By Kelle

May 12, 2006 11:48 AM | Link to this

Karen, thank you so much for the kind words. I’m as obsessed with this show as some of you and it’s easy to right about something you love!

By Karen

May 12, 2006 9:03 AM | Link to this

I’ve been reading the comments and chuckling to myself. My favorite was voted off weeks ago, Mandisa, but I got over it. Most of you people don’t understand the spirit of the competition and were probably the small little kids on the playground that pouted, stamped your feet and said you were never going to play this stupid game again, because you didn’t win. Get over yourself and enjoy the birth of new talent, whether they’re your favorite or not. And those of you who vow to near watch AI again, I’m sure they’re shaking in their shoes at FOX, NOT!!!! It has like a bazillon viewers, the most of any TV show ever, and loosing a few cry babies won’t be that big of a loss, however these blogs will be less entertaining in the future. Face it, you’ll watch, and you’ll comment and you’ll pout when you lose and gloat when you win. It’s human nature, and you are human, right? Kelle, keep up the good work, I love your column!

By Roseanne

May 11, 2006 8:08 PM | Link to this

I tried to vote for Chris three weeks in a row and could not get through on my Cingular wireless. I wonder how many others couldn’t get through and just how accurate the voting is. Chris is the best singer ever on AI. I do think the heavy rock songs hurt him, but he proved that he can sing anything. I don’t know what people see in Taylor. He is the worst of the finalists. I am done with AI.

By Michele

May 11, 2006 7:20 PM | Link to this

I think people underestimate Taylor. When he is on stage, he communicates such passion, such conviction, and it pours out in a genuine way (reminds me a little of Bruce Springsteen’s passion). Taylor is not like he’s trying to be someone else or trying to fit into a mold of a plastic doll star. He has a great voice and charisma, too. And of course, he’s cute as heck! :-)

By Cheryl

May 11, 2006 4:45 PM | Link to this

I am still considering not watching the show anymore. I don’t watch much TV and was so dissappointed in last nights results. This is about singing right. Chris had the singing and the all around showmanship. Taylor has the showmanship and Elliott and Kat have the voice, but Chris had it all. You are right that now he can get on with wherever his music takes him.

By Joy

May 11, 2006 4:33 PM | Link to this

Chris has no worries. It is probably better for him in the long run since he will not profit financially the first year because of the contract. I have no doubt that there is someone ready to sign him. Kat has an amazing voice and will also do well even if she loses. Elliot has a great voice but I felt that he was trying to get the sympathy vote with all the medical problems so that’s all I can think about. Taylor, from the beginning had me from hello. He puts a smile on my face and he makes the whole thing look easy. I have been watching for 5 years now and he’s the first to get out and take that stage. I called each line the other night and the only lines I was able to get through on was Chris and Kat.

By Not an Idol Fan

May 11, 2006 3:48 PM | Link to this

OMG! I am so done with this show. Don’t even think about asking me to watch again. The people in this world are deaf.

By Karen

May 11, 2006 3:36 PM | Link to this

You know it’s funny. They played back a quote by Chris last night where he said earlier in the competition “if it all ended now, it’s been the experience of a lifetime and I’m grateful for the experience” or something to that effect, yet he looked down right PO’d last night and not at all the gracious loser as other much younger contestants than him have been, like Paris (who is talented and like 17), and Lisa (who is talented and 17). He should be glad for the opportunity and not be such a sore loser. Cream rises to the top, greed doesn’t. If you can’t be grateful to have made it that far and have the fans you obviously have, you don’t deserve to be American Idol. I say give it to someone more humble, who’ll appreciate their good fortune and not be so cocky and arrogant to act like “I can’t believe I just got voted off….I’m the best!” NOT.. Now my ears will stop bleeding from all that screaming. He should have sang “A Little Less Conversation, A Little Less Vibrato, Please”

