No one saw this coming. American Idol sent home Pia Toscano on Thursday night, widely viewed as one of the best singers left in this year’s competition, and it sent the judges fuming.

“I have no idea what just happened here,” said judge Jennifer Lopez. “I’m shocked, I’m angry, I don’t even know what to say.”

Fellow judge Randy Jackson agreed with Lopez, and added, “I’m never really mad on this show, but this makes me mad.”

Toscano, 22, is from Queens, New York City, and the fact she was sent home drew boos from the audience, Reuters reported. There are eight competitors remaining.

The elimination also led to widespread social media chatter, with many saying they were shocked, and some saying they won’t watch Idol anymore altogether. Stars like Snooki weighed in with a tweet, “Pia should have won the whole thing! I’m not watchin Idol anuymore. I’m with JLO on this one…”

Former Idol break-out rocker Chris Daughtry tweeted his disgust at the whole show:

Paula Abdul “lives to dance!”….Unfortunately no one rat’s ass.

The former American Idol judge’s is said to be “devastated” after learning that her shortlived CBS dance reality competition Live to Dance has not been renewed for a second season on The Eye. The show, which also featured former Pussycat Doll Kimberly Wyatt and choreographer Travis Payne, debuted to 10 million viewers — trumping even NBC’s The Biggest Loser — when it premiered last month, but it didn’t take look for the audience to lose interest.

“Paula kept hoping week after week that her show would pick up new viewers,” says a tipster. “But each week the ratings trailed off. It ended with only a little more than 4 million viewers watching the final… way too few for CBS to keep Paula’s dream dance show alive.”

Now tasting bitter defeat and unemployment, Paula’s holding out hope that there’ll be a Coke Pepsi cup with her name on it when The X Factor debuts on FOX this fall.

The insider adds: “Although there’s been talk she may be asked to join Simon Cowell’s new X Factor show this fall, she’s not been asked. And because of the way she treated Simon when she left Idol… demanding more money than they were willing to pay… she fears her diva attitude back then will cause her to lose out on an X Factor invitation. Now all she can do is sit tight and wait to see if her phone rings, and if it does, hope it will be Simon on the other end.”

The contestants were the same old, naive teeny boppers  and low self-esteem adults as we’ve seen in the past. There were the same weirdos (the guy who burps when he’s nervous), the same wannabes (the Britney fanatic), the same sob stories (cue violin), and even the same songs (If they ever have a season where they DON’T sing “Hallelujah” … I’ll sing it) — pretty much the same everything.

One major change: The judges “aren’t in the business of crushing spirits,” as Jennifer Lopez put it. But here’s one pleasant surprise — they were a lot funnier than we thought they would be. Especially Steven Tyler. While the Aerosmith frontman doesn’t have Cowell’s frosty wit, he is pretty outrageous. His best line of the night, in response to one contestant: “Well hellfire, save matches, f— a duck, and see what happens.” What??

He also has something that Cowell didn’t have — he’s fun. Tyler’s love of music came through again and again, and he often couldn’t resist singing along or pounding on the table. Guess that’s why he fronted the best-selling American rock band in history.

The “Idol” judging panel also has something else it never had before — a bona fide sex symbol. Between the hair, the makeup, the clothes and the jewels, you can’t take your eyes off of Jennifer Lopez (even if you find her tinny little-girl voice kind of annoying). Even Randy took a peek at her legs, which Tyler was kind enough to point out.

Which brings us to another point about Tyler — he’s a dog. Not “the dog” like Randy — a “dog,” as in a pig. Tyler loves the ladies, and the ladies — most young enough to be his granddaughters — love him right back. At 62, he had no problem pointing out that a super-wholesome 16-year-old was showing “just the right amount” of leg.

One major criticism: More so than the judges of yore, this panel seems a little too willing to send the freaks to Hollyweird — most notably Tiffany Morris, a well-endowed dance teacher who literally let it all hang out while singing about how America needs her for “higher ratings on TV.” But Tyler made up for it by addressing the dangling stars on her skimpy bikini top, asking, “What’s with the jujubes on your hoo hoo bes?”

