'American Idol' Tracker: Brooke White's long good-bye comes to an end

And so on a trail of tears, she left us. Perhaps the most emotionally demonstrative contestant in "American Idol" history, Brooke White at last had a reason for her tears, exiting at the close of a topsy-turvy Neil Diamond week.

In most seasons, Oscar or "Idol," "it's an honor just to be nominated" is not even a string of empty words but a phrase that can only be used ironically. But White’s trajectory proves that, this season, a slot in the Top 12 did, in fact, mean something. While White was never a likely contender for the finals, no one can say she did not bring something distinctive to the show: a compelling, husky voice; competent performing skills; largely good taste in song picks; and a breakthrough for the singer/songwriter category that has never previously had much luck on "Idol." And in the Idoldome on Wednesday night, while there seemed to be a general sense that this was about the right time for her to go, there was also genuine affection and appreciation for what she brought to the stage.

Contrast White's story with those of previous-year contestants, the 12 of just last year, for instance, most of whom have faded from memory, and it is inescapable how much stronger this group has been.  When we reflect back upon Chikezie, Michael Johns, Carly Smithson, Amanda Overmyer and David Hernandez, there is no one who you can say has been mere wallpaper. Even much maligned country singer Kristy Lee Cook, back in the Idoldome tonight, carved out a pleasant niche within her genre.  Compared to this, when one looks back upon the names of last season’s mid-list, it is hard to remember how in the world most of them made it to the Top 12 in the first place.

The ephemeral nature of "Idol" fame was on display in rich contrast Wednesday night.  As Kristy Lee watched her friend’s denouement, her own white-hot moment now passed, what did she think as she glanced just over her shoulder, a dozen feet away at Constantine Maroulis and Gina Glocksen, both now inhabiting the Idol demimonde as the second-string hosts of "Idol Extra," the Fox Reality Channel’s "Idol" tie-in (which, I must say, with its immediate post-elimination interviews is almost better dramatic viewing than the flagship show itself). Worse still for Kristy Lee looking on would be the specter of Season 5 also-ran Ace Young, sitting just in front of Maroulis, Glocksen and eventually Seacrest, and not even getting the tie-in screen time. Did this assemblage present Kristy Lee a cautionary tale? Or was she just impressed that they are still in the spotlight at all? It is more after all than Chris Sligh or Haley Scarnato can claim at the moment.

And then there are the names that seem to turn to dust on exposure to the white-hot Idol glare. Just two months ago, not 12 but 24 emerged triumphant from Hollywood week. And where now are the names of Robbie Carrico, Joanne Borgella, Kady Malloy and Colton Berry even heard?  There is a fascinating backstage video on the "Idol" site, shot at just about this time last season, wherein the top six remaining contestants are asked to name their entire original class of 24, and they can just barely do it. Jordin has to write the names down; LaKisha doesn’t even try. And many would be hard-pressed to name several of that Top 6.   

Coming forth from this stage, there are some, such as Chris Daughtry and, coming soon, Carly Smithson, who seem to explode into a bigger world, but for others moving on and moving forward has been a more complicated affair. Brooke White has made many fans in her stay here, and now the crossroads that await all at the end of the "Idol" journey lie before her.

In any event, we seem to have arrived at something of a lull in the season.  Barring the most shocking upset entertainment has ever known, we are headed for a David vs. David finale. The other contestants who might have edged their way into the finals (Carly Smithson, Michael Johns) are now gone, so presumably we will spend these three weeks in preliminary skirmishes, defining the final battlefield before the two goliaths step on stage at the Nokia. 

We should also pause to note that it is somewhat shocking that Syesha Mercado has outlived all her fellow female contestants. Perpetual denizen of the Bottom 3, Syesha has still never had a career-making night, but nor has she ever had a terrible night, and that apparently is enough to allow her to skate over the cracks and all the way to the Top 4.

Taking that further, it is interesting in general that there has not yet been one single blockbuster show –- like last year’s Bon Jovi night –- wherein everyone excelled. Instead, the contestants seemingly have worked at their own paces, choosing their own nights to be great and their own nights to fall on their faces.

