Lisa leaves ‘Idol,’ and viewers mostly agree

Lisa Tucker was sent packing from “American Idol” on Wednesday night, a move many viewers understood. What many of can’t understand is why Bucky Covington is still performing. Some readers also venture that Ace Young would not have made it this far without his looks.

A sampling of your recent e-mail:

THE WORST
“I think overall this was the worst episode of “American Idol” this season. It was like everyone picked the worst song to sing. They need to understand that you shouldn't always pick your favorite song to sing but the song that shows what you do best. If you are a powerhouse singer like Mandisa and Paris pick songs that showcase that, not shake-your-butt songs and contemporary gospel songs. I was very surprised by Katherine being in the bottom three. I think Ace is next to go because he will bomb the country. I'm still sticking with Paris all the way. She just seems to have the total package to me. She is a Fantasia with a better voice.” – Nate

TONE DEAF
“Personally, I thought Katharine sounded terrible this week, and I was astounded when the judges heaped praise on her. I was glad that Simon had his ears checked and corrected himself during the elimination show. A friend of mine who recently moved to Pensacola, FL, said that all of the Idol fans he knows there are voting for Bucky. In the background, I actually heard one of his new friends say "Bucky rocks." Good God. So apparently, there are some tone deaf country lovers out there who are determined to ruin it for everyone else.” – Patrice

THE INEVITABLE
“Lisa was going anyway, either this week or in the next two. The three that are the weakest at this point are clearly Lisa, Bucky and Ace. Of the three, Bucky is the least talented followed in close pursuit by Ace. It is clear that Ace is getting by on his looks. He will be a great model with that look, but so far that is about all he has going for him. Bucky should have been gone long ago. Katherine has no business in the bottom. She is very talented, has the look and is very marketable. That is what this contest is about. She and Chris are the most marketable and have the potential to go on to big things. Chris will do it with or without A.I. Katherine probably would not do as well without A.I. Taylor and Kelly have that unique personality and sound that will get them by. My top four are Chris, Katherine, Taylor and Kelly — in that order.” – Beverly

WRONG SONG
“Lisa had a good strong voice but chose a bad song as most of the others Tuesday did. Katherine is talented and pretty and shouldn't have been in the bottom three. Bucky can't sing and Elliot isn't much better. Ace has dreamy eyes and is a hottie but needs to pick a lot better song next week or his days may be numbered. Had to be the worst vocally sung show so far.” – Sherry

SURPRISED, UNSURPRISED
“Not surprised about Lisa. Very surprised about Katharine. I have no idea how Ace and Bucky lasted this long.” – Dave

BAD GROUP
“I think this is the worst Idol group I've seen. Katharine was painful to listen to as was Ace. Maybe Kelly's song didn't go over well but at least she sang on pitch.” – Susan

BORING SHOW
“This week's show was boring and the songs the contestants sang were not the best. I am not surprised that Lisa is leaving, but Bucky! How much more can we endure? He has got to go. Someone has to start coaching the contestants on song choices! I hope next week's show will be better.” – Nancy

LISA FAN
“Lisa did not deserve to get voted off. She is a great singer! I was definitely surprised by the bottom three, especially that Katharine was in it. I think Ace will be on “American Idol” for several more weeks. I think that Chris or Kellie will win. They are my two favorites.” – Crystal

WIDE OPEN
“I was not surprised Lisa was voted off. I like her and she is a talent but she does not stand out. My biggest surprise was Bucky was not in the bottom three. I think the group in the front row; Mandisa, Kelli, Paris, Chris and Taylor will have to slip to get to the bottom for a few weeks. I think it is wide open this year.” – Donald

GO CHRIS
“I think all the contestants had a bad night. Yes I think Lisa should have gotten voted off, I was surprised about Katharine though. She should not have been in the bottom three. Ace is growing old. His puppy dog look needs to change or something. I think that Chris will win and should win “American Idol,” with Mandisa coming in second.” – Chris

UNWATCHABLE
“I thought that last show was horrible and barely watched it. The singing was not good and I was very disappointed. I don't know if Lisa deserved to get voted off this week, it really should have been Bucky. He irritated me by sitting there in his stupid-looking cowboy hat acting like it was no surprise that it was not a surprise that he wasn't in the bottom three. Yes, I hope Ace goes home and soon, he is being graded on his looks and not his voice. I was surprised that Katharine was in the bottom three but she is getting a little too comfortable and maybe this will help her come back down to earth a little. I think either Chris or Taylor will win.” – Marlene