Jason Castro's Voters Keep Him Around

Was anyone REALLY surprised when Jason Castro learned he wasn't going to have to make plane reservations for himself and his adam's apple in the elimination episode of Neil Diamond week? As I said before and will say again, those puppy dog eyes and dreadlocks are certainly getting this kid farther than his pipes. He was the first one sent to safety, happy as a clam, and taking it all in stride.

In case you were surprised, disappointed or even appalled, listen carefully to all the squealing that greets his appearance onstage, then compare it with what the Davids get. The Davids are well-loved, but they are not adored!

Now I don't know if this is enough to beat out even one of the Davids, but it might just be enough to land him unfairly in the top 3.

Ryan then sent David Archuleta to safety who appeared to be muttering "omigod" and "wow!" It seemed pretty comical when it was Jason Castro who should have been doing that. David Cook was asked how he felt about Paula's 'prediction' remark that she felt like she was looking at the American Idol. The first thing he thought about, he replied, was Carly Smithson and the 'Kiss of Death', but he allowed that he hoped Paula's words would come true. He was then sent where everyone knew he was going - to safety.

Now of course everyone knew the two ladies, Brooke and Syesha, received the lowest votes but we had to wait to find out who got the lowest. First, there would be entertainment with performances by Natasha Bedingfield and Neil Diamond (whose Mom was in the audience). Then the revelation of who was going to go home would be pronounced.

In between those performances, calls were taken and one of them was from Tara, who turned out to be the first girl Simon had ever kissed when he was 9 years old. Simon is right - this is the weirdest season of American Idol ever. Random callers, indeed. Ryan Seacrest hastened to assure everyone that in no way was kissing by 9 years old being endorsed. Okay then, so why couldn't someone sing "Red Red Wine" and assure everyone that drowning your heartbreak in vino was not being endorsed?

Keep them votes a'comin'

Credit: American Idol

Copyright: American Idol