Michael Johns: If you needed our help, why didn't you just ask?

I was asked on Thursday, more than once, whether I thought Syesha Mercado or Carly Smithson was headed home. There was no question, in the minds of many, that one of the two would be eliminated. But that's not what happened. In the season's greatest shock thus far, it was Michael Johns, instead, who received the fewest votes this week. And he was as surprised as we were. 

After a solid performance of "Dream On" on Tuesday, Michael Johns seemed a shoo-in to the next round.  When he was revealed to be in the bottom three, Randy said it was a "pretty surprising bottom three," and Paula said that America got it "partly right, partly wrong."  We knew what they meant. Then, Ryan Seacrest added insult to injury by announcing that both Carly and Syesha were safe.  The audience gasped in horror, and Carly's jaw dropped about a foot.

"I'm definitely surprised," Michael confessed after his fate was revealed.  Still, he kept it together, adding with grace, "If there's a song to go out on, that's not a bad one." And Michael wailed his way through "Dream On" like he had nothing to lose –- because finally, he did. 

And so, after such a shocking ouster, an inevitable question remains: Why? Why was Michael Johns ejected from the Idoldome when he was a fixture in many "Idol" forecasters Top Three lists?  Why was Michael Johns eliminated on a week when his performance was nowhere near the worst of the evening? In other words, why him? Why now? Why ever?

All along, Michael has been a strong individual and a consistent performer.  In fact, he hasn't had a single weak moment in the time we've known him -- and that was his undoing.  America thought Michael didn't need their help.  And so they focused on the others.

Some of Michael's would-be voters lent their support to David Cook, whose high blood pressure and heart palpitations landed him in the hospital earlier this month. After David's lackluster performance on Tuesday, fans rushed to vote for him, because he needed their support. He didn't even land in the bottom three.

Syesha Mercado won the hearts -– and votes –- of "Idol" viewers everywhere during Hollywood week, when she lost her voice. Instead of speaking, Syesha communicated with handmade signs, which she displayed on camera with her accompanying frowny face.  She had us at laryngitis. After that scare, America made sure to take good care of Syesha.

Brooke White needs our votes too.  Brooke's greatness as a performer springs from her wealth of emotion, but her wealth of emotion also leaves her extremely fragile.  Just this week, Brooke got choked up about missing her sister's wedding.  Brooke needs us to vote for her; otherwise, she'll get voted off –- and cry -– a lot.  And so we watch out for her.

And what of Jason Castro? Sure, we haven't seen any tears or illnesses from him, but that doesn't mean we haven't found his weak spot. Jason revealed his handicap subtly, in an absolutely brilliant pre-performance interview.  Jason explained that on "Idol," "there's just been a lot more not-music stuff than I thought. Ya know, like taking pictures. And talking. I'm not good at talking." Once we knew that Jason was struggling with the most basic building blocks of the "Idol" competition (i.e. "taking pictures" and "talking") we knew he needed our support. 

And then there was Michael Johns. There was an ease about Michael from the start. He was cool long before "Idol" stylists got their hands on him. He sounded good, and he looked even better. According to Simon, he was even a "very, very nice guy."  Unfortunately for Michael, Michael had it all.  He never lost his voice, he was never rushed to the hospital, and we never saw him cry. With stats like that, what did he need us for?  Michael seemed to be doing just fine, and so nobody fought to keep him. 

Had he just shown his frailty by slipping on a strategically placed banana peel during a group number, or by totally bombing during Tuesday's performance, we would have come to his rescue.  Unfortunately for Michael, however, he didn't bomb on Tuesday. And so America clapped for Michael, their favorite cool guy, and texted in their votes for their most fragile favorite instead.

-- Stephanie Lysaght

(Photo courtesy Fox)

Comments

[dulce]

Most consistent performer? Are you kidding? MJ was consistently mediocre to good...he was never close to great save last week. NEVER. He sang like a glorified karaoke singer last night. Sure Cook faltered, but after around six strong to great performances, the guy can have an off night. Archuleta frequently forgets lyrics, but he's safe thanks to the tweeners and granny's. Carly deserves another chance too...seriously. Syesha/Brooke/Jason/KLC can go anytime they wish.

MJ never secured a fan base. This show has been going on long enough for people to know how it works. He tried to be a rocker, but Cook had that genre locked up all to himself a long time ago. He should have stuck to soul music. He has nobody to blame but himself.

[Robin,Harold and Jesse Hodgson]

We felt it was very unfair what happened to Michael Johns.We feel he was the best on American Idol every week.Carly should've left this week.We don't even feel like watching the show.We hope it's not rigged.Again Michael should have not left this week.Even Carly was surprised.

[Robin,Harold and Jesse Hodgson]

We felt it was very unfair what happened to Michael Johns.We feel he was the best on American Idol every week.Carly should've left this week.We don't even feel like watching the show.We hope it's not rigged.Again Michael should have not left this week.Even Carly was surprised.

[KathyKat]

David Cook deserved to be booted out for lame performance not cool Michael Johns. It was so premature and a real shocker!

[Jill Travoss]

I am done watching American Idol!!! Michael Johns will go on to better things but the show is definitely a farce!

[Aaron D]

Michael had a multitude of problems. He sometimes came off as smug, he sometimes seemed too cool for the show and he too often picked the wrong song. KLC may be the worst singer left in the group but she has started picking songs that match her perfectly...next week should be interesting.

