'American Idol' shocker: Pia Toscano eliminated
The "American Idol" voters have spoken, shockingly eliminating the incredibly talented (and widely perceived front-runner) Pia Toscano to turn the top 9 into the top 8, and I think it's probably the saddest night of "Idol" I've ever seen.
At the end of the show, after Pia sang -- just because, it seemed, Ryan Seacrest, who looked a little shook-up by the results himself, wanted to hear one more song -- Ryan begged us to stay with the show for the rest of the season.
"We need you," he said, noting that the night proved that we really had to vote for our favorites to keep them in.
But I'm with Jennifer Lopez, who said, after Pia's name was announced, to resounding boos from the crowd (and Randy Jackson shaking his head and mouthing "No, no"), "I have no idea what just happened here. I'm shocked. I'm angry. I don't even know what to say."
Even Randy, who rarely displays anything other than "in it to win it" enthusiasm and "dawg"-gone mild disappointment, confessed that the vote had left him "shocked" and "gutted." Though he was never really mad on the show, he said, "This makes me mad. What is going on?"
Steven Tyler contended that the vote showed an "unforgivable" lack of passion on the voters' part. "They're wrong. I don't know what happened with this," he said.
The credits rolled to shots of wet eyes and the sound of someone –- Pia, one assumes, but really, it could have been anyone -- sobbing.
Someone remind me that it's just a TV show ...
What do I know, but I really thought she had a chance to win it all.
And how brutal is it that, like Casey Abrams before her, she stood with the far-less-talented Stefano Langone in the bottom 2 and watched him be sent to safety as she was sent away.
Oh, cursed "Idol" gods! Is there no way to change the rules retroactively in order to give the judges just one more save and keep Pia around?
Must we really watch Scotty McCreery mug and point and Jacob Lusk preen and shimmy, Paul McDonald sing thinly and Stefano shmaltzily, and not have Pia around to set the stage on fire –- hitting those notes gorgeously full-on and holding them forever -- for the rest of the season?
Cruel, cruel "Idol" voters. I shake my fist at you and take comfort in the knowledge that, what the heck, Pia will have a long, successful career anyway, right? She'll get a record contract and make her way in the music world. Won't she? I mean ... won't she?
What do you think? Please, cheer me up by telling me that you, too, are very sad to see Pia go.
Full Show Tracker coverage of "American Idol"
-- Amy Reiter
Photo: Pia Toscano performs on "American Idol" Wednesday. Credit: Michael Becker / Fox
What was america thinkings, Pia was the best singer in the competition...
Canada Loves ya Pia. Im sure you will get a record deal soon.
Colleen, Nova Scotia, Canada
Posted by: Colleen Murphy | April 07, 2011 at 07:39 PM
judges really screwed up giving up that save a few weeks ago.....incredible, but Pia will go far, very far even with this mistake tonight......
Posted by: joe lopez | April 07, 2011 at 07:41 PM
I have watched Idol since season 4 and I have NEVER been this shocked by an episode. I thought Pia was the clear favorite to win it all.
Even the Judges said she was perfect now just focus on being more perfect.
Unfathamable.
I believe this is fans just thinking that Pia was bound to be safe and forgot to vote and this was the result of it. The SAME thing happened to Casey weeks ago.
Its such a shame to see someone so talented go because honestly yes her voice is amazing but how many stars has Idol had who didnt make top 5......not many
Posted by: Eric | April 07, 2011 at 07:41 PM
The BEST just got voted out. The judges should have saved the "save" for
this lost. Also they should not let America vote until they are down to the last
3. The voices of the guys are far worst than Pia. It is the young girls that vote to keep them in not because they can sing. What a shame. Judges should think of a way to get her to come back now. Judges should have kept their mouth shut about what kind of song for her to sing. She is not a rock singer.
Posted by: Diane Lapetina | April 07, 2011 at 07:42 PM
Being a nurse, many need some prozac. Pia is the best and i sure hope she ends up laughing all the way to the bank, like chris daughtry!
