Nigel Lythgoe News

After last night's top 4 performance, there are few things that are clear in this competition. Steven Tyler relishes in the thought of a trendy feathered earring, and Lady Gaga must have a personal vendetta against pants. If there's one thing that's unclear, however, it's who the front runner is in this competition. I feel like this season is one of the few seasons where I can't pick a favorite based on talent alone. There's such a vast array of styles being offered, particularly in this top 4, that it's hard to compare them to one another.

In what seems like eons since the American Idol contestants have had an interesting theme to play with, tonight they got a chance to sing songs from the extensive catalogue of Leiber and Stoller. And while tonight's theme selection has probably left most viewers scratching their heads, us theatre folk of course know that they're the guys who wrote hits like 'Hound Dog,' On Broadway,' 'Love Potion #9,' and 'Stand By Me.' Thank you, Smokey Joes Café!

Lauren Alaina, James Durbin, Scotty McCreery and Haley Reinhart are this season's AMERICAN IDOL Top 4 finalists. Jacob Lusk was eliminated on tonight's show after he received the fewest of America's 60 million votes. On Wednesday's performance show, the Top 5 performed two songs from 'now and then,' and Lusk, 23, from Compton, CA, sang 'No Air' and 'Love Hurts.' Tonight's episode also featured performances by IDOL judge and global superstar Jennifer Lopez featuring Pitbull, as well as country music sensation Lady Antebellum.

This week on American Idol, the Top 5 sang songs from Now and Then,but Jcob Lush Failed to impress. Check out photos from the episode below!

Just three weeks from now the American public will have dubbed their new idol, who will be one of five personalities that we've come to know and love- a scarf-tail lovin' rocker; a young, country heartthrob; a sassy, growling diva; a cutesy, southern powerhouse; and the guy who should play Effie in a gender-switched version of DREAMGIRLS. But who will it be?

This week on American Idol, the Top 5 sang songs from Now and Then. Check out photos from the episode below!

It's getting down to the nitty gritty in Idol-land, with the season ten finale three mere weeks away. Three weeks! Where has the tie gone? While the bunch that's left certainly isn't the top five that I would have picked out, it's very difficult not to feel totally invested in their fates considering that I've been writing about their every move since January. I just love these kids!

This week on American Idol, the Top 6 sang songs by musica legend Carole King, and the previously saved Casey ABrams got eliminated for the second time. Check out photos from the episode below!

After 9 surprisingly entertaining Carole King-inspired performances the top 6 contestants who we've come to know and love, became the top 5 on tonight's elimination show. But who would be the next victim? Ryan started out the night by stating that MANY would be disappointed by tonight's outcome and I had tragic flashbacks of the Pia-elimination that shocked the country. Please don't let it be James!

Last night on American Idol, the Top 6 sang songs by musica legend Carole King. Check out photos from the episode below!

After ten years of FOX dominating mid-week television ratings, NBC has finally responded to mega-hit ‘American Idol' with its own vocal competition- ‘The Voice.' It took them long enough! Premiering just last night, music stars Christina Aguilera, Adam Levine, Cee Lo Green, and Blake Shelton took a turn judging America's talent, seated in oversized revolving thrones that made Idol's panel look like a picnic table.

This week on American Idol, the Top 7 sang songs from the 21st century, and Stefano Langone was sent packing. Check out photos from the episode below!

From a Casey -on-JLo smooch to a shockingly awesome performance from Ms. Reinhart, last night's episode of American Idol was chock-full of welcomed surprises. Beginning with the unexpected performance from the already eliminated half of the top 13, the shockers just kept coming- perhaps the best of which being the sudden harsher-than-normal criticism from the judges! Finally some legit guidance for the voters that need it!

Last night on American Idol, the Top 7 sang songs from the 21st century. Check out photos from the episode below!

After the great Pia Toscano debacle of 2011, last week's elimination of Paul McDonald was refreshing to say the least. Though I can't deny that I already miss his uncomfortably white teeth and the kooky way he pranced around the Idol stage, it was his time to go.

Last night on American Idol, the top 8 sang songs made popular on the silver screen, and Paul McDonald became the next elimination victim. Check out photos from the episode below!

After last week's shock elimination, it seemed that everyone on the AMERICAN IDOL stage was especially aware of how quickly things can change. One minute, a contestant seems easily on top, and the next, they're out of the competition.

Last night on American Idol, the top 8 sang songs made popular on the silver screen. Check out photos from the episode below!

To say that last week's American Idol elimination was a shocker is the understatement of the century. In fact, Pia Toscano's untimely departure from the show seems to have left a bad taste in the mouths of Idol fans everywhere, with Pia being the subject of talk show chats and internet gossip all week. I for one, won't cease missing watching her on a weekly basis anytime soon.

In last night's American Idol results show, front-runner Pia Toscano was eliminated from the show. Check out her performance of 'River Deep Mountain High' (the performance that sent her home) below. Does this seem worthy of ninth place?