'Idol' viewers give Brooke White the hook

May 1, 2008 09:05 AM
After a performance of Neil Diamond's "I'm a Believer" this week--which curmudgeonly judge Simon Cowell dubbed "a nightmare"--"American Idol " contestant Brooke White found herself booted from the talent competition Wednesday (4/30).

An evening devoted to Diamond songs, Tuesday's (4/29) performance segment marked the first time the contestants--who also include David Cook, David Archuleta, Jason Castro and Syesha Mercado--sang two songs.

There were no miscues for White this week, but, overall, her performance of "I'm a Believer" was panned by the panel of judges. Judge Randy Jackson dubbed it "a little karaoke." The second song, "I Am I Said," with White playing the piano, went a little better for the Mesa, AZ, native.

"I really, really hated the first song," Cowell said. "It was sort of like girls' night at the karaoke bar. This is the Brooke we like, sitting behind the piano. It wasn't incredible, but it was a million times better than the first song. Well done."

Well done, maybe, but Cook received the compliment of the night after singing "I'm Alive" and "All I Really Need is You." Cook paid tribute to his brain cancer-stricken brother, Adam, by placing his initials on his lapel and also on his guitar.

"I feel like I'm already looking at the American Idol," said judge Paula Abdul.

Cowell added, "I'm going to be honest with you, I thought the first song was OK. I thought the second song was brilliant. You actually made it feel like that song was written this year. You changed the arrangement. You made it work for you. That was smart. Well done."

Archuleta, who performed "Sweet Caroline" and "America," also received good marks.

"This was the absolutely perfect song for you to sing," Abdul said about "America." "Your voice is so on point."

Barefoot Mercado, who was in the bottom two, let loose on "Hello" and the lesser-known "Thank the Lord for the Night Time." Jackson was proud of her performance.

"You know what I'm loving about you at this moment?" Jackson said rhetorically. "I think you're finally realizing who you are. I like you in this."

Diamond had good things to say about Castro, who sang "Forever in Blue Jeans" and "September Morn." However, the judges didn't agree.

"It was just OK," Jackson said. "That was just another OK, whatever, performance for me. Definitely not the best."

Next week's performance show will feature the contestants performing material by members of the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame.

Though White won't be crowned this year's American Idol, she and the other Top 10 contestants will be appearing on the upcoming "American Idols Live " tour, which gets underway July 1.

[Note: The following tour dates have been provided by artist and/or tour sources, who verify its accuracy as of the publication time of this story. Changes may occur before tickets go on sale. Check with official artist websites, ticketing sources and venues for late updates.]
 tour dates and tickets
American Idols Live

July 2008
1 - Glendale, AZ - jobing.com Arena
2 - San Diego, CA - San Diego Sports Arena
3 - Fresno, CA - Save Mart Center
5 - Las Vegas, NV - Thomas & Mack Center
7 - Los Angeles, CA - Staples Center
8 - San Jose, CA - HP Pavilion at San Jose
9 - Sacramento, CA - ARCO Arena
11 - Portland, OR - Rose Garden
12 - Tacoma, WA - Tacoma Dome
14 - West Valley City, UT - The E Center
18 - St. Louis, MO - Scottrade Center
19 - Rosemont, IL - Allstate Arena
20 - Columbus, OH - Schottenstein Center
22 - Indianapolis, IN - Conseco Fieldhouse
23 - Cincinnati, OH - US Bank Arena
24 - Detroit, MI - Joe Louis Arena
26 - Toronto, Ontario - Air Canada Centre
27 - Rochester, NY - BlueCross Arena
29 - Pittsburgh, PA - Mellon Arena
30 - Newark, NJ - Prudential Center

August 2008
2 - Atlantic City, NJ - Boardwalk Hall
4 - Long Island, NY - Nassau Coliseum
6 - Albany, NY - Times Union Center
8 - Hartford, CT - XL Center
9 - Worcester, MA - DCU Center
10 - Manchester, NH - Verizon Wireless Center
12 - Baltimore, MD - 1st Mariner Arena
13 - Philadelphia, PA - Wachovia Center
14 - Washington, DC - Verizon Center
16 - Lexington, KY - Rupp Arena
17 - Charlotte, NC - Charlotte Bobcats Arena
18 - Duluth, GA - Arena at Gwinnett Center
20 - Sunrise, FL - BankAtlantic Center
21 - Tampa, FL – St. Pete Times Forum
24 - Houston, TX - Toyota Center
25 - Dallas, TX - American Airlines Center
26 - Bossier City, LA - CenturyTel Center
28 - Oklahoma City, OK - Ford Center
29 - Kansas City, MO - Sprint Center
31 - Minneapolis, MN - Target Center

September 2008
2 - Green Bay, WI - Resch Center
3 - Grand Rapids, MI - Van Andel Arena
4 - Cleveland, OH - Wolstein Center
6 - Bridgeport, CT - Arena at Harbor Yard
7 - Providence, RI - Dunkin Donuts Center
8 - Wilkes Barre, PA - Wachovia Arena
10 - Ft. Wayne, IN - Allen County Memorial Coliseum
11 - Evansville, IN - Roberts Stadium
13 - Tulsa, OK - BOK Center


 tour dates and tickets

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