Carly Hennessy is now Carly Smithson - American Idol 7

Okay, there's still a story here, you know about second chances. But really at this point, American Idol cannot say that Carly Smithson is an "undiscovered talent". Why don't they just sign her up for a record deal right now? Oh yeah, she needs to be on Idol to cultivate a fan base, stupid me...

First of all, there have been many Idol contestants who are "professionals". Taylor Hicks for one has been a "working musician" for years. Chris Daughtry was a member of a band that eventually would become Daughtry. There have been numerous Star Search winners and former contestants. Etc. Etc. Carly Smithson (aka Carly Hennessy) however is a bit unprecedented:

1. She's been hyped up for 2 years. American Idol knew about her since Season 5 when she auditioned in Las Vegas, and most likely knew about her long before that.

2. In 2000, Carly Smithson signed a 6-album recording contract with MCA Records (Vivendi Universal) -- a major label. Not your independent Hickory Records let's record our own CD at home label. An actual recording contract that thousands of American Idol hopefuls aspire for. In 2001 Carly Smithson said: "Some people just struggle. I was very, very lucky." You THINK? Carly Smithson received a $100,000 advance for her first album, plus $5,000 a month in living expenses while the album was being made. She recorded her first CD "Ultimate High" for 2 years, and MCA Records spent a total of $2.2 million on recording, promotion, making a video, and Carly Smithson's living expenses and her car.

3. Carly Smithson's CD was a flop. Her debut single "I'm Gonna Blow Your Mind" alluded to oral sex, and just didn't catch on with anyone. She sold 378 copies.

Now Carly Smithson is on American Idol crying that this could be her year. Her story on television is that she was disqualified and this was her second chance. But we know her real story.

And one more thing: one of Carly Smithson's songs on her album, "Just Missed the Train" was covered by none other than Kelly Clarkson on her debut album "Thankful". How's that for not knowing who Carly Smithson is all these years?

Rickey: "So how does it feel Carly that Kelly Clarkson herself, the biggest American Idol winner to date, covered one of your songs in your debut album?" Delicious recursion what can I say.

I really hope that they are setting Carly up to be the controversial figure this year or an early exit. But if they are setting her up to win, I will be upset. She has "chosen one" written all over her like her arm tattoo.

And of rant. Let's see how this plays out.