This season's most popular "American Idol" finalist Chris Daughtry did an Elvis and left the building as he was voted off Wednesday night in a shocking upset.
Contestants sang Elvis Presley classics two songs each in Tuesday night's program. Daughtry's cover of The King's "Suspicious Minds" drew rave reviews from judges - including Paula Abdul who predicted, "See you in the finals."
Daughtry who many thought was a favorite to win the competition was visibly shocked at the end when host Ryan Seacrest announced that he'd be heading home.
"Surprised?" Host Ryan Seacrest asked an unsmiling Daughtry. "Yes," the 26-year-old rocker replied, despite being drowned out by screams of "Nooooooooo!"
While the shocked audience boo'd, the remaining "Idols" - Taylor Hicks, Katharine McPhee and Elliott Yamin - were in total disbelief. Judge Simon Cowell looked dazed and pained, as if he realized his show could take a hit in the ratings for the finale without Chris competing for the top prize. Sitting next to him, Paula wept as usual.
Simon had earlier criticized Chris' second performance, a rendition of "A Little Less Conversation", calling it "flat" and "not as good as the first."
Also struggling was Katharine, 21, who had the next-lowest vote total. She is one of the best singers on "Idol," yet she stumbled with some of the lyrics in her "Hound Dog/All Shook Up" medley on Tuesday's program.
Cowell judged her performance to be "shrieky," comparing it to a "desperate, manic audition" and adding, "It hasn't been one of your best nights."
There's buzz that Katharine later complained to the show's producers that because she is female she was at a disadvantage for the Elvis competition. Yeah, they should throw in a Barbra Streisand program to even things up.
In the most competitive "Idol" race yet, the final three contestants will find out May 24 who will be the next "American Idol".
Comments
Several fans complained that they called Chris's line and received no recording - no busy signal. Chris is far better than the other 3 remaining competitors. The shows voting system is a joke. Chris is probably the best American Idol ever, and he was voted off. UNBELIEVABLE.
Posted by: Scott | May 13, 2006 6:25 PM
man this is fucking retarded chris is the bestt!! cat trys to be like the artist singing the song..and cant handle crtism! grow up by .. talor is alright but sounds like an wedding singer! and elliot is an cool guy!@! but man chris was da bomb!! i think his lines wre regg!::@
Posted by: tishy | May 17, 2006 6:49 PM
I LOVE CHRIS!!!!! IM HIS BIGGEST FAN IN THE WORLDDD ITS SOOO EFFIN RETARDED HE DESERVES TO WIN THIS THING BUT THEN THEY GO VOTE HIM OFF I VOTED OVER 50 TIMESSSS!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: taylor | May 24, 2006 10:19 PM