American Idol Fans - Joshua Gracin Called to Duty

[DiznEeyore]

He's from the Detroit area, and according to local radio this a.m. (so the info may or may not be accurate) he's been called to duty and put on 24-hour stand-by to deploy. DJ said AI is trying to "negotiate more time" with the Marine Corps. I can't imagine they'll have any luck with that..... It'll be interesting to see if they say anything about this tonight!

 

[Minnie824]

When he was originally in the top they asked him what would he do if this happened and he said that came first. We'll wish him luck if he has to go.

 

[HauntedMansionFan]

There was a recent article in Entertainment Weekly where Simon Fuller (the producer of the show) said that if Josh was called to duty and couldn't finish AI2, he would be given a spot in the final group of AI3. Sounds fair to me.

 

[minniecarousel]

I'm very sure that he won't get voted off for a long time, so it'll be interesting to see what will happen when he is called up. Do they let the person who got voted off stay at that point? I'll be sorry to see him go - he's one of my favorites.

 

[Poohbear123]

but I am glad he is serving for our Country.

 

[BibbidiBobbidiBOO]

I liked him, but was starting to feel that he SHOULD be with his fellow Marines. That should be his first committment. It sounds fair to let him come back and be in the final 10 on another show. It would also make him more likely to win!

 

[Robinrs]

Though he was not one of favorites I always appreciated his dedication to his country and family.

Vaya con Dios, Josh!

 

[TwinMom7]

He's been our favorite since the beginning!!! I think that's great that they will let him come back and compete later. If Josh is gone, my votes will go to Clay.

 

[disykat]

I kind of wondered when they switched to country/rock instead of Disco if they had decided to switch to give Josh a chance to shine - sort of a way of honoring him- and were planning a goodbye announcement tonight. Tonight's show is an hour long and they would have extra time to do a goodbye. Just a thought I had.

 

[GoofieRuthie]

Not sure if it is true or not........ http://www.cumberlink.com/articles/2003/02/05/editorial/francis_volpe/volpe02.txt

I personally don't think American Idol should come before his duty, but......

 

[Dodie]

I can't imagine that, even in war time, the United States Marines wouldn't recognize the value of Josh as a PR/recruiting figure for the Corps.

It is admirable that he will do his duty if called. However, I would have to think that the Marines would realize that he is serving another duty in his current role.

 

[tiggerlover]

Originally posted by HauntedMansionFan
There was a recent article in Entertainment Weekly where Simon Fuller (the producer of the show) said that if Josh was called to duty and couldn't finish AI2, he would be given a spot in the final group of AI3. Sounds fair to me.

I heard this somewhere too.

 

[Miss Jasmine]

I've searched high and low, all I can find is that he is on 24-hours notice but belongs to a support section that will mostly likely NOT be called up. But who knows. If this was the truth though, don't you think Fox would be playing it to the hilt for ratings (not that Fox would ever be a ratings hog ) I'm not sure what to think. But I do agree that he is great Public Relations for the marines and there is a lot to be said for that.

http://www.calendarlive.com/tv/cl-war-braxton26mar26,0,7536388.story?coll=cl-home-more-channels

 

[chris1gill]

I was afraid of this I hope he can stay for a little longer

 

[WDW Poly Princess]

Aww, I had a feeling that would be coming soon. I think getting to be in the finals of the next show is fair, though.

 

[sncbird]

Well, I didn't catch them saying anything about this on the show tonight. But, boy did I need the Kleenex when I watched him (and the others) sing Proud to be an American!!! That was great!!!!!

 

[DiznEeyore]

Originally posted by sncbird
Well, I didn't catch them saying anything about this on the show tonight. But, boy did I need the Kleenex when I watched him (and the others) sing Proud to be an American!!! That was great!!!!!

Unless I missed it, they didn't mention it. I'm wondering if the DJ that mentioned it had accurate info or not ... or maybe AI didn't mention it because producers are trying to work out logistics??

Wasn't that song AWESOME?? I loved that Ryan asked them all to sing it again at the end of the show. Very classy.

 

[tiggerlover]

Being on 24-hour notice doesn't mean he is deploying right away, it just means that he needs to be ready because if and when word comes he would deploy within 24-hours. Our pastor was on 24-hour notice for about a month before his unit finally deployed.

 

[TIdoublegaER]

Here is an article about Josh and the Marines:

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - The U.S. Marine Corps denied on Thursday that singing Marine and "American Idol" finalist Josh Gracin had been given a deal to keep him in the hit TV show and out of the war against Iraq (news - web sites).


Gracin, 22, a lance corporal based at Camp Pendleton, near San Diego, is on notice to deploy at any time just like any other Marine, said spokeswoman Capt. Shawn Haney.


"Since day one, there has been no special exclusion made for him. If his unit deploys, then he deploys with them. His section of his unit is not scheduled at this moment to deploy," said Haney, denying persistent reports that strings have been pulled to keep the singing Marine on U.S. soil.


Gracin, who is attached to the maintenance battalion in the 1st Force Service Group, was on Wednesday voted through by viewers to the final nine contestants on the popular Fox television show to create a new U.S. pop star. The show ends in May.


Gracin is currently sharing the "American Idol" Hollywood Hills house with the other finalists, while keeping up a strict training regimen and keeping daily contact with the Marines. He has been given what the armed forces call "permissive status" -- using some of his annual leave -- to remain on the show.


"We are still treating him like a Marine. He is just in a very unique situation. At the same time, we consider he is doing a really good job representing the Marine Corps on the show," Haney said.

 

[Poohbear123]

The Marine's Don't play, American Idol or not, he is GOING!