‘American Idol’: Jennifer Hudson, Stevie Wonder And Sugarland Perform

Robbie Daw | March 25, 2011 6:20 am

Thia Megea, Stefano Langone and Casey Abrams ended up in the bottom three on last night’s American Idol results show after viewers cast their votes on who should shape the Top 10. And while we weren’t surprised at Langone’s inclusion at the low end of the scale, it was Casey who proved to be the biggest shock—particularly when he was announced to be the one with the lowest votes. Granted, as we noted yesterday, Abrams’ screechy performance of “I Heard It Through The Grapevine” on Wednesday night’s Motown-themed round really did nothing to impress us. And perhaps it’s a sour taste that’s been building for America since his also-screamy rendition of Nirvana‘s “Smells Like Teen Spirit” the week prior.

At any rate, Casey was offered one last chance to sing for the judges (he opted for his audition tune, Ray Charles‘ “I Don’t Need No Doctor”). And that’s when Randy Jackson, Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler opted to use their one-time save this season, to keep Abrams in the competition.

“We were wondering when we heard the results, ‘Why is Casey at the bottom?’ We don’t know. You deserve to be here,” said a stunned J.Lo, while Steven Tyler added, “This is crazy wrong.” Reminder, folks: in the end, there’s only one winner.

Seasoned vet performers throughout the night included Motown legend Stevie Wonder, who appeared on stage as the Top 11 were wrapping up their medley number “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough.” Little Stevie tore through his classic “Signed, Sealed, Delivered I’m Yours,” then called Tyler up on stage and led the audience in singing “Happy Birthday” to him.

And country duo Sugarland offered up their single “Stuck Like Glue” from their chart-topping album The Incredible Machine.

Idol‘s Season 3 Oscar/Grammy winner Jennifer Hudson also returned to the show’s stage, to belt out her soulful I Remember Me ballad “Where You At.”

Next week: plan to say goodbye to two contestants on elimination night.