'American Idol' results: Paul McDonald is eliminated

"American Idol" voters eliminated another contestant on Thursday night, tapping Paul McDonald to take his bright white smile, his flowery suits, his distinctive voice and fascinatingly jerky dance moves and go home.  

Maybe he should have slid onstage in his tighty-whiteys – a la Tom Cruise – after all on Wednesday night, when he sang Bob Seger's "Old Time Rock and Roll."

Oh well. Paul, honestly, didn't seem too wrecked up about the news. The flash of teeth wavered for only a moment, and then was restored. In fact, Stefano Langone, who stood side by side with Paul in the bottom three (which, by the way, I miraculously guessed correctly), looked far more upset about the news that Paul would go home than Paul did.

Stefano, a fixture in the bottom three, seems to have the eliminated-contestant-support thing down to a science: the stunned look, the long hug, the whispered words of encouragement. I might have to start calling him Mr. End of the Road.

Or maybe Paul really deserves that title, seeing as he is (finally, finally) the first guy to be sent home since the top 13 took shape. Ryan Seacrest reminded us of this very fact before sending Haley Reinhart to safety.

(Also noted: Casey Abrams looked pretty darn happy to see Haley head back to the couches. Kelly Clarkson might want to give up that Casey crush.)

"We're bummed about this, man. You're the life of the party," Ryan said, perhaps trying to stir up a little of that Pia Toscano-departure-esque sadness. Or perhaps he was truly sorry to see Paul go. Who knows? But he continued, "You've had such an amazing impact on our show. You really have."

Has he?

Ultimately, the nonchalance Paul displayed at having been voted off, while impressive, may have been the very thing that did him in: He never really seemed to muster a lot of heat out there, though "Maggie May," which Jennifer Lopez asked to hear one last time, was definitely an "Idol" highlight for him.  It was nice to hear him sing it again and remind us why he lasted as long as he did.

"It's OK. It's OK," Paul reassured, adding that it had been "a good time." He sounded for all the world as if he were thanking his hosts at the end of a backyard barbecue.

So I guess, you know, thanks for coming, Paul. We had fun, too.

How about you? Are you sorry to see Paul go? And more important, do you think we'll ever get to see Casey play "Seth Rogan's younger, bass-playing brother," as Rob Reiner suggested? Why couldn't that happen?

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-- Amy Reiter

Photo: AMERICAN IDOL: The Final 8: Clockwise from Left: Jacob Lusk, Haley Reinhart, Paul McDonald, Srefano Langone, Casey Abrams, Scotty McCreery, Lauren Alaina and James Durbin. Credit: Michael Becker / FOX.

Comments

[jenny]

im glad stefano is safe... it must be haley or jacob be voted out next week...

[joel ong]

Finally, Paul was booted out!! when will they be next Scotty, Lagone and Durbin?? Too tired of hearing they sung country, rock and cutie cutie song.. Is that their shot in fame they must be flexible in any kind of music not only the style and kind of music they are good at.. Not all people like to hear Country, Rock and mellow pop songs "duh" they should excell in other kind of music!!! Please, Randy, JLo and Steven be critical in your comments give them the critical views just like what Simon does.

[X]

Not a moment too soon, America. Tonight, I rejoiced knowing that I would never have to see Paul McDonald's doofy hipster suits or fake smile again, nor would I have to hear that "Oh-so-unique-but-not-actually-good-voice" the judges kept rambling about. He was the Tim Urban of season 10: All flash and glitter, and no actually substance. As far as I'm concerned, Stefano's next (Lord willing), Jacob will follow, and the save was wasted on Casey, who will probably kick it after Jacob. Bring back Pia, and best of luck to Scotty, Lauren and James from this point on.

[Jay]

Paul McDonald - eliminated? What? That's just wrong. He did great last night. I think Haley should've been booted off.

[hippiechick]

At least I predicted the bottom 3. Pia could sing,but was so not likable. Although James is my favorite,and I know us old~schoolers are keeping him going strong,and although I don't do country ,I believe Scotty has it in the bag. Just my opinion. The boy is just awesome,but so is James. Just sayin'.......

