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Brookie L. Crawford
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Member Since: 3/2007Last Seen: 9/07/2009

Paula Deemed Safe, Brooke Sent Home as Idol Dwindles to 4

Live Poll

Did America get it right?

  • Absolutely, Brooke had to go
    29%
  • Probably, but I was leaning towards someone else
    8%
  • Maybe
    1%
  • No, Brookie should have stayed
    7%
  • No, Jason should have gone first
    54%
  • Other (please specify in comments)
    1%

Total Votes: 316

Brooke during her first song on Tuesday.

Brooke during her second performance.

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While the fate of one of the Top 5 hung in the balance of this American Idol results show, Ryan felt the need to reassure us that Paula's status as a judge is secure despite her mishap in the bizarre judging format on Tuesday night.

Does anyone really think Paula mistake would cost her her job? This woman has flakiness down to an art form, having cultivated it for seven years on this show. Why would they can her now? While I think her flightiness is genuine, I think the producers gladly play it up to juxtapose Simon and Randy - the ditzy flower between to thorns.

But that was just the beginning of a night full of surprises. The biggest shocker of all was that lackluster Jason Castro was deemed safe right from the beginning. Everyone I talk to or read comments from think it's well past time for dreadlocks boy to depart.

This guy can barely string two coherent sentences together for the interviews and looks as if he can't be bothered to even try when performing. But apparently a significant number of the 45 million votes don't agree with me.

All I have to say is - what are these people smoking? Are they not watching - and more importantly listening to - the same weak ass performances I am? Surely that charming little smile that he pulls out when he knows that he can't compete with the others isn't winning that many votes.

I probably wouldn't be so animated about his unjust success if I felt like he was taking the contest seriously. His other four co-contenders are busting their butts each week (albeit not always successfully) to put their best efforts forward, while Jason continues to just coast.

With both Davids continuing with safe passage, that left Brooke White and Syesha Mercado in jeopardy. And choosing from this pair was not an easy feat. Syesha outperformed Brooke on the first song Tuesday night, while Brooke clearly took the lead with the second song. In the end, Brooke was sent packing, leaving Syesha as the only female in the Top 4.

I liked the format last week where they let the bottom two sing their songs one last time before announcing the elimination. This week, not only was Brooke too emotional to sing by the end, but her swan song was abruptly cut off when the program ran over time.

But aside from the voting results we (or at least I) learned a few new tidbits.

For example, we learned when Ryan announced the winner of the Coke cup design (chalk this up to more needless promotion) that Randy used to be a model. I can't find anything to back up this claim so I don't know if it is legitimate (if so, what did Randy model for?) or if Ryan was just running off at the mouth.

And we also learned during the fan call in segment (which I had hoped would continue to be overlooked for other programming like last week) that Simon got his first kiss from a girl name Tara when he was nine. Although it was the most interesting call of the season, I can't help but wonder if it was staged.

In the end, I'm still reeling from the fact that Jason was granted immunity so early in the show. What do you think? Did America get it right? Did Jason deserve to stay?

-------------------------

Related Posts

Top 5 Results

Top 6 Perform and Results

Who Can Actually Win?

Top 7 Perform and Results

Is Idol's Credibility Shot?

How Big of an Idol Fan Are You?

Top 8 Perform and Results

Top 9 Perform and Results

Top 10 Perform and Results

Top 11 Perform and Results

Top 12 Performs and Results

Top 12 Announced

Mentors Announced

Pick the Next Theme

Are Reality Contestants Entitled to Any Privacy?

A Closer Look at the Top 12 Men and the Top 12 Women

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{"commentId":1752987,"authorDomain":"vacelts"}

I'm not the only one who thought Jason should have gone home. From the poll, a majority of you thought so too.

{"commentId":1752987,"threadId":"258004","contentId":"1462785","authorDomain":"vacelts"}
  • 2 votes
Reply#1 - Wed Apr 30, 2008 11:21 PM EDT
{"commentId":1754691,"authorDomain":"sbutki"}

My theory is all the potheads of the world can apparently agree on four things:
1) Pot is good 2) Potheads must support other potheads so if that means calling in to Idol so be it
3) Pass the chips. I got the munchies.
4) I forgot what 4 was. Someone turn up that reggae.

{"commentId":1754691,"threadId":"258004","contentId":"1462785","authorDomain":"sbutki"}
  • 2 votes
#1.1 - Thu May 1, 2008 12:02 PM EDT
{"commentId":1755254,"authorDomain":"vacelts"}

But I'm surprised they could find the phone.

