'American Idol' results: And the summer tour will include ...

Holy "American Idol" bleep sign! E to the Z and the tweedlydees or whatever insane thing Steven Tyler might say in this situation. "American Idol" really ripped itself a new beauty mark on its top 11 results show Thursday night.

Ryan Seacrest warned us right at the start that, after more than 30 million votes poured in to determine who would stay and who might be denied a spot on the "Idol" tour this summer, the outcome of that vote "may shock you."

But we've heard hyperbole from Ryan before, and plenty of it, so perhaps we can be forgiven for not getting too worried about our favorites as we contentedly watched Jennifer Lopez's husband, singer Marc Anthony, give the "Idol" contestants a lesson in using the in-ear doohickies that kept the judges from having to use the word pitchy even once on Wednesday night's show.  Then we were treated to a group number that culminated in Stevie Wonder singing "Happy Birthday" to Steven Tyler (who turns 63 on March 26) as a bunch of the female contestants presented Steven with a colorful cake and an even more colorful Warholesque Tyler portrait. (What was that painting? Did Naima paint it?)

Steven was surprised but, I'll tell you what, he wasn't the only one who was shocked by the goings-on on the "Idol" stage Thursday night. (If you haven't watched the show and you like surprises, you might want to hold off clicking through to the rest of this post until you do. Don't say you weren't warned.)

Still with me? OK, so one forgettable recycling-themed Ford music video later and Ryan requests the requisite pre-results light dimming.

"We're looking for the bottom three," he reminds us, gathering Lauren, Pia and Scotty on stage.

"The judges all had positive things to say about you," he tells them, "but because of the vote, I'm afraid you'll all be packing your bags …" [cruel pause] "… in a few months" -- they're all going on the "American Idol" tour.

A shot of the stools, empty, awaiting the bottoms of bottom three; a commercial break; Sugarland performing "Stuck Like Glue" (Does Jennifer Nettles need a new stylist, or what?); and a long video about how much James Durbin – and to a lesser extent, Paul McDonald – loves pro wrestling and idolizes Hulk Hogan. 

We finally get a couple more contestants -- James and Paul -- called to the center of the stage for their results. Ryan positions them carefully, a few feet apart.

"The nation has spoken and both of you guys are not safe," Ryan says. Then adds, "I mean, you're really not safe tonight."

Enter … Hulk Hogan. Paul is excited, but James appears to be having a heart attack.
Then Hulk growls, "I've got some really, really good news and some really, really bad news – the good news is that both of you guys are safe and both of these guys are going on tour. And the bad news is you, Mr. Ryan Seacrest, you're not safe."

Hogan chucks Ryan into the audience and rips off his shirt, the scraps of which are later given to James as a special keepsake as we get more results.

Jacob, Thia and Stefano are called to the stage. Jacob is quickly sent back to the "safe" zone, while Thia and Stefano are both sent to perch on the stools of doom.
 
So there's one chair left as Ryan calls up Naima, Haley and Casey. Naima and Haley have both been in the bottom three – Haley twice – but Casey, an early favorite, never has.

Naima is sent to safety, while Haley and Casey are left to sweat it out. By now, you've probably figured out what's coming, and you're right. It's Casey who's in the bottom three.

"Idol" alum Jennifer Hudson sings a grammatically incorrect but impressively performed song and Thia is sent back to safety.

Leaving Casey and Stefano.

Surely it can't be Casey, right? He's so talented. But we've increasingly got a bad feeling. He's pushed "Idol" boundaries by singing Nirvana and his "Heard It Through the Grapevine" really wasn't terribly good on Wednesday night. Plus a commenter on my recap Thursday totally predicted that he was in danger.

And yes, Ryan breaks the news: "The person with the lowest number of votes and in danger of leaving us tonight is Casey. Stefano, you are safe."

Stefano gets Casey in a clinch, and when he finally lets him go, Casey looks completely shocked. He sings (oh, the irony) "I Don't Need No Doctor," returning to form. Then Randy stops him short. They know what Casey can do, Randy says. He doesn't need to sing.

Steven says, "This is crazy wrong. We made a decision here to keep you on."

The judges have used their one save of the season (of course they did) but Casey starts to hyperventilate and I suddenly become deeply concerned about his health. Maybe he really does need a doctor. "Are you OK, buddy?" Ryan asks.

But Casey recovers enough to chant "I can't believe it. Oh my god. I can't believe it." He thanks the judges, later explaining that he'd never imagined they would use their save for him, especially so early in the season. He hugs his mom and tells Ryan that when Randy stopped him from singing it "scared the stuff out of" him.

Jennifer tells Casey to knock off the growling and "just let people feel your soul" and he'll be OK. "You deserve to be here," she says.

