Haley Reinhart Goes Rolling in the Deep

Matching efforts by James Durbin, Casey Abrams or even Lauren Alaina was a tall order for Haley Reinhart, who chose to sing Adele's "Rolling the Deep."
While choosing such a current hit is always a risk (especially a hit sung by, you know, Adele), Haley did her best to do it justice, vocally and emotionally.
Jennifer said there were moments where she did it better than Adele. We're not going that far, because it was far from perfect. But she held her own.
Watch Haley Reinhart do her thing here and vote below ...

Haley Reinhart - Rolling in the Deep (American Idol)

Casey Abrams Does Maroon 5, Kisses Jennifer Lopez

Casey Abrams' rendition of "Harder to Breathe" by Maroon 5 was alright last night. He's got a little funk to him, enough to do Adam Levine justice out there.
The vocals were mediocre at times, but give him credit for not holding back on the performance. He ended the song right in front of J. Lo - and kissed her.
Steven approves. "You did what I've been trying to do for two months!" he said.
Jennifer Lopez actually blushed, too. "I loved it," she says. "The performance!"
Did you? Watch it below and vote on how it ranked among last night's efforts:

Casey Abrams - Harder to Breathe (American Idol)

Lauren Alaina: Born to Fly on American Idol

Lauren Alaina sometimes holds something back on stage. Not last night.
It's true that, in covering Sara Evans' hit "Born to Fly," she stayed close to the original version. But it's a great country song to stick close to the original of.
Will she spread her wings and truly fly to new heights this season on Idol? If this performance is any indication, she's still scratching the surface of her talent:

Lauren Alaina - Born to Fly (American Idol)

Uprising: James Durbin Muses on American Idol

Last night on American Idol, James Durbin covered Muse, conjuring up images of Adam Lambert a few seasons ago. Durbin's song choice: "Uprising."
"I haven't gotten to show that I can be contemporary," he said, hoping to escape the metal/hard rock label. Suffice it to say, it worked and then some.
He's sounded better in the past. But he probably hasn't looked better.
The drums, the spinning cameras, the flashing lights and, of course, James' natural feel for performing sent the crowd and judges into hysterics.
After praising his cover of the Matthew Bellamy-led band, Steven made a crack about Durbin's wardrobe, telling James to stay out of his closet.
You are probably looking at the man to beat on American Idol ...

James Durbin - Uprising (American Idol)

American Idol Top Seven: Who Was the Best?

Well? Who looked great out there and who's in danger after tonight? After seeing Jacob, Haley, Casey, Stefano, Scotty, Lauren and James gave it their all on American Idol, how are you sizing up their chances tomorrow night?
Will the ladies make it through another week? Did the favorites live up to the hype? We'll post their performances for you soon, but for now ...
Vote for who YOU think was the best tonight:

American Idol Power Rankings: Scotty in Front, Stefano in Back

With the top seven on tap to perform tonight, THG's American Idol Power Rankings break down who we like this week and who we think is likely to go home.

Of course, who we think leads the pack means very little in the end (you can askPia Toscano), but it's still fun to try our hand at predicting the reality competition.

Take a look at how we size up the field and see if you agree:

1. Scotty McCreery. Kind of a sleeper favorite. He should go country this week and go far this spring, though. Take it to the bank (NOTE: don't, actually).

2. James Durbin. We were willing to give metal a chance, and if nothing else, JD keeps things lively and energetic out there. A lock for the final three?

3. Lauren Alaina. Even in a year that saw the women knocked off one by one, Lauren hasn't even been in the bottom three ONCE! We just jinxed it ...

4. Casey Abrams. We've learned never to count out the Ace of Bass.

5. Haley Reinhart. Her rendition of Blondie's ''Call Me'' didn't inspire too many voters to do just that (although she's still around). But she's got the vocals, and there are two guys below her in these rankings she can easily outlast ...

