American Idol 10 Top 3 Results – Recap Roundup!

By On 05/20/2011 · 24 Comments · In American Idol, American Idol 10

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‘Something Pitchy:’ Does Lauren Alaina Stand a Chance Against Scotty McCreery?

After the disappointing elimination of ‘Something Pitchy’ favorite, Haley Reinhart, myself, Rickey Yaneza (Rickey.org) and MJ Santilli (MJ’s Big Blog) question whether or not either of these two are ready for the big time.

Also on our minds, does Lauren really have a shot at besting this season’s All-Star, Scotty? Will the ‘American Idol’ season ten finale feel more like a country fair talent show than one of the biggest televised competitions of the year? We discuss all that, plus Il Volo, Nicole Scherzinger and Lauren’s mom in this post-Top 3 results show edition of AOL’s ‘American Idol’ talk show, ‘Something Pitchy!’

See the Video at TV Squad

Live at American Idol: An Oddly Unemotional Exit

From our seat behind the judges table, it was obvious the audience wasn’t sure what to do from the get-go. From their mild response to the usual preshow antics to having to be prompted to applause at the start of the show, it was clear they just wanted the results already!

As we sat through an amaze-balls performance by Il Vono (who knocked all the Idol singers out of the water) and the pretaped Nicole Scherzinger-50cent song and dance, the mood on-stage was totally chill. None of the contestants looked nervous. Scotty McCreery, Lauren Alaina and Haley all lounged on the couch with an “I’ve got this” attitude.

EOnline

‘American Idol’ on the scene for Top 3 results show: Who won the finale coin toss, and who does Scotty want to shave his head?

How to tip a bodyguard: At the end of Haley’s hometown video clip, her bodyguard, Aaron, appeared onstage pretending to cry. Once we went to commercial, Aaron came back onstage, and Nigel Lythgoe rushed over to hand him what I’m 99 percent sure was a wad of cash. Aaron took the money and discretely slipped it in his back pocket. Somebody’s going to Legoland this weekend.

EW

American Idol Recap: Oh But She’s Weird and She’s Wonderful

Regardless of your contestant allegiance heading into the American Idol Top 3 results-show telecast, there were reasons to celebrate by the time the credits stopped rolling and the season finale of [cue imitation of Fox voiceover guy] Bohhhhhhhnzzzz [end imitation of Fox voiceover guy] began.

TV Line

‘American Idol’ recap: Throwing in the Growl

Hey, dreams unwind; love’s a state of mind, man. Much to her surprise and chagrin, the sassy ‘n’ sexy Haley Reinhart was forced out of the Idoldome last night. I guess it makes sense. She’s kind of too good for this show anyway — or at least she didn’t fit in at all with the America’s Got Country vibe of Top 3 week. Good lookin’ out, Haley!

TV Line

Guest Blogger and ‘American Idol’ Alum Elliott Yamin: ‘I’m Baffled By The Final Two’

I really don’t know what to make of the Top 3 results last night. On one hand, I don’t want to take credit away from the final two since we all know how hard it is to make it on that show and all the work that goes into it week in, week out. Then again, when it comes to country music — and I’ll risk sounding ignorant here — it’s the most loyal fan-base and the most widespread, so I think that bodes well for cats like Scotty McCreery and Lauren Alaina, who both have that twangy country style to their voice. Look at what Carrie Underwood has done. That lane of music is still very much thriving and with the help of a show like American Idol, I think they go hand in hand.

Hollywood Reporter

‘American Idol’ goes country for its big finale

If you are a fan of teenage country singers, season 10 of “American Idol” is exactly what you ordered.

Scotty McCreery and Lauren Alaina got most of the 95 million votes cast on Wednesday, sending Haley Reinhart home in third place. The 17-year-old McCreery and 16-year-old Alaina are the youngest pair of finalists in “Idol” history, and Alaina would have been out of luck entirely had the show not lowered the age limit this year, as she just was 15 when she auditioned.

