Stefano Langone Bids 'American Idol' A Fond Farewell on Thursday, April 22, 2011

Fox, Thursday, April 22, 2011, 8 PM (ET) "American Idol" (finally) said good bye to Stefano Langone after several weeks spent in the bottom three vote-getters. The signs seems to point to rapid departures for Jacob Lusk and/or Haley Reinhart, since they were the other two lowest vote-getters, and have been before.

Ryan Seacrest announced that over 52 million votes were cast. Jennifer Lopez remarked, "I hope it's (the one eliminated) not a girl." Entertainment included Katy Perry singing, David Cook (Season 7's winner) singing, and a Scotty/Casey/James trio on "Viva la Vida", as well as Lauren, Haley, Jacob, and Stefano singing "Hey, Soul Sister."

When the judges were asked who should be sent home, after the three lowest vote-getters were announced, "Steven Tyler said, "None of you deserve to be standing there. Fifty million people have been watching you." Jennifer Lopez added, "I hate to see either one of you (Stefano or Jacob) go." Randy added, "Big props to that."

When the ax finally fell and it was announced that Stefano would be the contestant leaving the competition in 7^th place, he did a very credible job of singing his last song ("Lately") and said, after he sang the lyric, "This time could mean goodbye," of his "American Idol" experience, "It started my career, Man. You can't put a price on that. I'm blessed."

Stefano had dodged more than one bullet. Likewise, Jacob and Haley keep drawing the short end of the stick. Despite the surprising week when Casey Abrams was nearly eliminated and saved by the judges, it seems clear that James and Scotty have ardent supporters, and Casey has the judges' support and is arguably the most versatile and the most talented. ("Entertainment Weekly" picked him to take it all weeks ago.)

It can be predicted that, in no particular order, the competition will lose Jacob and Haley. After that, things will become really interesting. Lauren Alaina will have to pull a musical rabbit out of a hat to beat out Scotty McReery, who has the support of the nation's C&W fans. [I would expect Scotty to finish, at the lowest, third, and possibly make it to the final two.]

If you had asked me who the Final Two would be a few weeks ago, I would have predicted Casey Abrams and Pia Toscano. It has now become clear, as Jimmy Kimmel pointed out in a hilarious skit about the teenyboppers who are doing the voting, that it is not talent that will out. When it comes to hard-core fan support, obviously Casey did not have it the week he was voted off and saved by the judges. Scotty was golden even on a night when all three judges dissed his performance.

If we were to predict the final two contestants based on the past, smart money would place bets on Scotty, James or Casey.