That Happened!

New York - An American Idol season is not complete without the occasional scandal or surprise. Season 8 just got the big news: Joanna Pacitti has been disqualified while Felicia Barton has taken her place.

Why? Apparently Pacitti had a record deal already with A&M records, but her record sales completely flopped. It was also just discovered that she was very close with a couple of 19 Entertainment Execs. She lived in the same building with the pair and was very good friends with them both. 19 is the production company who is in charge of American Idol.

There has been past seasons where contestants who already had record deals in their past have made it quite far, but the relationship with the execs was what decided the case for American Idol producers.

Barton got the surprise of her life when, after she was eliminated from the running on Wednesday night, she was given a call to be invited back on as one of the remaining 36 contestants.

Tatiana Del Toro has also made it into the final lineup despite her pitchy and at times completely operatic singing. Her whining was also one of the main features of week 1 and 2 in Hollywood. Last night Simon actually requested that she not be annoying during her audition. Although she can carry a tune quite well, her behavior manages to grate on the nerves of most people around her.

Season 8 has left us with an interesting group of Idol-hopefuls so far. Norman Gentle also made it, despite his ongoing roasting of Simon and his inexplicable comedic act.