Author: Shirley Halperin

Ray Mickshaw / Fox

From left: Kree Harrison, Amber Holcomb, Candice Glover, Angie Miller and Ryan Seacrest

Thursday’s night’s American Idol fake-out was perhaps just the latest example of network brass and series producers rewriting the rulebook. It is their show, after all, and they’re certainly entitled and empowered to do so.

But while some viewers (and seemingly none of the press in attendance) were genuinely surprised by the night’s “shocker” — a reprieve for the final four — it seemed the girls on stage weren’t.

VIDEO: ‘American Idol’ Season 12: Top 10 Finalist Red Carpet Interviews

“We hoped,” said Amber Holcomb after the show. Flanked by her fellow finalists Candice Glover, Kree Harrison and Angie Miller, the 19-year-old Houston native, who ended up in the bottom two, called it, but she still showed appreciation and “relief … that I get to redeem myself.”

Indeed, the pressure is on as, next week, the show will tally votes from both episodes and average them out. Now, more than ever, added Holcomb: “song choice is everything.” On the other hand, added Glover, “I was in the bottom, too, it can’t get that much worse.”

Q&A: The Drake Dream Team: How Noah ’40’ Shebib’s Slow Jams Took Over Top 40

If anything, Candice had the best night — she got to meet her idol, Drake, and get a kiss on the cheek from the hip-hop megastar. “Pardon me if I stutter, I can’t believe that happened,” she said later, still fanning herself from the experience. “He said he’s gonna watch for me and he hopes that I can sing on tour with him. I’m, like, let’s go!”

There will be little time for celebrating, though, as the last girls standing go straight into rehearsals for next week’s episode. Not to put a damper on the evening, however, Kree Harrison added, “Every day is a celebration!”

Twitter: @Idol_Worship

Michael Becker / FOX

One thing you can always say about American Idol — despite any behind-the-scenes drama, the judges and ever reliable host Ryan Seacrest always show up with their game face on and professionalism in check.

Certainly that was the case for Wednesday’s top 4 show, when finalists Kree Harrison, Amber Holcomb, Candice Glover and Angie Miller hit the stage for two solo numbers and one duet.

Viewers caught the battle of the ballads on TV, but what didn’t you see? Read on for THR’s view from section C…

1. No discomfort could be seen among the judges as they made their grand entrance — Mariah Carey, in particular. The diva was practically skipping as she held hands with Randy Jackson and strolled to her throne down in front.

2. Judge Nicki Minaj was totally feeling Amber Holcomb’s take on “The Power of Love,” so much so that she could be seen swaying in her seat.

3. Amber seems to be an audience favorite, too, as cheers for her opening performance continued well after the show went to commercial.

4. Still feeling giddy, Mariah Carey blew kisses to fans in the crowd during the first ad break.

PHOTOS: ‘American Idol’ Season 12: The Top 10 Finalists

5. For Kree Harrison’s first turn at bat, “It Hurt So Bad,” judge Keith Urban craned his neck so he could see the finalist belt the blues alongside guitarist Brady Cohan on stage right.

6. Even Randy Jackson’s glasses have their own handler. During the second break, one of the judge’s minders took the entire three-plus minutes to wipe away every last smudge on his lenses.

7. Thanks to a stellar duet of Adele’s “Rumor Has It,” sung by Kree and Amber, the judges’ mood was lifted even more. But while they joked about a possible collaboration between the table’s two female stars, the playful interaction ended as soon as the red light went out on the cameras and a throng of touch-up experts descended.

8. Keith Urban could hardly contain his enthusiasm for the second twosome of the night: Candice Glover and Angie Miller’s spin on Rihanna’s ballad “Stay.” He was practically jumping out of his seat.

9. You could say the same of Mariah Carey’s reaction to Amber’s “MacArthur Park” (whom Nicki Minaj mistakenly calls Angie)… in the form of a twirl.

10. Two Mariah superfans, who had worked long and hard on fastening glitter to a purple banner declaring their love for the diva, got to indulge their fantasy. Mariah motioned over for them to come down so she could sign their signs.

STORY: ‘American Idol’ Alums Advance on ‘The Voice’

11. Jimmy Iovine didn’t exactly win any friends with his harsh-as-heck comments following each of the top 4 performances. Even host Ryan Seacrest jumped on the booing bandwagon when it came to Jimmy’s comment about Amber, motioning thumbs down as the label head cracked on “MacArthur Park.”

12. Nicki Minaj jumping from her seat to the stage so she can play-strangle Iovine didn’t come as much of a surprise to the studio audience. After all, every week she insists that the industry legend doesn’t know what he’s talking about.

13. In perhaps the sweetest moment of the night, judges Keith Urban and Mariah Carey snuggled at the judges’ table while Nicki Minaj and Randy Jackson went AWOL for a moment.

14. Always one to appreciate the moment, Keith Urban emerged from his position behind the judges’ table to the standing room only pit at the front, where he posed with fans and even let one feel his hair.

15. Already imbibed with good vibes, Keith Urban was fully feeling Angie Miller’s “Cry Me A River.” The rendition nearly had him in tears, with arms to the sky.

Twitter: @Idol_Worship

Kwaku Alston / FOX

Mario Lopez will return to The X Factor for his second turn as host, Fox announced today.

In addition, the network also announces, “Khloe Kardashian will not be returning to co-host The X Factor. We really enjoyed working with her and wish her all the best in her future endeavors.”

The TV personality joins show creator Simon Cowell and singer Demi Lovato for the series third season. No word yet on who will fill the open two seats at the judges’ table or whether Lopez will have another cohost.

PHOTOS: ‘X Factor’s’ Emblem3 Performs at L.A.’s Roxy Theatre

For season two, Khloe Kardashian Odom shared hosting duties, her first proper TV gig outside of the Kardashian franchise’s hit reality shows.

Said Lopez in a statement: “I’m looking forward to returning to The X Factor team. We’re coming back stronger and better than ever and I’m excited to check out all the new talent.”

Added Cowell: “Hosting a live show and keeping the judges — especially Demi — in line, is not an easy job, but Mario is a pro and we are glad he’s coming back.”

PHOTOS: ‘The X Factor’ Finale in Pictures: A Country King, a Teen Diva and a Girl Group

Open auditions for season three of  X Factor are currently in progress.

Lopez will also continued hosting duties on the syndicated entertainment news show, Extra, as well as Clear Channel radio show, On with Mario Lopez.

X Factor season two winner’s Tate Stevens’ debut album will be released on Tuesday.

Twitter: @THR