MSNBC

‘American Idol:’ Scotty McCreery Will Face Lauren Alaina in Finale

On Thursday’s American Idol, the raspy-voiced underdog finally met her match. After finding herself in the bottom three numerous weeks in a row earlier this season (but hitting her stride in recent weeks), Haley Reinhart was eliminated from Idol.

This leaves teenaged country singers Scotty McCreery and Lauren Alaina to duke it out in the show’s Season 10 finale, airing Tuesday with the results to follow Wednesday. Host Ryan Seacrest boasted to the crowd that this week’s voting numbers reached 95 million, the most votes of any nonseason finale in Idol’s history.

The Hollywood Reporter

Haley Reinhart Sent Home On ‘American Idol’

Regardless of who went home on Thursday’s (May 19) “American Idol,” the nation definitely did their part, as Fox announced before the show that a record-setting 95 million votes were cast after Wednesday night’s performance show. Not only was it the third-highest vote total in “Idol” history, it was the biggest vote tally ever for a non-final show.

It was nearly 50 minutes in before host Ryan Seacrest finally got around to reading some results, with all three finalists bowing their heads and holding hands in anticipation of the news. But, in his typically sadistic fashion, Seacrest cued up the line, “After the nationwide vote, I can now tell you … the results … after the break.”

MTV

‘American Idol’ 2011: Goodbye, Haley Reinhart

“American Idol” really likes to ratchet up the drama on results night, and it always gets a little out of control narrowing the final three to the final two. Hours before the show started, Fox sent out a release boasting that 95 million votes — the most for a non-finale night EVER — had been cast for Scotty McCreery, Lauren Alaina and Haley Reinhart.

Washington Post

American Idol Sets Up A Pretty Boring Finale

So we lost Haley Reinhart this week. Fuck you, America. That’s all I really have to say about that. I don’t know why twangy teenagers are bulldozing everyone else this year, but it’s going to make for a truly boring one-note final show. Has American Idol ever had a less interesting final two than Scotty McCreery and Lauren Alaina? Even the Taylor Hicks season had Katharine McPhee, who was pretty good. Scotty’s obviously going to win this thing; that’s been pretty clear from about week four. But I could’ve really used a couple more Haley performances in my life. Haley looked pissed. I sympathize. Unfortunately, she departed with “Bennie and the Jets,” probably my least favorite of her performances all season. She also neglected to scream her final note directly in Casey Abrams’ face and reciprocate his gesture from a few weeks back.

Village Voice

American Idol Recap: Paul F. Tompkins on Homecomings and Disasters, Both Natural and Show-Related

The show fake-dramas us right off the bat, with various clips of the judges praising the top three, and Jimmy Iovine throwing his two cents in on video for good measure. Video Jimmy’s big prediction for the finale? “There’ll be a guy in it.” Why are we still going through this pointless exercise? And I don’t mean American Idol. I mean life.

The show begins, and in the crowd we see many of this season’s Fallen Idols! There’s Paul! And Casey! Also Jacob! Plus Naima! Additionally Thia! Ashthon is another! Pia, okay! I believe Stefano was on the show! And thanks for adding MySpace’s Karen Rodriguez! I expected to see them all next week, I guess, for a “taste of the tour,” but perhaps they’re here because this will be the last night of suspense before Scotty wins.

New York Magazine

Mason-Dixon Idol: American Idol 10 Top 3 RESULTS

95 million votes cast? While this may sound absolutely astounding, as if American Idol is at the pinnacle of its popularity, have you considered the Facebook factor? How many votes are being cast via Facebook? Tonight–not Saturday–is Judgment Day. And if there is a Flying Spaghetti Monster, he best be sending Lauren Alaina on her merry way.

Top Idol

American Idol in 60 Seconds

 
  • emmuzka

    Elliott Yamin:

    The night that Casey got saved, they invited me, Mikalah Gordon, Carly Smithson and Michael Johns to give the kids advice on what to expect on tour and in this business. They were supposed to air it and never did, but it was really cool.

