'American Idol' results: Which two contestants did Elton John trip up?

"American Idol" results are in, and the top 11 has shrunk to the top 9. In the video montage that started the show, we were warned (via graphics on a piano, in a presumed nod to Elton John, whose songs the contestants tackled Wednesday night): "And you won't believe / who is going home."

Normally, I'd assume that was just the usual "Idol" hyperbole. But after last week's results show, in which the talented Casey Abrams appeared to be in serious danger of not just going home, but perhaps going back to the hospital, when the judges breathed new life into his Idol hopes, I did have a few quivers of doubt. After all, as Ryan Seacrest reminded us, "No more saves, no more second chances, and no one can escape the outcome of more than 55 million votes … a new record at this stage of the competition."

Would we lose another favorite, rather than two of the expendables? Or even ... two favorites?

Fortunately, we didn't have long to wait for at least some preliminary results.

After Lauren Alaina and Scotty McCreery sang what was actually a really nice duet of "I Told You So," Ryan got right to it, ushering them to the center of the stage, "right up front."

"After the nationwide vote," he told them. "Both of you get another chance to impress. Congratulations, you can take a seat."

Then, after a particularly forgettable Ford music video (I remember only a falling gargoyle, caught by Casey, and a glowy-eyed Naima Adedapo) and some chitchat in which the newly trimmed Casey says he's a "beardy kind of guy" and James Durbin shows off a custom-made WWE world champion belt someone sent him, Naima and Jacob Lusk perform "Solid as a Rock." I spend the whole song trying to figure out if Naima did definitely have work done on her teeth (as well as having undergone some eyebrow-shaping improvement), and musing on how, last year, Crystal Bowersox refused to let them fix her teeth, only to have the work done once the "Idol" season was over. That unpredictable Crystal …

But not at all difficult to predict: Naima is in the bottom three. "Jacob," Ryan says. "You are safe."

Season 3 winner Fantasia performs "Collard Greens & Cornbread," looking like a million bucks in a sparkly red dress, with a giant blonde curl on top of her head, and declares her love for Steven Tyler as she finishes her song.

Ryan leads her over to dispense some advice to the remaining contestants. "Only one thing?" she asks, like she's been saving up a few tips. Ryan tells her yes, "due to time." And so she squishes it all in as fast as she can: "Love what you do and that is music … Keep good people with you … people who are going to tell you when you're wrong and when you're right … It's not always peaches and cream. It's not always good, but because you love music, you can do it."

Haley Reinhart, Pia Toscano and Thia Megia perform Katy Perry's "Teenage Dream," making me think of how great Darren Criss' performance of that song was on "Glee," but also how much better Pia and Haley are than Thia, who looks a little tacked on next to them.

Lo and behold, Pia is safe, Haley is safe, and Thia is sent to join Naima on the purgatory stools.
 
Look, Kris Allen is in the audience. Look, the Idols are meeting Reba McEntire, Kelly Clarkson and Muhammad Ali at a charity event. Look, there's Lauren Alaina falling down the stairs. Look, the mansion the Idols have been staying in is actually possibly made of cardboard. Look, the Idols are getting primped and spray-tanned.

Then Paul McDonald, Casey, Stefano Langone and James step up to perform a not-bad version of "Band on the Run," and Steven offers them a gig opening up for Aerosmith next year.

But before they can think too hard about Steven's (possibly serious?) invitation, Ryan gives them some results: Casey, is safe. "My friend, if you knew how many [votes] you got, you'd be proud," Ryan says, rushing to deliver the good news, perhaps for fear of a worrisome replay of last week. "You are safe. Congratulations."

James is also safe, which leaves Stefano and Paul, one of whom will be in the bottom three. And that person is – mildly surprising – Paul.

Jamie Foxx and will.i.am perform a song from the movie "Rio" featuring some Busby Berkeley-esque choreography. And Ryan finally asks for a dimming of the lights.

The two people who will go home are …

Thia and Naima.

The camera alights on Lauren Alaina, face streaked with tears, but me? I can't say I'm surprised or terribly sorry to see either of them go. And you? Will you miss Thia and Naima? Or not so much?

Full Show Tracker coverage of "American Idol"

-- Amy Reiter

Photo: Final 10 plus one: Clockwise from top left: James Durbin, Paul McDonald, Pia Toscano, Scotty McCreery, Jacob Lusk, Stefano Langone, Lauren Alaina, Casey Abrams, Naima Adedapo, Haley Reinhart and Thia Megia. Credit: Michael Becker / FOX.

Comments

[Cheryl]

I really will miss Thia. But I'm not worried. I don't think American Idol was the right platform for her type of talent. She'll go far on her own.

[The Dude]

FINALLY!

[mamad]

Yes! Finally that no talent Naiema is where she should have been weeks ago-HOME! I disagree with the nomination of Thia though. I felt the song as Thia sang last night. I was truly touched by her performance. Other than Naiema, it would have been difficult for me to choose another person to go home this week. If forced to choose, my picks would have been James or Stefano. I guess we all have personal preferences for what we consider good music.

[Engprof]

America got it right. Pia, James and Scotty in the final. And when it's all over, Scotty will make more money than any of them. Just saying.

[Mister Chris]

@EngProf: I think you're right. Scotty should have a brilliant career as a country singer.

[Mister Chris]

So, who's next to go? My guess is Stefano, Paul, Haley, Scotty, Pia, Jacob, Casey, Lauren, James in that order.