6. Jacob Lusk. Every performance feels the same to us, and a little stale at that. Will he finally fizzle out, or step it up and make a push to win this?

7. Stefano Langone. He's been our pick to go home, oh, every week that we can remember. Again, shows what we know, but he can't really sing, and at some point America has to get sick of these cheesy ballads? Right? Anyone?

How do you size up the competition? Leave a comment and tell us!

Kelly Clarkson Returns to American Idol, Teams Up With Jason Aldean

Kelly Clarkson returned to the show that made her a star last night.
Now in its 10th season, it seems hard to believe that American Idol crowned Kelly its first winner that long ago. Needless to say, she's been worthy of the honor.
Kelly and Season 4 winner Carrie Underwood are the only Idol artists to surpass 10 million in career album sales (Chris Daughtry is third with six million-plus).
On last night's results show, which also featured a performance by Rihanna, Kelly teamed up with rising country star Jason Aldean for a different kind of duet.
Here's Kelly and Jason collaborating on "Don't You Wanna Stay" ...

Kelly Clarkson and Jason Aldean - Don't You Wanna Stay (American Idol)

Rihanna Sings "California King Bed" on American Idol

Rihanna changed up her look yet again last night on American Idol, going back to long red curly locks after a week or so of wearing her hair much, much shorter.
The 23-year-old singer showed her latest look as she performed her new single, "California King Bed" live. She started the song softly, tantalizing fans.
As her dancers pulled down white draping onto the stage floor and into the crowd, Rihanna was eventually revealed and really ramped up the performance.
She even threw in some air guitar as the audience went wild, earning her a standing O. Watch her performance from the American Idol results show here:

Rihanna - California King Bed (American Idol)

Stefano Langone and Paul McDonald: Bottom Three Bound?

Last week, we predicted that Stefano Langone and Paul McDonald would go home on American Idol, only to be stunned when Pia Toscano was eliminated.
This shows what we know, but we doubt we were the only ones surprised. Nor do we expect we're alone saying Stefano and Paul may be in danger again.
Haley Reinhart also looked shaky, so it's anyone's guess. But neither Stefano or Paul took that step last night that would put them in the "safe" category.
Right? Wrong? Watch their performances here and comment below:

Paul McDonald - Old Time Rock And Roll (American Idol)

Idol Judges Actually Criticize Haley Reinhart!

Haley Reinhart sang Blondie's "Call Me" Wednesday night, and she certainly nailed the song's calling card - the "Call me!" exclamations in the chorus.
But she botched some notes and despite having all kinds of fun up there on stage, sort of lost her way. So much so that the judges even criticized her!
Watch her performance here and see if Reinhart deserved it:

Haley Reinhart - Call Me (American Idol)

"I didn't love at the beginning of it," opined Randy. "I don't know if it was the song that didn't do it for me. It just wasn't a showcase for your voice."
Steven concurred, and Jennifer said that "If I'm going to be honest, I'm going to agree with Randy." By J. Lo standards, that's tearing a new one!
Will she be in the American Idol bottom three? You tell us.

Jacob Lusk: Lackluster on American Idol?

Jacob Lusk's take on "Bridge Over Troubled" water on American Idol last night felt slightly off. Not full-on bad by any means, just ... off. Do you agree?

Steven Tyler does not.

"How much of you you put into a song is phenomenal," the judge said. "Those last three notes, and how well you fit in with the choir, is just incredible."

"You're such a gifted vocalist!" Jennifer Lopez, People's Most Beautiful woman of 2011, added. "I didn't want to let you give me the chills, but you did."

Does it give you the chills?

Jacob Lusk - Bridge Over Troubled Water (American Idol)

Lauren Alaina's "The Climb": Better Than Miley?