{"commentId":1755254,"threadId":"258004","contentId":"1462785","authorDomain":"vacelts"}
  • 2 votes
#1.2 - Thu May 1, 2008 2:34 PM EDT
{"commentId":1758391,"authorDomain":"sbutki"}

cell phones make it easy. The phone is usually next to the bong.

{"commentId":1758391,"threadId":"258004","contentId":"1462785","authorDomain":"sbutki"}
  • 1 vote
#1.3 - Fri May 2, 2008 11:55 AM EDT
{"commentId":1761302,"authorDomain":"vacelts"}

Must be a pre-programmed number. :-)

{"commentId":1761302,"threadId":"258004","contentId":"1462785","authorDomain":"vacelts"}
  • 1 vote
#1.4 - Sat May 3, 2008 8:34 AM EDT
Reply
{"commentId":1753778,"authorDomain":"onlineapps"}

I thought Jason should have gone home, but Brooke was pretty awful in her first performance.

{"commentId":1753778,"threadId":"258004","contentId":"1462785","authorDomain":"onlineapps"}
  • 3 votes
Reply#2 - Thu May 1, 2008 8:47 AM EDT
{"commentId":1753912,"authorDomain":"vacelts"}

Yes, but I thought Brooke's second performance made up for the first.

{"commentId":1753912,"threadId":"258004","contentId":"1462785","authorDomain":"vacelts"}
  • 3 votes
#2.1 - Thu May 1, 2008 9:21 AM EDT
{"commentId":1754705,"authorDomain":"sbutki"}

I didn't expect Paula to get sent home or fired but I think what happened is Tuesday's mess-up led people to think that a) this is more proof Paula is drunk or high while on air and b) she's going to mess everything up by revealing how much manipulation is going on (i.e. they are hearing more than one verison of the song before judging?)
so c) she'll be fired.

I think that's backwards because a) they'd take so much flak if they ditched her b) it might cause her to resume her reality show and c) could you imagine all the crap she could share about the others on the show given the chance?

What's the saying about keeping your friends close and your enemies closer? The last thing they want to do is get rid of someone who could come back and bite them in the proverbial ass.

p.s. next week someone will call in - i predict - to announce that at age 10 they bit one of the judges on the ass.
Kinky.

{"commentId":1754705,"threadId":"258004","contentId":"1462785","authorDomain":"sbutki"}
  • 2 votes
#2.2 - Thu May 1, 2008 12:06 PM EDT
{"commentId":1755266,"authorDomain":"vacelts"}

I know that there has been more than one show that my husband and I have speculated to Paula being under the influence. But she's been like that for seven years, why fire her now?

And in honesty, I did they Tuesday night's format was weird.

{"commentId":1755266,"threadId":"258004","contentId":"1462785","authorDomain":"vacelts"}
  • 2 votes
#2.3 - Thu May 1, 2008 2:37 PM EDT
Reply
{"commentId":1753823,"authorDomain":"acidreflux"}

I think the entire franchise should go home, personally.

{"commentId":1753823,"threadId":"258004","contentId":"1462785","authorDomain":"acidreflux"}
  • 4 votes
Reply#3 - Thu May 1, 2008 8:58 AM EDT
{"commentId":1753915,"authorDomain":"vacelts"}

I'm sure that you are not alone in that wish.

{"commentId":1753915,"threadId":"258004","contentId":"1462785","authorDomain":"vacelts"}
  • 3 votes
#3.1 - Thu May 1, 2008 9:22 AM EDT
{"commentId":1754990,"authorDomain":"sunnyshine"}

Hear hear, Adipic.

Anyone else think that Jason's just in there because he's distinctive? Nobody cares about the outcome so long as whoever "wins" is recognizable?

{"commentId":1754990,"threadId":"258004","contentId":"1462785","authorDomain":"sunnyshine"}
  • 1 vote
#3.2 - Thu May 1, 2008 1:24 PM EDT
{"commentId":1755271,"authorDomain":"vacelts"}

Jason might recognizable, but I don't expect much in a post-Idol career. He doesn't have the kind of drive needed to be a long-term success.