    I would have liked to see that very much! The tour and the sudden end must be something that can’t be understood before it’s experienced, so I hope that AI have both AI alumns and professionals to prepare them for the tour.

  • Reflections On Life

    I wonder what makes anyone motivated to vote during Top 2 at all, esp since both get recording contracts and other prizes, and esp since we see F2 can get more marketing push than F1. Maybe office pools or legitimate betting drives some voting? These 2 aren’t very different from each other (genre, age, personality, religion, vocals, performance, charisma), so I’m not sure who I’d be voting for or against, when both are money anyways. With these two, next week is just a debut concert, not a competition. I wouldn’t be surprised if the voting totals for next week don’t surge compared to this week (to the degree that they normally would).

  • SpenserJ

    Clearly it wasn’t about the voice this season, because if it was, Haley Reinhart would in that finale. I think she’s got a real sexy tone and I’ve been a fan of hers since jump street. My favorite moment of the whole entire season was that jazzy number she did with Casey Abrams

    Elliott, I completely agree with you :).

    That Paul F. Tompkins article from NYMag is hilarious. That is one funny, angry dude.

    The thing that bugs me most this morning, in all of the recaps are the screen caps of Lauren & Haley. Neither of their reactions bug me – I’m not bothered by any of that. It’s the fact that standing there, in that ridiculous outfit with that bad hair and 3 lbs of make-up, Lauren easily looks 40. Seriously. It’s such a shame. I wish instead of a Stage-Mama, that Lauren had the kind of mom who would say “you don’t need all of that crap, it just makes you look old. Let the world see you as the young, fresh, pretty girl you are.”

    Argh. That whole thing just pisses me off.

  • Allison

    I wouldn’t be surprised if the voting totals for next week don’t surge compared to this week (to the degree that they normally would).

    Do you mean plunge instead of surge?

    And I agree with Elliott too. My all time favorite #3 finisher.

  • Suzanne

    It’s the fact that standing there, in that ridiculous outfit with that bad hair and 3 lbs of make-up, Lauren easily looks 40. Seriously. It’s such a shame. I wish instead of a Stage-Mama, that Lauren had the kind of mom who would say “you don’t need all of that crap, it just makes you look old. Let the world see you as the young, fresh, pretty girl you are.”

    I know. But look at her mother? She’s completely caked in makeup too. It’s cultural. And that outfit was really unflattering–she’s not seriously overweight, and the dresses she’s been wearing for performance has hidden it pretty well (maybe she got them from Jordin as hand-me-downs?), but the ill fitting jacket and how she looked from behind? Oh man.

  • Allison

    Paul F. Tompkins is hysterical. I was laughing out loud at several places in that article! Especially when he compares Josh Turner surprising Scotty to a double-take worthy of Lou Costello meeting the Wolf Man.

  • smeggingnuts

    Allison says:
    05/20/2011 at 12:42 pm
    I wouldn’t be surprised if the voting totals for next week don’t surge compared to this week (to the degree that they normally would).

    Do you mean plunge instead of surge?

    And I agree with Elliott too. My all time favorite #3 finisher.

    haha bets on whether they announce the vote total on the finale LOL

  • MayMirabella

    I have to admit something I thought I would never say , as bad as Season 9 was….I preferred that final 2 and looked forward to it more than Season 10 Finale. And I loved the top 13 this year with a good mix of genres and diversity. I never thought it would come down to 2 southern country teens with all the diverse genres this year. They were all so different from each other except for Scotty and Lauren. And lo and behold, who ends up in the Finale, the two most similar contestants in terms of age, genre of music, singing styles, backgrounds, demographic locations, etc.

    I would never have thought at the beginning of the season and especially after the top 13 were selected, it would come down to 2 country music singing teens..when there were such uniquie contestant this year..I mean this show has nevr had a Casey, Haley, Paul, or Naima style singer.

  • http://ucsub.colorado.edu/~hansenkd/BrahmsGuides MahlerFan

    And I agree with Elliott too. My all time favorite #3 finisher.