As Ryan Seacrest pointed out early in the show, this isn’t a story about the judges, it’s a story about YOU, America. And of all the 51 contestants who made it through New Jersey, only one really made a lasting impression on us — 16-year-old Travis of the Bronx. He has the sad back story (grew up surrounded by gangs, drugs and violence, lived in a shelter until recently), looks clean, hip and marketable and did a good, understated job with the Beatles and Jason Mraz.

But we kind of wished Simon were there to point out, “If you’re so poor, why do you look like you’re wearing designer eyeglasses?”

 American Idol alum Kellie Pickler, 24, has added her name to the brigade of Hollywood celebs who tied the knot as the sun set on 2010.

The girl who rose through the ranks of the recording industry when she told us to “Pick Pickler” during the fifth season of Idol wed Kyle Jacobs, 37 on Jan. 1, PEOPLE said Tuesday.

The lovers eloped in a “small, intimate ceremony on a private island in the Caribbean.”

Kelly and Kyle have been dating since 2008 and announced their engagement shortly after Jacobs popped the question on a Florida beach last June.

“It was the most spiritual moment,” Pickler said at the time. “We would’ve gotten married that night had there been a preacher walking by!”

American Idol alum Kara DioGuardi has landed a new gig on Bravo’s upcoming singer-songwriter competition series, Going Platinum. According to Bravo, Kara DioGuardi will be a judge on Going Platinum.  “I am happy to be a part of a show that helps up and coming songwriters pursue their dreams, while giving the public a look into the creative process.” Kara DioGuardi said in a statement.

Kara DioGuardi will serve on the judging panel with recording artist and former Nashville Star host and judge Jewel, who will also host the series. 

Pop legend Elton John has made some controversial comments about contemporary pop music, the tarts who sing it, and snubbing American Idol in a new interview.

In a chat with Britain’s Radio Times Magazine, the “Candle in the Wind” hitmaker explains his decision to snub a rumored eight-figure deal to replace music titan Simon Cowell on the judging panel of American Idol.says Elton, who releases his new studio album The Union this week.

“I’m not a fan of talent shows. I probably wouldn’t have lasted if I’d gone on one. I was asked to judge American Idol. I couldn’t do it because I won’t slag anyone off,”

“Also I don’t want to be on television. It’s become boring, arse-paralyzingly brain crippling….The only way to sustain a career is to pay your dues in small … clubs,” John, 63, adds.

“TV vaults you to superstardom and then you have to back it up, which is hard. (British ‘X Factor’ winners) Leona Lewis and Alexandra Burke are at the mercy of the next song they can get. (Britain’s Got Talent runner-up) Susan Boyle was an endearing phenomenon, but I fear she might not understand the rigors of showbusiness,” he continued.

And while Elton admits that he is a fan of pop acts like Lily Allen, Amy Winehouse, and Lady Gaga, the veteran rocker believes today’s pop music leaves much to be desired.

“It’s important they (pop stars) write their own songs, so they’re not at the mercy of anyone,” says John, whose real name is Reginald Dwight. “Songwriters today are pretty awful, which is why everything sounds the same. Contemporary pop isn’t very inspiring.”

In fact, Elton’s ruled out recording any more pop albums, insisting he wants to devote the rest of his career to tackling the blues.

The “Rocket Man” singer reveals working with piano legend Leon Russell on The Union has made him realize he’s too old for the mainstream charts, and, despite being one of the biggest pop stars of all time, he’s turning his back on the genre that catapulted him to fame in the 1970s.

“I’ve never had such a personal experience making a record (as The Union) and it’s given me verification that what I should do in the future is make records like this. I might collaborate with Lady Gaga or the Scissor Sisters on a single, but I’m not going to make pop albums anymore.”

After a whirlwind romance, bluesy American Idol Season 9 runner-up Crystal Bowersox wed fiance Brian Walker in an intimate ceremony in front of family and friends on Saturday.

“Our lives have never made more sense than they do right now,” Bowersox, 25, told PEOPLE Magazine following her nups. “I can’t believe how incredibly lucky we are to have found so much laughter, love, and light within each other. We’re one happy WalkerSox family.”

