I have to agree about them hiring people for pure entertainment value.
On the other hand, that geeky, skinny, red-headed guy sang unbelievably good. His voice did not fit him at all. When he first came in, you could see the judges thought he was a joke, and were taken back when he sang. Simon even said he wasn't expecting that voice to come out of him. I hope he goes a long way. He really has a great voice, unfortunately he doesn't have a good look, which is part of being the American Idol.