{"commentId":1755271,"threadId":"258004","contentId":"1462785","authorDomain":"vacelts"}
  • 1 vote
#3.3 - Thu May 1, 2008 2:39 PM EDT
{"commentId":1758204,"authorDomain":"sunnyshine"}

I agree. I don't really watch the show, but from what I see he seems incredibly wishy washy. Like he does what people (i.e., the show's production staff) tell him to do, and he does alright, but ends up highly mediocre. The show'd do well to notice what people actually think. It's like they're trying for that reality tactic where they keep on someone nobody likes simply for interest and entertainment value -- except that Jason is so mildly irritable that he doesn't add any actual interest, and certainly no entertainment.

{"commentId":1758204,"threadId":"258004","contentId":"1462785","authorDomain":"sunnyshine"}
  • 1 vote
#3.4 - Fri May 2, 2008 11:12 AM EDT
{"commentId":1761304,"authorDomain":"vacelts"}
Jason is so mildly irritable that he doesn't add any actual interest, and certainly no entertainment.

I totally agree. I'd just wish somebody at Idol did too.

{"commentId":1761304,"threadId":"258004","contentId":"1462785","authorDomain":"vacelts"}
  • 1 vote
#3.5 - Sat May 3, 2008 8:36 AM EDT
Reply
{"commentId":1753932,"authorDomain":"evilgenius"}

At this point it is a matter of fan base. It doesn't matter so much what they sing or how good they sing it. Also it doesn't matter so much any more. Most of the top 10 will all get studio time at some point within the next year.

{"commentId":1753932,"threadId":"258004","contentId":"1462785","authorDomain":"evilgenius"}
  • 2 votes
Reply#4 - Thu May 1, 2008 9:27 AM EDT
{"commentId":1753971,"authorDomain":"vacelts"}

I know your right, but the idea that Jason could get this close to winning the title aggravates me because he's not even trying.

I want to see Cook win, but I can live with Archuleta winning or even Syesha, but not Jason.

{"commentId":1753971,"threadId":"258004","contentId":"1462785","authorDomain":"vacelts"}
  • 2 votes
#4.1 - Thu May 1, 2008 9:34 AM EDT
{"commentId":1754144,"authorDomain":"SVForbes"}
At this point it is a matter of fan base.

A good point.

I don't watch the show, only promos.

I thought brooke had a sweet voice, but far from the best voice.

{"commentId":1754144,"threadId":"258004","contentId":"1462785","authorDomain":"SVForbes"}
  • 2 votes
#4.2 - Thu May 1, 2008 10:05 AM EDT
{"commentId":1755277,"authorDomain":"vacelts"}
I thought brooke had a sweet voice, but far from the best voice.

I agree. I didn't expect her to win, but more than that I really don't want Jason to win.

{"commentId":1755277,"threadId":"258004","contentId":"1462785","authorDomain":"vacelts"}
  • 1 vote
#4.3 - Thu May 1, 2008 2:40 PM EDT
Reply
{"commentId":1753996,"authorDomain":"sbutki"}

The Today Show covered the controversy this morning but again pissed me off by implying they had something new to report (and implied, I thought, that Paula was going to be on in a minute – she was not.) when instead they just covered the gossip (blogs say Paula was drunk – she denies it), explaining what happened (Paula was responding to the rehearsals she heard)

It does still raise questions about manipulation (as we've talked about here) if the judges are reacting not just to the tv "live" performance but at least in Paulas case also the rehearsals heard earlier.

I thought the Television Without Pity coverage of Tuesday's show summed it up well:

This is great:

Paula's notes say, his first song exposed his lovely lower register, but the second song left him empty, and altogether he wasn't fighting hard enough to get into the top four. Ryan gets super, super scared and stares around and Randy finally mentions to her -- as Simon half-mooses his ass off -- that they're only halfway through. She stumbles around for a second, completely confused because her notes are clearly there in front of her, and Ryan makes a joke about fi she can see the future. Simon and Randy chuckle about it, because it's not actually that big a deal -- it's a lot easier to judge the performances in rehearsal, and then compare those initial impressions against the live performances, but like... Paula's whole thing has been "keep rolling, do the professional thing," and a show that is this much about bread and circuses can't be suddenly springing @!$%# like this on the audience, because if you question the narrative of the show, which Ryan packages up so pretty for us, then you start to question everything. I mean, if you really thought about it you'd already know that they've heard these songs at least twice at this point, but putting it out there means you've broken the wall and reminded us that this is a production, full-fledged, with billions of bucks being poured into it to make it the biggest show in all of television history, and that's a step the puppetmasters can't afford, because if that's fake, then what else is fake?
A: Everything, obviously.)

