IDOL WATCH: Top 8 Sing Movie Tunes!

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 an interview with E! Online, producer Nigel Lythgoe went on the record about the situation stating: "There are always conspiracy theories, but you know we are so careful. We've got all the terrible things happening around the world with Libya, with Japan and what's everyone talking about? 'How did Pia get voted off?'

He continued, "We really do root for them. It's the first time [Pia] sang an up-tempo song. All the judges were saying sing an up tempo song. We have a reinvigoration of the series that I think we are at a time where we need to help these kids get out of their mundane lives and become stars. And I think the judges now are really urging them and pushing them though."

Despite the lunacy of the whole situation, the show must go on (though it seems impossible to continue without the star of the show). This week the Top 8 tackled songs from movies.
 
Paul got the evening rolling with a spirited performance of "Old Town Rock n Roll" from Risky Business. Though I thought it impossible, his crazy rose suit has grown even more roses. Randy praised his ability to not just be "a typical singer" but "an artist". Steven called the performance "crazy wild", while Jennifer claimed that watching Paul every week was like watching a "diamond in the ruff," praising his ability to make every week "a little bit more polished."

Lauren continued the evening with an inspired performance of "The Climb" from The Miley Cyrus Movie that included a surprise key change! Randy claimed she sung it like it was written for her. Steven praised her ability to emotionally connect with the piece, stating "I love what you bring to a song and what a song brings to you." Jennifer claimed she enjoyed her solid performance but urged her to take it to the next level. The performance as a whole was a bit corny for my taste but it was solid nonetheless.

Focused on 'performing' this week, Stefano kept the evening going with one of my favorite 90's anthems, "End of the Road" by Boyz II Men. Steven praised his ability to "milk a song." Randy claimed it was the best vocal of the night, while JLo bluntly called his performance "the shit." Although Stefano may not be my favorite singer on the show, I certainly give him credit for bouncing back from last week's bottom 3 debacle with such confidence.

Scotty kept the ball rolling with another predictable yet solid performance of "I Cross my Heart" from the movie Pure Country. Jennifer claimed it was not her favorite song choice, but she still enjoyed it, Randy agreed. Steven claimed that "all of America is falling in love with your voice."

Deciding to go with his own personal choice instead of the coaches' recommendations, an almost completely shaven Casey seriously changed things up with a silky performance of Nat King Cole's "Nature Boy." Scatting his way through the interlude while playing the bass, Casey has proved time and time again what it means to be a true artist. The judges agreed whole-heartedly. Randy claimed he was "proud to sit here and judge artists as well as pop stars," while Steven praised him for doing what was in his heart, calling him an "artist in the truest sense of the word."

Haley kept things going with a sufficient performance of "Call Me" from the movie American Gigolo. Randy claimed the performance was karaoke sounding, and Steven agreed. Jennifer urged her to keep it at the level she has been at for the past few weeks. Although this may have not been Haley's best performance to date, I feel like the judges were a bit harsh.

Jacob continued the evening with a gorgeous arrangement of "Bridge over Troubled Water" from the movie Pursuit of Happiness. Is it just me, or does it seem like this week was less focused around songs in movies, but rather hit songs that just so happened to be used in a movie? Being such a fierce, gospel song, I expected Jacob to bust out, in full force, his usual um...theatrics. However, in my opinion, the normally over the top performer really did not bother me this week. Perhaps it was the arrangement, the amazing placement of those last three notes, or perhaps Jacob is just growing on me a little. Either way the judges loved it. Jennifer claimed that he "pulled the chills out of her," while Randy commended his level of control this week, and Steven gushed over his level of emotion.

Finished with forrays into ballad-land, James closed the evening with a heavy metal performance. Singing the rightfully titled "Heavy Metal" from the movie Heavy Metal, Jennifer claimed he "killed it, dead," while Steven and Randy sang his praises as usual.

My official consensus of the week: Casey gave the best performance of the evening. Though it's as difficult as usual to pick a bottom three, if I had my way, it would consist of Stefano, Paul, and Haley.

Tune in tomorrow for a performance from season 1 winner Kelly Clarkson and Rihanna and Jason Aldean! Don't forget to check in with BroadwayWorld's IDOL WATCH tomorrow night to find out which contestants don't make it past the next elimination! American Idol airs Wednesdays and Thursdays at 8pm on Fox. Vote for your favorite contestants at Americanidol.com!

Miss the Top 9 sing last week? Click here for a full recap!

Emmy Award-winning AMERICAN IDOL is created and executive produced by Simon Fuller, Founder, 19 Entertainment, a division of CKX, Inc.; and executive-produced by Cecile Frot-Coutaz, CEO, FremantleMedia North America, Inc.; Ken Warwick, Executive Producer, FremantleMedia North America, Inc.; and Nigel Lythgoe, President, Big Red 2 Entertainment.

Among the many American Idol finalists and winners to appear on the Broadway stage are Fantasia, Justin Guarini ,Jordin Sparks,Diana DeGarmo, Ace Young, Tamyra Gray, Constantine Maroulis, Frenchie Davis, Clay Aiken and Taylor Hicks.

Visit americanidol.com for exclusive videos, interviews and photos, as well as special behind-the-scenes information and all of your AMERICAN IDOL news.