Idol Chatter & Voice Views

Idol surprised us with guest stars two weeks ago, when Stevie Wonder and Hulk Hogan showed up on stage with the contestants.

Idol surprised us with group performances last week, with a pair of duets, a trio and a debut performance by the Band on the Run (James Durbin, Casey Abrams, Paul McDonald and Stefano Langone).

So what surprise does Nigel Lythgoe have in store for tonight’s results show?

After all, so far, we have only one announced performer — season four Idol alum Constantine Maroulis, who has gained acclaim playing Drew Bowie in the Broadway musical, “Rock of Ages.”

Might Steven Tyler take the stage in some form or fashion?

Perhaps a more intriguing question for Nigel is this: What was will.i.am doing mentoring the contestants on rock week during the supposedly mentor-free Season 10 of American Idol?

I posed the question last night. I’ve yet to find an answer.

One thing is certain, Idol shouldn’t have to manufacture suspense tonight. Last night’s show featured a round of  middling to solid performances. No one exactly raised their hand with a dud and proclaimed, “Send me home.”

My guess is that the Band on the Run might lose Stefano Langone.

But I’ve also wondered about the fan support for Jacob Lusk. About whether support for Lauren Alaina might be waning. About whether Paul McDonald’s visit to the stools was a one-time phenomenon or a sign of a lack of viewer interest.

And, perhaps most intriguing of all, what will happen with Ms. She Sings Sexy, Haley Reinhart?

A couple of weeks ago, she looked like a prime candidate for an early departure.

But the last two weeks, she’s performed more like a contender than a pretender.

First impression from tonight’s show: That’s the outfit Pia should have worn to rock in. Tonight, she looks like she’s ready to rock Tina Turner style. I have no idea what Gwen Stefani had her wearing last night.

Second impression: A Russell Brand guest appearance is not a pleasant surprise.  Ah, Pia’s being kind. Because that wasn’t funny. And won’t inspire me to rush right out and see the new Russell Brand film.

The results begin. Casey Abrams, Lauren Alaina and Stefano Langone head to the center of the stage. OMG. We’re going to pick apart the only piece of negative feedback the judges gave a performer all night. Lauren Alaina makes the final eight. Casey Abrams makes it through. Stefano heads for the bottom three.

Seriously, Constantine Maroulis is going to sing “Unchained Melody” on rock week. He looks tortured. And this is going to go down as more overbaked than any Jacob Lusk performance. Which is saying something. Hmm. No wonder Constantine didn’t win on Idol.

Third impression: This results show is a bore compared to the last two. I really did not need that Gwen Stefani segment.

More results: Paul McDonald, Pia Toscano and Scotty McCreery head center stage. Does that mean one of them is heading to the stools?

Scotty is safe. Paul is safe. Pia is in the bottom three. Huh?

Fourth impression: They must have saved all the lamest segments for tonight’s results show.

More results: James Durbin, Haley Reinhart and Jacob Lusk head center stage.

James is safe. No surprise there.

Haley is safe for a third straight week. And Jacob heads to the stools.

And Randy Jackson looks stunned.

Why, Randy? Because all the special treatment Jacob has been getting — like the hugs, like last night’s duet — aren’t working?

I’ll be perfectly fine if Jacob or Stefano go home tonight.

Now we get a shirtless Iggy Pop interlude. You know, if a singer’s lyrics need to be bleeped out that much, maybe he or she isn’t suited to perform on this show.

And Jacob Lusk is safe after Ryan Seacrest pulled an almost cruel fakeout.

Pia Toscano is eliminated from American Idol.

And Stefano is safe.

A brutal episode of Idol just hit a new low.

Recap coming soon.