American Idol 4, April 13: Say It Isn’t So

Ryan continues with the results, and Constantine’s critique. Ryan asks for a clarification of Simon’s "astonishing." Simon says that everything about it was astonishing, he wouldn’t have recommended doing that song, but more importantly, it worked! Constantine is safe!

Vonzell gets her critique, she says she would be singing "I Have Nothing." Anthony gets his critique, Anthony says he would be singing "Every Time You Go Away." Nadia doesn’t get her critique, she’s just told she is in the bottom three. She will be singing, "You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me" (it’s almost like an accusation, isn’t it?). And she does. Try as she might, those nerves are showing, her voice is not following all of the orders from the brain. But, a shaken Nadia is better than most!

So, there you have them. Scott, Bo, and Nadia in the bottom three. Count two out of three for me. My job... is safe! Ryan asks Randy what people should be looking for every week. Randy says it’s about consistency, you have to be great every time. Randy reminds them that Ruben and Fantasia have both been in the bottom three (Ruben once, Fantasia a few times), and they both went on to win the whole dang shooting match, "So build up your confidence, you gotta put it out there, you gotta want it!" he scolds them, slightly. The trio seem to get the message.

Paula says we’ve seen crazy things like this happen, and she reminds them to remember the passion that brought them there, and perform like it’s the last time. Simon says picking the right song is so important, just like in the real world. He singles out Nadia and says if she had picked "You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me" the previous night, she wouldn’t be standing there in the bottom three (she wasn’t born in 1966, but we get the point). Simon adds, humbly (cough!), that when he critiques, he’s smarter than them because he’s being doing this for 30 years, so if they don’t believe him, look at the playback (meanwhile, Paula and Randy are making swollen head gestures next to him!) and understand why they are standing there.

Ryan asks Nadia if she regrets the choice. Nadia says she doesn’t because she wanted to do songs that were a little bit offbeat... but.... maybe that’s just not working out! Nothing like self-effacing humor in a time of crisis. Ryan is about to send someone back to the couch. It’s Scott! Scott can’t hide his relief. (I told you he wasn’t going! Yeah, I didn’t put him in the bottom three, but I knew he wasn’t going home for shiz-zure!)

The bad news is that Nadia or Bo is leaving. Ryan points out that Randy looks a bit disgusted. Randy says Ryan is right, if viewers really don’t want Nadia or Bo to go, they have to vote, "I also think there is a little confusion going on..." He doesn’t elaborate, but he does remind them again that Ruben and Fantasia were also in the bottom at some point, so this does not have to be the end. Ryan asks Paula if she still thinks Bo will make it to the finale. Paula poses a question to Bo, does he think he has what it takes? Bo says he thinks he has what it takes to do what he does (which doesn’t exactly answer the question, does it? Maybe he’s saying he doesn’t believe a rocker can win. Or his rocking can win. Either way, it’s the wrong attitude. Does Tyra Banks have to come out there and scream at him too? What did that mean? Check out Phil Kural’s recap of America’s Next Top Model!) Paula says she believes in him, and everyone there does too.

Ryan announces that Bo is safe, and Nadia is going home tonight. Nadia gives a gracious thank you, her voice breaking at the end. She’s such a lady. Time for the funeral video. Nadia’s tears start to flow. Nadia gives another thank you to American Idol and promises her journey has just begun.

I fully believe that. You have not heard the last of Nadia Turner. She had the best stage presence of anyone on the show, and star quality that is undeniable. She hit a slump at the worst possible time – when the viewership was increasing. The new people don’t know how good she is, and how worthy she was of a top five finish.

One day, American Idol will serve as only a footnote in her career – you can bet on that. As for Scott, many of you are pining for his demise. You’re in for a long wait. Scott is the underdog of this competition. He’s the square peg. There are people who will get behind him just because he would have no chance in the real world of getting this close to his dreams coming true. Is that wrong? No more wrong than people who tell me they won’t vote for him because he "looks like a serial killer," or "he has chip on his shoulder." I’m not saying you’re wrong, I’m just saying people vote the way they vote for their own reasons. If you can have it your way, they can have it theirs.

What a story it would be if Scott actually won this thing. I think all of the Idols got something of a wake up call tonight. Let’s see what they do with it!

Sting7 has been a respected published writer for many 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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