This is the third week in a row that we've seen Jason Castro thrown firmly under a bus. Third. In a row. This is not counting the incident on Larry King Live over a month ago when Randy and Simon pretty much said that Jason didn't deserve to be there and was better off as a "bar singer".
And unfortunately, it seems that the lemmings are catching on to what they say and believing it.
He forgot a line tonight in his performance of Mr. Tambourine Man. He was blasted by a laughing Randy and told by Simon to pack his bags. Because no one ever in the history of Idol has ever forgotten words, right? Never mind the fact that David Archuleta has forgotten lyrics twice in the finals, and the second time no one said a word. When Brooke did her infamous "start and stop" two weeks ago, Simon and Randy called her "brave".
Since PaulaGate last week, when she blasted Jason's second performance before he even sang it [and was set to sing it only minutes after, without any time to regroup], it really seems that TPTB are at their wits end. If Jason being lackluster last week, complete with a dis fest from the judges, couldn't get him kicked off, what's left to do? The judges have already made the talk show circuit saying he's only there because he's cute, that it's only a "popularity contest" [sure, let's let the unpopular one win, because that's what sells records, right?], implied that he doesn't care and wants to go home... it goes on. No apology was mentioned or given to Jason for what happened last week - which, in seven seasons of Idol, has never happened.
And so the dance continues. The "stoner" comments. The "he doesn't care" comments. In all honesty, minus the flubbed lyric, this is the best he's been in weeks. He really went out there and seemed to have an attitude of "they're gonna trash me anyway, I'll sing what I want and what I'm good at and let the chips fall where they may". And for that, good for him. He's experienced John Stevens levels of hatred from the judges and producers and even some of the mainstream media. What short memories they have. He's had two "moment" performances this season and quite a few more very good ones, but now he's the second coming of Sanjaya, this time with more vitriol.
TPTB must be scared. They must be scared out of their bloody minds if they feel that they have to go this far. Simon continued his Jason bashing well into his critique of David A.'s performance [David defended Jason] and Paula had to tell the judges to stop when they were lambasting Jason, Randy laughing the entire time. They really must be scared that Jason has the fanbase and "screw you" vote to potentially carry him into the finale. The boards were ruthless - and to be honest, I don't think people would say the things they do if the judges had been less hateful. He was not horrible tonight, not by a longshot. He sang two songs by legendary singer-songwriters and he did them justice. But that was just too much to ask for, wasn't it?
I give Jason a hell of a lot of credit. He's taken every word of this with very few comments back, still remaining respectful, still plugging along every week. He's resurrected two beloved performances from two deceased singers and brought them back into the public eye in a very positive way. He's been consistent in his style, never "selling out" to the glory-noting ideals of Idol. He's never pandered for votes, either in song selection or in tears. He's been who he was from the beginning - a college kid, strong in his faith and his love for music, who is simply on the ride of his life on Idol. He's been grounded through and through, never letting on that his career would be obsolete if he were voted off. Against every odd stacked against him, he's made the top four on the biggest talent show there is.
I applaud him. I firmly believe that if he gets voted off tomorrow, he will be a force to reckon with. TPTB don't seem to realize just how marketable he is, both in his looks and in his musical style. He has original material that is a joy to listen to. He sounds best when he either doesn't give a shit or when he knows his back is against a wall [the semi-finals notwithstanding]. And for that, I applaud him. In a generation full of entitled fame wannabes, he's the real deal. I can't wait to see what's next for him.
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