'American Idol' results: And the eliminated contestant is ... Casey Abrams

At the beginning of Thursday night's "American Idol," in which Casey Abrams was (this time far less shockingly) eliminated to turn the top six into the top five, Ryan Seacrest gave us a hint about what was to come: "I can tell you this," he told us. "A lot of fans are going to be disappointed with tonight's result."

Well, count me among them, because Casey was one of my own personal favorites.

I liked his knack for surprising song choices and musical virtuosity. I liked his silly, self-deprecating humor and his wacky way with a stand-up bass. (He seemed like a stand-up guy with a stand-up bass.) I liked his tight little scoot around the stage and the peculiar way he had of slapping only one hand when he walked up to the throngs in the front row. I liked the audacity of his Jennifer Lopez kiss and its impetuous innocence. I even liked his shaggy 'do (before and after), his swoon the last time he was eliminated and his trademark growl, which, he explained Thursday night, stemmed from all his passion for music rushing to get out one very small aperture.

That curious theory was funny and honest and interesting and cute in a weird way. And that, right there, is the reason I like Casey.

Mentor Jimmy Iovine, who wrongly predicted that Casey would be safe this week, suggested that Casey's growl could get him into trouble. "Casey's got to realize that the family dog does not vote on this show," Jimmy quipped.

And maybe jazz fans don't vote either, because my guess is that it was Casey's refusal to play it safe (except for a few weeks there right after his remarkable save) and his stated desire to bring jazz to the masses that ultimately did him in.

If we had any doubt that Casey's "what the heck, I'm just milking this thing and having a blast" casual attitude had returned — especially after watching him nibble at his nails right there on live TV as the camera panned across him at the beginning of Thursday night's show (I know results shows are nerve-wracking, but ick, Casey!) — and that it might get him in trouble with voters, there could be little doubt after Ryan put a fan question to him: "If you could do a duet with anyone, living or dead, who would it be and what would you sing?"

Casey's answer: Oscar Peterson, the legendary jazz pianist and composer (an all-time great), who died in 2007. "He's a very famous jazz musician," Casey informed the millions of Americans who, very sadly, probably had no idea who he was talking about. Then he went on to explain that it was because of Peterson's remarkable chord progression, among other things. No amount of enthusiastically encouraging nods from Randy Jackson was going to save Professor Casey at that point.

Which will not make me miss him any less. Casey reminded us of all we were losing with his final number, "I Put a Spell on You." (Not that Ryan hadn't already reminded us: "This is what talent looks like, ladies and gentlemen," he said.) Casey kissed and hugged each judge, noisily bussed a whole row of women in the audience, embraced the family members of his fellow contestants and tackled a few of those contestants before ending by looking right into Haley Reinhart's eyes and singing, "because you're mine."

What a way to confirm that they're a couple. They're a couple, right?

Here's wishing those two crazy kids a long and happy and laughter-filled relationship — and long and happy (and healthy!) careers making music.

Because, as last year's runner-up pointedly sang on Thursday night's show, "If you want to sing a song, you just sing it." She also reminded us that the most talented contestant doesn't always win the "Idol" crown.

Casey's talent and passion for music will outlive his time on "Idol." And he'll assuredly find success, because dang if he didn't put a spell on many of us.

What do you think? Are you sad to see Casey go? Or did you feel it was his time?

'American Idol' recap: The top six take on Carole King

Full Show Tracker coverage of "American Idol"

— Amy Reiter

Photo: The final six, from left, Haley Reinhart, Scotty McCreery, James Durbin, Lauren Alaina, Casey Abrams and Jacob Lusk. Credit: Michael Becker / Fox.

Comments

[Lady Kathleen]

I am very sad that Casey was voted off. I myself think Jacob should have been the one voted off. I have for awhile. But it will either be Scotty Or James who is going to win and if one of them don't, then I think they need to take a good look at how things are done on American Idol in the future.

[Pam]

We loved Casey. He had so much talent and will be greatly missed. He never should of went before Jacob. It won't be nearly as exciting to watch idol next week, as Casey brought a since of excitement, not knowing what he would come up with.
I hope the future for him will be wide open, so we can all continue to enjoy all of the talent this young man has.

[cirillo]

I can not believe what "America" is passing through. Who next...."James". "WOW" I would'nt be supperised. How shameful of you not to know what a "TRUE ARTIST" is, and yet you vote. Casey and James are the two most talented "ARTIST" on the show. America please if you cant vote right, then dont!

[Rovi]

i wish that Scottey would make it on the top.. he's not only good looking, he has a very unique and amazing voice. i feel relaxed everytime i see him singing his piece...gudlak...

[OJ SWEET]

too bad, a true musician is booted out. and it is too bad we can not vote here from Canada. goodluck to Casey though, he is too talented not to be successful.

[bb]

America must be comprised of the very young who do not appreciate real talent. Casey will go far, no doubt. It will be down to James and Scotty. Country is bigger than anyone realizes in America. James is fresh and reminds me a lot of Adam Lambert, but Adam did not win either. Go figure. I do not think the girls will win.

They are young and young men do not vote with the same passion as young girls. Jacob, well he knows he should have been gone these past two eliminations. He is a talented young man but not the best. Casey, you are a winner in my book and if the three judges are as good as they come accross, they will put Casey in touch with a jazz great that will take Casey under their wing and give him the support he deserves. He is an "Old Soul" and keeps jazz alive for the old and the young. Look at Michael Buble' who keeps the old tunes alive and well in a society that is riddled with croch grabbing young people who do not bring a sense of professionalism to their music or their dance. Thank you Michael Jackson. I do not mean any disrespect to Michael because I love his music and talent, but he started that oh so rauchy gesture. Anyway good luck to whoever wins this competition. They are all talented but there can only be one winner.

