Michael voices his opinion about the new “judges save” rule on American Idol
March 17, 2009
Michael recently chatted with Laura Saltman of Access Hollywood’s Dish Of Salt blog about the new “judges save” rule on American Idol season 8.
When Michael Johns was eliminated from last season’s “American Idol” during week five there was a collective gasp of shock. An early favorite (especially among female fans) John’s rendition of “Dream On” by Aerosmith, while not his best performance, certainly didn’t deserve to get him the Idol boot. Johns is just the type of person this new judges “save” is hoping to help. When host Ryan Seacrest last week explained the new rule he invoked the names of Johns and other former contestants – Chris Daughtry, Tamyra Gray and Jennifer Hudson who all were suddenly sent home with the lowest number of votes.
So, you would think that Johns would find this new rule to be a fantastic addition. In fact, he finds it just the opposite.
“I personally don’t really dig it that much. As someone that was the shock value and it would have helped I don’t really think its necessary,” he told me backstage at a taping of Fox Reality Channel’s “American Idol Extra.”
Johns continued, “I think that’s the drama of Idol isn’t it? That sometimes America gets it right. Sometimes they get it wrong. You gotta vote for the people you love.”
Brooke White, also from season seven, agreed with Johns’ summation.
Posted in Articles, Interviews
Tags: american idol season 8, dish of salt
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I’m really glad MJ feels this way…. no regrets.. just the way he should feel
thanks for posting!
That’s the right spirit, Michael. I think we’re all sick of the judges and the producers manipulations and pimping. They just want another tool to play with. Oh well, embarassingly, fans of the show (like me) will still watch and vote regardless of the blatant “fixing”.
Excellent point. I first felt too bad they didn’t have that rule last year to save MJ. But I believe an anual succession of early leavers makes the impression that yea hello ya all gotta vote for your fav. Now it just adds to the complacency that oh well if I don’t vote this week and mine is voted off they will just save him. And I sincerly believe that Michaels early dismissal did more for his career than if he won! He got a heck of a lot of fans and following from that deal. Tough bananas…squash that rule and let um sweat it out like all the others did!
I agree with Michael. I didn’t care for how they used the rule last week. It was boring and somewhat cruel. They obviously will only save someone they think might win it all–just as Michael coulda/woulda/shoulda last year. And I agree with Tessa that the “save” is just another tool to play with. Their actions have made the road tougher for Michael, but in my heart I know, he will come out the winner when all is said and done!
I just think it is going to make it so much tougher on the peron that gets the save.
Probably will have to go though that ordeal twice (Known as a two time loser.. dought they could ever win)…I mean really ..do you really think voting counts..Cm’on..At this point TPTB already have a winner. I agree the rule is cruel and I’m glad Michael was no part of It.
Though I have my reservations about it for many of the same reasons you guys have described above, I still would have loved for them to have had this rule last year! I was soooooo sad when Michael was voted off and would have taken him any way I could get him…via “America’s Vote” or “Judges Favorite”!!!! This year, I could really care less either way.
Whoever becomes the “judges’ save” will be marked, regardless of where they end up in the competition, as the person who should not have got there. Being voted off twice would be worse than being voted off once. On top of all the wildcards this season, it means the judges can dictate 4 places in the Top 13 – more control to those in charge. I think they’re pissed off that Michael decided to go independent with label and management. They wanted him in the fold.
One thing about that article…about Dream On…I ABSOLUTELY loved that performance!!! I think Michael has had such great momentum from his early and unexpected departure and it sooo worked in his favour. Like everyone, I was devastated and was in a panic at his departure and probably would have sold my soul to keep him on that show last April, but in retrospect, I think things happen for a reason and once he immediately started appearing on so many things and being in demand, I figured everything would be OK and it was/is more than OK..it has been fabulous..he’s gone none-stop!! And the best is yet to come…a few more weeks
Go MJ!!!!
MJ, we’re so proud of who you are, and all you’ve accomplished!!! Your passion, hard-work, determination and UNDENIABLE TALENT have got you where you are today, and we couldn’t be happier for you!!!
Cheers to the future MJ!!! It’s gonna be SPECTACULAR!!!!
As far as I’m concerned, it is ONE SEASON TOO LATE!!! I’m still ticked about how they ‘LET HIM GO’!! He knows it. I told him so & Stacy, as well. They both seemed to understand that when I met them in Dallas, TX last year. Anywho, His star is SHINING!
Too bad they didn’t have it LAST year Michael!! But it was of no use THIS season anyway. They USED it, and just let Alexis go anyway!!! How much sense does THAT make? Didn’t they KNOW they would SAVE her when they instituted the save?? I don’t get that!!
Randy and Simon were in opposition for themselves.. Or they were saying It’s OK with me,, Or It’s just a little sleepy.. Or I do not want to see you as a rock singer ..It was after Accross the Universe and after Deam On.. Both sound perfect for me. Michael soungd in Dream On amazingly, But I tryed to compare him and Aerosmith and found Michael better than original. Michael can be so different..
He is and was by then profeccional, experienced singer.But he forced to listen to Randy and Simon. By the way, by then both of them began to make notes like above closer to the end. Before that Simon could say As traditionally exlellent.. What’s up then? By then everybody could see Michael as a winner , but it was against 19th position. They decided to let Michael go. Why they eliminated him on this week? They could save him easely. But it was so convinient to use this week with it’s mess.They knew that no one of girls will not get Idol. Castro? No way..So, Davids and Michael. All of them had strong position. but nice kid got 19th attention like a potential bigger auditorium.. Money monet money must be funny in the rich man’s world .. Let’s just forget about last year complete shock. Michael lost nothing. I just disagree, that he got super media attention because of elimination. No. He got this attentuon because MICHAE JOHNS IS GREAT SINGER. Safe or not safe – it’s just a game. Sometimes a bad one.
I just can’t help myself to stop to think those new ( old) rules. I agree with someone above that real votes are not count.Yes, votes were NEVER shown. EVER.
Of course, there is exellent possibility to manipulate with votes in wishable directions. And phone lines are not bottomless. So, votes are real or NOT? I think-
NOT. Who can know – it’s 2 millions or 2 hundred votes? It means that AI powerholders can do everythig. AI let Michael Johns go
because both Davids looked more predictable and controllable, then Michael with his bright presonality. To make money- this AI is about. By then AI realized that Michael COULD go independent. Why to keep him further? For any case, Mike, get out ,please, on week, when nobody eliminated on previous sessions. What is the elephant elegancy.. Full show winner control and future money – RULES FOREVER.
My first thought when I heard about the new ’save’ rule this year was Michael and this year and what a difference for last year. But this year I really like Adam Lambert..think he makes music exciting. I think his independence will cost him. I will see what happens, but I think American Idol takes itself and the judges too seriously. They tell the singers to make the songs their own, then some of them put them down when they do. Michael and David Cook were exciting last year, Adam is this year…just my opinion.