Thursday, April 10, 2008

The Cruelest Elimination in Idol History

8:53 We’re back…Lights down…Michael…Syesha…Carly. If it’s her, she’ll have a breakdown…Syesha and Carly…safe! Michael’s stunned, as am I…Carly says “no, no” and she can’t believe it…Paula’s mouth is open…Ryan says that last year no one was eliminated this week, but this year…we say goodbye to Michael. That was the cruelest elimination I have ever seen…Michael says he’s surprised…

8:55 Goodbye video…

8:57 Michael’s still in shock…Randy says he has a bright future…Paula says it’s time to get on with his career…Simon says he made the wrong song choice (which makes Michael shake his head), but he admits he will miss him…

8:58 Michael does “Dream On”…Carly is in tears and hugs Syesha…Kristy Lee pulls Jason over to join her and the other girls…Michael goes out to the mini-stage. That’s the most charisma he’s shown all season…That was one of the best goodbye performances I’ve ever seen—even if he did miss the high notes. But what is up with the director cutting away from Michael’s last notes to show Carly and then Rickey Minor? Was that his way of getting back at Michael for going into the crowd unexpectedly?...

9:00 Paula gives Michael a big, long hug. Then Randy gives him one too…And we’re out.