Southampton - The competition is smokin' hot on "American Idol" - now down to eight remaining contestants. The lovely Pia Toscano (21) was sent packing - a surprising upset that dumbfounded many, including the judges. Tally now: Girls-Two, Boys-Six.

Sent to the bottom three, along with Stefano Longone (22), his third trip, and Jacob Lusk (23), his first trip, the shocking result of having both Toscano and Lusk in the bottom three, and then for Toscano to be voted off left many in the live audience booing and jeering the results.

Toscano gave a strong vocal performance on Wednesday's program, doing a cover of Tina Turner's "River Deep, Mountain High." The vocals were definitely there, and she proved she can sing uptempo, but perhaps judge Randy Jackson's comment "You just need to work on your movement" proved a more meaningful strike against her then was intended.

Toscano brought some much needed sophistication and elegance to the 'Idol' stage, and it is hopeful that this attractive and poised young lady with an incredible voice and a professional aura will grace many more stages in her future.

The lovely Pia Toscano was voted off this week. (Courtesy Photo: FOX Television)

On Wednesday's show contestants were instructed to perform a song from one of the numerous artists that have been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The show began with a clever and informative introduction about the museum from Idol judge (and inductee) Steven Tyler.

Host Ryan Seacrest, (recently voted number one by the Hollywood Reporter as the most powerful person/mogul in reality TV) has consistently kept the live show moving along smoothly, and who was a bit surprised when Scotty McCreery (16) was rushed on stage on Wednesday's show by a gaggle of screaming girls, after the smooth noted country vocalist proved his mettle with a cover of the Elvis Presley classic "That's Alright Mama." Although he was not even born when The King ruled, the youngster has continually expressed his love of Presley and his music, and proved he too possesses a beautiful voice, causing judge Randy Jackson to say "Anyone who thought you were a one trick pony was wrong."

The gals received a little styling from Gwen Stefani, and then brought their 'tude to the stage, especially Haley Reinhart (20), who blew the roof off of Janis Joplin's "Piece of My Heart," causing a well deserved and to be treasured compliment from Tyler who stated "I couldn't find nothing wrong with that. I loved that. Janis gave us that voice back in 1968 and now you did it again tonight." This girl is coming on strong and has had two consistent weeks of solid performances.

Lauren Alaina (16), also proved she is there to win, performing a cover of Aretha Franklin's "(You make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman." I thought her performance was terrific, and as much as I love the Queen of Soul, I never cared for Franklin's cover of this Carole King hit, and Alaina made it her own. The judges seemed divided on this, prompting judge Jennifer Lopez to simply state "You're amazing." Although Tyler also seemed to love the performance exclaiming, "You came to us four months ago as a little girl. Now you're a woman," Jackson merely relayed "You probably picked one of the most difficult songs of the night. You did a good job." This young lady has been a favorite of Tyler's since the beginning and his faith in her is warranted and justified, the girl can sing but still appears to be a bit nervous on stage. The ill-fitting clothing Stefani trussed her up in didn't really flatter her at all.

The gents too came to sing for their future, with a beautiful cover from Jacob Lusk (23) of the Michael Jackson hit "Man in the Mirror." One of my favorite songs of all time, Lusk made it his own. He tangled a bit with Interscope Records' Jimmy Iovine and guest producer Will.i.am who both urged him to do a sexy Marvin Gaye cover, and insisted that "it doesn't fit or feel right to me." Jackson would be proud of the emotion and lyrical beauty Lusk brought to his tune, as he was backed up by one of the co-writers of the song, Siedah Garrett, whose appearance Tyler made particular note of. She immediately left the stage and Tyler called to her several times to come back out and receive applause and well-deserved recognition for having penned such a beautiful tune.

James Durbin (21), showed his soft side with George Harrison's "While My Guitar Gently Weeps," which brought him to tears as he later revealed "I was thinking of my family." Lopez commented "It's nice to see that other side of you. I thought that was a great choice for you." Durbin still managed to get a bit of his always anticipated great scream in the song - not easy to do - and he pulled it off beautifully.

Casey Abrams (20), performed the Creedence Clearwater Revival (John Fogarty) "Have You Ever Seen The Rain." Jackson commented "You've made the upright bass cool. You've put it in popular music. That is revolutionary." Abrams has some odd facial expressions, great voice, and is clearly a judge favorite, and changed up this great tune to fit his style.

Stefano Longone (22), sang Percy Sledge's "When a Man Loves a Woman." Jackson seemed correct when he offered "The first part was a bit shaky. I liked it but I wasn't jumping up and down." Longone, a Lopez favorite, just can't seem to connect - he has the vocals and was obviously working the camera more, but seems to lose himself in the song and ignore the audience. In my opinion this is a great classic tune that Michael Bolton made mush out of years ago - and Longone didn't do much to revive it. He appeared so convinced that he would be leaving on Thursday's show that when Seacrest told him he was safe, he merely responded "What?"

Paul McDonald (26), ended Wednesday's show with a cover of the Johnny Cash favorite "Folsom Prison Blues." He certainly redeemed himself as he was voted in the bottom three last week, and appeared to enjoy playing with the other musicians on stage with him as much as did performing for the audience and judges. A long time band member himself, McDonald knows how to get the audience engaged, and once again proved his musical abilities with some of his own guitar licks. Tyler commented "I loved it. You rocked the house."

The celebrity talent on Thursday's program consisted of two equally embarrasing and almost unbearable performances by former 'Idol' competitor Constantine Maroulis, who managed to render The Righteous Brothers classic hit "Unchained Melody" almost unlistenable, but who nonetheless received a 2009 Tony nomination for his role in the Broadway show, "Rock of Ages," and Iggy Pop, who apparently forgot both his age (64) and shirt, doing a foolish rendition of "Real Wild Child." The Rock and Roll Hall of Famer looked as out of place as was his performance. Perhaps America should have voted these two 'professionals' off and kept Toscano.

Who is my Choice? Who is Your Choice? Who is America's Choice? Post a comment and let us know who you are cheering for.

Read our other 'Idol' articles here: "This Is American Idol Season 10" and "American Idol Rocks On".

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