    Mine too. Until now.

  • SpenserJ

    I would never have thought at the beginning of the season and especially after the top 13 were selected, it would come down to 2 country music singing teens..when there were such uniquie contestant this year..I mean this show has nevr had a Casey, Haley, Paul, or Naima style singer.

    Yes, it is somewhat surprising. The producers gave the audience a buffet table of diverse offerings, yet the voters decided they’d just go ahead and stick with the chicken fingers.

  • SpenserJ

    I don’t hate country music. I don’t typically listen to it, but there are several country songs that I genuinely like. Some of us are just not looking forward to a Top 2 show with basically the same “kind” of music. I’m not seeing a consensus on some anti-country bias.

    I didn’t watch last year’s Top 2 show live either. I’d had more than I wanted hear of Lee at that point. There are a few other Top 2 shows I skipped as well, because I wasn’t that interested in the last people standing. It’s not really a big deal to me.

  • MayMirabella

    I don’t hate country music. I don’t typically listen to it, but there are several country songs that I genuinely like. Some of us are just not looking forward to a Top 2 show with basically the same “kind” of music. I’m not seeing a consensus on some anti-country bias.

    I agree with Spenser. I am not seeing an anti country music bias. I think people would have been fine with one of the country singers being in the Final. We expected that from early on in this show. I think some are just stunned and disappointed that in such a diverse season with so many Unique styles, that only country is being represented in the Finale. .That is all, I am not seeing hate here..just preferences and for some of us, surprise because this was one season where there were very unique and different styles and it ends up with 2 in the Finale in the same genre.

    I would be just as bored if 2 rockers in the finale even though I love rock music. I would be just as bored if 2 ballad singing gals were in the finale and I love the girls with the great pipes. Believe me, I would be just as bored if PIA and Thia were in the Finale.
    I loved,love Casey and Haley but I would not want those 2 to be in the Finale together..as their styles are too much alike.

  • Swind

    I honestly don’t think it’s an anti-country thing why people like myself will not watch the final 2 performance night either. I’m from NY and one of my favorite idols of all time is Kellie Pickler, so go figure. I watch American Idol for the talent. It’s a shame to say that the Season 10 final performance show will be lacking there.

  • beesims

    Lauren’s second performance of The Band Perry’s “If I Die Young” was her best of the night. Leeann Womack’s “I Hope You Dance” is a really beautiful song, but I don’t know if she did it much justice. She wasn’t tender enough for it. That’s the one thing all season that’s been bugging me about Lauren: she doesn’t know yet how to emote. It’s like she’s not quite understanding what she’s singing about. It’s something I had to learn and I’m still learning even after the show. Anyone who can sing can get up there, but you also have to make that connection. I think it comes down to one thing with Lauren: age. She doesn’t know how to use her voice yet. She hasn’t found her identity as a vocalist because she hasn’t been around that long.

    Good for Elliott for telling it like it is. So many times when they ask former Idols to comment on the current season they pussyfoot around or just give bland praise to everyone. He nailed my thoughts about Lauren to a tee. I don’t deny that she has a great set of pipes but there is always this feeling of playacting whenever she performs. Perhaps her most real, honest connection was when she got tripped in in “If I Die Young” because the lyrical content of what she was singing finally struck a chord. Or at least I’d like to imagine that that’s what happened.

  • Miss Blue

    Hate country? Heck, not me. I was raised with it. Love it.

    Hate two lousy singers being in the finale? Definitely.

  • annie12120

    thing all season that’s been bugging me about Lauren: she doesn’t know yet how to emote. It’s like she’s not quite understanding what she’s singing

    That is also because she did so much Karaoke, she has no originality… same with Scotty. They can both sing, but there is nothing original about what they do.
    But, they are both sincere and keen children and I wish them good luck because they are really going to need it post AI

  • zzatrms

    Lauren has been singing karaoke in bars since she was 12. I think she could have used vocal training instead.

