Okay – did you really think that headline was serious? Were you scared?

Of course, James Durbin is NOT leaving American Idol – I’m predicting he’s likely to be the overall winner!

Did your favorite American Idol contestant get voted off this week?

With 30 million votes in one night – unless a contestant connects with America – they will be sent packing with tears and shattered dreams in the most dramatic rose ceremony ever! … oh sorry… wrong show.

Your eliminated contestant is…. to be announced in a minute…

But truly sad and scary news – Casey Abrams is in the hospital – no announcement about what he’s suffering with but we all hope he gets better soon and back to the competition. The show would not be the same without Casey!

American Idol results show began with a Michael Jackson medley – it was actually quite telling and a good indicator of who is ready to move forward in their career and who is a fledgling artist. As the show has continued it seems that America may want a refined and polished artist as their Idol, rather than a newbie who has to learn the ropes. The opening act made Pia Toscano look amazing, Naima Adedapo stand out, James Durbin front and center – and yet others faded, obviously lip syncing or not singing well and then it became a lip syncing fest again – I hate it when they do that!

Adam Lambert returns to American Idol – I have compared James Durbin with Adam Lambert in the past – but watching Adam perform tonight – I can honestly say I think James is WAY more talented and I like him so much more. There’s no comparison from here on out. (Okay – for all you Adam Lambert fans out there – please no hate mail – we’re all entitled to opinions and just because I’m right doesn’t mean you have to spread any ugliness… insert big cheeky grin here.)

Back to our results… the bottom three this week were Karen Rodriguez, Ashthon Jones, Haley Reinhart.

It’s a bit telling that all 3 in the bottom were girls – they need to step it up this season in order to compete with the guys.

The eliminated contestant was Ashthon Jones. When Jennifer Lopez had to tell her that the judges would not be saving her for the season, I have to say that it was a bit touching – you could tell that it was hard on Jennifer to disappoint Ashthon. It’s not that Ashthon is not talented – she is – but I think emotional connection to the audience and to the music goes much farther in today’s society of social media and personal connection.

Wishing Ashthon good luck, hoping Casey gets better soon, and excited to see what next week brings!