And as the credits roll, Ryan explains that Casey's save means two contestants will be sent home next week, but that Casey will go out on tour this summer with the top 10 finalists, making it a top 11.

For me, the biggest surprise was how badly Casey actually seems to want this "American Idol" thing. I think the voters were punishing him for what has come off in recent weeks as overconfidence and a refusal to kowtow to mainstream tastes. If that's true, his (hospital-related) absence during a results night and Steven's comment about his ego this week probably didn't help.

What about you? Where you surprised by "Idol" tonight? Or did you see it coming?

Full Show Tracker coverage of "American Idol"

-- Amy Reiter

Photo: AMERICAN IDOL: Final 11. Clockwise from top left: Pia Toscano, Stefano Langone, Lauren Alaina, Paul McDonald, James Durbin, Scotty McCreery, Naima Adedapo, Jacob Lusk, Casey Abrams, Haley Reinhart and Thia Megia. Credit: Michael Becker / FOX.

Comments

[Geronimo Cliff]

Yes, I was very surprised and then very pleasantly surprised that Casey was saved...Thank you judges...

[Kdoog]

I was surprised of the vote but not the save. I would put Casey in a league of his own. Genius. I would love to see him perform with Diana Krall.

[Bernardo Guardi]

Ego? Of all people this guy doesn't have an ego. He may seem confident in his singing, but not an ego. How about stefano who looks like he feels he's making the girls cream each time he sings, or James who soaked up all the adoration thrown at him............I thought he was going to get a towel thrown at him next so he could wipe it off. When you turn on the radio it's easy to see what America approves of in tastes of music. Sometimes you can't differentiate between the voices out there and that is the problem. Stefano has a good voice, but boring. Pia has an amazing voice but I really couldn't pick it out amongst hundreds of others that sound like it. Casey's voice amongst others in the competition have that something that distinguishes them apart from the others. If America is too tone deaf to identify that, then go ahead and keep picking the voices that blend in with the rest of the music industry (which is what happened when David Cook, Kris Allen and Lee Dewyze were all crowned) . One word America.............boring!

[Dubious]

When Seacrest opened the show by stating that the results would be a shocker, it was almost obvious that it would be Casey. Don't forget he went FIRST on Wednesday. People who vote almost always will have watched the end of the show, but many will have tuned in late and missed the beginning. Even the ones who did see him probably didn't think to vote for him. Everyone though he'd be safe for a while and he gave a rather forgettable performance followed by 8 strong ones by his peers. At this stage in the competition, going first puts you at a huge disadvantage. He needed to bring it and he didn't quite do that. I'm glad they saved him though. He needs to bring out his instruments and showcase his many talents.

[Ralph Jones]

That episode hurt in so many ways. Seriously they should have sent Casey home to do us all a favor.

[JT]

I was pretty surprised at the bottom 3 and then even more surprised at Casey being the one with the lowest votes...and people shouldn't be judging on how much confidence he shows or his ego or anything but his singing. I think more people will vote for him next time just cause he broke down, but if he had smiled and been confident, then he would have lost more votes next time.

[stefano]

i think that the casey that everyone is crazy about is OKAY... no big deal now i don't understand why all the contestants were so happy they do know that once their out their out, right? all he does is yell and growl i wouldn't listen to him if i heard him on the radio!

[XM]

AI voters are usually great at weeding out the expendables early. They start making some questionable picks in the latter half the season, but by then the fan favorites have solified their positions and the community oriented parts of the nation began to flex their muscle.

I'm glad that my two fave singers (oustide of Scott) Thia and Stefano have survived. Find better materials, Thia. Ballads FTW, we've had our share of rockers and male crooners.

[Sherry Hull]

Scotty McCreery better not lose his spot just because the judges felt sorry for Casey and kept him on when he should be gone. We voted the AMERICAN PUBLIC and they shouldn't be allowed so soon to change OUR DECISION. It is AMERICAN IDOL --NOT--JUDGES IDOL. If it was truely AMERICAN IDOL THE JUGES WOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO CHANGE OUR DECISIONS EVER, PERIOD. They have favorites and it they can reverse our decisions why should we be involved or even watch the show.

Casy was in the bottom 3 because he deserved to be. If it wasn't him to go home it should have been Theia. She is pretty bad and so is Cassy when he tries too hard. Screaming is not singing and even the judges agreed with that. For what that is worth.

If the show is not rigged Cassy and Thiea will both be gone before it is all over.

SCOTTY MC CREERY IS AMERICAS NEXT GENUINE AMERICAN IDOL.
SCOTTY, SCOTTY,SCOTTY,SCOTTY,SCOTTY,SCOTTY,SCOTTY,SCOTTY!!!!!!

