Nigel Lythgoe: “Pia Toscano Was Never A Frontrunner”

Now with Pia gone none of them are safe! she was one of the best singers along side with james but the way the voting is set up the new idol this season will jus be based on his looks, so this will mean james who has a spectacular voice and stage presence will likely get eliminated too cause what his " ears " are too big? idol is nothing but a joke now...i do however want to watch until HALEY gets the big BOOT..she had fun snickering when they announced that pia was going home...don't snicker too much horseface you'll be next! your not as good as u think u are!!!!

I want my PIA u SOBs!

;-D Ya!!!! lol

It appears to me that what America votes for is someone who can (1) screech out a long loud note and (2) lose the melody among string of vocal runs. I think Pia has a beautiful voice, but perhaps she is only pleasing to an older age group of which I am a part. James is arrogant. Scotty's and Paul's physical mannerisms are distracting. Jacob's facial expressions are grotesque. I prefer Casey, who has a good voice, good stage presence, and is an overall musician.

Ryan Seacrest should be told to stop being so sadistic when reading the results. He toys with the emotions of the contestants and the audience...just be upfront and read the results and stop messing with everyone's mind...

If you take a close look at the people in the studio audience, aside from the celebrities planted there to plug some new show they're in, you'll see hoards of young teen girls. I think they have a lot of time to vote multiple times for the younger males they drool over.

Nigel is an idiot...!!!!!

Poor Nigel. Please keep your ignorant remarks to yourself. This is a talent show?? JLo isn't too bad, Randy should think about leaving his place to somebody else, and Steven doesn't judge, he simply says I loved it??? Stefano and Paul should have been booted a long time ago if it's a talented singer That A Idol is looking for. Pia was and is the best ever to hit the Idol stage. What talent on top of looking great. What a shame. People should boycott the show.

I also believe that once the Top 12 are chosen, that the singing contest turns into a popularity contest.

I've always felt that the voting system needs some revision. Let America decide the bottom three with their votes. Then let those 3 perform again, with whatever song they want to perform, and let the judges make the final decision until the last round where America should decide who wins.

The voting system needs to be changed, and the judges should account for half the voting , and the public the other half. That way it wouldn't be an entirely popularity contest.

Yea simply said this nothing but a popularity contest these days and sadly has nothing to do with singing which were told it is supposed to be! Voting system needs a change clearly cause we cant have little girls with crushes pick our idols. Has to be a limit to the number of times these little girls can vote.

For those of you who think Pia will not amount to much are all entitled to your words but in the end they will just be words cause with vocals like that lets just say she will have her records and yes records meaning more than just one and they will sell!

She will sell more than Lee Dwyze, Kris Allen, David Cook the past three " " winners and Pia will also sell more records than Jacob, Stefano, Paul, Casey, and Haley combined cause they all while being talented just dont have the voices when compared.

i totally agree that american idol should change their voting system to be like so you think you can dance.. absolutely true where the judges will feel the least of these (improved, potential, talent, unique etc.) in the bottom 3 will go home.. they are truly the ones only qualified to decide who goes home for the first half of the top 12/13.. because once it's top 6 they can hand over to america because the top 6 are the best of the competition.. and then america decides..

What do you expect the producer to say! I got news for you. I wouldnt believe him if he said water is wet and ice is cold. When someone is totally devoid of eithics and morals, as he has proven time and time again he is, why bother even asking him? You know before hand his answer is only going to be self-serving! If you people want to continue to believe that this show is on the up and up, thats your problem! Lythgoe, you can take your bullshit answer, and your bullshit show, and shove them up your @#$%!!!!

Thanks Nigel. Im an AI fan, & could never understand the fuss about PIA. Her exit didnt surprise me..cmon, she can sing, but cant perform? I have zero interest in her style..Id never buy her music & I do believe her record contract will flop. It takes much more to be a stand out star. Shes no Jennifer Hudson who got her break in a superb movie role along other big stars (Beyonce, Eddie Murphy etc). So PIAs exit didnt shock me at all!!

Idol has become a popularity contest, not based on true talent. They should go back to limited voting like it was previously, you know, like Nigel's other show. Voting being controlled by teens is ridiculous! It doesn't prove anything to receive 10,000 votes as that does not, in no way, prove you are the most talented. The talent this year is outstanding and, yes, "Elimination Thursday" will be harder each and every week. Many talented Idol contestants have gone on to have very exciting and talented careers and I hope this can be said for Pia as well. Sounds like that is happening already with Pia signing a record deal. You go Girl!!!

Whatever. I dont think Pia has to worry. She has already signed a contract.

Pia is talented and was middle of the pack to me. Voting system is not fair.I am an AI fan and watch to see the entertainment and performances each week. Don't always agree with voters, but I stil enjoy the show and will continue to do so. I will not take my toys and go home because things didn't go my way.I have a few favs for the top five and will see how it turns out. There are bad weeks and good ones, like life.

I knew she was having problems connecting. She is elegant and a throw back to singers from long ago who did not have to have the drama you have to have today. There was this old time singer Peggy Lee who just stood there oozing sex appeal. Pia oozes elegance. She will be fine. She already has a record deal. Suck it up people. We have 7 more to go! They are all pretty strong but will have to really deliver and connect! The audience is pretty unforgiving!

nigel - it is such a shame that you FINALLY see the error of your ways - having the public pick the bottom 3 THEN having the judges pick the one to go is the only solution to the situation that is happening - the results should be done this way for the final 10 - no ifs ands or buts about it - your judges found them - they should have the final say.... this is like the ear buds/monitors - do you realize how many talented people were dissed because they just could not hear themselves and the band?? why did it take mark anthony to step in and 'show' the talent how to use them?? and why did the talent suddenly become amazing??? you are such a putz - this is the last season for AI - once simon and x-factor hits the airwaves your show is toast.

I have not watched IDOL for a number of years now. Jennifer Hudson, and I believe it's Catherine McFee were put off early and are now working stars. It is a business, a TV show generating money by the number of watchers. I stopped watching Dancing with the Stars a number of seasons for the same reason. I want to watch talented people. Those shows are popularity contests, geared to getting the public involved. The public gets to vote, to keep them involved, to sell them the products of the advertisers. These controversies also get people to watch. They started including people's stories to get interest and sympathy votes. They want you watching, more than choosing the next real star. It may happen anyway after they are off. If they have start power, someone will pick them up and get the career going. But you are watching a reality show, and the goal is still the same, high numbers of watchers to sell products.

You would only buy Pia's CD if you owned Celine CD's. The guys all loved her, but not for her singing:)