Is 'American Idol' Throwing Pia Toscano Under the Bus?

One additional thing: alot of good comments about the voting issue. It, to me, is crazy that people can vote UNLIMITED times on the phone for 2 hours on as many phones as they have, and also text and vote online. When I vote, it is on the phone, and unlike previous years, I get in consistency, instead of those constant busy signals of the past. So, let's look at who is most likely to text and vote online - probably teens, nothing personal toward anyone, but others most likely would do the easy thing, vote by phone. Most people I know in the 30-80 range won't vote for 2 hours straight, unlike the younger generation. Yet ALL these ages have the buying power to purchase CD's and the right to chose America's Idol. Then, we get our winner, and if a small portion of the population (teens, for example) got in mega votes to chose our winner, it doesn't represent America's choice and CD sales will not be what is expected. The ONLY answer is to limit votes, period, to make it representative of America and who the true Idol should be. Idol prides itself on 53 million votes or whatever Ryan shares with us with great pride were the vote counts for the week. But it doesn't really matter. What matters is who America wants as their Idol (teens and those of all ages, male and female). Those 5 votes my 80 year old mother puts in for Scotty or the 50 I might put in for Stefano (who is totally underated!!) should count just as much as the 500 a teen may put in for Casey. Each one of us will buy a CD - one teen won't buy 500 CDs to match their 500 votes lol. Why doesn't Idol get it? Voting shoudl be 50 votes per method, period, or something close. It is time to change this system, when every other show is smart enough to know to limit the votes. It will help Idol in the long run.

Pia was beautiful, and stylish with a strong voice. She looked the part and sounded the part of a singer, but was not fully developed as a "personality" who could be a star. Many people, of different ages and backgrounds felt that she was conceited and thought she deserved praise. That may not be who she is, but that is how she comes across, and she needs to work on that. Humility, authenticity, and humor come across very well on Idol and have been that extra thing that have catapulted a contestant to the win. A few things that back up what I am saying about how her image came across: when they moved the contestants out of the mansion because some of them complained about the water leaks and that the house was haunted, they showed Pia saying, "I'm not going to unpack all the way because you never know if they are going to have to move is AGAIN". Came across divaish even if she didn't mean to. She was lucky to be there regardless of where they put her up. In an interview, she showed no sign of letting her hair down, no humor, all serious, nothing engaging or interesting. She has a hard time showing vulnerability. She won't even be honest about the Mark Ballas thing, whereas Paul McDonald, just recently happily conveyed he is officially dating a Twilight star (don't know her name). Paul was open and enthusiastic, making humor. Why can't Pia just be real? She is so guarded, and that is going to hurt her. We have to be able to relate to SOMETHING about her. A writer in the audience of the show one night said the whole cast was laughing and dancing on stage after the show and Pia didn't participate - someone pulled her out to dance and she went to the back again shortly after. What is her issue? For her sake, I hope she can let her hair down, show some authenticity and humility. She also mentioned in her interview how much she "practiced" to get to where she is. That's great, but practicing her singer is not enough to make her a star that could reach her full potential and engage with her fans. And I hope she isn't using Mark for fame or to teach her some dance moves. He is quite the choreographer. Hate when people use others, though of course, we know it happens all the time! Good luck, Pia.

AI is such the popularity contest. Too many people don't get it. Idol is billed as and promoted to be a talent show. Sadly, it never was. Many talented performers have come and gone and too many overstayed their talents while other more talented performers waited for the tour to start.

No one in the top 10, or wild carded 12+ gets voted off! Maybe, that's how it should be! The votes are to keep the favored performers. It has nothing to do with talent, as many could have been questionable selections for the top grouping. To reinforce this, look back to AI6 and you'll be reminded of Sanjaya Malakar and his lack of talent forced on us by teeny boppers and www.votefortheworst.com. This is what has fouled a good idea and process.

Idol should only allow you to vote only once for each idol singer that you want to vote for. Fifty times to vote is just to much.

PIA was a good singer ,but not the best. Remember people, america voted to get rid of her not the Idol show. I really hate to see Paul McDonald go. he was a great singer also. But everyone can't win. Remember there is only one of them who can win.

How is Paul still on the show!!!!!!!!!!

What Idol must do and do it now..is to not allow the teenie boppers to send so many votes for their choice of madness. Restict the voting to so many votes on their cell phones and etc...

i HATE WHEN PEOPLE SAY i AM NOT WATCHING ANYMORE! oNE PERSON GOES AND ANOTHER ONE COMES. EVERYONE GETS UPSET WHEN THE ONE THEY LIKE GETS VOTED OFF,SO YOU PICK ANOTHER AND MOVE ON, THAT'S THE NAME OF THE GAME HEAR!

She clearly was the front runner. Her voice is equivalent to Celine, Whitney, and Striesand. The girl can sing and she will be up there as a Diva someday. She is beautiful. I don't care about the American vote I think Idol made a mistake. The judges didn't do their job. Mary Ann

I know PIA through mutual friends and she is not emotionless or unaffected. She has worked extremley hard to get to where she is now. whether or not she was a "front runner" the point is that Pia has the talent to win american idol.. she deserved to be in the finale. Ane her elimination just proves that the voting system of Idol needs to be changed. Pia will do well no matter what and the love and support she is getting from her loved ones will push her to the top. She is a beautilful and warm person -- and most importantly she could sing her ass off /// love you pee ;)