By Kim

May 11, 2006 2:46 PM | Link to this

You know - I really consider this season to have had one of the better talent pools. I said yesterday that I would hate seeing any of that last 4 go - I think any one of them is capable of making it. The trick is which one is most likely to do the best under the given format. And it has been shown time and again that the American public is all about “what have you done for me lately.” So to Patty’s point - I don’t know that one bad week is enough to get someone voted off - Kellie Pickler was certainly living proof - but a couple bad performances and people lose interest quickly - that’s why fame lasts “15 minutes.” And I don’t entirely agree that this is a “singing” competition - I consider this a “total package” competition. If it were only about their singing - it would be on the radio instead of TV. But truly - Taylor is my favorite - but I would be happy for any for any of them to win - any one of them is deserving. The show provided Chris with a vehicle to make his name - he’ll be out there. I almost don’t want Taylor to win - I’d rather see him strike out on his own rather that be dictated to by the powers that be at AI.

By Gloria

May 11, 2006 2:06 PM | Link to this

I think that Kat by far has the best voice. She has it all!!!!

By Laura

May 11, 2006 1:09 PM | Link to this

A couple of things… First of all, Chris will be offered a gig with a major band tonight at 7 on Extra (Seacrest announced it on his show today). Second, Idol producers only have the right to get rid of power voters’ votes. If you read their website, it tells you that.

By james

May 11, 2006 1:00 PM | Link to this

To Chris Fan: I believe the finalists are contractually obligated to take part in the ‘Idol’ tour, unless, I guess, the show doesn’t want them to. So I imagine Chris will be on board.

By Beth

May 11, 2006 12:54 PM | Link to this

Note to Chris Fan: I would really hope Chris will display more class than that & tour with the group. He is awesome, but so are they all at this point. I do hope to see either Taylor or Eliot win, we have had too many female winners. Kat is beautiful & talented, but I detect a shallowness there that bothers me. Maybe I’m wrong, we’ll see. Chris will be fine, he has quite a career ahead of him if he makes wise choices.

By Tiffany

May 11, 2006 12:43 PM | Link to this

Well, I’m done watching until next season!!! At least Chris will be able to do his own thing and be more successful then whoever wins. Oh and one more thing… I don’t understand why people are huge Elliot fans? Is it b/c he can sing or is it b/c he has overcame an obstacle in his life? I honestly do not see anything that stands out about him. Same with Kat. If either of these two win this competition you will never hear of them again… Unless it is on a VH1 special “Where are they now?”!!! They will truly be the next Ruben and Fantasia.

By Jane

May 11, 2006 12:34 PM | Link to this

America got it right! Not that Chris should go but Kat should STAY. She has been subjected to unfair character criticism to the point that she afraid to be herself. Even Simon apologized for judging her unfairly. She by far is the best and most versatile talent - not all rock, not all country - just a class act. Hope she makes it BIG with or without AI.

By Chris Fan

May 11, 2006 11:35 AM | Link to this

I will not finish watching Idol! Chris is obviously the most talented, the most consistent and has the most star appeal. I was pretty upset last night, but I agree with Kellie that this is probably best for him. He will make it bigger and better than the other three and hopefully he will be touring soon with his own band, Creed or Fuel and then we’ll be saying Taylor, Elliott and Katherine who? or maybe we’ll at least see Taylor in Karoake bars! If Chris is smart, he’ll blow off the Idol tour and tour with real musicians!

By T's Pooh

May 11, 2006 10:54 AM | Link to this

Okay, I was totally shocked last night. Even though Taylor is my favorite, and I think Kat has the “AI Look” — I still thought Chris would take it all! Interesting note — people were talking on the radio this morning and someone called in and said, look at your TV screen very carefully or tape the next show. There is a disclaimer that says “The producers of this show reserve the right to change the voting results for entertainment purposes.” Sounds rigged to me!

