Live Blogging AMERICAN IDOL Season Finale
May 19, 2009 by Kath Skerry
I wasn’t going to live blog tonight’s AMERICAN IDOL season finale, but screw it, there are people on the West Coast that need me. Ha!
We are coming in a few minutes late but we’ll catch up by the next commercial break. I can tell you that the opening was a lot of hyperbolic nonsense. “The guy next door” versus “The guy liner”. How very original, IDOL writers.
Um, guys, someone put Paula in an oven and left her in way too long. Seriously she is embarrassingly tan.
Seacrest warns us that tomorrow’s season finale is going to go long so we should set the DVRs accordingly. Thanks for the heads up. I was NOT amused last year when the DVR cut it off right before Seacrest announced the winner.
Tonight Adam and Kris will be performing three songs each. Their favorite from the season; a pick from Executive Producer Simon Fuller, and the 2009 IDOL anthem co-written by Kara DioGuardi.
Before we get into the performances, I just want to say that I will personally be happy with whoever takes home the big win tomorrow night. Honestly, both guys deserve to be there and both deserve to win. I love me some Adam Lambert and ditto on my boy Kris Allen. I wish them both nothing but the best tonight. Good luck guys! So excited for you!!
For Adam: 1-866-IDOLS-01 | 1-866-IDOLS-03 | 1-866-IDOLS-05
For Kris: 1-866-IDOLS-02 | 1-866-IDOLS-04 | 1-866-IDOLS-06
First up tonight is Adam Lambert with his personal pick from the season. He smartly went with “Mad World”. This is the song that changed a lot of people’s minds about Adam. Living up to his persona of the dark one, Adam took to the stage in a long coat and accompanied by the blue light. As for the song, it was fantastic, but if I’m being honest he sang it a bit better the first time around. But that’s ok, because it was still incredible. I’m a bit biased because I listen to Adam’s version of “Mad World” almost every day.
The judges all loved it. Simon thought it was a bit theaterical but he liked it all the same.
Kris Allen takes the stage with his favorite song of the season, “Ain’t No Sunshine”. Good choice. Other than the strategic “Heartless”, this was Kris’s other best song choice of the season. Another song that gets solid playtime on my iPod, Kris performed it so well. His voice sounded smooth, and it was smart to remind everyone of his musicality by playing the piano. Nice job, buddy.
The judges again were quite enthusiastic. Simon went as far to say that last week he wasn’t sure America made the right choice, but after that performance, he thinks they did. Wow.
As we go into commercial break, Seacrest asks Simon who took Round 1 and (brace yourselves) he said Kris Allen.
Adam Lambert is taking the stage with a whole new look (so sexy) for his second song. This time around he’s singing “Change is Gonna Come” – a song chosen by IDOL producer Simon Fuller. Really, a big Taylor Hicks song? A great song, but of all the songs I’m not sure this would be what I chose for Adam. But on the other hand it’s a great song for Adam to showcase his off the charts range. He performed the verses so beautifully. So deep. But then he went off the dead end when he hit his upper register. I guess he’s going to go with what got him here, but if he wanted to win new voters I think it would have served him to bring it down a little. No denying that voice and that talent. This kid is crazy talented and I can’t wait to see how huge he is going to be once this competition ends. Watch out world!
Judges were again very enthusiastic. Kara said that this was maybe his best performance of the entire season. Paula agreed. sorry I’m not being more descriptive but the judges are all loving what they’re seeing and hearing tonight.
[Whose not loving what she’s hearing is Suri Cruise. She’s in the audience with Katie Holmes who is covering little Suri’s ears. Is a concert like this really appropriate for a 3 year old? Whatevs.]
For Kris Allen’s second song of the night, Simon Fuller has chosen “What’s Going On” by Marvin Gaye. It’s going to be hard to take the stage after that performance by Adam but I know Kris is going to surprise us all night. This turned out to be one hell of a song choice. The arrangement was interesting and heartfelt. Kris looked like he was headlining his own show rather than in a competition.
This is a fantastic night so far for the fans and for the two guys.
Randy thought the song was a bit light for this point in the competition. Not for nothing but he didn’t pick the song, you can’t fault the guy for that. Kara was more enthusiastic about the song choice. Simon thought the song was too laid back for a night like this. Short of making it into a full on rock performance I’m not sure what more he could have done with it.
Round 2 goes to Adam Lambert.
As Randy would say — we’ve got a hot one here tonight.
For the final round, the guys are singing the same song. I HATE this. You have two completely different artists. The show is better for it. Yet the producers make them sing the same exact song? I just don’t see the point. Already annoyed. Sorry. Every year that they do this I bitch – it’s just waht I do. I’ll move on now.
Adam Lambert is up first with “No Boundries”. Hold the phone, do the IDOLS always get to read the lyrics from the teleprompter or is just for the finale?! I love me some Adam but this was NOT his best performance. The song completely got away from him at times. Maybe it was because it was new, I don’t know, but I felt he could have lost control at any minute. Adam’s voice sounded a bit strained. The poor guy probably hasn’t slept in days. Give the boy some tea.
Randy didn’t think it was his favorite performance of the season. Kara thanked him for singing the song. No comment on his performance. Paula just said she’ll always be a fan. Simon said over the entire season he has been one of the best, most original contestants they’ve ever had. He went on to say that Adam will be a world wide star. Congrats Adam!
