Booted: Geeky 'Idol' John Peter Lewis

By Stephen M. Silverman

Friday April 16, 2004 01:00 AM EDT

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And now there are seven. On FOX's "American Idol" Thursday night, baby-faced pen salesman John Peter Lewis, 24, got the ax, with show host Ryan Seacrest saying, "JPL, man are we going to miss you dancin' around on this stage."

"It's been great," JPL said back to Ryan.

The other two "Bottom Three" contestants, Diana DeGarmo and John Stevens will remain, as will Fantasia Barrino, Jennifer Hudson, George Huff, LaToya London and Jasmine Trias.

Lewis, from Rexburg, Idaho, sang Elvis Presley's "Jailhouse Rock" on Wednesday (the show aired a day later than usual because of President Bush's Tuesday press conference), prompting guest judge Quentin Tarantino to say, "You are the geekiest rock singer since Freddy and The Dreamers."

Before leaving for good, Lewis said: "This experience has been really amazing. I know I've always really liked music and always dreamed of maybe pursuing it. And I've been given an opportunity to do that -- to fulfill a dream. ... I can do more than sell a pen."

Meanwhile, "The Bachelor" creator Mike Weiss, inspired by off-key "AI" contestant William Hung, has sold the WB network on a sort of backwards version of "American Idol," to be called "The WB Superstar USA," in which truly awful singers will compete. Their prize will be makeovers and singing and dancing lessons.

"The WB Superstar USA" is set to premiere May 17.