By Roxanne

May 11, 2006 10:02 AM | Link to this

Darrell, how can you say that Elliot has picked nothing but “safe songs”? How many times have the judges commented that he’s picked the most difficult songs and pulled it off without a hitch. I think that Elliot deserves to win because he is the epitome of the American Idol.

By Heather

May 11, 2006 9:47 AM | Link to this

Yes, I was shocked last night - no doubt. Even though I stated to some co-workers yesterday that although I really liked the final four, if anyone had to go - I would least be upset about Chris. He’s got a career. Not to worry. The next two weeks are going to be rough. I’ve been a huge Kat fan since the beginning and Taylor grows on me every week - but, GO ELLIOT! I want the man to win. He continues to improve every week and I think he will have the broadest appeal when he makes his music. WOW - can’t wait til next week!

By laura 2

May 11, 2006 9:34 AM | Link to this

in the words of those awful twins from the beginning of the season….”my spirit has been broken”! i couldn’t bear to look at chris’ face after ryan just blurted it out…”chris, you’re going home”. he was devastated. taylor looked stricken too. he was probably thinking “oh no, i just won american idol” because he probably will, and end up in ruben studdard limbo. i want elliot to win, i voted for him the first time two weeks ago, and i voted for him again this week. he’s the best candidate to win as far as i am concerned. go elliot go. and chris, i’ll miss you, and will be looking for your first hit in the very near future - on YOUR terms!

By jodi lawson

May 11, 2006 9:29 AM | Link to this

Alright ya’ll. I am bummed Chris got voted off! He was my favorite. I think if Katherine keeps it together she could still win this. As far as any of these guys forgetting lyrics or hitting a sour note…have you seen some of today’s singers live??? Most of them totally suck. My sister and I had the pleasure of seeing the Idols live last year…they all were awesome!!! These singers (top four or five) all do an amazing job live and under huge pressures. We so need to cut them a break! So, you go, Kat, you show the world how amazing you are!!!!

By regina

May 11, 2006 9:25 AM | Link to this

OKay..I truly called the bottom two and thought Chris should be voted off because he is not the multi-dimensional singer that past idols have been. However, everyone knows that true talent never wins it is a popularity contest, which makes me side with Bryan a little on questioning the legit.

By AJ

May 11, 2006 9:25 AM | Link to this

I noticed that dialidol.com had Chris at the bottom so I kind of had an idea but, it was still a shock to me. Kat had a look on her face like she knew she was gone during the entire show. Seacrest was talking to Chris telling him how the buzz was he would make it to the final two and win the competition, Chris had a half smile on his face like ‘yeah, I’m good’ and then BAM! Chris is gone. Complete smack in the face to everyone. It was exciting. I love Elliot and I think Kat is an awesome singer but, Taylor just has me sold and has since the beginning when I saw him tearing up that harmonica. He’s just cool…very Joe Cocker. I hope he goes all the way! Go Soul Patrol!

By Patty

May 11, 2006 9:21 AM | Link to this

I am absolutely shocked, upset and angry. I think the American people are just absolutely insane! Why would anyone vote each week SOLELY based on that week’s performance? Come on now, this is a singing competition. You have to look at their entire ability to sing. Ok, so some of them are out of their element on certain types of songs, but you can’t vote them off just because they had a particularly bad night. It just drives me crazy!!! Taylor is NOT all that talented. Again, this is about their singing ability, NOT about how much he jumps around and dances. I could care less about that. He should have gone last night - NO DOUBT! Chris NEVER should have been gone at this point. He should have been in the top two. I am glad to see Elliot still in it, but Taylor HAS GOT TO GO!!!!!

By Greg

May 11, 2006 9:13 AM | Link to this

I feel that the the judge’s comments definitely influenced the votes. When Simon told Elliott “you deserve to make it to the next round,” it created a flurry of votes for him. Their highly critical opinion of Kat’s performance probably spurred her fans to pick up the phone, too. Chris, however, was neither great nor horrible - and having an ordinary night means your fans are complacent…and less willing to pick up the phone. If the judges would withold their comments once they get to the final three, it would generate a much more fair vote. But then again, their comments are the best part of the show!

