Above: The 12 women finalists, before jealousy and resentment start to creep in.
Wednesday night viewers watched 16 people get fired, laid-off, downsized, rejected. In two shows that lasted a total of two hours this week, the field of 172 was hacked and winnowed down to the Final 24: 12 guys, 12 gals.
(And speaking of half-men/half-women, word is Michael Jackson will appear on the show within the next few weeks. Bad news for anyone with HDTV.)
Simon Cowell proved he can be cruel without ridiculing someone's looks. Before Sanjaya Malakar took his seat and heard the good news, producers showed footage of him weeping -- grieving, really -- over his sister's dismissal. Of his moving on and her not, Simon says: "That must have been satisfying." Yeah, like watching a car hit your dog.
A few other times he toyed with contestants, confusing them with double or triple negatives: I'm sorry to tell you you have not ... been rejected. (Simon as an MD: "That lump in your chest: The tests haven't come back not negative. We don't think it isn't benign.")
Above: The 12 male finalists. Keep your eye on the guy in the lower right-hand corner, Brandon Rogers.
Not many big surprises. The background singers (Brandon Rogers, Melinda Doolittle) moved on and figure to be around awhile. Jordin Sparks, daughter of former NY Giant Phillipi Sparks, moved on.
The only real drama came when the judges were down to the final spot and two contestants in each set. For that, the two contestants had to sit next to each other and hear who was staying and who wasn't. Unlike the others who got the thumbs up, the winner in this instance couldn't really scream and gloat; in fact both ended up consoling the other contestant.
The final dismissed woman, Marisa Rhodes, took it hardest. In the elevator back up, she collapsed into a standing fetal position and sobbed, like she'd just lost a child. An awkward moment for the girl who had survived, Antonella Barba, who was having the best day of her life but was stuck in a small elevator (equipped with a video-cam) with a woman who was on the verge of needing oxygen and tranquilizers.
Afterward, Rhodes stood defiant outside the theater, assuring the cameras that she was shocked and that the other contestants told her they were sure she was going to make it so it wasn't really about her.
But if this show proves anything, it's that winners don't rationalize.
| Timothy Finn, The Star
More with the 'Merican Idol? Egads.
Maybe Back2Rockville should marry American Idol -- because it loves it sooo much.
Posted by: Florn Roonst | February 15, 2007 at 11:27 AM
"Marry 'Idol'?" You're better than that. Get some sleep.
Posted by: Tim Finn | February 15, 2007 at 11:55 AM
Notice the difference in looks between the guys and the gals?
Not a bad-looking one in the bunch of women. However, the men....
Sure, it's JUST a singing competition. Uh-huh.
Posted by: kmb | February 15, 2007 at 04:17 PM
Hey, where's the new stuff on the Rockville?
You jokers forget to pay your cable bill?
Posted by: Florn Roonst | February 16, 2007 at 09:45 AM
... we're still on dial-up.
Posted by: Tim Finn | February 16, 2007 at 10:35 AM