[Melodie]

I loved your article. Very funny, but very true. I, like everyone else, was totally shocked - but then again, I didn't vote, even though he was one of my favs :(

[TC]

If they would only have people vote for who they wanted to go instead of who they wanted to win this would not ever happen.

[paula kay rorick]

I am so sorry that Michael Johns is no longer on the show I

[Christopher]

Michael Johns has it all: great voice, good looking and nice to boot. He sounds like a rock star and he looks like a movie star. I don't think he needs Idol as much as Idol needs him. My guess is, record producers and talent agents will be knocking one another down to be the first to sign him. I must say, on a personal note, I don't "get" Jason Castro. When he came out and performed "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" strumming a ukulele, I thought I was watching an impersonation of Tiny Tim. I felt sorry for the guy.

[paula kay rorick]

Wow this is really bad for me as I am 63 years old and this was the one guy I really enjoyed hearing sing.Sure hope he gets a contract with a major company soon .

[Jake Blues]

Well, you are correct that David Cook's need to be saved this week stole votes from Michael. I disagree with the assertion that Michael was a contender, though. I think the judges have been unfairly biased for Michael and their efforts to praise him for mediocre performances have given the public the impression that he is better than he is. Another factor in this week's result was that David Archuleta sang a more adult-appealing song than usual and drew off some of the older voters' support.

[browser]

One other point- America almost always votes off those who insist on being rockers week after week. The demographics of American Idol watchers do not include hard-core rockers.

[Jake Blues]

Well, you are correct that David Cook's need to be saved this week stole votes from Michael. I disagree with the assertion that Michael was a contender, though. I think the judges have been unfairly biased for Michael and their efforts to praise him for mediocre performances have given the public the impression that he is better than he is. Another factor in this week's result was that David Archuleta sang a more adult-appealing song than usual and drew off some of the older voters' support.

[monique kucera]

I cant believe Michael is gone! I have to say with sadness that I will never watch this show again. Last season they did not make an elimination due to Idol gives back, Why not do it this time again??? Specially when America has made a mistake. That would have waken Michael's fan's up and make them vote next week. See ya later Idol!

[Thom]

Sorry, Michael Johns mayhave been a media darling, but he couldnt stay on key. Singing a great song and wailing does not make up for the inability to hit the notes. And last night, when he performed it again, he had the same problem: probably half his notes were a half-note flat. He's got presence, and he wails, and he entertains, but he is not the singer he thinks he is.

[Fernando F]

Mathematics is the solution. Just consider the average for the last 3 votes and vote the person with the lowest average.... except for the last show of course. But using the average American Idol will avoid this kind of drastic changes, peaks and people just voting base on the last song.

[laura S]

THE BEST THING THAT COULD HAVE HAPPENED TO HIM.....No waiting in line, he'll go right to the studio and start recording BIG TIME!!! I'll bet he's already had a dozen calls since last nite's show ended. Everyone with a brain in the music biz is going to want a piece of him. I hope he chooses wisely. Besides, "losers" on AI have done better than the "winners" !

[laura S]

THE BEST THING THAT COULD HAVE HAPPENED TO HIM.....No waiting in line, he'll go right to the studio and start recording BIG TIME!!! I'll bet he's already had a dozen calls since last nite's show ended. Everyone with a brain in the music biz is going to want a piece of him. I hope he chooses wisely. Besides, "losers" on AI have done better than the "winners" !

[Ohio J]

You hit the nail right on the head in your summary. I thought we'd have an Aussie winning the American Idol for sure.

[DJD]

Yeah, he seemed like a nice guy, but there was nothing that amazing about him or his voice. Nice, but not amazing. My wife and I watched week after week hoping that he would live up to his perceived potential, but he never did -- delivering one competent karaoke after another. This is no surprise.

[Roland]

Honestly, who cares? theres mor eimportant things to worry about. Wake up America, were in the middle of a WAR. Now is not the time to have your head up your arse watching American Idol. Now si the time to keep watch on the mosques and madrassas poppping upin Middle America with alamrgn frequency. Nwo si the time to make sure Obama, Hilary and their Socialist agenda get defeated in November. Now is the time to make sure were not overrun with a wave of illegal immigrants. Maybe after we defeat those enemies, we can obsess about a stupid, vapid TV show.

[schratboy]

Johns, a poor immitation of the Doors' frontman, was a one-dimensional entertainer and deserved to go. Like Cook, he makes a nice frontman but lacks the stage presence to carry a show by himself.

[Mike A]

It's time to really press FOX to announce vote totals rather than simply tell us how many votes there. America may vote, but FOX tallies the votes. Until they actually announce numbers, the opportunity to cook the books remains.

[HotWired]

You were right on the money as to why Michael got booted. Michael will do just fine. He has a future. Another real problem he has is, like Brooke & Jason, his style of music isn't in style. They were born 30 to 40 years too late. Of all the the contestants, the two David's voices and styles are "now" with the "brightest futures", with DC leading the pack. Carly's voice is incredible, though if you turn off the sound, she always looks angry like she's screaming at you. Michael is a lot like Bo Bice, in that if you close your eyes you think you're listening to the original artist's version. I love Michael's voice and style (and Bo's), but I'm 62. Michael needed to define himself and his style earlier in the competition, which he didn't, except as the best impersonator of the group. He has the voice, power, and range to be great, once he decides who he really is as an artist. Also, many viewers vote for who they think is best on a particular night. Maybe they should vote for the best three based on a two week average, and ask themselves who's CD would they buy?. What if Kelly or Carrie had had a bad night - It happens.