By Kim

May 11, 2006 9:09 AM | Link to this

Yeah - I am shocked - I really thought it was going to be Kat last night, but I no longer thought that Chris was going to go all the way. I’ve been saying he has been losing ground - that he has proven he lacks the dimension necessary to be “the” AI - everything he does sounds the same to me. That said - I feel sure that he is capable of having a successful career as long as he is singing something where screaming is expected. His talent lies in a different genre, and he’ll be just fine. I do know that he needs to work on his technique if he does sign on with someone, because he has really been straining his voice with incorrect singing form and he will lose it if he’s not careful. Maybe Kat’s mom could give him some lessons. :) I think his session with Adrea was helpful - hope he learned something. So - this is really interesting. I don’t buy that Elvis music was unfair to Kat - music is music - you can memorize the words and sing the right notes - you can bring your own skills to it. She did none of that. It’s going to be interesting! I feel like Taylor and Elliot will be the final two now - but who knows??? What I do know is that Taylor is the only one that has never been in the bottom. I think it may indeed be his to lose at this point.

By ANGIE GREEN

May 11, 2006 8:48 AM | Link to this

WOW.. WHAT A SHOCKER.. ALTHOUGH IM NOT UPSET. THINK ABOUT IT FOLKS….CLOSE YOUR EYES, AND CHRIS, TAYLOR AND KAT ALL SOUND LIKE SOMEONE YOU HEAR ON THE RADIO CURRENTLY. ELLIOT IS THE TRUE AMERICAN IDOL, AND I CAN ONLY HOPE THAT IN A FEW WEEKS WE SEE HIS DREAM COME TRUE FOR HIM!! GO ELLIOT… I LOVE YA BOY :)

By Darrell

May 11, 2006 8:37 AM | Link to this

Rigged! My wife tried for two hours to constantly get through to Chris’s voting lines. The result was persistant busy signals and only one call made it through. Who are you weirdos rooting for Elliot? He’s had so many “safe” pick songs that don’t challenge or even come off as anything but ordinary. I’ve personally been carrying a banner high for Taylor since the start, but I thought he would finally get beat out by ol’ Chris. I can truthfully say even with my favorite left and a beautiful female still to vote for, the best is gone. Isn’t that what this show is all about, people voting for talent? I warn you all now, even if Taylor wins, the top singer this year will probably go the route of Ruben & Fantasia. Thanks for all the mindless votes, maybe Elliot can sing ‘Sorry for 2006’.

By Jenet

May 11, 2006 8:20 AM | Link to this

I guess this just proves why I don’t like “reality shows” where the public has any effect on the outcome of the series!!!! Chris gone? maybe this is better for him, career wise etc, but it is a huge disappointment for the fans of Idol. The public is fickle. This also happened this year with Dancing With The Stars. Does anybody remember? Jerry Rice is an awesome athelete and a wonderful man, but number 2 dancer in that Reality show competition…..no way. I doubt that I will continue to watch…who ever wins at this point has a wonderful voice, will make lots of money, will sing at the Fraze or The Nutter and will live a good life. As they should. For me? I’ve lost that lovin’ feelin’.

By TL

May 11, 2006 8:20 AM | Link to this

By Terri May 10, 2006 11:44 PM Yo dog check this out. What in the hell are we voiting on? I had enough! Is it looks or talent. clearly it’s a beauty contest. They think she is so FABUlOUS! All she has to do is grab the mic and they start claping. Katharine has hit so many wrong notes, do people have their Tv’s on mute. I think tonight show was to keep people watching and Chris leaving was a major up set. Hell he couldn’t beleive it. I won’t know the next idol until I read it, I didn’t watch it Tueday but I watched the voting Wednesday but that’s it for me. I got one last question. How can Paula judge someone when she can’t sing herself. If she had to go through the contest, she wouldn’t have made it through the try outs. Straight up now you, tell me.

