Idol Chatter & Voice Views

I had already written most of this blog earlier this evening, on the assumption that Haley Reinhart would be going home tonight.

Folks, I will gladly (gleefully since I’m watching FOX) tear that blog to shreds and start anew.

Because instead, Haley is going home Saturday to a celebration in Wheeling, Ill., at about the same time Rossville, Ga., will be celebrating the success of Lauren Alaina and Garner, N.C., will be saluting Scotty McCreery.

They are our final three on American Idol.

But the celebrations come at a cost. Thursday night, Idol lost a heck of a contestant in James Durbin, who just wanted fans to “give metal a chance” and wound up rocking his way all the way to a fourth-place finish.

And watching James during his touching farewell performance — I mean, what a way to go out — it occurred to me why American Idol hasn’t faded into oblivion in season 10.

It has nothing to do with the changes Nigel Lythgoe promised. Heck, he’s reneged on most of them.

It has nothing to do with the judging panel. Because they’ve done nothing.

It has everything to do with a diverse group of singers, many of whom you can’t help but root for.

James Durbin certainly fell into that category. Lost his dad when he was young. Overcame autism and Tourette’s. Fell in love with Heidi and had a son. Struggled to support them.

Then Idol came along.

And while I wasn’t always a fan of the vocals, James Durbin owned the Idol stage, turning in one blistering performance after another.

And declaring the Idol experience “amazing” Thursday night before yanking off his vest and flinging it into the audience.

Yeh, what a way to go out.

On with the recap:

Advice for Scotty McCreery: Change absolutely nothing. You’ve been pitch-perfect nearly every performance. You’ve had fun with one of your two songs each of the last two weeks. Your interviews … well, you’re a shrewd man, Scotty the Body. The bit about kissing the cross after meeting Gaga was classic. Simply classic. My one wee bit of criticism, when you want to have fun, try to tackle something a little more meaty than “Young Blood,” complete with those very scary looks you gave the audience.

Advice for Lauren Alaina: Watching you belt out “Gunpowder and Lead” and hold your own with Haley Thursday night reminded me of something. You always seem more at ease, like you’re having more fun, like you’re more ready to cut loose when singing in a duet or group. Like during the Hollywood rounds. Like in Vegas. Like an earlier duet with Scotty where you displayed the more powerful voice. Recapture that attitude as a solo performer, and you might change my mind that you should rank number three among the remaining contestants.

Advice for Haley Reinhart: Well, no one has performed “Hallelujah” yet this season. Give them one verse a cappella. Give them one verse accompanied by a ukulele. Bring out a marching band to accompany you on the chorus. Randy will probably love it. … Just joking, of course. But you might want to stick to more popular tunes well suited to the growl, the sass, the sexy and the soul in your voice. Because, with the right song, it’s as magical as it gets.

Advice for James Durbin: Keep rocking. And just think: Chris Daughtry finished fourth, too. There should certainly be a place in music for a singer with that much heart.

Coming tomorrow: An exit interview with James Durbin.

Coming this weekend: Coverage of the triumphant return home for the final three.

Coming early next week: Ranking the final three.