Ryan started the show last night by encouraging us keep watching because "the results may shock you." We wouldn't expect any less, Ryan. But, shockingly, they DID shock us. (Let's see if I can say "shock" as many times during this post as Ryan did last night.)
The night went through a series of bizarre motions, from a group of snarky TMZ editors poking fun at the Idol team (and a lot of the Idols dishing it right back - good for you!) to a half-naked 63 year old Iggy Pop bouncing around the stage belting out "Real Wild Child," and then Russell Brand giving the Idols confidence lessons (which appeared to be simply encouraging them to sit in the judges' seats while Brand attempted unsuccessfully to prove to America that he could be funny).
And then it was time for Kieran to dim the lights. The final two came down to Pia Toscano and Stefano Langone, and most of America was already hearing Stefano's name when Ryan announced that the person heading home was Pia, not Stefano. Even Stefano was shocked, whispering, barely audibly, "Really?"
The judges' mouths dropped, Randy threw his head in his hands, and Haley Reinhart grinned smugly from the couch. But seriously, how did Pia get voted off before Haley and Stefano? Even they were blown away.
What ensued next were tears from the judges, most of the other idols, and Pia herself, but only after she had finished a well-selected and brave performance of "I'll Stand By You." Ryan used this as a teachable moment, reminding us all that this is why we need to vote.
Pia was one of my favorites and she should have at least made it to the top three, if not to the winning spot. I was really happy that the judges used the save on Casey Abrams, but I think Pia is a stronger singer.
The biggest upside to this is that now Pia can go on to make a record without Idol taking a huge cut of her royalties, as they do with the winner (although looking at our past few winners, I'm guessing Idol hasn't made much off a singer in a while). Hopefully we will be hearing more from her soon. Even still, it shocks me that she went home so early. My father said when he tried to vote for her, he kept getting connected to an automated system in a different language. I guess there was either a glitch or people assumed she was safe, or, perhaps people didn't vote for her because of her bizarre outfit during the Wednesday performance (Gwen Stefani, why did you make those poor girls wear those terrible outfits?) or because people disliked her because of how pretty she is.
I'm not sure what is going on with Idol lately, but I am concerned that with the way people are voting (and not voting), we may end up with another dud winner like last year.
Were you sad to see Pia go? Did the elimination shock and surprise you?
