Idol Chatter & Voice Views

Apparently, there’s been a change of themes for the next episode of American Idol.

Friday morning, Idol issued a press release announcing guest performers for next Thursday and a theme of “Song of the 1980s.”

Now, television promos and the americanidol.com website tell us that the top 11 redux will feature the songs of Elton John.

Gee, that’s just great.

First off, you’d think Idol — which is only the top-watched show in the land — could gets its signals straight on what’s coming the following week.

Second, Elton John songs? Seriously?

Whatever happened to the fresh themes we were supposed to get in Season 10. This is recycled garbage from season three.

And what happened to the broad theme weeks Nigel Lythgoe promised us. The ones that were supposed to allow the finalists to stick to the genres they sing best.

Instead, Scotty McCreery and Lauren Alaina will be forced to force their country twang onto Elton John classics.

This, Idol, is not a step in the right direction.