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Castro and His Drealocks Kicked Off 'Idol'

By Dan Whitcomb,
Reuters
Posted: 2008-05-08 06:55:02
LOS ANGELES (May 8) - Jason Castro, the mellow singer whose dreadlocked good looks earned the devotion of countless teenage girls, was voted off "American Idol" Wednesday, leaving three finalists to compete for the show's top prize.

The departure of Castro, 20, whittled the competition on the top-rated TV talent show down to scruffy alternative rocker David Cook, baby-faced crooner David Archuleta and last-girl-standing Syesha Mercado.

Castro had been advised to pack his suitcase by no-nonsense "Idol" judge Simon Cowell Tuesday after bungling the lyrics to Bob Dylan's 1965 classic "Mr Tambourine Man" and showed little surprise as he was given the hook.

He smiled broadly and clapped as host Ryan Seacrest broke the news and laughed during his final performance, a version of Bob Marley's "I Shot the Sheriff."

The Texas-born Castro, who collected the fewest votes from viewers, was booted in the final minutes of the show after performances by pop rockers Maroon 5 and season four finalist Bo Bice.

He attributed his downfall to his inexperience, telling Seacrest that he had tried to pick songs he was familiar with but "even then I screwed it up."

So Long, Castro
His Dylan Flub


Seacrest said nearly 51 million votes were cast on the show this week, a season high.

"American Idol" pits singers from across the country against one another in a months-long competition. Past winners such as Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood have gone on to music stardom.

While "Idol" remains America's most-watched TV show, this year has seen its second straight season of declining ratings. Variety has reported that Nielsen data showed "Idol" was averaging 28.9 million viewers on its Tuesday and Wednesday night broadcasts -- down 8 percent from 31.3 million one year ago at this point.

The show's winner, who is awarded a recording contract, will be announced during the live finale in May.

Copyright 2008 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon. All active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL.
2008-05-08 06:55:02
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12 comments

jbenson788 01:31:11 PM May 08 2008

I thought Jason was very talented and I am 50. Jason record a CD I will buy it for sure!!!!!!!!!!

cyn2beloved 12:30:54 PM May 08 2008

Stoned all the time , do you have proof? Did you SEE him light a big fat doobie? Geesh can't someone have dreads and be happy with out people ASSUMING they are on drugs ? Your also very wrong to ASSUME that he only appealed to teeny bopper girls. I am 45 and have worked in the music industry for 30 of those years, yes I was 15 when I started . Jason Castro is incredibly talented and has one of the most tender voices I have ever heard. I never thought he would win from the beginning but he is amazingly talented and deserves credit for that. He has not been pushed out on a stage all his life, he was not accustomed to singing in front of any one much less all the hoopla involved with American Idol. Wyy must people be so mean and degrading ? I can only hope your never judged as harshly, and never have to sit and read slanderous statements about your self. I think Jasons own words fit very well here..It is all ok in the end, if it is not ok then it is not the end.
I greatly admire him,

Catlade54 12:16:35 PM May 08 2008

I personally loved Jason and am sorry to see him go. His voice is not a powerhouse but to me is very relaxing and mellow. If he has a cd I will definitely buy it, especially if records Over the Rainbow which blew me away!! And I am not a teenybopper---just turned 54!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

GlennENelson 12:07:12 PM May 08 2008

I admit I am not in the typic demographics of American Idol. I am over 50. This is the first time that I have watched it from the first week on. I caught bits and pieces of the out of town auditions and a little of Hollywood week.

Jason Castro was a disaster on wheels. His range is slight, his understanding of music is slight. BTW I used to be in the talent agency business. Brooke had far more talent. Katy (I think that was her name who saved her spot with GOD BLESS THE USA) had more talent. Carly who I could not look at because of the tat's (personal opinion folks don't go balastic on me) had far more talent.

As a performer, Syesha has it all over the remaining guys. David A, give me a break, he is so wet behind the ears, he will be a one hit wonder. David Cook does not have the cross over appeal, he is rock and roll. Syesha is a personality who has bloomed and grown. She is easy on the eyes- David A drives me nutz with his bad eye contact-it's like his contacts don't fi

jim2chel 12:02:42 PM May 08 2008

This boy was so stoned last night he didn't care if he won or lost! What an american idol that would have made!

wllttbl 11:54:43 AM May 08 2008

why does anyone think syesha can sing or have you bothered to listen. ising better in the shower

jdtphd 11:37:45 AM May 08 2008

He certainly should have been voted off before Carly Smithson and Brooke White. I wish him luck in his music career, as well as a new hairstyle!

vlynn1025 11:05:28 AM May 08 2008

Hi, RCStrange:
I totally AGREE with you I mean He had no Real Talent and he just was on there because of some teeny bopper girls! Just like that time with Sanjaya and they showed that 13 year old girl crying on the show!! So I am glad he got voted off. No offense to him or his dreadlocks! but his Singing Stunk!! Sorry but I am just saying what I feel!!

vlynn1025 11:03:04 AM May 08 2008

Another thing that happpened was after the show that night as usual you could Vote!?? Well, I tried and I Tried but it seemed to either be Gridlocked and it came on as a Number that was disconnected??? I am In Jackson, Miss and I Just could not VOTE that night!!! Anyone else have this problem. I did Call and then Email Fox to see what was up with that!! They only thing they could say was Alot of People were getting in their votes!! Sooo. I guess it was Gridlocked!!

vlynn1025 11:01:03 AM May 08 2008

I hate to say this but Jason Castro should have been voted off along time ago!! Just wasn't my Favorite!! His Songs were always weak. Maybe a few good but he needed to go!! I think the only think keeping him on there WAS THE TEENAGE GIRLS THAT LOVE HIM AND HIS DREADLOCKS!! GLAD HE IS GONE! NOW ON WITH THE SHOW!

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