American Idol fans slam new episode for unbearable runtime and blast voting format during 3-ho -

AMERICAN Idol fans have voiced their displeasure with Sunday's gaspingly long episode.

The three-hour television broadcast saw the competition whittled down from 26 singers to 20, and people "couldn't even vote for their favorites until the end."

American Idol hit the small screen on April 23 with 26 contestants, host Ryan Seacrest, and judges Katy Perry, Luke Bryan, and Lionel Richie.

Not all fans were left singing the praises of the episode's format, however.

There were three live performances including past winners HunterGirl and Noah Thompson- as well as Smokey Robinson.

When the smoke cleared, only six of the contestants were eliminated over the 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. EST event.

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Iam Tongi emerged as a fan favorite immediately after his first audition but it seems like fans still can't get enough of him.

One fan tweeted, "Iam Tongi is ready for the finals."

Another added he was a "treasure."

But so much of the episode was filler that fans could barely make it to the point where they could vote for the top 12, and had to keep track of who they liked instead of being able to vote as it aired.

'UNNECESSARY'

One Twitter user bashed: "Cut out all the bull**it out & this could have been done in an hour. 3 hours is 100% unnecessary."

"Why does it need to be 3 hours?!" wrote another.

"Are all 26 there tonight or only half? I’m so confused and how is this 3 hours?" wondered a third.

Another wrote: "American Idol   is a farce. Instead of giving people time to watch & digest the performances, they go 3 hours until 11PM EST when voting opens, and end voting at 9 AM the next day.

"What's the rush? How does that make for a fair competition?"

A fourth said: "We could have cut this American Idol episode from 3 hours to 1 hour. If we didn’t have to focus so much on backstory. Just show me their talent and let me vote."

A fifth wrote: "It's only 9:15. I want to get my American Idol votes in
but we have to wait until 11:00."

Indeed, fans had to wait until the end of the long episode to even vote for their favorites with barely anyone eliminated along the way.

Here's who made it to the top 20:

Hannah Nicolaisen, 23 from Texas
Haven Madison, 16 from Tennessee
Iam Tongi, 18 from Hawaii
Kaeyra, 21 from Illinois
Lucy Love, 28 from Arkansas
Mariah Faith, 21 from South Carolina
Matt Wilson, 21 from New York
Nailyah Serenity, 22 from North Carolina
Oliver Steele, 25 from Tennessee
Olivia Soli, 20 from California
Warren Peay, 24 from South Carolina
Zachariah Smith, 19 from Mississippi
Nutsa, 25 from the Republic of Georgia
Oliver Steele, 25 from Tennessee
Olivia Soli, 20 from California
Paige Anne, 16 from Idaho
Tyson Venegas (Platinum ticket winner), 17 from Canada
Warren Peay, 24 from South Carolina
Wé Ani, 23 from New York
Zachariah Smith, 19 from Mississippi

Here's who went home:

Elise Kristine, 18 from Washington
Emma Busse, 20 from Canada
PJAE, 23 from Oklahoma
Dawson Wayne, 21 from Texas
Elijah McCormick (Platinum ticket winner), 21 from North Carolina
Malik Heard, 26 from Texas

PERRY CONCERNING

Meanwhile, Idol producers are reportedly "rattled" by judge Katy's behavior this season.

Fans have slammed the judge throughout the season, and a source called her comments to contestants "rude and condescending."

Sources revealed exclusively to Radar that producers are taking note of the judge's behavior, with an insider saying: "Producers are so rattled by Katy's behavior they're considering replacing her to keep the audience happy."

Notable contestant Sara Beth Lieb quit the show during Hollywood Week after fans called Katy out for "mom-shaming" her.

American Idol fans slam new episode for unbearable runtime and blast voting format during 3-ho

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'UNNECESSARY'

Here's who made it to the top 20:

Here's who went home:

PERRY CONCERNING

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