We’ve only got a couple episodes of Glee left for season 4, and today we’re getting a sneak peek into some of what’s to come on this week’s episode titled “Lights Out.”

Here’s a surprise, and one that surely would’ve brought out the ratings that Fox is so desperately searching for: A report tonight indicates that American Idol producers attempted to take out Mariah Carey mid-season.

America whittled the top five ladies down to four tonight, and two past Idol favorites, Clay Aiken and Fantasia Barrino, returned to the stage.

The top 5 ladies proved that Idol is not lacking anything without a Y chromosome, taking on songs from the year they were born and diva hits. The judges gave more standing ovations than they have all season, in a night that gave us a glimpse of some future divas in the making.

For possibly the first time this season, America finally voted based on the performances, rather than their loyalty, and the elimination was well-deserved. Distinguished Idol alumni Kelly Clarkson and Scotty McCreery also returned to the Idol stage.

The lines were drawn as the top 6 took on two songs each, resulting in some of the best and worst performances in Idol history, not to mention some hilarious judging.

This week’s elimination resulted in lots of tears shed by both contestants and judges, but there was also a surprising romantic farewell gesture! Plus, season 4 winner Carrie Underwood made an emotional return to the Idol stage.

Season 12’s top 7 took on some classic and not-so-classic rock songs this week, but in several cases, the judges had more to say about the contestants’ clothes than their performances. Special guest and amazing guitarist Orianthi accompanied each of the contestants’ performances.

This week’s Idol results show had thrills and spills, and guest performances from both past contestants and a current judge. What may have seemed, after last night’s performance show, to be a clear-cut elimination did not end up as expected.

The top 8 contestants tackled Detroit’s finest this week, with the help of guest mentor and Motown legend Smokey Robinson. However, not everyone was up to the challenge.

In a conference call with reporters on Monday March 25, Nicki Minaj answered questions about American Idol’s twelfth season, the likelihood of a guy winning the competition, and what shocked her the most about being a judge on Idol.

Last week’s elimination of Paul Jolley means this year’s winner will be a new sort of Idol: the reign of the WGWGs is over.

The top nine were narrowed down to eight in a night featuring the return of a few former Idols, and a surprising bottom three.

The Top 9 tackled the Lennon and McCartney songbook on Wednesday night to try to win America’s votes.