'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

[Dave]

Casey was voted off by America because he is too young and inexperienced to become our American Idol. His voice has a one-note sameness....he dresses like a 60 year old man, his beard is a bird's nest and he has no range. Not only do I find myself wanting him voted off, but I just want him to go away.

Thia also deserves to go home soon, and I imagine it will be next week. She has zero personality and always seems to be performing at a beauty pageant. She sings ballads, with only an understanding of what a ballad is...and no understanding of what the songs are about.

Stefano is the one I really have my eye on. Yes, Lionel Ritchie was a terrible mistake. But his Stevie Wonder, "Lately" last week was a great performance. He's young and upbeat and he should be doing fun, upbeat rock songs. He has a great voice and a great range. I'd love to see him win, but I doubt that will happen.

Pia is a bore. When she sang, All By Myself, I just completely disconnected with her...when would a woman that beautiful ever be all by herself? She should sing a song she could relate to....at least a little.

James is all ego...I never have to vote for him because he is always so pleased with himself...he's his own biggest fan.

I think Scotty is going to win this one. I also like Naima but worry that she's going to crack under all this pressure.

Next week, send Casey and Thia home!

[Robert Clippinger]

So much for AMERICA'S voting. Apparently it don't mean squat. The judges did their job by a process of illimination. At this point, they should have nothing to say.
All the singers are great in their own rights. Or, they wouldn't be where they are. Remember, they are amitures, not pros. Matter of fact I would put these kids up against half the crap that's out there now days. Another thing. How many so called winners have went on to be successful. Only one that I recall. And only a couple of the runner-ups have made in the music industry.
So all you music critics keep on boo-hooing. But let'm sing their hearts out they've worked for it. Semper Fi

[art b.]

Let's face it, the entertainment world is visual business. Those who don't play the game frequently fall by the wayside. Abrams is totally unique and one of the few white guys who can sing R&B yet as my wife says....he looks like a Rabi and doesn't appeal to the young girls who burn-up the phones each week. I remember when I first saw Joe Cocker. I thought he had some sort of nerve disorder. Forty years later he's still around and not long ago opened the show for Tina Turner. The way the show has gone the last three years the best thing that can happen is to be voted out! Losing is winning-bad is good-go figure. Last year Adam Lambert was the most talented individual ever to stand on the Idol stage and we know why he lost. James is very similar yet straight and will probably win it all. Whatever the flaws, I love every minute of it.

[bettye198]

I would not listen to Casey on the radio. His style is unique and in a class by itself but not listening easy. He is what? the white version of Louie Armstrong? Not with the times for the listening young. Lets bring on the top 4 on my list: Pia, Lauren, James and Jacob.

[Steve Smith]

This year is so far different from past years for only one reason. Having some of the best producers in the music business help the kids with their song choices and the arrangements has made all the difference in the world. He have not heard once that the arrangment was bad for the singer, or they didn't do much with the song. Almost every time we hear something, it is new and fresh. It is up to the singer to perform.