The American Idolater

What’s everyone’s problem with Carly Smithson? The front page of yahoo.com (I kid you not) reads:

Unfair ‘Idol’ eliminations?

“Idol” eliminates four, but controversial Carly survives the cut.

That takes you to an AP story about the Idol eliminations, where apparently the big story is that Carly stayed on the show no matter how “unfair” that was to the rest of the poor contestants:

Carly Smithson progressed on “American Idol” Thursday amid controversy over her professional past. Smithson, 24, has made headlines for having a pre-”Idol” career: The Irish crooner recorded a debut album, 2001’s “Ultimate High,” for MCA Records. It flopped — after the label spent more than $2 million trying to sell it.

I just don’t understand what the big deal is. Tons of AI contestants have had record deals in the past, so I just don’t understand why Carly’s former record deal is more worthy of “controversy” than anyone else’s former record deal.

I mean, what about KKKRisty Lee Cook? She had a record deal also, and on top of that had the famous music video from that record deal which prominently features a confederate flag. And let’s not forget her bullshit story about selling her horse because she just had to fly from Oregon (where she doesn’t live) to Philadelphia (no matter how many other much closer cities had AI auditions.) And on top of that, she sang horribly this week. I think it’s a much bigger deal that she’s sticking around despite her terrible performance. Sure, I can understand that she’s hot (although looked less hot with her freaky wide eye movements on Wednesday than she did during her auditions). But come on, why pick on Carly for her record deal if you’re going to ignore Kristy?

Although, to be fair, it does provide some amusement, like Paula Abdul’s ham-fisted attempt to bring up that it’s no big deal in the middle of some other contestant’s time. Way to awkwardly fail to defuse a non-controversy, Paula. I guess after being Autotuned to death for that crappy new song of hers, she just doesn’t have much judgment anymore.

But really, who cares about Carly’s record deal? Oh no, next they’re going to “break” the “news” that those big stadiums we see full of people aren’t really all getting to audition in front of Randy, Simon, and Paula. The shock!

Seriously, who cares. And calling it “unfair?” Get a freaking grip.

The Elimanees:

Is elimanees a word? I don’t think so. Oh well.

Garrett Haley, Amy Davis, Joanne Borgella, and Colton Berry. Garrett did poorly enough that he’ll be completely forgotten quickly, same with Colton. And since we never got to see them on the show before this week, it’s not like America had any reason to vote for them.

Amy we had a reason to vote for, because she’s pretty. But oh my God, she butchered that song. I have to assume she just couldn’t hear the band, and that’s why she was so freaking off-key the whole time. How do you get to the AI top 24 (rumor has it that the show’s producers think it’s the BEST 24 EVAR!) if you sing that badly? I have to assume it was just a one-time thing. She was more on-key for her sing-out last night, but still not very good.

Joanne is more memorable, since we saw more of her, but just didn’t sing well enough to make it. No complaints about those 4 going home.

If anyone wants an early prediction, I wouldn’t be at all surprised if Syesha wins the whole thing.