The good news: 'American Idol' cut down to a one-hour performance episode this week.The bad news: It didn't finish on time and cut off a contestant. And that contestant was front-runner (and controversy-generator) Adam Lambert.
Usually, the final performance in the line-up is known as the "pimp slot," since that's the last one viewers remember as they dial. But tonight, 'American Idol' cut down to one hour, and host Ryan Seacrest couldn't keep things running on time.
Instead, the show ran over eight minutes long, and Adam, who sang last, didn't make it in before 9PM ET.
So, if you heard screams coming from the next room or the next house, they probably came from a DVR user who didn't get to see Adam rock 'Mad World' by Tears for Fears and get a standing ovation from the judges.
Bad form, 'Idol.' If Adam, who's never been in danger so far this season, winds up in the bottom three -- we'll know whose fault it is.
UPDATE: Maybe it isn't Seacrest's fault. The host defended himself on Twitter, saying that his DVR also missed Adam's performance: "idol went long. producers build the show time... 8 singers 4 judges... my tivo cut out too." However, bloggers like MJ are placing blame on the show's director: "Bruce Gowers needs to be fired."
Sound off: Do you think this will hurt Adam's chances this week? And Popeater asks: Which version of 'Mad World' is better -- Adam's or Tears for Fears'?
American Idol' Show Photos
AMERICAN IDOL 8 The final 9: Bottom Row L-R: Allison Iraheta, Lil Rounds, Scott MacIntyre. Middle Row L-R: Kris Allen, Anoop Desai, Matt Giraud. Top Row L-R: Adam Lambert, Danny Gokey and Megan Joy.
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AMERICAN IDOL 8 The bottom two L-R: Michael Sarver and Matt Giraud. Airs Thursday, March 26, 2009.
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AMERICAN IDOL 8 Superstar Stevie Wonder performs a Motown Medley. Airs Thursday, March 26, 2009.
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AMERICAN IDOL 8 The bottom three L-R: Matt Giraud, Michael Sarver and Scott MacIntyre. Airs Thursday, March 26, 2009.
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AMERICAN IDOL 8 Joss Stone and Smokey Robinson perform. Airs Thursday, March 26, 2009.
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AMERICAN IDOL 8 Allison Iraheta performs in front of the judges. Airs Wednesday, March 25, 2009.
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AMERICAN IDOL 8 Danny Gokey performs in front of the judges. Airs Wednesday, March 25, 2009.
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AMERICAN IDOL 8 Adam Lambert performs in front of the judges. Airs Wednesday, March 25, 2009.
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AMERICAN IDOL 8 Lil Rounds performs in front of the judges. Airs Wednesday, March 25, 2009.
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AMERICAN IDOL 8 Michael Sarver performs in front of the judges. Airs Wednesday, March 25, 2009.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 143)
I record AI and then after an hour or so, watch it and still have time to vote. Adam was done an injustice. Just to see Simon stand up and applaud him would've been worth it. I finally found it on
http://ktimothy.com/American-Idol/2009/04/07/top-8-songs-from-the-year-they-were-born/
Thank you SO much for the link. I just spent 2 hours trying to find a video of Adam's missing performance. It'll be interesting to see how this situation affects the voting.
We also record all AI shows but as mentioned on a a previous comment, anyone who uses a DVR regularly should know to set their DVR to run
5-10 minutes past a show's scheduled end time. Many times shows run over for one reason or another. Adam did a great job as did 3 or 4 others. I certainly don't think this would
hurt Adam's chances.
I record and watch it also within an hour so I can vote. I was so upset when I didn't get to see Adam. I knew he was probably great, so I voted for him anyway, snd I was right. After watching it on the link, he is, in my opinion, the next American Idol.
I live in Maryland, and we saw his performance and the judges standing ovation.
I think it was terrible to cut off Adam. Totally unfair. If he does end up in the bottom three(which I doubt will happen) it should be discounted and the fourth from the bottom should take his place in the bottom three. Ryan should stop talking so much, he is becoming more annoying than Simon.
OK.....I'm as big of an Adam fan as anyone, but I just don't get all the fuss over this performance (even though mine was cut off as well, and just now saw it this morning online.....) Maybe I was let down because I knew that Simon never gave a standing "O" before, so I was expecting to be absolutely blown away....well, I just watched it, and I really don't think this was a top 3 in his performances...I found it boring, pitchy, and that last high note was WAY sharp before he finally locked it in!!! I just LOVE it when he cuts into that scream singing that he does so well, but up until that point, sometimes his voice is quite "girly" and nasally....but I do think he's gonna win by a mile! Just my opinion.
I don't think it will hurt Adam. He is to good. If they would keep Simon and Paula from acting like kids the show would be on time and not run over. They want the attention instead of the singers. Not fair to singers.
I had an evening class to attend to so I taped the show. I taped it over the time about five minutes. I was looking forward to hearing the phenomenal Adam perform and the screen turned to blue. My husband heard me swear at the TV. Now I know why! I have never heard of a more gifted singer than Adam. Being a music teacher for close to 30 years I am totally lost for words with what he can do. The true winner or not, he already has it made as a recording artist. His versatility with the expressiveness in his voice marks him as one of the greatest qualities I've personally heard in a very long time. TV, it's your fault! A standing ovation proves his worth and that's the top praise you could ever give to any one...a verying deserving individual like Adam Lambert!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jean Nauer
I hope this does not hurt Adam...I watch it during time it's on but next week will be on a cruise and will DVR it. I hope that this does not happen again. If Paula would shut her BIG MOUTH and get on then they would not run so long. She never makes sense and she says the same thing over and over again why is she there???