American Idol: Michael Johns Voted Off

Michael Johns, the Australian with the powerful vocals, lined up in the bottom three on American Idol's results night for the first time. And just like Ramiele Malubay, his first time in the bottom three was also his last. Unlike last year, where the voting on "Idol Gives Back" week also saw charity given the lowest vote-getter, this year's person saw no charity week.

Michael Johns was voted off the show.

The crowd was utterly silent for a few seconds. The sounds of dismay began to fill the air. The booing became extremely loud (Johns would later say that it made him feel good that people felt so strongly). The look on Michael Johns face was one of slow disbelief.

The internet was inundated with blogs and articles reflecting shock and disbelief as well.

And Michael Johns should have felt disbelief. No way should Michael Johns be going home this early in the competition. He's too good. His vocals are too strong. And he was not boring in the least. Something that cannot be said about Brooke White, Kristy Lee Cook, David Archuleta, and Carly Smithson (Jason Castro gets a bye for simply being so entertaining).

The final three this week should have been Brooke White, Carly Smithson, and David Cook. Yes, David Cook. Although this writer believes that David Cook has the potential to win American Idol, he tried his best to sabotage his chances Tuesday night with that horrendously vile Our Lady Peace song. It was by far the worst performance of the night.

But Brooke White's consistent tribute to somnambulism should have met its reward with a bottom three nomination and a send-off this week. Cook, even though he deserved to be in the bottom three for that awful performance, has done so well that he did not deserve the boot no matter where he placed.

The same can be said of Michael Johns. Performing Aerosmith's "Dream On" for his "inspiration week" number, Johns did a fairly good job with it. Which has many wondering how on Earth he ended up receiving the least amount of votes.

Too bad this isn't April Fools Week. Maybe Michael Johns would then have another chance.

But we've seen this before on American Idol. You know, where the people who should win get booted and people with a lot less talent stay in until the final four, three, two, or, dare we mention it, one is chosen. Taylor Hicks and Jason Guarini come to mind as examples of those going further than they should. Daughtry and Jennifer Hudson are perfect examples of those booted far too soon.

So American Idol made another mistake. It happens.

Hopefully, David Archuleta will jazz up his performances and David Cook won't make another terrible song choice (give him credit, this week's performance was probably his worst in a string of really good performances). Jason Castro is a long shot, but he's just cool enough to win it. Syesha is the only girl left with anything hinting at excitement in her singing, so...

The rest are simply too godawful boring...

As for Michael Johns? Well, the good-natured Aussie will tour with the American Idol Final Ten this summer and then who knows?

One thing is certain: This writer will be looking for his first album.

Source:

Katie Byrne, "'American Idol' Played A Cruel Joke, But Michael Johns Is Unfazed," MTV.com