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

[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.

[angela]

Actually you are probably quite right in your observations... I was as surprised as anyone that he had the lowest votes-- and even more surprised that he had to leave on a week that was all about giving back.... give back they did.

He'll have an album out, do tours and such, and we'll see if he could be all we thought he could be. It will work out, one way or another.

[Israel Nutter]

YOU DOG! LISTEN, FOR ME, THIS ARTICLE WAS TOO PITCHY AND YOU WEREN'T YOURSELF.

I blame Rany's rant against Michael after his performance on Tuesday. Some garbage about him not showing his true self... and this competition is bout singing. Kinda like his collaboration with Paula, you dig....

[asdf]

don't forget... you're not an american....

[John]

Care Factor?...ZERO

[Mariah]

A.I. lost a viewer last night. Personally, I am not sure they care since it is clear THEY have picked their winner in David A. There is something disappointing about Syesha, Brooke and Kristy Lee still being there - when someone of the caliber of Michael is gone. And the heart breaking "joke" Ryan played - suggesting that, like last year, no one would be eliminated after the "America Give Back" - it was uncalled for. I'm through. Bye.

[amurphy]

Does it ever really make a difference who gets voted off the stage and who doesn't? Time and time again we have seen America’s Next Top Idol go absolutely nowhere and their tearful friends who are voted off earlier, get hit records. None of these people will ever be "idol" status. Idols are people on the Disney Channel and steroid filled athletes. Maybe we should try and make a show where America's idols are writers or scientists or successful businessmen. Maybe the networks should think about American's Nobel Peace Prize Winner as a new show??

[Eric Lualdi]

Michael Johns was totally amateur hour. The only reason he got as far as he did is his looks. Carly is an amazing vocalist - why should it be any shock at all that he went before her?

[Mark Patrelli]

Michael Johns was booted off because he was forgettable, awkward, and lacked any sort of personality. Who is Michael Johns? We never learned, and I doubt there is one.

[DaraLynn]

Michael be just fine without Idol. He'll go on to sell tons of CDs just like Chris Daughtry. David Archuleta has been annointed as the Chosen One and they're shoving him down our throats like bad medicine. I'll buy Michael's CD when it hits stores but David will have grandchildren while he's waiting on me to buy one.

Dream on, Michael!

[jane eyre]

We didn't vote for David Cook because he had heart palipations, we voted for him because he is the most talented singer on the show. Thats an insult to David Cook and his fans.

[JOEJOE]

Get rid of Brooke Whine! Can't stand listening to her!

[Bette]

I was absolutely shocked that Michael Johns was eliminated at this point in the show. We all knew that there were at least 2 women and 1 guy that needed to leave before him. In the end, this may be the best thing for Michael Johns. We all know that David A is going to win. He is a huge fan favorite. So, now, Michael Johns can go home, relax, and move on with a great recording career without legal ties to American Idol. He will probably do better that way...................the problem is that major male eye candy is gone.

[ATN]

I couldn't disagree with you more. Michael's weakness was an inability to connect with middle-America. I think his voice was one of the strongest and clearest on the show, however I never understood why he chose to cram 6 minutes anthems into 1.5, taking on the likes of Freddie Mercury and John Lennon (We Are The Champions; A Day In The Life). And then the Idol Image makers did him a disservice by telling him ascots and scarves look good on a 20-something rocker. Ouch!
Oh, well. I thought he would last a few more rounds on the strength of his voice alone, beating Syesha Mercado and Kristy Lee Cook, but his fan base never materialized. He didn't give them something to LOVE.

[Dan]

Excellent recap - you captured America perfectly. I think Michael Johns will go on to bigger and better things like Chis Daughtry did... Perhaps he is too polished to carry the label of American Idol?

[beth]

I am done watching IDOL. MICHAEL JOHNS was the best and is the best. Contest over he won hands down. Who cares he will be a big star and I will be the first to buy his CD.