knowing how long I spent hitting the redial button last night. After all, my mama always said, “if you don’t like it, do something about it.” I did what I could. Did what I had to do. I’m betting most of you, the ones who don’t feel the need to publicize your feelings on message boards or in nasty, obnoxious emails, did that as well. It’ll make sense to you later.

I feel the sun peaking through the clouds. To quote another Sting (no relation), “it’s the starting of a brand new day!”

But, enough about me? How you doing?

Ryan welcomes us. Another new record, 28 million votes cast last night, even more than the Ruben/Clay finale last year! (There were reports that last night alone, there were six million viewers more than just the week before! Scandal still sells!)

The recap of last night’s show is next, read all about it right here!

Intro the judges, intro the six remaining contestants. There is so much room on the couch anymore!

The contestants perform a medley of Gloria Estefan songs.

Time for the groups again – splitting into two.

Fantasia (looking a bit more nervous than we are used to seeing) – Group A

Diana (to her credit, she never looks frazzled) – Group A

LaToya – Group A

Which means John, Jasmine, and George are in Group B. Ryan reads their critiques, (George looks a little perplexed) but we know one of these groups is the highest vote getters, one is the lowest. Judging from the performances of Fantasia, LaToya, and Diana, this would have to be the highest group. Ryan tells Group A that they are, in fact, the highest group. Relieved smiles from the ladies, George applauds over his head, he’s such a gracious guy!

There’s a Devo-esque Ford commercial to the strains of “Whip It.” Surely, there’s some good about these cheesy things. Try to detect it.

So, we know, Bottom 3 tonight is John Stevens, Jasmine Trias, and George Huff. The fan in me is just glad it’s not Fantasia. The journalist in me is hoping John Stevens will finally, mercifully, be sent on his way. No offense, John. Time to get on with your career.

Judges, what do you think? Randy says it’s definitely the right three, one of them should definitely go home. (I wonder who he means?) Paula says it’s down to the wire, time to bring it, (and three more clichés found in every heavy metal song ever sung). Simon says Paula put it so beautifully.

Ryan tells George to step back, please, because Jasmine is safe! Ouch! George looks kicked in the ribs, Jasmine is overjoyed. She gets a big hug from Fantasia, who seems to be consoling Jasmine. It’s a motherly sort of hug. Hmm.

Ryan reminds us that the leaving contestant got four million votes, which is incredible! Ryan says that leaving us after an incredible (and improbable) journey is... John! Ryan asks if John is kind of relieved and John says somewhat. Ryan asks what he’ll miss the most. He says, “them,” pointing to the couch. And the other contestants tearfully wave from the security of their couches.

John’s funeral video is very, very long. It’s full of Simon critiques, the good ones, from long ago. Long, long ago. As John sings us out with “Music of My Heart,” the long version, Jasmine and Diana look on tearfully. Paula looks, well, expressionless. Simon looks like completely bored. John’s performance can only be described as relaxed. The pressure was off and it showed. Good luck to him.

For a moment, let’s strip away the choking cloak of political correctness. John was wrong for this competition. Actually, most of the people who say they like him will also admit that he shouldn’t win. Yet they voted for him. If that makes sense, it’s lost on me. Those who love this show knew Stevens had to go. We stepped up. Good for us!

John’s a nice kid. I know a lot of nice kids. They shouldn’t win either.

He looks so sad. So do I when I see my already spent paycheck. I shouldn’t win either.

Here’s my favorite: It’s the judges fault for putting him here, so take that! Um, the judges put him in the Top 32, America voted him into the Top 12! Yeah, but they put him the Top 32. They put Matt Metzger in the Top 32 too, but he’s not here now, is he? No, because America didn’t vote him in! (And, he wasn’t chosen as a wildcard either.)

There is no doubt that John is a classy young man. He’s tough, he’s courageous, and he’s a big boy. He didn’t want sympathy. The longer he was on the show, the more he was becoming known as "that horrible kid." This just wasn't his thing, and hopefully, he can build a career out of the notoriety.

That said, it’s for the competition to begin! The votes are as important as ever, maybe never more in any other season of this show. Based on the math that says 28 million votes cast, the lowest having four million, this must be a close race!

Don’t sleep on your Idol now, they need you more than ever! Let’s do it again next week. Maybe they’ll be doing polka! Actually, big band. This could be cool!

Now that you know the outcome, be sure to check out David Bloomberg's Why John Lost over at Foxes On Idol!

Sting7 has been a respected published writer for 16 years, as a music editor, entertainment critic, columnist, and interviewer. He also has a curious love for pro-wrestling! You can email Stinger at stingseven@yahoo.com.

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