Idol Chatter & Voice Views

Well, American Idol outdid itself Wednesday night.

The Idol Gives Back / Results show was so bizarre, so off tempo, it took an extra half-hour.

Heck, until some decent-end-of-show performances by Elton John (“Your Song”) and Annie Lennox (“My Universal Child”), I was about to declare the night a total disaster.

Idol even got rid of the wrong contestant. And then didn’t let him sing a farewell song.

I mean, heck, I guess all that earlier nonsense just took too long.

On one hand, we had truly touching video of folks in need here in the U.S. and in Africa. The segments from Annie and David Cook were particularly well done.

On the other, we had a phony phone bank and viagra jokes courtesy of Russell Brand and Jonah Hill. And cougar jokes courtesy of George Lopez.

Then there were songs that seemed totally out of touch with the occasion, like when Fergie was strutting across the stage in some sort of snake-skin outfit while the Black Eyed Peas sang “Rock That Body.” (Wouldn’t “One Tribe” have fit the evening better?) Followed by saucy numbers from Josh Stone and Alicia Keys.

Carrie Underwood seemed to have a clue about what the night was about when she sang “Change,” a song that sounded like it was written for the occasion.

But she was soon followed by a moderately funny but totally pointless stand-up routine by comedian Wanda Sykes.

Again, just what did that have to do with Idol Gives Back?

A piece of advice for Idol executive producer Cecile Frot-Coutaz: Clean house. Because that show was a total mess.

It was as disjointed and off-key as any performance we’ve seen from an Idol contestant this season.

Even from Haeley Vaughn on her most off-key night.

Even from Todrick Hall when he tried to rearrange songs.

Even from Tim Urban. At his worst.

Speaking of poor Tim, Vote for the Worst has lost its hero. He was eliminated last night. Just a week after being dubbed Mr. Zero to Hero by Simon Cowell.

The recap …

Stock rising: I didn’t think Crystal Bowersox would be able to improve her standing much, she’s performed so well all season. But she did just that with Tuesday’s emotional rendition of “People Get Ready.” You’ve probably heard the rumors that she was on the verge of leaving the show at one point, supposedly because she missed her family and wasn’t fond of all the Idol attention. Don’t know if they’re true, but her dad was in the audience for the first time Tuesday night, and she expressed her appreciation in a tweet earlier today.

Another contestant whose stock is rising is Lee DeWyze. Except for that strange bagpipe interlude a couple of weeks back, Lee’s been on the upswing. And this week’s performance of “The Boxer” was his best since the live shows started.

Stock sinking: No one seems to be thinking of Siobhan Magnus as a finalist anymore. Not after three subpar performances in a row. But I was happy to see her survive Wednesday’s elimination show. After all, there are only two gals left. And she has been clearly superior to some of the guys still in the competition.

Very, very lucky: Casey James wound up as the second lowest vote-getter this week. That surprised me, given his vocal ability. Perhaps it will shock him into taking on more challenging songs — songs he can make an emotional connection with — in weeks to come. Watch Crystal, Casey. And take notes. Lots of notes.

On the bubble: Who is voting for Aaron Kelly? Who? The teen with the country twang should have been voted off the show this week on song choice alone. “I Believe I Can Fly” with a hint of country. I’ll believe in Aaron if he ever turns in a memorable performance.

Deserved his fate: Tim deserved this fate after week one of the finals. And after week two. After Tuesday night’s performance in week six? Well, I graded it as one of the worst, along with Aaron Kelly’s. So much for the thinking that good looks and a smile would carry Tim into the finals on a wave of votes from pre-teen texting fiends. I bet some folks who thought that are breathing a sigh of relief right now.

Coming tomorrow: I’ll be adding more photos to the Idol Gives Back photo gallery.

Coming tomorrow: The exit interview with smiling Tim Urban.