The metal rock man James Durbin was rocked off of American Idol at the 4th position - Fox photo

American Idol's in-house mentor Jimmy Iovine - Angela George photo

Video Beat EXTRA EXTRA Part 1 - ROCKER JAMES DURBIN VOTED OFF AMERICAN IDOL

James Loving - National Radio Text Service

Until this past week's show Durbin and Scott McCreery were the only two that were never voted into the bottom 3 or 2 - Two things stand out about Durbin's fall from grace one being Idol's in-house mentor Jimmy Iovine and Durbin often clashed on song choices - Recommended TV Listings

Sunday, May 15, 2011

DID CLASH'S WITH IOVINE MAKE A DIFFERENCE?

When Season 10 of American Idol began James Durbin was not a standout. As the season progressed he emerged as being one of the strongest competitors on the program. As the season progressed Durbin's confidence in his talent surfaced. That all came to and end after 72 million votes were cast and the 22-year-old performer with Tourette and Asperger's syndrome received the least of the final 4 contestants and his Idol title dream came to and end.

Until this past week's show Durbin and Scott McCreery were the only two that were never voted into the bottom 3 or 2. After viewing Durbin's video montage AI's host Ryan Seacrest asked him how he felt after knowing he was voted off the show a tearful Durbin replied, "I was really hoping to get there. I've done things on this show that have never been done before. In my eyes, and my mind and what I believe is that I did what I came here to do, and that was to give metal a chance and just bring it 110% percent every week."

It was all said and done except for Durbin's closing song in the competition. He stared singing the lyrics with, "Maybe I'm Amazed" as he most certainly appeared to be as he walked through the crowd crying and singing in his Idol show finale.

Two things stand out about Durbin's fall from grace. As his success on the program increased so did his self confidence and ego. He appeared to be confrontational and clashed with Jimmy Iovine Idol's in house mentor.

Iovine is the chairman of Interscope records that replaced Sony records as Idol's official partner record label. Most likely he is the person the winner of American Idol will have to work with. Iovine and Durbin often clashed on song choices. Durbin often insisted on doing the songs he wanted and overruled Iovine. This clash could have helped lead to his downfall. Whoever wins the contest will have to be manageable and take the advice of the record company... agree or not. In this case Iovine sits in the driver's seat.

Another stickler was Durbin complained about having to leave his family to compete on the show. Leaving your family behind to tour and promote a record is a part of the business and required for success. The result is Iovine and Durbin clashed and the singer's comments overshadowed his value as a talent who appeared to be a management problem waiting to happen.

Our suspicion that the show is fixed repeatedly surfaces. Earlier in the season Iovine made the comment that Idol was not looking for the best singer but we're looking for the whole package. The red flag is the word we're. If the show is determined by viewer voting what does it matter if we're (whoever that may be) is looking for since it supposedly is the viewer's votes that count?

This season has had some strange twists as the first five eliminations from 13 down to 9 were girls. The contest then had five males and two females. Then the tide changed consummating with Durbin's exit five males were eliminated back to back (8th to 4th) resulting in the final three being two girls 20-year-old Haley Reinhart and 16-year-old Lauren Alaina will compete against 17-year-old McCreery for the Idol title making this the youngest final three in Idol history. In part that was helped by the program lowering the age limit. This is the first season in which the contestant age minimum was reduced to 15 years old. The maximum age however remains 28.

This week the final three will visit their home towns that will be televised in the upcoming program thus we will have an insight as to what their home life is all about. Who will win Season 10? Stay tuned...

ELIMINATED

# 5 - Jacob Lusk

# 6 - Casey Abrams

# 7 - Stefano Langone - Review canceled due to lack of interest

# 8 - Paul McDonald - Review canceled due to lack of interest

# 9 - PIA TOSCANO

# 11 & 10 - THAI MEGIA & NAIMA ADEDAPO

# 11 - CASEY ABRAMS SAVED

# 12 - KAREN RODRIGUEZ

# 13 - ASHTHON JONES

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