[Georgia]

Thank God He is gone!!! He was too weird! Not fun to watch at all!!!
Shows how much the judges know!!

[Brandon]

It was definitely his time to go.

[maryjean]

I think that AI should adopt the same voting system as Dancing with the Stars.....50% of the votes come from the public, and the other 50% come from the judges. Then they wouldn't need the "judge's save".

[jensen]

ask yourself who you would spend money to hear and who's recordings would you buy...for me without question I would spend money to see and hear James Durbin and Casey Abrams..they are both stunningly unique...while the others have real talent (minus jacob lust) we have heard it all before and they do not bring down the house.

Casey should still be there...I think it is unfortunate that like one of the people who posted here said...we all thought Casey was safe and so probably many cast their votes elsewhere...a travesty to see such an extraordinary talent gone.

I am hoping that he gets a deal right away and begins recording ... such that staying on idol would have slowed him down and leaving just means he can start his real career sooner!

CASEY is a STAR!! ALREADY!!!!!!!!!

Now want JAMES DURBIN to win!!!!

[Glibone]

Casey was the only one who really struck me from the beginning as someone I’d pay to hear. More recently, I’ve also been impressed with James. I agree with others that Casey’s jazz chops aren’t appreciated by a lot of Idol watchers.

Also, every week I’d hope that Casey would outgrow his growls and mmmm's, but he never did — and they *are* off-putting and distracting. As he gets a little older, he’ll gain self-discipline and lose the growls, focusing all his passion in the lyrics and playing. I don't think he could have won it, but without the growling and mmmming, he would have gone further and gained a lot more fans.

[jose]

I so agree with many ont his blog, jacob should be the one going home! he is all encompassingly so one tracked and casey, being as diverse as he is, made for an actuall enteraining event. again, you have to realize that the main voters are all the teeny boppers and do not vote based off mere talant but that of looks of popularity. Even though i do not like him as a person, i forsee james winning the whole shebang, grrrrrrrrrrrrr..................

[Chris]

No, not sad at all but RELIEVED!!! At last, he's gone!!! Yes, Amy Reiter, we could tell you were a Casey fan. Your blogs were always biased toward Casey and this one is no different. So TIRED of his growl, his tight walk, his nerdiness. He should have been eliminated weeks ago. America got it right the first time around and the judges got it wrong when they saved him. Casey is no Idol material. He is in a very tiny niche called jazz and, even then, I doubt if true jazz fans would pay to see Casey in concert or buy his songs. He would have to be part of a group of performers for anybody to show up.

[Jeff]

He may not have been the most talented contestant but there is no doubt he was the most entertaining. I did get a little tired of the growl but never the show. Now to the nasty part, Jacob and Alfred E Newman over Casey! No Way! I'm afraid I just lost all interest in the show. I remember when Melinda Doolittle was voted off and felt the same way. I hate the show for the popularity contest aspect. Maybe the Voice or X Factor will have more to offer us middle aged people who don't live to text after every show. I feel sorry for the victims of this show that have had their dreams snuffed because they don't fall into the lady gaga genre.

Thanks Casey for being the show for me.
I will be looking for you album!!!

[Linda]

Sad to go, but left a spell on all! Casey will go on to do great things and have a wonderful career. He is multi-talented and has been raised to appreciate and respect his elders and to shoot for the stars and he has done that. More to come his way! Be proud and walk tall Casey.

[debra jakubiak]

HE WAS ALSO ONE OF MY FAVORITS, I JUST LIKE JAZZ AND LOVED HIM WITH HIS UPRIGHT BUT ONCE I HEARD RYAN SAY SOME WOULD BE DISAPPOINTED WITH THE RESULTS I NEW IT WAS CASEY TO GO AND NOT JACOB. HE WILL GO ON TO MAKE GREAT MUSIC JUST LIKE OTHERS DID.

[Laura Johnson]

I am so sad to see Casey go. I will miss him. For all of us out there that are nerdy free thinkers always hovering at the edge of cool Casey is a hero! I wish him the best while knowing I don't have to. No matter what, Casey will be happy and successful just by being Casey. He may not be a millionaire but he will have a happy life and do what he loves.
I really do hope he and Haley are a couple if not the two of them need to reallllllyyyy sit down and think about it. It is hard to find other oddly cute oddball out there and when you find one you gotta lock it down!

Jacob Lusk I reallly hope your American Idol days are numbered

[Chris]

All that I have to say is that Casey was an a joy to watch. I'm over Idol this year now that he is gone. I don't think that I'm the only one that feels that the rest of the contestants are bland in comparison . If everyone only had one vote then I'm sure that Casey would still be there. He was a fan favorite. But I'm guessing the people that like him didn't vote 2000 times in 2 hours.

[Anna]

I think it has been really tough this season there was so much talent. I am sorry to see Casey go.He has a such a broad range of talents,truly a most interesting character.It will be interesting to see how his future pans out.I believe he has a wonderful future ahead.I wish him all the best in life.May God bless you.

[Aunt Esther]

Wow. Really? I must be in the real minority. I think Casey is a wonderful entertainer and a very talented musician. But vocals? His range is more limited than most in the Top 15. You certainly have not heard the last from Casey but it was definitely his time to go. Jacob will certainly be next unless he lets Jimmy Iovine pick his song and he lets the A.I. stylists choose his wardrobe. He has an incredible voice but there is a reason why Adam Lambert didn't win, as sad a statement as that is. Scotty - he will be a MAJOR country star but enough already - let him start making country records for his millions of fans but let's not forget the premise of this show. Lauren is a cutie-pie but not ready for all this. Haley is amazing and I will buy her songs but this season belongs to James!