The bride wore an eco-friendly gown designed by Vermont designer Tara Lynn as she walked down the aisle at the club where they couple met during Open Mic Night six years ago. Among the 60 guests in attendance were Crystal’s 1-1/2-year-old son Tony, who served as a ring bearer.

The Jive Records recording artist is eyeing a Spring 2011 release date for her debut album.

Bowersox split from longtime boyfriend Tony Kusian on the eve of the American Idol finale last May.

“He wasn’t cool with the lifestyle,” she said at the time. “It was a mutual thing. It’s cool, though. We’re both logical, grown adults. I want this career, this lifestyle, more than anything, and I didn’t think he was up for it. He didn’t think he was up for it.”

The newlywed also recently hit her Twitter to debunk whispers that Brian is the proverbial “Rebound Guy.”

“hilarious that people think Brian and I just met. He’s been a best friend for years…i don’t read anything but its hard when other people call me and tell me whats out there. I don’t care, i just live my life…i listed him as an influence on the show, and he was in the audience a few different occasions. but it goes back years before the circus…we’ve both always had pretty bad timing, but it finally worked out.”

A rebound romance ends in wedding bells for American Idol runner-up Crystal Bowersox. The singer is engaged to musician Brian Walker and will marry in October, Bowersox’s rep told PEOPLE Magazine on Friday.

Bowersox, who has a 1-year-old son, split from her longtime boyfriend Tony Kusian on the eve of her finale performance at the American Idol Season 9 finale last May.

“He wasn’t cool with the lifestyle,” she said at the time. “It was a mutual thing. It’s cool, though. We’re both logical, grown adults. I want this career, this lifestyle, more than anything, and I didn’t think he was up for it. He didn’t think he was up for it.”

Bowersox, 25, is currently recording her debut album.

DioGuardi…Out.

On Friday, FOX executives confirmed that award-winning songwriter Kara DioGuardi is stepping down from her role as a judge on American Idol. After a two-season run behind the judges’ table, followed by months of rumors, Kara announced her departure from the show just after 5 PM on Friday afternoon.

“I felt like I won the lottery when I joined ‘American Idol’ two years ago, but I feel like now is the best time to leave ‘Idol,’” DioGuardi remarked in her public letter of resignation. “I am very proud to have been associated with ‘American Idol’ – it has truly been an amazing experience. I am grateful to FOX, FremantleMedia and 19 Entertainment, as well as the cast, crew and contestants, for all they have given to me. I look forward to my next challenge, and want to thank everyone who has supported me. All the best to everyone on Season 10!”

Kara’s swan song follows reports last month claiming that the brunette newlywed had been ousted from the show in an overhaul by A.I. producers. DioGuardi’s politician father even appeared on a New York State talk show and complained that the songwriter was getting the silent treatment from FOX about her rumored axing from show.

“Would you believe she did not hear — and still has not heard — anything?” the elder DioGuardi said. “She read it the way you did and I did….Kara has a very deep career in music … she’ll be fine. Would she want to do it another year? I think so … I think at some point (she) will confront them on that,” Joe DioGuardi, a Republican Senate candidate from New York, told Capital NY Aug. 13.

There was no talk of that tonight as Idol creator and executive producer Simon Fuller issued a press release praising DioGuardi’s brief service to television’s most-watched talent show.

“Kara is one of the world’s best songwriters,” Simon said in the statement. “She has been passionate and committed to IDOL over the last two seasons. I will miss having her on the show, but I look forward to working with her in music for many years to come.”

Comedienne Ellen DeGeneres announced her departure from the Idol judges’ table in late July, following acid-tongued Brit Simon Cowell — who exited his gig as the panel’s unrelenting voice of reason in May. Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler and singer/actress Jennifer Lopez are nearing deals to join the show’s 10th season, according to recent reports. Randy Jackson remains the lone original Idol judge still with the show.

Will you miss Kara’s commentary at the judges’ table when Idol Season 10 premieres in January? How do you feel about Kara’s exit? Happy, Sad, Don’t Care?