Posted by: Sandy | April 07, 2011 at 07:43 PM
i will never watch idol again.this is why the judges should have never used the save so early...BIG MISTAKE
Posted by: louised | April 07, 2011 at 07:43 PM
I cannot believe a schmuck like Casey could beat out the amazing PIA!!! It's anyone's game at this point. I'm extremely disappointed, but I'm sure this isn't the last we see of her.
Posted by: Elizabeth | April 07, 2011 at 07:44 PM
tonight was a shocker, I felt realy bad for that young women but did anhone think of how everything that came about, how it mught make him feel too.
Pia will have a career.
Posted by: sherry nay | April 07, 2011 at 07:44 PM
The Ghost of Taylor Hicks hovered over the AI set tonight. When you look at the last three overall winners, they are all mediocrities that only Salieri could love, and not a true champ that actually deserved the title since Season 4. The show is driven by teenage girls and it always will be.
Posted by: B. Randall | April 07, 2011 at 07:44 PM
She wasn't all that...she sang boring ballads and the 'uptempo' song-she was lifeless and sang like a robot.
America got it right!
Posted by: John | April 07, 2011 at 07:44 PM
Wow. Looks like its not about talent but how many friends you have with lots of time on their hands. Very dissapointing...no more idol for me this year :(
Posted by: K | April 07, 2011 at 07:44 PM
That's it...I'm going to mark it on my calender for the rest of the season to make "other plans" for the time slot! First time I've penciled on a calender "to NOT watch/do something"!!!
Posted by: Andy | April 07, 2011 at 07:45 PM
You don't need to take it out on the contestants. They are very talented. Pia got the least amount votes that's how it goes. Don't put the others down because they aren't your favorite.
Posted by: Anonymous | April 07, 2011 at 07:45 PM
Not going to watch American Idol anymore. This show will showcase average singers. Waste of time.
Posted by: Sam Sarkar | April 07, 2011 at 07:45 PM
What do you expect? Randy and jealous Jennifer Lopez dissed Pia every single time she sang. Now, they act stunned? Oh my! They don't realize their influence on the American public? Please. Pia was by far the most talented singer of the group. But according to Randy and Jennifer's constant criticism, she was supposed to be more. She was supposed to be a "performer," demonstrated through the ability to move around and do a stage act. I don't remember Carrie Underwood doing any of that. I miss Simon. These are new performers, and I thought this was supposed to be a singing contest. Alas, it isn't. If it were, Pia would be the next American Idol. Bless your heart Pia. You are beautiful, talented, and poised, and I will be supporting your career.
Posted by: Lynn Marie | April 07, 2011 at 07:45 PM
Two words: Jennifer Hudson
Posted by: Jane Jaber | April 07, 2011 at 07:46 PM
Look I agree that Stefano has been stinking up the joint from day one and why JLo voted him in is beyond me, but really Pia while she has the looks and the voice her stage presents just sucks. Ballad after ballad, and when she does finally sing an up tempo song just just walks around the stage like a zombie. Stefano first, but Pia had to be next.....Maybe next week we can get rid of that loser Stefano.
Posted by: Walt W. | April 07, 2011 at 07:46 PM
Seeing Pia voted off Idol was soooo sad. I have voted for her every week. She so deserves the title and a record contract. Tonight was the worst night of idol ever! What a blow...
Posted by: Kevin Oneil | April 07, 2011 at 07:46 PM
what do you expect from voters who made what's-his-name last year's winner
Posted by: awaken | April 07, 2011 at 07:47 PM
I AM ABSOLUTELY SHOCKED THAT THE BEST PERFORMER HAS BEEN VOTED OFF.......I PLAN ON NOT WATCHING THIS JOKE OF A SHOW THE REST OF THE SEASON.........PAUL CANT EVEN CARRY A NOTE AND HE IS STILL THERE AND PIA GONE...GIVE ME A BREAK G
Posted by: GARY GEVEDON | April 07, 2011 at 07:47 PM