In the Idoldome, the sense of lull before the final showdown pervaded the room. First there seemed a bit of walking on eggshells around judge Paula Abdul. For once, and highly out of character, the show did not poke fun at its own misstep, seeming to take a rare delicate approach to reassuring Paula. The Judge Herself seemed to require a fair bit of reassurance, spending unprecedented amounts of time during the breaks in the crowd signing autographs and hugging children. The show also seemed constructed with numerous opportunities to demonstrate Paula’s completely functional side, which she did admirably under the strain.   

But leading up to Angel of Death Seacrest’s coup de grace, there was not a sense of the harrowing tension that tormented the room on previous elimination nights, but a quiet sense of duty. It was respectful and appreciative of those endangered and to the ultimate departing one, but still with a certain grim sense of it 'twere best done quickly.  Stars aplenty we have created this season, but the battle of the ages awaits.

-- Richard Rushfield

Photo courtesy of Fox

Comments

[ExSinger]

Brooke's departure last night was expected, not because she wasn't as good as the others (even though she isn't). No, her exit from the Idoldome was testament to the power of pubescent girls. The Idol producers so keenly understand this, that they should have just eliminated both of the women last night and gotten down to the business of "which guy is cutest?" Sending Ms. Bedingfield to the couch to snuggle up with and kiss David Archuleta was a nod to the little girls. Did I see David Cook standing up when she arrived, thinking it might have been him she was going to see?

As for the comments regarding Jason, I don't believe anyone truly understands the phenomenon under which he survives: that of the crooning, bashful, simple guy who doesn't have to do much to generate hours of passionate text messaging among the tween girls about how "hot" he is. OMFG!!!! He's like the Shaun Cassidy or Leif Garrett of this generation: not much talent, but good looks that will take him someplace. The faster he moves away from the little girls, the better it will be for his career.

[Erik]

The top 5 should have been David C. & A., Syesha, Carly, and Michael Johns. Please do not vote for Jason Castro! This is a singing competition, not popularity! I much rather have Amanda Overmyer than Jason anyday. They're both redundant but Amanda has more spunk. I don't trust the voting system anymore, it's a joke.

[Ed]

That's too bad Brooke leaves
She was the best and also the PRETTIEST
I doubt i will watch the remaining shows now

[DD]

I can't believe Syesha and Jason are still there.

[Leila]

There was indeed a great night in this Season and that was the first Beatles night. How can you forget Cook's "Eleanor Rigby", Chickezie's She's a Woman", Carly's "Come Together". I even enjoyed Jason's sweet rendition of "If I Fell". Too bad Kristy Lee ruined everything with Eight Days a Week/Dolly Parton on Helium, but it still gave us some comic relief.

[Richard A Kiers]

I think eliminating Brooke was bound to happen, I am surpirsed she lasted as long as she did but Jason Castro really surprises me. every song he does sounds exactly the same! Who is voting for this guy anyhow? Brooke is ok in her genre, she just does not have a wide range. I would buy her album but Jason Castro is simply unexplainable. (forgettable)

[John Bard]

giresu says: Brooke was "not good enough to be included in top 5 unfortunately. She reminded me of Sanjaya of last year".

While I am no big fan of Brooke, who seems unable to accept any criticism of her shaky singing style, I think that comment is a little harsh. This year's Sanjaya is obviously Jason Castro - cute-looking, big hair, can't sing.

[fats]

Brooke shud have gone long time ago, she had the voice but her choice of songs were so boring, she didnt seem to fit it in any catogory of music. She will be better of working in a piano bar. Her style didnt suit her age at all. I think Paula needs a break, she doesnt seem to know what shes judjing or talking about, shes not honest in her judgement coz she keeps saying everyone is great. Shes either not concentrating or doest really know what shes judjing or may she just want be the goody goody person with the contestants. I love Simon, hes right this is competion, you need to deliver something good!!! how are people gonna buy your records? you need to show that you have it.

[Taylor]

I really think that Brooke was good for this show. She gave all of america more respect for themselves. She was deffinaly an amazing singer and she has a huge career ahead of her. I think that she should have gone after syeshia and jason had gone.

[Sarah]

I am very thankful for Brooke and her honesty and the realness that she brought to the show. You could tell that she puts all her passion and heart into the things she does. That person is rare and I found it refreshing in a world that lacks that sincere sensitivity. I can't wait until her first CD.