{"commentId":1753996,"threadId":"258004","contentId":"1462785","authorDomain":"sbutki"}
  • 3 votes
Reply#5 - Thu May 1, 2008 9:38 AM EDT
{"commentId":1754071,"authorDomain":"vacelts"}

Not that I'm defending Paula (cause I think she's a total flake), but I thought the whole show Tuesday night was pretty erratic.

Ryan told us that the judges were going to give us their comments for both songs after the second performance. Then he kind of sprung the comments after the first round on us. I know that I wasn't expecting them then.

And it doesn't surprise me that the judges listen to the performances during rehearsals. It gives them time to write their notes and collect their thoughts (well for Paula I'm not sure there's ever enough time for her to collect her thoughts).

It's not really deceit (I know Scott I'm arguing the other side of the coin again. But I obviously feel differently about reality shows that I do documentaries). Instead it's about illusion.

Having myself judged beauty pageants, especially the talent section, I can tell you that after watching a performance, you are frantically scribbling notes about it before the next one happens and you can no longer remember one from another.

Which would you rather see -- judges scribbling furiously to jot down notes about the performances and then tried to read them in a cohert way or the judges (Paula withstanding) appearing to give on-target advice off their cuff.

{"commentId":1754071,"threadId":"258004","contentId":"1462785","authorDomain":"vacelts"}
  • 3 votes
#5.1 - Thu May 1, 2008 9:51 AM EDT
{"commentId":1754715,"authorDomain":"sbutki"}
Which would you rather see -- judges scribbling furiously to jot down notes about the performances and then tried to read them in a cohert way or the judges (Paula withstanding) appearing to give on-target advice off their cuff.

I'd rather get rid of the judges and let America think for itself. Scary concept, I know.

{"commentId":1754715,"threadId":"258004","contentId":"1462785","authorDomain":"sbutki"}
  • 2 votes
#5.2 - Thu May 1, 2008 12:08 PM EDT
{"commentId":1755098,"authorDomain":"DrKnow"}

I would prefer that the judges have a vote that counts in the eliminations. It would prevent a lot of the crap singers from lasting so long.

{"commentId":1755098,"threadId":"258004","contentId":"1462785","authorDomain":"DrKnow"}
  • 2 votes
#5.3 - Thu May 1, 2008 1:55 PM EDT
{"commentId":1755286,"authorDomain":"vacelts"}
let America think for itself.

That's okay. I'll pass. Our forefathers had more faith in Americans' ability to vote well than I do. :-)

{"commentId":1755286,"threadId":"258004","contentId":"1462785","authorDomain":"vacelts"}
  • 1 vote
#5.4 - Thu May 1, 2008 2:42 PM EDT
{"commentId":1755850,"authorDomain":"vacelts"}
{"commentId":1755850,"threadId":"258004","contentId":"1462785","authorDomain":"vacelts"}
  • 1 vote
#5.5 - Thu May 1, 2008 5:07 PM EDT
{"commentId":1755905,"authorDomain":"onlineapps"}

The NYT has that much time on it's hands?

The issue raises questions about the credibility of the show

Wait... they had credibility?

{"commentId":1755905,"threadId":"258004","contentId":"1462785","authorDomain":"onlineapps"}
  • 2 votes
#5.6 - Thu May 1, 2008 5:21 PM EDT
{"commentId":1756151,"authorDomain":"greglujan"}
Wait... they had credibility?

I'm a pretty big believer in the show's ability to prefabricate a pop star. I doubt anyone could find a better machine for this purpose.

{"commentId":1756151,"threadId":"258004","contentId":"1462785","authorDomain":"greglujan"}
  • 1 vote
#5.7 - Thu May 1, 2008 6:45 PM EDT
{"commentId":1761308,"authorDomain":"vacelts"}
I'm a pretty big believer in the show's ability to prefabricate a pop star.

I agree. Although I think the last couple years it's ability is starting to be challenged.

{"commentId":1761308,"threadId":"258004","contentId":"1462785","authorDomain":"vacelts"}
  • 1 vote
#5.8 - Sat May 3, 2008 8:39 AM EDT
{"commentId":1798759,"authorDomain":"billy905"}

Can someone please explain what "half-mooses" means, as in "Simon half-mooses his ass off"? Google turns up nothing.