[ThomasFredette]

God! I miss Simon! Otherwise, this group will have a very diverse tour. Some are very talented, but the closest anyone has come to Simon's honesty is Randy! Randy is the new Simon. Imagine that! Jennifer Lopez' husband number two, MonkeyBoy, is next!

[Erica]

The judges really overdo their praise of Casey. A standing ovation each time he sings? Come on! Who are they trying to fool? I guess they are fooling enough people because Casey keeps coming back for more gritting and grunts.

Please, enough is enough. He should go -- and NOT into movies!!!

[R Cunningham]

I think Paul is awesome and loved his different style. I hate to see him go, and wonder WHY Casey is still there! Seems to me he gets alot of extra camera shots and why am I the only one to see how fakey he is. He needs to brush his yellow teeth and usually just looks scruffy. He is the only one left that I think has no talent to speak of. He's boring and isn't in the same league with the other contestants. Come on America and please vote him off--again.

[Albert De Pano]

Not really sorry to see him go. Casey should be next. He's a great musician but as a singer, he just doesn't cut it. Scott hasn't sung anything but country but the judges don't seem to notice. One-trick-ponies, the lot of them except Casey and Haley, who should stay till the very end. I don't understand why the judges gang up on her. She's never hit a bad note all season long. And it's supposed to be a singing contest.

[Karen]

I loved, loved, loved Paul. He is an original artist and I'm deeply sad to see him go. :(

[Yolin]

I saw it coming, but really sad to see Paul go home. At this point, it will be difficult to see any of them go (except Jacob!). Really hoping to see Haley in the top 3, but not holding my breath. My top 3 now are Casey, Haley and James, but I'm sure America doesn't agree. I'm guessing it's Casey, Scotty and James. Can we PLEASE send Jacob home next week? PLEASE?!?!?

[Jodelyn Llanda]

if I am to ask id rather see estefano or hailey go than Paul....Its so sad that he is the one to go.........

[rhl]

I never felt the love for Paul, so I'm not broken up over this. He just struck me as mostly cheesy and cutesy, and that dominated his performances for me. Yes, Stefano deserves to be booted off, which should happen soon. There always seems to be one contestant who should be eliminated, but who ends up staying around longer than deserved due mostly to luck.

[dssssi]

19 Entertainment/Sony Music must feel relieved....can you imagine giving Paul a recording contract. From that standpoint, of these remaining contestants..who really is remarkable i.e. very marketable? Carrie has been the "biggie" in regard to record sales, then Kelly, followed by Daughtry ( he makes more $ doing concerts than profits for a record label), still waiting for Adam, but most have "dwindled" away.
Lauren, IMO, has the best "cross-over" opportunity, is cute, and anyone could market her.

[screen]

Nope.. Jacob is to good of a singer, he will not be going home too soon.

[cantstandit]

J-Lo needs to drop her "screaming, shouting " 'hood phrases" and hip hop slang ......you're twenty something !!!

jeez.....calm down with your ghetto blastin' !!

[Dolores]

Paul should have sang Rod Stewart s songs from the begining!!! HE IS ROD'S CLONE, too Jennifer Lopez to get him to sing MAGGIE MAE and he NAILED IT!!

[Jim Amstutz]

Paul was out of his league compared to the other talent on the show this year. I thought that he sould have been gone weeks ago.

[Crystal Bristow]

Okayy.. Noone is really mentioning Lauren on here.. she's clearly the BEST girl singer on here.. now and then. she beats every guy in the competition and thats exactly why she has not been in the bottom. she's brought it every week. she even brought it while sick a few weeks ago. she has great style, personality, and amazing voice. not to mention shes only 16. she needs to be the american idol!! she will get a record deal in a heart beat.

James NEEDS to go home. im seriously tired of him screaming all the time. gets annoying!!!!

Casey is not as good as the judges give him credit for. he shouldnt have been saved. they could have used the save on pia or someone else!!!!

VOTE LAUREN FOR THE NEXT AMERICAN IDOL!!! Nough Said!!!!!!!!

[Helen samsel]

Now that Paul is gone the party is over. He was if nothing else very entertaining and now who is going to give us that high that Paul did so well. He always put a smile on my face.

I think the remaining seven are so boring.