Idol Chatter & Voice Views

Slowly, but surely, I’m regaining my faith in American Idol voters.

After Pia Toscano’s way-too-soon elimination earlier this month, Nigel Lythgoe implied viewers would be shocked every week henceforth, because the Idol talent is so good this year.

Well, Paul McDonald went home last week, and it wasn’t a major shock.

And, tonight, Cute Boy Idol sent home its cutest boy. And kept both remaining female contestants.

And I don’t think too many people will be shocked.

Throw in performances by David Cook and Katy Perry, and Idol once again put on a pretty entertaining results show.

By the way, Nigel, I prefer performances by former Idols over guest stars any day. Always nice to see the likes of David Cook back on the Idol stage.

And, by the way, if you plan to watch tonight’s episode on your DVR, fast forward through the “Vida la Vida” performance by James Durbin, Casey Abrams and Scotty McCreery. I mean, it was “Plan 9 from Outer Space” bad.

On with the recap.

Stock rising: Casey got lots of praise for last week’s subdued performance of “Nature Boy.” This week, rocker Casey returned, and he got even more praise. Plus lots of publicity from having the pluck to peck the world’s most beautiful woman on the cheek mid-performance. I’d dropped Casey all the way to number five a couple weeks ago in my Idol rankings. Now I think he’s likely to be one of the last three standing. Along with … James Durbin and Scotty McCreery.

Deserved his fate: Seriously, if you go back and objectively watch Stefano’s performance from last night, I’d think you’d have to agree with voters’ decision to send him home. He seemed more focused on his dancing and his strut than his singing. But, look, the guy has a lot to celebrate. He was a wild card pick to make the finals, along with Ashthon Jones and Naima Adedapo. He outlasted all the wild cards and wound up seventh on Idol. Not too shabby.

Very, very lucky: Let’s put Haley here, because Ryan rescued her from the torture of a long commercial break sitting on a stool, pondering her fate. I mean, no sooner had the Girl with the Growl settled into a stool than Ryan delivered the news that she was safe. Then again, Haley deserves such luck. Her stock seems to be rising too. Perhaps because people have been able to watch her improve over the course of the show … which used to be what Idol was about. I haven’t seen that kind of improvement in any of the other contestants that remain.

On the bubble: I’m sorta glad Jacob Lusk survived tonight’s show. I haven’t enjoyed many of his performances; Wednesday’s was the exception. He seemed to sing rather than show off all the tricks he can do while singing. And it was a performance full of emotion. That said, Jacob’s fan base might have taken him as far as it can take Idol’s diva.

Stock sinking: She’s yet to appear in the bottom three. But Lauren Alaina, the judges’ favorite from way back in the auditions, has failed to strike that star spark either. This week, she was given the show’s pimp spot, singing last, and did nothing with it. I fear she’s lost the fearlessness and playfulness that was so endearing in the early episodes of season 10.

Coming next: Idol strangely goes from one of its broadest themes, Songs of the 21st Century, to one of its narrowest, Songs of Carole King.

What to look for: And the most interesting aspect of Idol next week might be the results show, when either Lauren Alaina, Scotty, James or Casey will have to wind up in a bottom three.

Coming tomorrow: An exit interview with Stefano Langone.