By liz

May 11, 2006 7:46 AM | Link to this

Kelle, before I read your column I was going to write something entirely different. But you gave me hope and you are right that Chris can now go and do is thing. His very rock thing. Where is Bo’s career? In some pop culture toilet. Yes you are definitely right - this was the best thing for my favorite..Chris. I’ll be waiting. As for the final 3..Elliot will win now.

By Linda

May 11, 2006 7:21 AM | Link to this

Yes, I’m like everyone else SHOCKED! Everyone noticed Chris being so stunned by the leaving, but did anyone notice that Kat seemed to be crying before they annouced that? It was like she knew she was gone already. My bet was Chris was going to win it all. Now I’m going for Taylor! If not him Elliot.

By Denny ''R''

May 11, 2006 7:12 AM | Link to this

”Wow” Never thought in a million year’s that Chris would leave before Katharine. I still think the all around best is Elliot, but Taylor with his good show-man-ship,and style could win it also. should be quite interesting the next couple of week’s…..

By Beth

May 11, 2006 1:09 AM | Link to this

Well I was just as shocked as you! I was hoping it would be Kat, not that she’s not good, but for some reason she just doesn’t garner my sympathy as do the others. You are probably right tho’ about it being good for Chris. Man, did he look stricken! He has real star potential & will come out on top. I really hope Kat doesn’t win, though. She is probably the best technical singer in the group. but they have only had one male winner in 5 years—it’s time.

By Ben

May 11, 2006 1:00 AM | Link to this

I’m still in shock. I was all set for Kat to get the boot and then whoa. Just what happened to Chris’ fan base? I mean, yeah, he didn’t have the best performances this week, but he surely wasn’t the worse. I was very pleased to see Elliot rank up in the top two (I voted for him twice). He really has improved here of late and he is starting to grow on folks. Bravo to Elliot. I hope he makes it to the finals. Kat can sing, but she hasn’t lately. Poor song choices, arrangements, and general flub ups. Plus, she’s starting to loose the sweetness factor kind of like Paris did. I’d love to see Elliot in the finals and be the underdog to be crowned the next American Idol. Nothing against Taylor but Elliot has you beat on personality. Anybody else think the Elvis medley they did was fantastic? I honestly enjoyed that almost more than the individual performances.

By Laura

May 11, 2006 12:27 AM | Link to this

I told y’all Chris was going! Next week, if they stick with tradition, they’ll do one judge’s choice, one Clive choice, and a choice of their own.

By Bryan

May 10, 2006 11:06 PM | Link to this

Chris’s departure makes me wonder, a bit, if this thing is legit. I’m thrilled to see Elliott advance but frankly I think he’ll be better off if he doesn’t win the big prize.

By Sir Critic

May 10, 2006 10:50 PM | Link to this

It’s not that I consider myself some kind of seer or anything, but I am not floored at Chris’ departure. DialIdol.com indeed had him in the rear. That said, I am flummoxed. I was pretty certain Kat would go, and I had steeled myself as best I could for it, and AAAH! At least one more week of pulse-pounding results shows! I still believe Kat could win this if she shakes her confidence problems of late, but I think it’s Taylor’s to lose now. And don’t cry for Chris. Someone WILL sign him to a deal.

By Karen

May 10, 2006 10:36 PM | Link to this

The shock that Chris left was over shadowed by my sheer joy that Elliott is still here and in the top 2, no less! Chris will be fine, once the shock wears off. I really think he thought he’d already won the competition, and you should never be that confident, regardless of who you are. If I said it once, I’ve said it at least a few times on here….Chris is awesome but not what most people envision as an American Idol. He has his niche and he’s great in it, but you need to appeal to a broader audience. The top three fit that bill. Elliott, Elliott, Elliott, you go boy!!