The Fine Line Between Crying and Whining

It's a tough week to be critical of the contestants, what with being away from home, the stress of multiple auditions and the likelihood that your Idol dreams will more than likely end up being smothered. Yet, I've found something that I can complain about. Why can't some contestants accept rejection?

Case in point, Jessica Furney. Jessica, a 21-year-old stage actress/singer from Wamego, Kansas -- which as everybody knows, is the epicenter of American Midwestern musical theatre -- got the heave-ho from the judges tonight and just couldn't fathom that she didn't make the cut through to the final 24.

She was insistent that the judges had collectively made a mistake by deciding to send her home. In Jessica's mind, there was no possible way that she was not one of the 24 most talented performers in the competition. In front of a nationwide television audience, young Jessica couldn't have embarrassed herself more if she had forgotten lyrics and sang every note off-pitch, while auditioning in her underwear.

Her tirade started as an irritating whine, eventually moved on to incessant aggravation and then painfully sputtered in a desperate, pathetic plea for reconsideration. (Shock and denial, pain and guilt, anger and bargaining.) Mercifully, a weary Simon Cowell roundly dismissed her. As she limped to the lobby of the Kodak Theatre, she proceeded to blame everything else that came to mind for her failure -- everything except her insufficient talent.

Obviously, in the world that is Wamego, Kansas, Jessica Furney never fails an audition.

Furney's bio says that she lives with and is the sole caregiver of her 93-year-old grandmother. She is likely a very exemplary human being. She is passionate and no doubt has a desire to achieve greater things in her life -- things that, to this point, have been out of her grasp.

Ellen and Randy tried to explain to Furney that her career wasn't over and encouraged her to keep trying. One of the judges suggested that Furney would look back at this day see it as a positive turning point in her career. I'm thinking that she'll look back in horror at her immaturity. Each of us has experienced regrettable moments like these. Rarely do they get witnessed by millions and then posted on YouTube for posterity.

Jessica, go back to Kansas. Take care of your grandmother and make the most of her remaining time on this earth. Take pride that by getting to Hollywood, you made it farther than thousands of other hopefuls. Keep auditioning and keep singing.

Stop whining.