AMERICAN IDOL: Jason Castro trips away
Can "American Idol" producers show us some mercy by axing a week out of this sorry season and just give us the David vs. David finale? Now that Jason Castro split the scene Wednesday -- after nearly 51 million votes were cast -- it seems only fitting to cut to the chase.
That means Syesha Mercado misses out but, really, she's not going to be in the Top 2 ... and, if she is, it will just stamp Season 7 as a bona fide bomb. No, everyone wants the D. Cook and D. Archuleta Show, hoping it can rival Season 2's showdown between Ruben Studdard and Clay Aiken.
As for Jason, I give him props for being the nearest thing to an amateur this year. Early on, he exuded charm as a young John Travolta look-alike with an endearing awkwardness. (And I had to chuckle Wednesday when Jason, asked what his biggest obstacle was to overcome this season, replied "the brain being dead.") His act, however, wore thin as he showed no progress and seemed happy just to be hanging around (thanks to ample support from teenybopper votes). Too often, he rivaled Sanjaya for sheer melodic atrociousness.
At the end, even Jason seemed to know the gig was up. He said his "inexperience" led to his exit. Probably. But, in this tepid and shaky season of AI, his goofy ineptitude at least provided some wacky water cooler chats.
UPDATE: Donald Munro shares his farewell to Jason.
Donald says: The good news, Felicia, is that Jason Castro went home. The bad news
was that we had to listen to him butcher "I Shot the Sheriff" one more time. Still, once we knew that he was bounced, it was easier to feel a little indulgent for his crazy, whacked-out ways. When he confessed
during the call-in session that the biggest challenge for him on the show was that his brain sometimes hurt, somehow you knew it wasn't just ironic self-deprecation. He really was in over his head, and it
was actually a little touching that he admitted as such on national TV. Jason might have been a mediocre singer and a perpetual nominee for the Most Likely to Be Tested for a Controlled Substance award, but
he did make things interesting. I'm not sure I can say the rest for the Final Three. I think the key in these final weeks is for these contestants to whip up some star power. Syesha is going to have to SING and not rely on regional-theater dazzle. (Notice I didn't say Broadway, because I don't think she's there yet.) David Cook is going to have to deliver on his potential. And David Archuleta is going to have to do something more than croon (and wave one arm wildly) like he's a contestant at the Homecoming talent show. What do you think, Felicia?
Comments:
Felicia, Felicia, Felicia,
I still don't think you're giving Syesha enough credit. I'm really rooting for her now and am hoping she'll be the spoiler of this season. As much as I have been an avid fan of the show, until last night I hadn't once voted. Thanks to the redial button on my phone, Syesha got a few extra votes from Fresno, California. (I called in a vote for David A. too.)
I still very much like David A. and would like to see him grow up a little (and wear some grown up clothes). So while many may be tired of the show already, I'm anxious to root either Syesha or David A. all the way to the top spot and cheer for them when they come to Fresno on July 3.
Posted by: katbon at May 7, 2008 10:42 PM
Donald, I can only hope that AI's Final Three shake off any nerves or trepidation they may have and serve up an entertaining show next week. My favorite, Cook, seems to be showing signs of being unsure of himself (I still can't fathom that "Hungry Like the Wolf" choice this week ... just because it came out the same year he was born? That's great logic.) But I'm hoping for his return to fine form. As for Archuleta, he is what he is: a young kid with a gifted voice but no dramatic sense of self. In fact, he seems to be getting younger in demeanor with each passing week.
Which brings me to Syesha, and I'll also address this to katbon: I just don't see American Idol. She's pleasant but not a stunner. Yes, she's showed more game recently but -- pardon my baseball jargon -- she's a player who got to spend a brief run in the major leagues before being sent permanently back to the minors. Sweet moment for Syesha, but it's not meant to be.
Posted by: felicia matlosz at May 7, 2008 11:31 PM
If AI does any more canned phone calls, I'm going to shoot the sheriff myself.
My fave Jason line was when Ryan noted that J seemed relieved by the vote, and Jason said something about how tough it would have been to sing THREE songs next week.
Listen, I still sympathize with these kids. They have to learn a ridiculous choreographed medley or song in one day for the results show, they have to tape those equally ridiculous music video car commercials, and last week, while trying to learn 2 songs they might never have heard of, they got shlepped to Cirque du Soliel in Vegas for the publicity.
Meanwhile, Constantine-opel got to sing his filler song 'Witness' for about 20 minutes last night, and his advice to the final four was to 'practice.' Practice? When?? On the plane to Vegas while they're being filmed in full make-up?
I know, it's S'POSED to be hard to become an idol, and those contestants on 'So You Think You Can Dance' are laughing out loud at the idea that it's hard for the idols to learn songs, but still...it's gotta be hard.
Look for David Cook to break down crying next week. Look for Syesha to do more regional theatre songs (cuz that's what she's at least good at), and look for David A to croon some more because that's whats gonna win it all for him.
And look for poor Donald and Felicia to regret ever taking over for MikeOz in this beehive blog nightmare.
Posted by: Stephen at May 8, 2008 8:09 AM
Hey Stephen, by Constantine-opel, do you mean Bo Bice?
By the way, I've lived through this before on the blog. I shared the Season 6 experience with Mike Oz. At least last season we had the amusement of Sanjaya; the sweet voices of Jordin, Melinda and LaKisha; and some elements of fun. This year has been like a slog through a marsh or, as you say, a nightmare.
Posted by: felicia matlosz at May 8, 2008 9:03 AM
Bo Bice = Constantine
Only diff between them is Bo's hair is longer and he never did the 'stare'
And yes, I know you blogged before, but how about the prescience of MikeOz to skip out on this year before it even began? Smart kid, that.
Posted by: Stephen at May 8, 2008 10:39 AM
Yes, that's why I always give props to Mike Oz. He knew when enough was enough. I chose to give AI another chance ... my own version of making a lousy song choice week after week.
Posted by: felicia matlosz at May 8, 2008 10:55 AM
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