[RonofTroy]

I'm glad this selfish singer got the boot. First of all, she skips out on her sister's wedding (obviously thinking her slim chances of winning AI rank higher than her sister's most important day in her life) and STILL finishes in the Bottom 3! Second, I was getting tired of her fake 'shocked' expressions whenever she gets critiqued ('That was a perfect performance! I'm so insulted!'). Finally, I got tired of hearing her trap (or speaking over the judges) when Simon & Randy are trying to give her constructive criticism! Whiny bit#$!!!

[Chris]

I think Brooke brought something unique to Idol. Her voice is tender and heartfelt, she wears her heart on her sleeve and sometimes it causes her tears but other times she shows so much vulnerability during a song that you can't help but be touched by it. She had a week or two where she lost her way but 'Let It Be' will be one of the most memorable performances of this season and was glad she knocked her last song out of the ballpark. I knew she wouldn't win, but am happy she made it to the top 5, she certainly deserved it more than wallflower and fake-baby-crying Syesha. I will definitely be buying Brooke's album and look forward to seeing her at a small venue in the near future.

Carly Simon's reaction after hearing Brooke sing You're So Vain "I thought, `Oh my God, this girl is so talented and she sings the song so much better than I ever did or ever could,'" said Simon, "I was so flattered that she chose the song and ... more than impressed."

It's funny how David A can flub his lyrics and get widespread praise from the judges (and have the cameras pan away during his flub) and how David C can release an album just before Idol comes out and it gets no response from the producers. Guess it helps to be good friends with Daughtry. I will do my darndest though to make sure that Syesha does not make it to the top 3.

[AreYouCrazy]

RonofTroy: Are you kidding me? Brooke was not allowed to go to her sister's wedding, just like David Archuleta was not allowed to go to his prom. The producers keep these singers under tight deadlines. I think David Cook is a million times more arrogant than Brooke and find David A's reactions to be the most fake. I think Brooke is just an emotional person and not selfish in the least.

[brandi]

ANN- Seriously leave the girl alone...... if you were in her shoes, would you be happy to go home..... she was in it to win it...... was she good enough to win it no probably not but she was definatly worth the shot she got...... she went home and was sad about it..... leave it alone. She had every right to cry.

[smart]

Finally.................................I was so happy to see Brooke White go.
She shouldn't have made into the top 12 . I guess the producers saw her as no threat
to the Davids. Anyone who hasn't known for weeks the finale will be a David
vs David isn't very sharp. Simon only kept her there because she was
pretty and thin and an emotional wreck (people actually like to see people like that)
She can't sing, dance, let alone put an actual performance together. She was
again her unprofessional self last night, sobbing and turning and walking away
from the audience and television watchers, and of course flubbing the words yet
again.
Its all over for Brooke she will go NO WHERE after idol and I WONT miss her at all!!!!!!!!!

[Bev Woods]

Brooke was awesome! She now can give her music to the world and share her sweet spirit with all. The feeding frenzie can now turn to someone else. I am sad for a world so full of nastiness. Go Brooke!

[Ann]

Brandi, please.....she was an annoying Drama Queen. Yes, she did have a right to cry when she got the boot, but good gawd, she was way too emotional throughout the competition. Do you really think someone so vulnerable can make it in the cutthroat music business? Hollyweird would rip her to shreds.

And like other posters are saying, she should have gotten the boot a while ago. I can't believe how she stopped singing last week and had the orchestra start all over again.

[Captain Nasty]

'Share her sweet spirit with all'? Fine, just don't dance...ever! (she set the 'Caucasian dance movement' 40 years with that 'wonderful' dancing (or whatever it was) during Here Comes the Sun)

[dwightlan]

I was sorry to see Brooke go. She brought a humanity to the proceedings that was much needed and much appreciated by everyone except the most thick-skulled and superficial among us. The dreadlock kid, though, should have left a long time ago - long before Brooke. He has almost no talent, and each week seems totally uninvolved in his music. It's like he's mailing it in. Those voting for him are not keeping him there because of his talent.

[Lorraine]

Brooke White will be missed by people. Her openness and sincere passion for putting herself out there is rare. I will miss listening to her strong, husky, distinctive voice come Tuesday night next week. As far as her mistake last week, She was real with it and I thought it was refreshing in the world of scripted sitcoms. Life has mistakes, I tell my five year old all the time that is why they made pencils with erasers and laptops with delete. I am glad that not all our emotions and mistakes are on national live t.v. It takes a stronger person than we all realize to get up there. GO BROOKE! YOU CAN HOLD YOUR HEAD UP HIGH!