American Idol Bids Scott MacIntyre Farewell

OK, by show of hands, how many of you, honestly, thought the judges were going to use their one and only vote on Scott MacIntyre? Even Scott could see this was not in the cards. Please keep in mind the bigger picture. There are still some heavy hitters in the competition. Simon Cowell had already made it clear that he didn't think that Scott MacIntyre had the stuff to be an Idol.

I haven't decided if the judges save is helpful or just another way to heap humiliation on the contestants.

As far as Scott MacIntyre is concerned, the writing was on the wall after his April 7, 2009 performance. Scott's performance was marginal at best. While one appreciates Scott's desire to show his punk side. However, the mere presence of an electrical guitar does not a punk rocker make. The piece started out moderately well but soon devolved into a series of screeches and errant chords. It was, most likely, that performance that sealed Scott's fate.

However, Scott MacIntyre's ouster wasn't a forgone conclusion. Joining him at the bottom of the barrel this week was Anoop Desai, who has become an old hand at dodging the Idol bullet and Lil Rounds who, oddly enough, had never been in the bottom three. Perhaps the whoosh of the bullet she dodged will spur her to some sort of action. Lil Rounds is a phenomenal performer, but up to now she has not gotten out of her comfort zone. She is consistently good but in the throwback sort of way. Once she finds her sweet spot she is going to set the competition on fire. One hopes Lil Rounds hits that spot before her second chances run out.

Scott MacIntyre is an inspiration, not just to those with disabilities but to all of us. He has weathered obstacles that many never even consider. He is obviously something of a prodigy. With only 2 degree field of vision, Scott has been considered legally blind since birth. He has been playing piano since he was three. He was home schooled until age 14 when he entered college. He completed college at age 19. Shortly after graduating from college, he found out that he was in end stage kidney failure. Though he was in kidney failure he traveled to London to study as a Marshall and Fulbright scholar. Scott MacIntyre earned a Master's degree from Royal Holloway, University of London and the Royal College of Music. Once Scott returned from London, his kidney disease had progressed to point where he needed a kidney transplant. He received a kidney from the wife of one of his former piano instructors.

Once one understands all the obstacles that Scott has overcome, it puts the act of standing in front of Simon Cowell in perspective.

Sources:

http://phoenix.about.com/od/actors/a/ScottMcIntyre.htm?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scott_MacIntyre

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upoi6QMell4