As was reported, Jermaine Jones was to be booted from American Idol last night after lying about his criminal past.  The show wanted Jones to be on hand for his DQ, but he opted out of that.  However.... Idol still had a slight little twist to keep things interesting.

Ryan Seacrest hinted at the opening of the show that the revelation was coming.

But it wasn’t until 1 hour and 18 minutes into the broadcast – after seven contestants performed — that “Idol” finally rolled out footage from the confrontation between “Idol” executive producers Ken Warwick and Nigel Lythgoe and Jones on Tuesday afternoon.

“In March of last year, you were charged — criminally charged – [with] giving a fake name to police of Joel Jones. In November of last year again, you were criminally charged and you gave them a fake name of Kareem Watkins. You didn’t disclose those charges to us,” Lythgoe told Jones, who sat facing the execs.

Warwick said “Idol” had learned of “four active warrants” out for the singer, something which “surprised” the team.
Nigel Lythgoe said due to the warrants against Jones, he had to be disqualified.

“The fact is, we are not allowed to have anybody that has an outstanding warrant against them on the program. And you’ve got four of them against you,” he said.

“You’ve put us in a very delicate position, really,” Warwick added.

And to add more salt to the womb the two execs went further:
“We just both listened to you sing, and you are absolutely fantastic,” Lythgoe said.

“That’s the best song you have ever sung. It’s fabulous,” Warwick added.

“Idol” then cut to footage of Jones leaving, playing his rehearsal of the number — and with that, Jones’ “Idol” journey came to an end.

Jones did not appear on the show as they had planned. TMZ caught up with Jones, and he had already high-tailed it back to Philly.


The execs said they could have helped Jermaine stay on the show only if he had disclosed the information to prior to it all coming out the way it did.

Lythgoe and Warwick said that many of the contestants that appear on the show are entangled in legal situations ... but the producers insist, "We help them where we can in clearing them up."

Oh well, his 'OLE MAN RIVER' sounding ass is gone... maybe they will bring an ousted contestant back in his place?