Lauren Alaina selected Miley Cyrus' "The Climb" on American Idol because "it's about a young girl struggling to reach her dreams." Will Lauren reach hers?
The inspirational hit song's top notes are slightly outside the best part of this aspiring singer's range, but she does a commendable job of it live, overall.
The judges liked it and so, we're guessing, will voters. In fact, before she even got out there, Jimmy Iovine called her a "much better singer" than Miles.
Do you agree? Compare it with Miley Cyrus' version below and vote:

Lauren Alaina - The Climb (American Idol)

Miley Cyrus - The Climb

Scotty McCreery Crosses His Heart on Idol

Scotty McCreery sang George Strait's "Cross My Heart" on Idol this week.
For a country singer to use George Strait, well, they're gonna have to be good, 'cause they're gonna be compared to George Strait. Did Scotty pull it off?
It seemed to us that he had trouble with his pitch sometimes, struggled with some notes and didn't exactly get a lot of favors from the American Idol band.
But at least the judges are so nice. "I just love your voice. You picked the just right song," said Steven. "All I really want to say is wow," added J. Lo.
Not up there with James Durbin or Casey Abrams Wednesday, but probably good enough to stick around. Watch his performance right here and see ...

Scotty McCreery - Cross My Heart (American Idol)

Casey Abrams Goes Back to Nature, Boy

"It's hard to find a song that defines me as an artist." - Casey Abrams

These American Idol kids are getting frisky. Like James Durbin, Casey butted heads a bit with producer Jimmy Iovine regarding his selection Wednesday.

Jimmy nearly talked Abrams into doing Phil Collins' "In the Air Tonight," but he went with his gut and that meant channeling a little Nat King Cole.

Iovine wasn't pleased, but the judges give a standing ovation after a intimate, stripped down performance that Casey really put his heart and soul into.

Whether "Nature Boy" defines him as an artist remains to be seen. But Abrams fans surely loved this and many people on the fence likely did, too ...

Casey Abrams - Nature Boy (American Idol)

James Durbin to American Idol Fans: Give Metal a Chance!

James Durbin urged American Idol viewers to give heavy metal a chance last night. After this energetic performance, it's safe to say a bunch of them will.

After doing a little Sammy Hagar for Jimmy Iovine and getting mixed reviews, he took his case straight to America. His message: "Give metal a chance!"

When he walked onstage with Zakk Wylde from Black Label Society and did his thing with Ozzy Osbourne, two things were crystal clear from the start:

1. This wasn't your typical performance and some people won't love it.
2. Wow. That was actually pretty awesome, probably the night's best.

Zakk and the judges agreed. Do you? Watch James Durbin and see:

James Durbin - Heavy Metal (American Idol)

American Idol Top Eight: Who Was the Best?

Well?
Jacob, Haley, Casey, Stefano, Scotty, Paul, Lauren and James gave it their all tonight on American Idol. Who looked great out there and who's in danger? You tell us.
If Pia Toscano's elimination last week taught us anything, it's that no one is safe. The critics, judges and conventional wisdom don't decide. America will.
That said, tell us below who YOU think was the best tonight ...

American Idol Producer: Pia Toscano "Never the Frontrunner"

The American Idol judges were shocked that Pia Toscano was ousted on last week's results show, and some fans are petitioning to bring her back.
Executive producer Nigel Lythgoe, however, is not up in arms.
“I know the [voting] results, so I know she was never a frontrunner,” Lythgoe said. “The fact of the matter, it appears, is that Pia didn’t connect with the audience as much as maybe we think she did. And she wasn’t voted through.”

To be fair, Nigel isn't anti-Pia, he's just stating facts.

Nigel, who also produces and judges So You Think You Can Dance, did say that Idol could consider changing the voting format next year to mirror SYTYCD.
On that show, America determines the bottom three, but the judges decide who leaves. That is ultimately a call for Idol creator Simon Fuller, Lythgoe said.
What do you think? Would you rather have Steven, Randy and J. Lo make that call in order to prevent another shocking result like we saw last Thursday?
Or, would stripping America of its final say actually hurt the format?

