Idol Chatter & Voice Views

Can Haley Reinhart survive the criticism she received last night? Will Idol voters finally rally behind a female contestant?

Or will she become the sixth straight girl voted off Idol, further proving the gender problem executive producer Nigel Lythgoe would like to pretend doesn’t exist?

After Pia’s elimination last week, Nigel said Idol viewers will likely be shocked every week from this point on. That the contestants are so good, someone great is going to be voted off every Thursday night.

Hate to burst Nigel’s little fantasy bubble, but no, all the contestants are not that great.

And I don’t think anyone will be all that shocked tonight if Jacob Lusk, Stefano Langone or Paul McDonald gets the boot.

Or, unfortunately, if Haley Reinhart gets sent home.

In fact, lots of people probably expect that after watching Pia follow Naimi, who followed Thia, who followed Karen, who followed Ashthon out of the Idol finals.

The good news: Tonight’s performers include Rihanna and the original Idol, Kelly Clarkson, singing her duet with Jason Aldean. A major, major step up from last week’s talent — Constantine Maroulis and Iggy Pop.

For the record, I’m rooting for Haley. Big time. I’d rather watch and hear her perform than Paul McDonald, Jacob Lusk or Stefano Langone on any Idol theme night.

Hooray, we’re back to the duets and group performances by the Idols. First, our country duo of Scotty McCreery and Lauren Alaina sing “American Honey.”

Does this mean the Band on the Run will perform again? And, if so, does that mean Haley is stuck singing with Jacob Lusk?

Hopefully it means tonight’s episode will be free of the filler crap — like Russell Brand, like TMZ and like Gwen Stefani from last week’s horrid episode.

Hey, Lauren Alaina looks young and fun tonight, like she always should, Gwen. And she sounded very good on that duet with Scotty.

Hey, that Ford commercial was actually pretty cute.

And, look, it’s Haley and Casey singing together. Singing “Moaning.” Why does Haley sing anything that’s not bluesy? She sounds great on this. I mean, fabulous. Better than Casey.

Time for results. Casey, Haley, Lauren and Scotty are center stage.

Scotty is safe. One of the remaining three is in the bottom three.

Lauren is safe as well. Casey is safe. Haley heads to the bottom three after escaping that fate three straight weeks.

Rob Reiner mentors the Idols. Well, makes more sense than having Russell Brand on last week. And Rob’s funnier, too.

Now the original Idol, Kelly Clarkson, returns to the stage, singing “Don’t You Want to Stay” with Jason Aldean. Hope you’re watching, Constantine. They managed to sound great and didn’t murder the song.

New music from Kelly due in September. Possibly a single before that. Here’s hoping.

Here we go. Band on the Run minus Casey and plus Jacob. Two of these four guys are about to join Haley in the bottom three.

Hey, Idol, use this format for every results show. It’s a keeper.

That started out great. Unraveled toward the end. But I still prefer this format a million times over last week’s silliness.

James Durbin, Stefano Langone, Paul McDonald and Jacob Lusk are at center stage.

James, of course, is safe.

Stefano is headed back to the bottom three.

Paul heads to the bottom three; Jacob is safe.

Not sure how. But he’s safe.

Rihanna’s turn to perform. Not bad. Liked the Kelly-Jason duet better. But that was sure world’s better than Iggy Pop. And, look at that, Rihanna managed to sing without getting bleeped once.

Down to the moment of truth.

Hooray, HALEY REINHART STAYS.

And Paul McDonald heads home. Stefano dodges the bottom three bullet yet again.