Haley is out. Scotty and Lauren are in. The only thing left to do is crown Scotty let the two compete next Tuesday and then viewers will get to vote for which country-themed teenager they want to be the next American Idol.

Shortly after last night’s elimination show a small event was held to determine who would go first and who would clean up. Throughout the season production makes this decision but when it came down to just two singers left the show left it to fate gravity.

THR reports Ryan Seacrest flipped a coin featuring the Top 2′s faces, one on each side. Scotty came up the winner, but…

…the singer decided to defer to his competitor: In a gentlemanly manner, he asked her if she preferred to go first or second. She chose second.

The move is a generous one: The person who performs last is typically thought to have an advantage.

When there are twelve singers I can see a big advantage to going last, but with just two it might not be nearly as critical. Still a kind gesture from Scotty which I’m sure will earn him plenty of “aww”s on Tuesday night.

On a plus note for the show’s longevity, American Idol 2011 was up 12% last night from its respective show last season. Next week should be a big one!

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Haley is out. Scotty and Lauren are in. The only thing left to do is crown Scotty let the two compete next Tuesday and then viewers will get to vote for which country-themed teenager they want to be the next American Idol.

Shortly after last night’s elimination show a small event was held to determine who would go first and who would clean up. Throughout the season production makes this decision but when it came down to just two singers left the show left it to fate gravity.

THR reports Ryan Seacrest flipped a coin featuring the Top 2′s faces, one on each side. Scotty came up the winner, but…

…the singer decided to defer to his competitor: In a gentlemanly manner, he asked her if she preferred to go first or second. She chose second.

The move is a generous one: The person who performs last is typically thought to have an advantage.

When there are twelve singers I can see a big advantage to going last, but with just two it might not be nearly as critical. Still a kind gesture from Scotty which I’m sure will earn him plenty of “aww”s on Tuesday night.

On a plus note for the show’s longevity, American Idol 2011 was up 12% last night from its respective show last season. Next week should be a big one!

This content is owned by American Idol Net.

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Related Articles at American Idol 2011:

• American Idol 2011 Top 7 Elimination Results
• American Idol 2011 Top 11 Round 2 Elimination Results
• American Idol 2009 Top 9 Elimination Results – April 1, 2009
• American Idol 2011 Top 9 Elimination Results
• American Idol 2009 Top 7 Elimination Results – April 15, 2009

After more than 95 million votes, America chose country teenagers Scotty McCreery and Lauren Alaina as its 2011 “American Idol” Top 2.

While I think it’s going to be a somewhat boring competition show next Tuesday, I don’t think it’s a bad Top 2. I was rooting for Haley Reinhart to make it to the finale with Scotty, but only because I enjoy her performances more. Overall, I’m good because I was on the team that believed any of the Top 4 would’ve made for a great finale.

At the beginning of the night we were treated to immediate filler of the Top 4 visiting J.J. Abrams the previous week and they couldn’t have been less excited. That was followed by what I think might have been a seizure from Elle Fanning.

The first real order of business was footage from Haley’s homecoming. It was nice to see a softer side of Haley. She’s been pretty tough all season, so it was good to see that human side. Had she shown that side of her earlier in the game, she might have made the Final 2.

After that and a Ford video, we were “treated” to a performance by Il Volo for some reason I still don’t understand. Nothing like baby faced boys who sound like 50-year-old Opera singers.

Next up is Scotty’s trip home. Scotty seemed truly modest, as if he had no idea he’d have that many fans. And like Haley, he was very emotional.

More crap filler follows in the form of a pre-recorded performance by the new “X Factor” host and it’s passed off  as a live performance. Why do they always want us to think these performances are happening live? It’s so insulting.

Lauren’s home visit seemed to be the most grand. When I saw the incredibly HUGE crowd that turned out for her, I knew right then she was in the finale. And from that footage, I think she could even beat Scotty next week. Maybe.

Finally, it’s time for the results. Ryan calls the three of them up and first announces that Scotty is going to the finale. Then he tells Lauren to join him. Haley seems shocked and maybe angry, but quickly covers and comes off very respectable with her reactions.

Haley sings one last time (well, until next week) and does her awesome version of “Bennie And The Jets.”

So it’s Scotty and Lauren. It’s been a long season with a lot of curve balls, but it’s almost over. I’m either going to be ready for a break or miss this ridiculous show like crazy. I’m not sure which yet.

What are your thoughts on the Top 2?

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It’s that time again. Ryan Seacrest will soon be handed the envelope, the lights will dim, and someone will be sent home. Are you ready for your American Idol 2011 Top 2 and the big finale performance next Tuesday?

See what other Idol fans are saying right now on our Idol Facebook page and then join us in the Idol Net Chat room while we review tonight’s live show.

American Idol 2011 Top 3 Elimination Results:

• Eliminated: Haley Reinhart

American Idol 2011 Top 2 Results:

• Scotty McCreery
• Lauren Alaina

You can download all of this week’s performances on iTunes or you can get the original artists’ performances for free with Real’s SuperPass trial.

Did America get the vote right this week? Share your thoughts!

Original content from American Idol 2011.

Tonight’s results show will determine who will be performing for your American Idol 2011 finale and who will fall just short of his or her big chance. I would say that after last night’s performances that it’d be a no-brainer on who will make the cut, but I think the obvious results expectations should be thrown out the window after last week’s surprise.

Between what I’m seeing in our poll, my impressions of last night’s performances, and Branden’s prediction that we’ll see the country-vote divvied up I’m expecting Lauren to be cut lose and give us a finale showdown between Haley and Scotty. But again, after lots of surprise results this season I’m not going to hold my breath.

Along with the results we’re going to get a few guest performances tonight. I had never heard of Il Volo before (think Jonas Brothers singing Italian), but their video features lots of Beats headphones uselessly wrapped around their necks so I’m guessing Jimmy Iovine is involved here. Their music video is hilariously cheesy (you look at the ground, you look right at the camera, and you look up and pretend to be amazed by a blue sky), or at least the first minute is since I couldn’t get past that, so you can watch it or listen to the preview below.

Il Volo – ‘O Sole Mio:

Then we’ll also get a performance of “Right There” by Nicole Scherzinger and 50 Cent. I’m not sure which performance will be worse but this duo looks ready to take on the Italian trio with lyrics like “me like the way… me like the way…” apparently inspired by Rebecca Black (“we so excited”). Rest assured that there are more Beats headphones featured in this video too so definitely more Jimmy-ProductPlacement-Iovine at work. Give it a watch or listen in below.

Nicole Scherzinger – Right There ft. 50 Cent:

Looks like I’ll just be watching for the American Idol results tonight, but while we wait for the envelope be sure to join other Idol fans on our Facebook page and see what everyone is saying. Don’t forget to vote for your favorite in our poll below.

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