American Idol Fans Petition For Pia Toscano Return, Demand Stefano Langone Leave Competition

Irate American Idol fans are bombarding the show and Fox after the elimination of Pia Toscano, demanding that the singer be allowed back on this week.
To make room for her, they also demand Stefano Langone remove himself from Idol, since, not to put too fine a point on it, he sucks and has no shot.
They've reached out to him in an effort to plead this case.
Their VOTES, which actually determine the results of this reality TV competition show, could have ensured this last week, of course. Details.

American Idol insiders say that hundred of fans have been begging Fox to halt the grave injustice of kicking their girl off the show, and to bend the rules.
The fans' message is simple. Stefano has no chance and should be removed now as a sacrificial lamb so that the more talented Pia Toscano can return.
Nothing like this has happened before on Idol, and no way it's going to in this case, you have to admire their dedication to Pia (albeit a week too late).
Idol already instituted the judges' save last season, too, for just such an occasion. Too bad J. Lo, RJ and Steve blew it on Casey Abrams weeks earlier.

Pia Toscano and Mark Ballas: New Couple Alert!

In fun celebrity couple news bringing the worlds of American Idol and Dancing With the Stars together, Pia Toscano and Mark Ballas are dating.
Pia and Mark became acquainted while shooting their respective shows and went on their first date Friday. According to reports, it was a 10!
Maybe an awesome date isn't enough to soften the blow of her stunning elimination from American Idol this week, but it can't hurt, right?

Pia was the instigator of the romance with Mark Ballas, sources say, but there was a surprise matchmaker involved who played a role in setting them up:
WWE great and current DWTS contestant Chris Jericho!
Pia and Mark both shoot American Idol and Dancing With the Stars on the same CBS Television City lot in L.A., and it turns out Pia is pretty resourceful.
She has a friend who is friends with Jericho, so Pia gave her friend a piece of paper with her number on it, who then passed it to Chris to give to Mark.
Sounds so high school, but apparently it worked out. Peeps connected with both Mark Ballas and Pia Toscano say they really hit it off. Way to go guys!

Pia Toscano: The Most Shocking American Idol Elimination Ever?

The stunning elimination of Pia Toscano on American Idol Thursday night will no doubt go down as one of the show's most controversial in 10 seasons.
Despite her lackluster stage presence, her talent outclassed much of the field, with many predicting she would make it all the way to the May 25 finale.
No one understood why Pia was in the bottom three to begin with. As the results were revealed, the judges and her fellow hopefuls were dumbstruck.
When the show ended, no one in the studio audience moved.

In past eliminations, it's been an easy transition off the stage, but this was no ordinary elimination. Crushed, Pia buried her head in Jacob Lusk's chest.
Haley Reinhardt wiped away tears and prompted the crowd to cheer for Pia. Stefano Langone looked destroyed and guilty that he kept a spot over Pia.
Randy Jackson, Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler surrounded her to show their support, as if she'd just lost a loved one. It was that kind of shocker.
But the votes don't lie, and this wasn't the first such shocker on Idol. Still, it's gotta be top five, right? Here are four that ranked up there with it:

• Chris Daughtry. The presumptive winner of season five was ousted before Taylor Hicks (winner), Katharine McPhee AND Elliott Yamin. Wow.
• Melinda Dolittle. The veteran backup singer was on a collision course for a finale with Jordin Sparks (winner), but Blake Lewis beat her out.
• Michael Johns and Carly Smithson. They finished eighth and sixth in Season 7 (David Cook and David Archuleta finished 1-2) Far too low.
• Jennifer Hudson. The future Oscar winner finished 7th in Season 3. Fantasia (winner) has had a nice career, but finalists 2-? Unknowns.

What do you think? Was Pia Toscano the most shocking elimination of all?
Something to ponder as you watch her swan song last night, "I'll Stand By You." Some of the first words: "Why you look so sad ..."

Pia Toscano - I'll Stand By You (American Idol)

[Photo: Fox]