Idol Chatter & Voice Views

So among the recent Idol-related headlines …

* Access Hollywood is reporting that Elton John turned down a $33 million offer to be a judge on the show.

* Entertainment Weekly is reporting that Idol won’t announce a replacement for Simon Cowell until after this year’s finale.

Reaction to item 1: Ah, let the speculation begin. Or should I say, continue?

Reaction to item 2: Did anyone really think they would?

I mean, the speculation — and resulting media coverage — is bound to keep Idol in the news in those long months between season nine and season 10, when there’s little other reason for Idol to be in the news.

Personally, my favorite take on the whole situation comes from Nigel Lythgoe, the former Idol producer.

In an interview I’ve embedded below, he points out that Idol is successful in other countries, without Simon Cowell. And he says the judges
shouldn’t be the focus of the show, the contestants should be.

The problem: The talent level has dropped in season eight and season nine. Nigel puts it more colorfully. You’ll need to go to the end of the
interview to hear.

Anyway, anyone want to argue that point?

If we needed a reminder, it will come our way tonight courtesy of a performance from Chris Daughtry and his band.

Ah, the fond memories of season five. Remember? Four successful recording artists — Kellie Pickler, Mandisa, Bucky Covington and Chris — weren’t considered good enough by voters to make the final three.

Of course, Chris can’t return to Idol without conjuring up another memory — that shocking elimination show when he was sent home instead of
Ktharine McPhee.

Yep, it happened four years ago.

Could we be in for another shocker tonight? Guess we’ll find out 58 minutes, a Ford video and countless other commercials from now.

Since you’ve got some time to kill, here’s the video of Nigel.

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And, if you want more ways to pass the time and somehow missed my last three blogs, here’s the photo gallery from last night’s show, the re
cap of last night’s show and the song-by-song grades from last night’s show.

Judging from the teaser I just heard for tonight’s show, Fantasia might be performing too.

Does that mean we’re spared a group number?

One can only hope.

OK, that was an unexpected … well, I was about to type “treat,” but I’m not sure that it was.

Anyway, we got to hear the first single (a song called “Bittersweet”) from Fantasia’s new album, which will be out this summer.

She says it’s been “three years too long” since she’s had an album out, promises plenty of soul on the CD and says she helped write some of the
material.

Since I’m in a grading mood, I’ll grade that first single: C-.

Sorry, Fantasia. But I was ready for the song to be over halfway through.

Now, time for some results.

And,
for the second straight week, Casey James, somehow, some way, dodges the elimination bullet.

Did I just see Big Michael Lynche get a little more nervous? Given the way voters have been ousting gals this year, I
wouldn’t think Crystal Bowersox is feeling overly safe either.

While the Big Mike, Crystal and Lee DeWyze nervously sit in their stools, Daughtry performs “September” off the “Leave This Town” album. Liked that a whole lot better than the first performance of the evening. Grade: B+ .

Hey, don’t you love it when Idol brings back the former contestants to perform? I have no idea why they don’t follow this three-guest artist format for every results show. It makes them much more entertaining.

Time for more results.

Lee is safe, and heading back to Chicago for a hero’s welcome on Friday.

That leaves Michael and Crystal standing center stage with their Idol fate on the line.

No way voters are going to eliminate Crystal, right?

Whew!

I can’t say voters got it right tonight.

Casey James should be going home.

But at least Crystal survived to sing another day.

Big Michael Lynche is eliminated from American Idol.