AMERICAN IDOL: L-R: Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez at Hollywood Week on AMERICAN IDOL airing on FOX. CR: Michael Becker / FOX.

Nigel Lythgoe is speaking to press in a mass phone conference at 1 p.m. EST today. I will certainly be on the phone to ask him about whether any voting changes are set for this year. (Probably not but worth asking.) If  not,  I’ll get to talk to him in person Sunday at the Fabulous Fox Theatre, where “So You Think You Can Dance’ will be holding auditions.

You have to wonder if we can give Nigel credit for editing last night’s show so well.  This was one of the best Hollywood episodes in recent history. They did not spend too much time on Tatiana types and balanced the drama and the singing well. Plus, the three judges did a good job with the critiques. Jennifer Lopez has clearly grown into saying “no.” And even when Steven Tyler goofs up, it’s endearing.

- Joe’s Place is speculating that the “Green Mile” episode being shot now won’t cut it down to 20 but 24 instead. Hopefully, somebody asks Nigel about that today.

- Fantasia told BET’s “106 & Park” that she skipped the Grammys (where she won her first Grammy) because she was miffed she wasn’t asked to be part of the Aretha Franklin tribute. In the R&B slot that night: Jennifer Hudson.

I’m going to be very honest with you. You know I wasn’t at the Grammys last night. I’m kind of going through my own little thing… Last night they were honoring someone who is my idol, Aretha Franklin, and there is no way I could have sat there and not got the happy feet and wanting to jump on the mic because she is my favorite so I felt like, you know, at the end of the day I should have been on that stage so, I kind of did my own little thing last night.

- Jason Aldean’s duet with Kelly Clarkson is now up to No.  6 on the Mediabase 24/7 country charts with “Don’t You Wanna Stay.” Her duet with Reba McEntire a few years back of “Because of You” peaked at No. 2.

- Jason Castro’s “You Are” (which is not the same as the Lionel Richie version) is at No. 16 on the Christian pop chart. Mandisa’s “Stronger” has jumped into the top 20 after just four weeks (though Fish 104.7 has not added the song yet.)

- Jennifer Hudson’s “Where You At” jumps to No. 25 on the urban chart and 18 on the urban AC chart.

- Lee DeWyze’s “Sweet Serendipity” peaked at No. 22 on the Hot AC chart and is now down to 38.

- Crystal Bowersox’s “Farmer’s Daughter” s being played on six adult alternative stations, including Dave FM here in Atlanta. (Dave is playing it only in the evenings and overnights.)

- Paula Abdul’s “Live to Dance”? Radaronline claims it’s over for sure. Radaronline is not very reliable. But given the poor ratings of her show, a second season is not going to happen. So it’s probably true nonetheless. And it opens  the door for Paula joining “X Factor.”