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Ryan Seacrest on hot seat over Michael Johns

By April MacIntyre Apr 14, 2008, 23:59 GMT

04/06/2008 - Ryan Seacrest - Idol Gives Back 2008 - Arrivals - Kodak Theatre - Hollywood, CA, USA © Chris Hatcher / PR Photos

Many American Idol fans took umbrage with Ryan Seacrest's remarks made to contestant Michael Johns during the elimination round last week.

The off-putting remarks delivered by Ryan Seacrest that nobody went home during last year's Idol Gives Back was broached when Monsters spoke with Michael Johns last week during a final exit press call-in interview.

"Look, I get the television aspect of this competition, but it was tough," he says, "because I thought, 'OK, I'm going home' and then they said that and I'm like 'Oh, wait a second. I'm not going home, maybe they're just having a good laugh.' I hadn't been in the Bottom Three, so I was thinking that was a possibility, but when reality set in and Ryan gave me a look as if to say, 'I'm so sorry I have to do that.' But you get it. You're in the business and you get it, so I won't hold it against Ryan or anything."

Seacrest responded to Extra regarding the criticism that he was too harsh in the way he eliminated Michael Johns, declaring the latest castoff as “one of the brightest contestants that we’ve ever had.”

In a moment of high televised reality drama - Seacrest hit the totally caught-off guard Johns with the news that elicited boos from the audience. 

Seacrest tells “Extra,”  “Before I said it, and I really like him. I think he’s really clever. Really cool. I think he’ll be very successful…I gave him a look as if [to say] “I’m sorry I have to say this.’”

Today in New York, Johns tells “Extra” about the seconds before he got the axe, saying, “I don't blame Ryan.  He gave me a look ... We just made eye contact... You don't really see it on camera…And he goes buddy, ‘I'm so sorry.’” He also admits that for a second he thought, “Am I being punk’d here? What's going on?”

It was Johns meeting his own idol, olly Parton, that sent him over the moon.

“Dolly Parton, I heard reached out and wants to do a song…That would be great.”

Yes it would, Dolly.  Live up to your promise to Michael; write this one some songs.

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