[lori]

Aside from a few obvious people who are at the bottom , I can't wait to see Naima get axed. Very tired of her and her african schstick and cocky attitude.
Makes me gag-

[Lirs Best]

Well, I did not vote for Casey because I dont like his style, his lookds which is very weird and untidy. Yes hes talented but exudes arrogance, not charming at all. Hes not a star quality !

[Tusk]

Surprised? Not after I read numerous articles declaring the winner and the results in their headline on the internet....the era of the "spoiler alert" is dead!!!

I felt a steep decline in Casey's performances and I think most viewers interpreted it as prideful arrogance that he was a shoe-in. At least that's what I sensed. (Something you will never sense from Pia, I think. That girl is not only extreeeeeemely gorgeous, but she seems really focused even if she is regarded by most to be one of the finalists, IMO)

Let me just say though, this played out like a modern day Aesop's tale. Casey, all arrogance and pride got a cold splash of reality. On the other hand, Hayley and Naima, both almost universally considered as bottom 3 regulars worked and worked and both were rewarded by being in the top 8!!! Bravo Ladies!

Speaking of Naima, slowly but surely her "humanity"(not sure how else to call 'it') is helping her stay in a singing competition. Loved her gesture towards Casey when Ryan was about to announce who would be safe, conceeding that it would be Casey,only to be stopped half way when Ryan announces her name, she breaks into shock/tears. I doubt any remaining in this competition has had it as hard as she. Glad to see these kind of stories. Didn't catch it but someone else posted that as she went back to safety, she says to Jacob "I can buy a house".....so sweet. Really happy for her.

[Michele]

Casey is the most talented person I have ever seen on American idol, heck half the people that win we never hear
From again Ruben who, taylor who? Tonight had to be rigged or
Americas high and got it all wrong. He should win the entire thing! Go Casey!

[Gloria]

I think America had it right! Although, I was impressed w/Casey in the beginning of the season; he has worned me out w/some of his input into the songs! Furthermore, if anyone should have left; it should have been James that screaming gets on my nerves. Other than that it's been a great season, so far. I especially think J-Lo and Steven Tyler has brighten up the show!

Good job America!

[art burgner]

American Idol is a show with a heart and the smartest producers on the planet. I didn't see it coming but I know next weeks ratings will go through the roof after what was a total shock. It was surreal when the music stopped and I thought the guy was having a heart attack and headed back to the intensive care unit. Simon Fuller ...................thank you................thank you.

[Tex Kamakawiwo'Ole]

It was Great. I am proud to be an American, and we Americans love happy endings...

KC did need to open his Ears.. To have such a gift and closed Ears is a sad thing.

Jacob, When he sings it comes from a different place..A higher place. He is a gift to the world..

James, I surf Santa Cruz and I to am a little bit good crazy !!!!

Niami- Me and the wife just LOVE you... You give us working poor a Dam good name... I love ya sister very much..

Pia~~ WAKE UP... Shake ur tail feather,, you are pure Beautiful and God has given you a gift sister..Try and get a little of Niami Soul to rub off on ya !!!!

[Bikenpooh]

This is by far the best Idol Talent Season and I was wondering after Wed night how any of these talents could not go on tour so only fitting as I for one will go see them all !!!

[tylerfan]

okay -
1. they need to stop zooming in on poor james when he's twitching, god bless him.
2. casey is a talented musician and if he'd shave the beard, he'd get more votes.
3. does anyone here really think the asian girl has a chance of handling a tour? she has no personality and weighs all of 80 pounds.
4. did someone on this page really shout "scott mccreery"? if so, it's time to get those ears checked out. i don't know what he's doing with his face when he's singing, and how he has to hit one note on the way to another one an octave higher is irritating beyond belief.

i don't have a horse in this race, although i am sick of the lee dewyze's, kris allen (really???), and david cook's of the world. can we have an "idol" or at least an artist this time?

[Karen Ferguson]

My instant reaction was the same as what I've seen in other early news reports --that Casey's being in the bottom three was contrived by the producers. A really mean thing to do, given his health, just as mean as it would have been to James with his own life or anyone else. And I don't think Casey has a big ego; I think he's aware of what he can do and what he can't do --and he has a ton of fun doing what he can. How many performers and artists are burdened down under angst? I remember one great actor being told by a director: Get out of your own way! Casey's done just that and is having a blast.

[san]

The judges don't get it. Casey has no following simply because he's not singing he's SCREAMING and SCREECHING. And the people watching him are more that scared rather than amazed. He maybe a talented guy but common, do you think he's marketable? Just saying.

Also, I thought he really deserves to leave tonight. No offense meant but I'd rather be bored hearing Thia's song that having a my eardrum shattered.

And lastly, the result show was so staged. I think Thia was put in there just because of the fact that she HAS the most number of voters and by putting her there means doubling up the number of voters coming because Thia's supporters will vote TRIPLE more times than before. I also hope NO VOTE MANIPULATION will ever happened this season.