I agree with you that this is all about the press coverage.
This series seems to be a mockery of how it was and it's much more controversial than usual. The footage of bickering judges etc is proof of that. It just feels there is a negative air over it all.
Simon is ridiculous. He has said for weeks that Jedward winning this show will be bad for it/him but yet he gives them the chance to stay, knowing (I feel) Jedward will have had more votes.
It's either he knows Lucie was a threat (she's great) to his three and/or he loves the fact the ratings will be up cause of Jedward.
Either way, it's a disgrace that he trod on a young girl with talent to do this. Especially when he said 'I'll base this on THIS performace'. What will she think now? It'll destroy her confidence because she's see it that her talent wasn't enough to beat them...without talent!
That second performance was terrible - the whole 'dancing' and 'singing'. Lucie stood and sang beautifully...hope you're happy Cowell.
Thing is, Jedward fans will now vote in earnest so they probably won't be in the bottom two next week, and those who love the bad reaction to them will vote too.
But Simon has made a mistake - the girls (Danni and Cheryl) will be gunning for his acts now...will he find it as funny if next week it is Jedward and Danyl/Olly/Jamie in the bottom two and Jedward stay with a vote of 3-1 from the panel? Doubt it...
Not saying I want this to be the case, I like Olly and Danyl, but Danni especially will be fuming - she's lost two fab girls with bags of talent and yet Jedward remain...it's a sign of how silly this show has become.