‘American Idol’ Power List: James Durbin Is Gaining On Pia Toscano

Robbie Daw | April 1, 2011 12:50 pm

With the one-time judges’ save used up on Casey, it was business as usual this week on American Idol—with not one, but two sad singers given the toss on last night’s results show. Our Power List covers the Top 9 contestants, so say adios to reggae-loving Naima Adedapo and 16-year-old Thia Megia. Check out how we ranked the remaining hopefuls after the jump. Elton John night didn’t really have us tiny-dancing across the living room floor, but James Durbin (9 points) at least brought the fire—literally! Comeback kid Haley Reinhart (8) and soulful crooner Jacob Lusk (7) were also somewhat impressive, while our reigning frontrunner on the list, Pia Toscano (6), was just okay.

Scotty McCreery (5) played it safe by doing Elton’s “Country Comfort,” Lauren Alaina‘s (4) “Candle In The Wind” was pretty forgettable and Casey Abrams (3) has been on a downward slide in our book for the past three weeks.

That brings us to Stefano Langone (2), who took on “Tiny Dancer” but failed to connect emotionally with the song, and Paul McDonald (1), whose slight performance and whisper at the end of “Rocket Man” grated on our nerves. But Paul can forget scoring this week, because he was in the Bottom Three last night. That means he’s docked his lone point.

AMERICAN IDOL POWER LIST, WEEK #4 — TOP 9

1. Pia Toscano (39 points, Last Week #1) 2. James Durbin (38, Last Week #2) 3. ↑Jacob Lusk (28, Last Week #4) 4. Scotty McCreery (27, Last Week #3) 5. Lauren Alaina (23, Last Week #5/tied) 6. ↓Casey Abrams (22, Last Week #5/tied) 7. Stefano Langone (16, Last Week #8) *TIE* 7. Haley Reinhart (16, Last Week #11) *TIE* 9. Paul McDonald (9, Last Week #10)

Check back every Friday to see how the contestants rise or fall in our power rankings! And, of course, we welcome debate in the comments.