{"commentId":1798759,"threadId":"258004","contentId":"1462785","authorDomain":"billy905"}
  • 1 vote
#5.9 - Wed May 14, 2008 9:54 AM EDT
{"commentId":1798798,"authorDomain":"vacelts"}

Billy, Scott Butki is offline now, but I've sent him a message to stop by and answer your question.

{"commentId":1798798,"threadId":"258004","contentId":"1462785","authorDomain":"vacelts"}
  • 1 vote
#5.10 - Wed May 14, 2008 10:05 AM EDT
{"commentId":1799567,"authorDomain":"sbutki"}

I don't recall saying that so i'm gonna guess it's from the television site Television Without Pity which is so snarky (read sacrastic bordering on mean) that sometimes they make up their own words.

My guess is they're just saying Simon was his usual wacky self.

{"commentId":1799567,"threadId":"258004","contentId":"1462785","authorDomain":"sbutki"}
  • 1 vote
#5.11 - Wed May 14, 2008 12:58 PM EDT
{"commentId":1803104,"authorDomain":"billy905"}

Oh, it's definitely from Television Without Pity. I guess I should try to query the author directly. it's just such a bizarre term, you know? Are they saying Simon makes an expression that looks like a moose (whatever that might be), and if so, what does that denote? and why only HALF-mooses, why not "mooses"? So many questions...

{"commentId":1803104,"threadId":"258004","contentId":"1462785","authorDomain":"billy905"}
  • 1 vote
#5.12 - Thu May 15, 2008 11:33 AM EDT
Reply
{"commentId":1754390,"authorDomain":"jessica1973"}

I think Jason should have been the one to go home, but Brooke was right behind him. I would have screamed if Syesha went home. Hopefully next week will be Jason's week to go.

{"commentId":1754390,"threadId":"258004","contentId":"1462785","authorDomain":"jessica1973"}
  • 2 votes
Reply#6 - Thu May 1, 2008 10:52 AM EDT
{"commentId":1755303,"authorDomain":"vacelts"}
Hopefully next week will be Jason's week to go.

I hope so, because I'm going to scream if he makes it to the finals.

{"commentId":1755303,"threadId":"258004","contentId":"1462785","authorDomain":"vacelts"}
  • 1 vote
#6.1 - Thu May 1, 2008 2:44 PM EDT
Reply
{"commentId":1755318,"authorDomain":"nitewingsg1"}

I think Brooke will follow in the footsteps of Kellie Pickler. Brooke has a great voice and personality, she'll do OK. I like her voice, the right song will show case how good it is. I'm not a big fan of the show, but some good singers have been discovered and made know. I think they could do away with the judging comments after it gets down to the top 10.

{"commentId":1755318,"threadId":"258004","contentId":"1462785","authorDomain":"nitewingsg1"}
  • 1 vote
Reply#7 - Thu May 1, 2008 2:48 PM EDT
{"commentId":1755334,"authorDomain":"vacelts"}

Lotto, I agree with you about Brooke. I think her biggest challenge ahead is dealing with her stage fright issues. If she can master them, then she's got a chance to go far if she stays with a Carly Simon-type sound.

As for the judges' comments. I actually like them and I think that it's important for the contestants to get some feedback so they can continue to improve.

{"commentId":1755334,"threadId":"258004","contentId":"1462785","authorDomain":"vacelts"}
  • 1 vote
#7.1 - Thu May 1, 2008 2:53 PM EDT
Reply
{"commentId":1755764,"authorDomain":"lisaed"}

Jason must go!!! With Brooke's departure last night I've lost 3 of my personal top 4......leaving just David Cook hopefully to win it all.

{"commentId":1755764,"threadId":"258004","contentId":"1462785","authorDomain":"lisaed"}
  • 3 votes
Reply#8 - Thu May 1, 2008 4:47 PM EDT
{"commentId":1755815,"authorDomain":"vacelts"}

If Cook gets booted before the final I've lost all interest in the show.

{"commentId":1755815,"threadId":"258004","contentId":"1462785","authorDomain":"vacelts"}
  • 2 votes
#8.1 - Thu May 1, 2008 4:57 PM EDT
Reply
{"commentId":1755869,"authorDomain":"vacelts"}

Here's an article where Jason admits to not only not practicing, but being ready to go home.

{"commentId":1755869,"threadId":"258004","contentId":"1462785","authorDomain":"vacelts"}
  • 3 votes
Reply#9 - Thu May 1, 2008 5:11 PM EDT
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