  • MayMirabella

    That is also because she did so much Karaoke, she has no originality… same with Scotty. They can both sing, but there is nothing original about what they do.
    But, they are both sincere and keen children and I wish them good luck because they are really going to need it post AI

    I cannot shake this feeling I have had since day one of seeing these two that they are imitating other singers more than being original. They do some of the best karoke that there is, though and have a great deal of talent with good voices. But they are young and it seems more like Lauren mimics Martina McBridge and Scott mimics Josh Turner (Scott does sound like him a lot and it was obvious when Josh sang with him ). I am not blaming Scott and Lauren as it is not deliberate that they do this and they have good voices and great potential…I am just saying due to their age, I am not sure they have found their own original sound and style and how they want to distinguish themselves from Martina McBridge, Reba, Josh Turner etc.

  • webster

    I have to admit something I thought I would never say , as bad as Season 9 was….I preferred that final 2 and looked forward to it more than Season 10 Finale

    Me too. Although I vastly enjoyed this season more (I barely watched any of last season), I cared who won last year but don’t, with this final two.

    My problem isn’t that they’re both country or that they’re both teens. It’s like what Slesak says, neither is remotely a risk taker at all. I like the tone of each of their voices, they stay on pitch as well as most this season. But they pick boring songs and sing them in boring ways. It first struck me as funny that the youngest singers were the least inventive (Thia was the same way), but then I got thinking maybe they have little exposure to real music. Like, perhaps, almost all the music they hear is recorded. Many of the other contestants, even young ones like Casey and Haley, were actively making live music with other people, so were very used to creative expression. I don’t know what Scotty and Lauren did musically before, but it feels like they aren’t comfortable with the creative side of it.

  • kcostell

    If it was just about the voice this season, with no consideration of popularity, performance, or connection to the songs at all, we’d be up against a Pia/Thia or Pia/Stefano finale. To be honest, I’m happier with the one we got than either of those prospects.

  • callmecrazy

    This season has felt like what it would be like to be married to Nigel…the beginning of the season/honeymoon, with many prospects/contestants…ooooohhh, I am loving this married life, gimmie more. Omg he is taking me to metal/jazz/blues/r&b concerts…YES, isn’t my hubby wonderful? Ruh roh, I think he is cheating on me because I keep hearing the word BEAUTIFUL/Steven and ok, now he is treating me like a DAWG but apparently I am still IN IT TO WIN IT. But wait, who’s the guy with the funny hat? Oh yeah Nigel’s best man Jimmy…why is he trying to get me to listen to HAC? Hey, what’s up with the MOST BEAUTIFUL GIRL IN THE WORLD staring at me with fire engine red lipstick? I thought I WAS the most beautiful girl in the world….time to hire an attorney. Oh wait, she’s just there as a seat filler…*phew*. I do want that red lipstick tho…..YES, my hubby is getting me a new FORD, but why must I endure all the foreplay/commercials to get it? Oh noooo, all my favorite concerts are leaving….no more r&b, no more jazz, no more metal and no more blues. Guess I will be sleeping single in a double bed….huh? Why am I thinking of a country song?? Hmmm, is it because my hubby moved us to the Grand Ole Opry? Time for a separation til my hubby gets his chit together….I’ll give him til January…!

  • sue

    If it was just about the voice this season, with no consideration of popularity, performance, or connection to the songs at all, we’d be up against a Pia/Thia or Pia/Stefano finale. To be honest, I’m happier with the one we got than either of those prospects.

    I would of loved a Haley/James finale or a Haley/Pia finale. Those 3 were the most consistent vocally and they weren’t boring as hell. Ok maybe except Pia but the girl can sang!
    I agree with Elliott 100 percent! Haley is now one of my favorite top 3 finisher next to Melinda and Elliott. :)

  • Mtlfan

    lol at Paul F Thompkins’s article. I was feeling angry too at the end of the show.

  • emmuzka

    Loved Cantiello’s assessment on the top 2: Baby food.

    Baby food is easy, canned, bland, for the masses, palatable, and sold in every store. Just like Scotty and Lauren.