Michael Johns: The Stiff From Down Under

16. So what if he didn't tip. The guy just got kicked off the biggest rigged show since the $64,000 question!

Posted at 2:51PM on Apr 13th 2008 by widgettthechihuahua

17. American Idol is still responsible for Michael. It's part of their contract to take care of expenses (such as tipping). Keep that in mind before jumping to unfair conclusions about his character.

Posted at 2:34PM on Apr 13th 2008 by Elizabeth

18. In many countries, and in Australia for certain, service workers are paid a living wage for their labor and customers do not tip. Tipping in those countries is not needed and is not the custom. If this gentleman has not traveled outside his country without handlers at his side, he likely doesn't know or understand American manners and customs. In fact, many, many Americans have not traveled even outside their region of the country and know very little of other countries or cultures. That is why many Americans come across as "ugly Americans" wherever they travel, because they insist that everyone in other countries carry out all things in an "American" way. Ignorance is rampant!

Posted at 2:43PM on Apr 13th 2008 by JonSE

19. This D Bag has lived in America now for a pretty long time (at least five years... maybe ten). He should know to tip.

Posted at 8:15AM on Apr 14th 2008 by Kevin

20. Agree u should stop kicking him when he was down. He will be the Chris Daughtry of this season. Totally unfair he was booted off the show.

Posted at 3:03PM on Apr 13th 2008 by little k

21. I think the whole concept of tipping is lame. Employers should pay a decent wage and not expect the public to subsidize their employee's wages.

Posted at 3:11PM on Apr 13th 2008 by Maizie

22. its not as big a deal as when he was mercilessly booted off in such a cruel manner. Nope, nothing can ever undo the damage done unless he's brought back to compete and win this which he is more than capable of

Posted at 3:15PM on Apr 13th 2008 by toby

23. I have to admit, I am guilty of this one also as I didn't know you were supposed to tip skycaps. Oh well. I learn something new from TMZ every day.

As for MJ getting kicked off AI, I agree with some others that this was wrong and the show is fixed. Both Dial Idol and Tivo predicted Syesha to go home. D.I. had Carly Smithson and David Cook in the bottom three along with Syesha, but MJ got sent packing instead. Theres something fishy in that. I think A.I. in their quest to be the most PC show ever, kept Syesha because she is the only African American left in the competition and they wanted the show to have a racial balance. Carly and David C. along with David A. are the judges pets so they arn't going anywhere for awhile. The votes don't matter, the producers and judges choose who stays.

Posted at 3:29PM on Apr 13th 2008 by Cat Eyed Girl

24. Idol pays for that stuff while they are flying him everywhere. Geez, how do you make that conclusion out of that? The paparazzi can do just about anything with those videos!

Posted at 6:19PM on Apr 13th 2008 by rainman

25. Michael, has a dream and he is going after it. Who care's if he has no money has money what ever. If you cant go after your dream what the use of LIFE!! People it's all about your dreams. Just keep true to yourself. Everyone has a dream. Some of people are just afraid to scrafice what ever they have to,achive them.

BEST WISHES TO MICHAEL....

Posted at 3:56PM on Apr 13th 2008 by Douger O.C Calif. Way. spreading the LOVE.

26. I though the contestants were paid for incidentals during the contest. I remember reading last year that they were being paid just under $1,000 per week. He shouldn't be that broke if they are getting paid.

Posted at 3:59PM on Apr 13th 2008 by Mewithanopinionthatmatters

27. Tips... ? Airline people are the worst, after that comes anyone from England or Europe in general , they have no clue about sevice personel and how they earn a living , BTW Tiger Woods does not believe in tipping from what I have read.

Posted at 4:03PM on Apr 13th 2008 by richard

28. He is SO HOT. Thanks for any glimpse of him I can get!

Posted at 6:47PM on Apr 13th 2008 by Jan Peacock

29. You guys are all idiots, he's been in America for ten years. He knows when and when not it's customary to tip here. : /

Posted at 4:59PM on Apr 13th 2008 by MissMage

30. I worked at the airport for several years, and let me tell you--people from certain countries do not tip, because tips are included where they are from. Like, Canadians, Australians, Brits, the French, Germans, Russians, Romanians, Japanese, the list goes on and on. I do think that if you are going to come to AMERICA, learn our customs, and quit being cheap asses!!!!!!

Posted at 5:03PM on Apr 13th 2008 by scumbag