Gina a Goner on 'Idol'

Apr 05, 12:53 PM

Current Headlines: By Daniel Bubbeo, Newsday, Melville, N.Y.

Apr. 5--Gina Glocksen found it hard to smile, though her heart was breaking last night.

The rocker chick was voted off "American Idol" after singing Charlie Chaplin's "Smile" on Tuesday, a performance Randy Jackson said he "actually kind of liked" but Simon Cowell said he couldn't rave about.

Joining Glocksen in the bottom three were Haley Scarnato, who showed more flesh than flash doing Fats Waller's "Ain't Misbehavin'" on Tuesday, and Phil Stacey, whose performance of Cole Porter's "Night and Day" prompted Cowell to remark "it had all the joy of someone singing in a funeral parlor."

The nine finalists, who performed standards this week, were mentored by Tony Bennett.

The 80-year-old crooner was supposed to perform live last night, but had to bow out because of a bout with the flu. Filling in was current heartthrob Michael Buble, whose erratic performance of "Call Me Irresponsible" made it seem as though he got hold of the wrong Diet Coke glass in the studio.

He sounded unintelligible for most of the song and even forgot the lyrics at one point. He finished by joking to host Ryan Seacrest, "So am I wasting my time by still voting for Antonella Barba?" -- referring to the "Idol" semifinalist who became a media magnet after unflattering photos allegedly of her surfaced online.

The audience failed to laugh.

The show concluded with Glocksen being told that she'd be heading home and Seacrest's announcement that next week the remaining eight performers will tackle Latin rhythms under the guidance of Brookville's own Jennifer Lopez.

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