Astute readers of EW.com’s American Idol TV Watch pointed out on our message boards that only 11 of the 12 female semifinalists were in the audience during last night’s men’s semifinal performances. Missing from the group: Carly Smithson (pictured), the Irish-born songbird who’s been under intense media scrutiny because of her one-time deal with MCA Records, which resulted in Ultimate High, the 2001 flop (it sold only a few hundred copies) she recorded under the name Carly Hennessy.
But conspiracy theorists wondering if the controversy got Smithson booted from the show should hold their horses. Randy Jackson, who dropped by EW.com headquarters to shoot an episode of Idolatry this afternoon, attributes Smithson’s absence to a flu bug that had hit several female contestants this week. “I think they didn’t want them infecting the others,” Jackson said. “They were doing sort of an Idol quarantine.” Asked if viewers were in for a surprise on tonight’s women’s semifinal show, Jackson couldn’t have been more adamant: “No, no, no, definitely not.”
A Fox spokesperson confirmed Jackson’s report, adding that Smithson’s fellow semifinalist Kristy Lee Cook also left the audience midway through the evening because she was feeling ill.
“Kristy Lee Cook also left the audience midway through the evening because she was feeling ill.”
So did I. It was right after I saw and heard Chikezie…..
Strepsi, that is way to funny!!!! Nice line.
I’m not really into this Carly Smithson. Not sure why they are all over her. Maybe it’s her tats.
Too funny. I thought he was looking and sounding a lot like Carlton Banks, and then the “whoo” totally took it over the top.
Chikezie – was not the WORST singer on the show last night. Garret – the one with the “teen idol” fluffy hair – was – far and away just really bad. He needs to go – pronto ! I like Carly – and I want to hear more from her- like tonight – this season – the females will “own” the AI show – based on what I saw from the males – last night….
Chikezie was not the worst. He however was the funniest bad performance.
Well, by tomorrow we’ll see whether Carly was worth all the hype that the producers could muster. I have a feeling that Syesha or Asia’H will outshine her, but who knows? At any rate, people know who she is now — that’s the power of the show.
Shucks, I hope she and the other gal will be able to sing. What happens if a contestant is too sick to sing? Are they ousted?
And why is this board going the wrong way?
I am not sure what they would do with sick idol here but one fellow in UK got sick…they let him miss a week but when he could not continue after that he was released. Sort of related…I can remember them telling Josh in season 2 if he got called up for deployment he could come back in the same spot the following season. So guess something like that is an option. Probably depends where they are in the contest…which round and such.
In the ABC news article you link, who is this mysterious “Mike Slezk” character they quote? You should demand a formal apology, Michael! Yeah, you show em who’s boss.
I feel for these girls if they have the flu. I got it a few weeks ago and it’s some bad stuff. I’m watching the show now and so far i think their doing great.
I think this programe should be for amateurs only and not for the people that had record deals before. Especially (as I understand)owned by Mr. Randy Jackson. Thanks.
This girl has gotten WAY TOO MUCH PUBLICITY for just being her. Her pic is everywhere on the internet…yet if you saw the show tonight there were 4 women who outsang her: Amanda, Rami, Asia and Syesha.
Give it a rest EW.
The 6 boyz + 6 girls is going to backfire on the producers because this year you have better and more girl singers than boys.