Like a lot of people, I thought that the revelation that Scott Savol had an arrest record would get him voted off last night. But it didn’t, and now I’m wondering if it really has any bearing on his status in the competition.
It’s been discussed here and on other boards: he wasn’t disqualified when the story broke because allegedly the producers had already known about it; he didn’t lie to them; and it wasn’t a pending case, like it was with Corey Clark. However, my feelings on the matter are mixed.
First of all, the news wasn’t much of a shock to people who’ve been watching this season right along. He’d already been shown being uncooperative during the Hollywood rounds*, and he always seems sullen at best. Heck, just last night, he didn’t shake Nikko’s hand before going back to the couch! I was already inclined to dislike him for his attitude.
But on the other hand, I can’t help thinking, “Who am I to judge?” Last season, there were some people who disapproved of Fantasia having a baby out of wedlock, when she was underage, no less. And last year, when I was a diehard John Stevens supporter, I was often told, “Yes, I’m sure he’s a nice kid…but you’re not supposed to be voting for the nicest person; you’re supposed to vote for the best singer!” And Scott’s defenders have been saying, “But it was four years ago; he’s still on good terms with his kid’s mom; he’s been to anger management and repented and goes to church and all that…Let him live it down already!”
So I don’t know. I’m still reeling at the idea that he got more votes than anyone, based solely on his performance last night. But if he’d knocked it out of the park, should I then have disregarded his arrest record and his thug demeanor?
*Although someone suggested that his walking away from his group wasn’t necessarily a dis, but something he’d been told to do during anger management class: when things get tense, leave rather than do something you might regret.