I feel for Stefano a bit because he's got to feel his head is on the chopping block next week, but he's just too "narrow" an appeal for me. Paul might survive for a few more weeks but only because he's cute and has a great smile. I'm tired of the Rod Stewart-like vocals. Haley could surprise and last longer too, but I think she'll bow out after that. Scotty is a tough one because I think everyone sees him as a guaranteed STAR in country music. Pia might be over-rated and go out earlier than people assume. Jacob, Casey, Lauren, and James are the four who could actually win it all.
Just my opinion.

[David]

Excellent job, America -- you read my mind. I'm only *mildly* disappointed they couldn't have sent three home this week to put Paul out of my misery.

[Lorraine]

I predict Pia, Scotty and Lauren in the final. The best of this bunch. And what a bunch of great singers it is.

Who wins it all - Pia. Finally a worthy female - after too long a time span where American Idol only rewarded males with that title.

[The Great]

thia youre the best no matter what ..... just keep on singging and you will go a long way ill wait for at the summer tour

[Trudy]

my fave for two weeks especially you really got a hold on me song was hailey but way overhyped tonite not sexy either but dorky... i like lauren think truly talented but not showing her risks at all is a strong and beautiful girl and talent but I am not country fan ....None of them I would actually be interested in as a talent to follow or buy or download so far tho in reality. Pia boring and black dude at first ok boring now Scott boring Not hot on Casey ...Hmmm Thea would make a good Disney park singer or voice over singer or Disney cartoon voice over singer or cruise ship singer but not artist I can see in any of them Paul is unique but his voice is sort of cool and he is cute but sort of weak too. Dont know. Actually think if bought a song of any of them would only be Lauren

[K225]

This LA Times blog is always pushing for Casey? WHY???

[erica stephens]

If they don,t vote Jacob off I will have a fit!,he and Paul don,t belong there,lastnights vote was correct...It,s James,Casey and Scotty for the win.Pia is pretty,nice voice,good figure and BORING!

[BIG T]

I'll miss Naimea she was fun to watch she did what she wanted
to. On one hand she performed her songs as her own and then was critized by randy for it when that is what he would tell
others to do just that, is was very evident that Randy was doing all he could to kill her off. I hope her well and hope American Idol will help her with a great career, Naimea you can sing, dance and perform to the crowd all is what a performer must do to succeed.

[Slackergirl]

I agree with who got sent home. Naiema was entertaining, but I don't think her singing was up to par with the others--I actually liked her dancing more. She should think about, "So You Think You Can Dance". Thia can sing the phone book. She is a really good singer, but she was boring. I don't think she knows how to lighten up. She would probably make a great lounge singer though. I really did enjoy her performance of "Daniel"...I felt it too, but it was too little too late in my book. The others just outshine her. I don't think any of these people will have to worry though, they will probably all get some kind of gig from this. They are all very talented.

I disagree with Engprof about Scotty, and I am from NC so I would love to support him. However, he is not versatile enough. He takes everything and makes it country. This is not a country competition. He doesn't have to worry if he goes home. Nashville is going to snatch him right up, so it doesn't matter.

[carolyn]

I was sad to see Naima go... I voted for her!!! She was entertaining and unique. My favorites are Casey and James now... the rest are BORING!!
BTW, I'm watching this year because Steven Tyler is a judge!!! And how refreshing to have constructive and postitive comments for once!!! Steven is so down to earth and REAL... what a breath of fresh air after that nasty whatshisname...

[JoePerrythePlatypus]

Short answer: Not so much. Thank you America for getting it right this week!

[maduceone]

My comments are that Idol lost the best contestant in Naima, the "tweens" will rule - now 6 guys, 3 girls, soon to be either 6-0 or 5-1, Pia is the best remaining performer and the LAT reviewer talking about teeth is evidence that the actual performances no longer matter.

[IDOLMAN]

surprised, absolutely not.

after reading some of the comments about scotty, i will say the following

great guy
comfortable beyond his years up on stage
great lower range
NO, NO, NO UPPER RANGE

HE will not be in the top 3 even though he will become some type of country singer. how far he will go, we will see.

He will not hold up to James, Lauren, Pia and Jacob if Jacob stops getting all too emotional.

This is a singing competition of all types of varied music and Scotty is not varied whatsoever and again HAS NO RANGE

[BettyBoop TEx]

Scotty: Please sing something that will show off those CHILLING Passionate DEEP low notes.....you Will WIN.

[Foxglove Kent]

Scotty doesn't need the competition any more. If I were a Nashville exec, I would be drooling to sign him. Lauren, too. Haley is hit and miss with me - she can definitely sing, but she sometimes comes off as phony. James is a great rock singer, and he will probably also do well after AI is over, whether he wins or not. Stefano - way too Broadway to win. He'll probably go soon, what's saving him is that he's beyond cute and a lot of little girls vote to keep him despite his rather desperate vocals. Pia is the one who probably SHOULD win - she's the best singer of the bunch. But I don't know if she has the personality or presence to keep the votes coming. Paul is coasting on his smile and the popularity of Mumford & Sons. He's a one-trick pony. Jacob - great character voice, but way not right for this competition. He would be great in Broadway shows doing stuff like Sebastian in the Little Mermaid. As to Casey - he was deserving of the save, but I struggle to figure out how a guy who sings like him could be a relevant artist today. He has a Taylor Hicks vibe, and we all know how that worked out - fun to vote for the weird guy and watch him on tv, but buying his records is a different thing.