American Idol Jumps the Shark: Boots the Show's Best Singer in Sarasota Gal Syesha

My love hate relationship with American Idol just turned to hate again.

Not just because they kept me out of all the shots of Syesha Mercado's triumphant homecoming Friday, even though I was just out of camera range for most of what they showed tonight. Or because they let former Idol winner Fantasia perform a song so wack even Simon Cowell could only stare, slack-jawed and amazed, that she had dumped such a load of nonsense on TV's highest-rated show.

No, my hate rises this time because Idol has once again ejected its best singer and performer before the singing and performing competition is actually done -- booting Sarasota gal Mercado in a way that felt a bit like an inside job.

I've said before that Idol wants a rocker to win this one, and that attitude was evident Tuesday, as Cowell kept complimenting scruffy rocker David Cook even though it seemed he had given up trying to bring anything new to his performances weeks ago. Andy Gibb-in-the-making David Archuleta has always looked a bit hollow -- a wide-eyed smile plastered on his face like he'd snuck into Paula Abdul's vicodin.

Syesha was the only performer left who seemed to be fulfilling the show's mission -- flowering into a bona-fide stage presence before the camera's eye. But she was always a bit of a misfit; the contestant who refused to go down, no matter how many times Cowell and the producers tried tripping her up.

On Tuesday, it came down to song choices. Producers stuck her with Gia Farrell's Hit Me Up -- a jittery tune from the Happy Feet soundtrack that was so odd, even Cowell and Randy Jackson were joking about how silly it was. Archuleta and Cook got songs right in their wheelhouse; a sugary sweet ballad and a rocking Aerosmith tune, respectively. Syesha got a song about penguins.

No matter. She's got a voice strong enough to power a Fantasia-style R&B album, and performance chops sharp enough to hang on Broadway, where most Idol also-rans eventually land.

But it's possible Idol may have created another Daughtry -- kicking off the performer mostly likely to maintain a career in their lust to chase a more desirable winner -- this time, a rock star named David Cook.

I think Archuleta's going to win this thing next week. But the real loser is Idol, which has proven to all of us still watching that maybe it doesn't deserve to be a TV phenomenon anymore. And, given the way the show's ratings are dipping this season, it probably won't be for much longer.      

Comments

[viewer]

honestly? what do i really think? so glad you asked. i hope archuleta loses and goes away forever. he's the new sanjaya, except more obnoxious if you can believe it!

[hmm]

american idol:s ratings went Up again this week. it's all cool. it was down last week but now its up again.

[Chuck Welch]

Eric, I think you must have met a different person than most of us see on TV.

The voters booted the best "singer" weeks ago. Idol isn't a singing competition. It never was. It's about projecting a personality the audience wants to love.

If you can walk the razor's edge between individuality and fraternity while engaging a likable personality you'll have a chance at the finals.

As for song choice, Syesha could have changed up If I Ain't Got You, or given her own spin to Hit Me Up. All three failed to impress anyone Tuesday night.

Vocal ability is the least important aspect of the show. The judges stack the deck with 20 good singers. Tuesday night Syesha simply failed to over come Archuleta's likability or Cook's individuality.

[Viewpoint]

She was good but this is a little too much. I would have loved to have seen her go against David Cook but he is far and away the best entertainer on this show. Her choice of Fever didn't help her any either so it isn't all on the producers even though their choice for her was terrible. David Archuletta should have gone home but David Cook should be the Idol.

[Bob]

Sorry Eric, I have to agree with Chuck on this one, THE VIEWERS booted the best singer weeks ago. Sayesha's frequent appearance in the bottom three and two should have told you she was LUCKY to make it as far as she did. In my opinion, she didn't really hit her stride untill Andrew Loyd Webber week and by then it was probably too late to garner any new fans.
For me, Syesha's SHRIEKING gave me a headache and she was always the fourth or fifth best singer on the show and I am being kind. I think Chakesi was a better R&B singer, so maybe I am ranking Sayesha too high. Most TV critics and commentators had the two Davids in the final months ago. BTW, you are giving too much credit to the comments of the inconsistant judges, do you really think America votes based on what they have to say? I read in another column that sometimes negative comments from judges bring out the fans of the contestant being ragged on to save them.
In the end the best two were left standing and the rsults were a little anti-climatic for me.

[Robin 'Roblimo' Miller]

So now Syesha can get on with her acting career. Fine with me. The girl is destined to be a Broadway and movie star, not a pop singer.

Think of Syesha Mercado as the next Barbra Streisand or Linda Ronstadt or umm... what's her name... the one from Hawaii who started out headlining the Harlettes in San Francisco clubs - yeah, Bette Midler.

That's better than being Carrie Underwood's successor, no? :)

[Jim Williams]

Well Eric don't worry about Syesha Mercado she will be a big star, I like her classy style as much as her voice. I may not watch next year. First I really don't like the beginning with all the no talent people and this year they just blew it My opinion Mikael Johns and Carlie Simpson should still be there. Since they have about 33 million viewers and 50 million votes perhaps they should allow only voting for the performer they want out..