Travesty

Do 'Idol' Judges Serve A Purpose Beyond Saying 'You Suck'?

It was bound to happen eventually. Tonight, America finally eliminated a competitor who didn't deserve to go. While eliminating anyone prior to John Stevens was questionable, there's no question--none--that sending Jennifer Hudson home tonight was the wrong choice. Simon agreed, Paula agreed, Randy agreed, Ryan agreed--if Barry Manilow had come back out, he'd have said it, too, and already news stories are being posted decrying the fact that the best three singers ended up in the bottom three.

Give the show points for staging the selection well. Having George walk to the top three--knowing full well that he'd end up with the folks who had been wrongly placed on the bottom--and then switching him over was a dramatic way to make a point. That point was rammed home, perhaps a tad indelicately, as each judge basically said that John Stevens should have been sent home tonight. (He's the only one who received no praise tonight.)

Please, heed the words of the judges and vote next week--unless you're one of the maniacs who's been keeping John Stevens in business. In that case, please have your phone disconnected in the next week--and please, please, please, don't register to vote in November. If you're that poor a judge of talent, I really think you should stay home on Election Day.