Life after 'Idol': Michael Johns sits down with 'Idol Tonight'

Competing on "American Idol" is great and all, but the fun really starts once you get the boot. "Idol" finalists have gone on to score television appearances, Grammy nominations, and even Oscar wins. 

When TV Guide cooked up the idea for "Idol Tonight," an "American Idol" pre-show and red carpet extravaganza centered on conversations with axed "Idols," it was only fitting to choose former finalists to host the series. TV Guide settled on a remarkably wacky pair to do the job: Season 1's Justin Guarini and Season 3's Kimberly Caldwell. Since both Guarini and Caldwell enjoyed success despite not winning "Idol," who better to interview fallen Idols each week?

The third host, Rosanna Tavarez never competed on "Idol," but  is no stranger to reality competitions. Tavarez was the winner of "Popstars."

Since competing on their respective reality shows, all three hosts have kept busy. Guarini is working on his third album, Caldwell is working on her first album, and Tavarez climbed the charts as a member of the girl group, Eden's Crush.

This week, recently eliminated contestant Michael Johns stopped by "Idol Tonight" to discuss his ouster with the kooky trio. Again. Sure, it's probably the last thing he wants to talk about right now, but Johns still managed to stay remarkably cheerful throughout the interview. He retained his sense of humor too. When "Idol Tonight" replayed the clip of his elimination, Johns jokingly shouted, "boo!"

Johns, like so many who fell before him, seems poised for greatness. For starters, he's stoked for the upcoming "Idol" tour, where he hopes to sing "We are the Champions," "Light My Fire," and a duet with Brooke White. But White isn't the only one who might get to duet with Johns.  During his "Idol Tonight" interview, Johns revealed that the one and only Dolly Parton wants to team up for a tune!

But no matter who Johns chooses to collaborate with in the future, one thing is for certain: he will have no problem finding a fan base. When Johns strolled onto the "Idol Tonight" stage, the screams from the the audience were in the whistle range. Careful ladies! That's his wife sitting over there on the right!

-- Stephanie Lysaght

Comments

[Ben]

Idol Tuesday pulled the worst ratings in over 5 years the very show after Johns was evicted. Looks like we're already seeing who's going to be laughing last...

[HC]

Ben-Your comment makes no sense. It's the viewers who didn't give him enough votes which caused Michael to get kicked off. Unless you're saying Michael is laughing at the viewers who voted him off and are now realizing they miss him so much they are not going to watch the show anymore.

[Edgar]

The comments made sense HC. I myself did not watch AI and will not watch it again until next season. I am sure there are a lot of fans and other people who were totally disappointed. If votes are based on performance, Carly Smithson should have been voted off cause she did not get any kind of approval from the judges. Besides, shes' been in the bottom three, unlike Michael. Voting on AI can easily be rigged. With the amount of money they are making, they could easily hire an accounting firm to tabulate the votes. It has never been done and they never even showed the tally of votes which can also be easily done with our latest technology. What I believe makes sense is there is politics on AI. Also, they wanted the contestants to be what the judges/producers want them to be. All throughout the competition, Randy and Simon were very vocal that they wanted Michael to be a blues singer since they have a rocker already in David Cook. From the start of the audition, the judges had high praises for Michael and he has been doing good. Then all of a sudden he will be eliminated even if Carly and Syesha were not even better than him that night? Sorry, there is something wrong here.

I am NOT expecting Michael to be the American Idol, but I am sure a lot of people are expecting him to be at least on the Top 5. Definitely, Michael was robbed big time.

It's time for some changes on American idol.

[carol]

I to believe that AI is a sham when it comes to not giving out the numbers of votes. I think all the girls should have gone first, i haven't heard anything good from any of them.Also Jason (sorry) those eyes can take you only so far.AI has lost my viewership for the rest of the year.Hopefully David A will take the whole thing.Even so Michael J is going places now and i wish him all the luck in the world.