Finishing up tonight’s IDOL Season Finale, will be Kris Allen’s version of “No Boundries”. Anyone else think this night is flying by? Slow it down…I’m not ready for IDOL to be over. Yikes – the song did not start out good for Kris. He was crazy off pitch. And he missed lyrics. Dude, look straight ahead, they are right there. Wow, this was not good and you know I’m being honest because you know I love Kris. This song was in the wrong key. He should have brought it down a key or two – something more suitable for his voice. I don’t want to even listen to the judges because they are going to rip it apart. Guys, I think this was Kris’s worst performance of the entire season. He knows it.
Kara doesn’t want him to be judged on that song (ouch), but she wants people to vote on the entire season. Paula was also kind. Simon is going to rip him…I’m not ready. Wow, Simon was actually kind. He said he thoroughly, thoroughly deserved to be on the stage tonight. Again WOW!
Anyone else think that Simon was holding back? Let’s not forget last season when he declared Archuleta the winner of performance night? The next night he was all but groveling to David Cook before the winner was announced. Simon is making sure he doesn’t have egg on his face. Simon is also being strategic. We all know he wants Adam to win. That’s not a surprise. But being overly enthusiastic about Adam could lead to people being apathetic about voting which could secure the win for Kris.
Too much to think about. Overall a great night (minus the last song from both guys).
The phone lines are open for four hours tonight, so let’s get to voting!! After you vote come back and let me know what YOU thought about tonight’s performances.
For Adam: 1-866-IDOLS-01 | 1-866-IDOLS-03 | 1-866-IDOLS-05
For Kris: 1-866-IDOLS-02 | 1-866-IDOLS-04 | 1-866-IDOLS-06
NOW GO WATCH GLEE!
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the more i think about it, the more i think kris has a real shot of winning. like you said, i don’t think adam is winning over any new voters tonight, and i think kris’s style is more easy to relate to.
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i liked how last year they got to pick from songs so they could sing something more their style. i can’t imagine a song that suits both their styles equally.
Well, I have to admit, I was and still am a HUGE Danny fan, even though you guys hammered him often. Anyway…. I will be voting for Kris tonight. Adam, although a good singer, has been hyped up so much this year, I’m at the crossroads hoping he doesn’t win. So my Danny votes will be going to Kris tonight. Good luck Kris! Pull off the shocker of the season!
Oh, Kara’s song was awful. I doubt anyone could have really sung that song well. I hate when the judges/producers pick a song not of their choice and then hammer them when they sing it. If that is all the judges have to complain about then they should just keep their mouths shut…
Danny fans, vote for Kris!
I think Elaine represents a legion of Gokey fans who could represent the swing vote this season. Kris’ finale performances may not have been the best sample of his talents, particularly that hideous final song, but his appeal is more “traditional” than his flashy counterpart.
If I were to put on my old hat as a Political Science major, I would guess that Adam’s voters display more intensity than Kris’ proponents, so Lambert should win a contest that allows for multiple voting. If the Idol voting system were limited to a “one man, one vote” design, I think the result would be in Allen’s favor.
Both guys are incredibly talented though personally I like Kris more. I’m sure no matter what they’ll both find success like both Davids from last year have. But that song for the first single is terrible!
I was a huge Danny fan and was sad to see him go last week. Tonight, I will be voting for Kris. I think Adam is hella talented and will have a huge career whether he wins or not. I’d like to see Kris win it. Hats off to both of them for making it this far!
Oh and I’m glad someone else noticed Paula’s tan I thought maybe I needed to adjust the color on my tv!
Definatly not a fan of the last song either…
I died a little with Kris on stage for that last song but if you love him, you vote for him anyway. I did.
I think they’re both genuinely good guys, have great talent, and whoever wins doesn’t matter much at this point. They both will go on to solid careers. Good luck to them both.
As I was calling last night I could only get in every 10th call or so on any of Kris’ numbers and I even tried 3 hrs after and it was the same. Hopefully this means good things for Kris.
I think they both did well and either one can win and I would call it a very successful season.
That song was horrible, but I’m not sure we can blame Kara. The song that the producers pick/want is always about mountains and dreams and crap like that. I’m sure Kara had guidelines she had to follow. She is a proven song writer and just missed the mark this time. That key was terrible for Kris and I felt so bad for him. I don’t know why they can’t release one of the songs they sang throughout the competition as their first single. I truly believe that first single is the kiss of death. Few Idols have recovered from it.
I think they do the teleprompter with words just for the last song. I’ve noticed it in years past. I’m sure they have million other things to worry about besides the words to a new song that sucks 🙂
the last song was terrible. i don’t want to hear either of them on the radio. i hate that they do that… it’s torture for viewers and listeners. neither of them did well on it and it’s too bad that was the last song we had to hear before we started voting.
adam will probably take it tonight, but kris would probably be better off just so he won’t have to have that horrible song as his first single.
That last song was a crime against music. Good on both Kris and Adam for trying to make it through that trainwreck as best they could!
I’ll be happy with either choice, but my (non-counting Canadian) vote goes to Adam. I could watch him all day and I’ve even bought his songs from iTunes, which is a first for me with respect to AI. I think I listen to Mad World, Ring of Fire and Whole Lotta Love every day. Go Glambert!
Do they always sing the same song on the finale night every season? People I work with say no, but I say they do.