Pia Toscano booted off ‘American Idol’ – America got it wrong!

Pia Toscano was dubbed the early frontrunner of season 10 of “American Idol,” and many of us considered her a shoe-in for the finale if not the win.

“Perfect Pia” seemingly had it all going for her  – talent, looks, stage presence, confidence – yet last night America’s vote sent her packing prematurely with a shocking 9th place finish.

This was déjà vu for many of us, bringing back memories of season 7 and Aussie-born Michael Johns’ 8th place exit after performing Aerosmith’s “Dream On.”

Some blame male voter apathy for Pia’s premature departure (they don’t vote with the ambition of the teenage female audience).

Another theory points to the fact that many viewers just don’t vote – something that many of the folks in my circle of family/friends are guilty of.

Or, could it be the blasé attitude of the New York audience, who don’t vote with the fervor of our Southern or Midwestern neighbors?

Judge Steven Tyler, in a post-show interview on the Fox channel, said, “Guys aren’t voting and girls are jealous [of Pia].”

Reactions from my group are varied:

Dennis S. (my son-in-law) suggests in a Facebook post he made that online voting is ruining “American Idol” as 16-year-old girls are stuffing the ballot boxes for their favorite boy toys and thus all the girls are being voted off one-by-one.  His suggestion – “Stick to the phones, ‘Idol’!”

Diane D. of Bethpage says, “looks like the teeny boppers who vote for the cutest guy put Pia in the bottom three.”

Mary G. (my sister) wasn’t too upset with Pia’s departure, acknowledging  Pia’s obvious talent, but she just never warmed up to her as a performer.

Tweens Nicky and Deanna T. of Lindenhurst were extremely disappointed; they felt that an extremely talented person went home way before her time. (Mom Gina, however, wasn’t so disappointed.)

My granddaughter Alex was very upset that one of her favorites, Pia, was eliminated.  She told her dad that she really wanted Stefano to go home instead.

According to a post on mjsbigblog, “Twitter exploded Thursday night when American Idol 10 front runner, Pia Toscano was eliminated in a shocking boot. Not only did the fans let loose with their surprise and dismay, but many ex-Idols weighed in with their opinions as well.”  Here are a few of the tweets she posted:

With Pia’s early departure, “American Idol” will not be the same. With merely two gals left, will the female elimination trend (yes, five girls in a row were booted) come to an end next week?  Will folks hold it against Casey Abrams for the early use of the judges’ one-time save?  Will viewers hold it against the frequently “not safe” Stefano Langone for being the survivor in the last round of eliminations?  

And will “American Idol” get the hint that entertainers like Iggy Pop don’t belong on the show!!!