Carly Smithson Gets the Boot; Injustice Prevails on American Idol

My blonde must be showing because I "just don't get it." What am I talking about? I'm talking about the" American Idol" fans that voted to keep Brooke White on the show while ousting one of the show's better singers - - Carly Smithson.

I'm not a huge Smithson fan either. I don't think that she can sing every type of music, but let's face it, few singers actually can. There is, however, no doubt that she can sing her type of music - - rock - - with some of the best contestants the show has had in the past. No, not all of them. In my mind, no one tops Daughtery or even Bice, but Smithson is no slouch either.

The song chosen my Smithson may have been her downfall. Few people of this generation likely connect with "Jesus Christ Superstar." It is one of those kinds of songs that is really an acquired taste unless, of course, you were a child of 60's and 70's.

Still the song is not the easiest piece to sing without making it sound monotone and uninteresting. Smithson did neither. I actually thought that she nailed the piece as good as anyone that I have heard at least off the Broadway stage itself.

In contrast, Brooke White failed her song "You Must Love Me," from Evita, in more ways than one. First, she committed a cardinal sin for any singer who wants to be considered a real contender. She lost the lyric.

Beginning a song and then stopping it, and the band's work, just to begin it again is simply a big no no. I have only sung in pop bands and, yes that was many years ago, but even I know better than to go on stage without being certain that I know the lyrics of the song.

Secondly, in the video clip with Andrew Lloyd Webber, White had to be told what the song was about. I can't imagine choosing to sing a song without doing my homework to discern the history of the music and the lyric. Not having that information in mind often means that the song's delivery falls flat.

Even after Webber explained the song to White, she didn't seem to quite grasp it. That glaringly showed in her delivery.