American Idol Season 8 - Final Performance Night!

Welcome to (finally) American Idol's Season Finale! In this corner, the golden boy...the chosen one...the judges favorite of all time...Adam Lambert! He of the famous shriek, and the solo cover on Entertainment Weekly. America loves this guy. Women and Men alike are not sure if he's available. But really, who cares...

And in this corner, Daaaaaaaanny Gokey!! The D-Goke...The Gokester....the one whose wife passed away and people blame him when it was Idol's producers who made a point to play that up. Danny has got a unique voice, although some consider him cheesy. I really like him and hope he wins the whole thing.

Wait, what's that you say? Danny isn't in the finale? Oh.....um...excuse me, I was slightly delusional there for a second! Yes, that's right - it's Kris Allen in the finale. The man who I once called a Muppet (well, on several occasions, actually...). I fell asleep to a few of his performances this year. Alas, I'm so sick of Adam-mania that I'm going to pull for the young man named Kris (that's with a K, thank you very much). And you know what? He's really not that bad. I cut him up pretty bad at times, but then I also gave him "mad props" at other times. Especially when he sang a brilliant version of "Ain't No Sunshine" earlier this season. Go back and look it up - I loved that version (and I generally know, I know, I know, I know I don't really like that original too much...I know).

So, Adam vs Kris. Let's get this party started. Adam Lambert is up first (he lost the coin toss to Kris and Kris deferred to go second) with his version of "Mad World" by Tears for Fears. I think this got cut off originally on my DVR, so I never saw it live. Adam comes up from the under the stage and walks through the smoke with a long coat on...and dry ice. OMG, the producers are going all out to give Adam fans what they want. You know, this song gets stuck in my head but I think that's because it's a good Tears for Fears song. I'm actually a little bored by this version of the song - he definitely has moments where you say, yeah, he's good. But overall, I think he's set Kris up for a first round victory. I think Adam did the smart thing because most people loved this when he did it originally. And I will give him credit in not going off the rails in his typical Sam Harris fashion. So good job, but I'm not going "gaga" over this. But here come the judges...they'll freakin' LOVE this (because they did in the past). So Randy gives him an A+, Kara over emotes her response (god she has gotten annoying as the season has worn on), Paula looks like she's had a face lift or a tan or both - oh, and she loves Adam and says he was brilliant, and Simon...well, Simon said it was a little over theatrical tonight. Good call Simon! Said it reminded him of Phantom of the Opera (Randy yells "Twilight! Twilight!!!").

Kris Allen counters with "Ain't No Sunshine" - hey, that's MY choice for him too!!! I know you may say I'm biased, but Kris does a great job with this version. It's even better than last time, I think. I would actually buy this song if I could (don't tell me it's on iTunes, because I already bought Idol songs last year from Carly Smithson and I never listen to them, so I'm not going there...) Seriously, this is a passionate, well sung performance that proves that Kris really does deserve to be here. I would have preferred Danny vs Kris, actually, but I'm not bitter. Anyway, other than a lame final note (did the same thing last time), I thought Kris was brilliant with this version. Kick ass buddy!! Randy (who is looking dapper in a suit and tie!) talks about Basketball (huh????) and then said it was one of his best performances EVER on the stage...nice close up of Kris' wife...then Kara goes crazy telling Kris how much she loves him...wow. It's very Paula like, except Kara can speak. Paula calls him a great artist. Simon said that song proves that he deserves to be there in the final. Simon gives round one to Kris! Woo hoo!!

After some commercials, we come back to Ryan walking through the celebrity filled audience, and he tells us the next songs were picked by Idol producer Simon Fuller. First up is Adam with Sam Cooke's "A Change is Gonna Come". I'll give Adam credit for this one - he does a very good to great job. Yes, he goes off the rails at times, but generally, he's actually quite controlled during a good part of this, especially at the beginning. He is also on stage with a suit, and looks the part of a star. He doesn't have any smoke or long coats or any of that crap. Very well done - and it restores my faith that Adam can actually perform pretty well when we stops believing his own hype. I mean, there are times he goes so overboard he pulls out a Sam Harris moment from Star Search, but overall, I don't mind it on this song. It's the kind of song that is supposed to build and build and he does a very good job. Congrats Adam... The judges? Randy said he can sing his face off, and it was unbelievable. Kara said it was the best performance he's ever done. She noted that he used both sides - controlled and upper range. Paula said it was the best ever...ever....ever....and that he looks like a superstar. She says he'll be ICONIC. Wow. Simon said Adam is back in the game.

Nice shot of Tom Cruise's wife...Katie Holmes, looking totally bored, and holding Suri's ears.

So Kris better come back strong, because it will be tough to top Adam's last song. Simon Fuller picks "What's Going On" by the late, great Marvin Gaye. It's just Kris up there with his guitar, along with 3 other band members. It's a funky, stripped down version of the song. I really love this version - it's different from the original, and yet, very Kris Allen-esque. I haven't always liked what he's done with popular songs (see "All She Wants to Do Is Dance"), but I think he hit this one out of the park. I would probably call this a draw - maybe from an energy standpoint, I'd give a slight edge to Adam. But not much - I think this was great!! Randy said it didn't have enough energy for him (what!?!?). Kara said it was a great choice by Simon Fuller - because it was socially conscious...oh kayyyyyyyyy....Paula said he did Marvin Gaye proud (thank you very much Paula!). Simon said it was like listening to 3 friends in his bedroom strumming some Marvin Gaye, and it was too laid back and that Kris didn't make it his own. You, Simon, are an IDIOT for this comment. Are you kidding me? Didn't make it his own? Too laid back? That's Kris' style, and he definitely made it his own. Go listen to the original, then listen to Kris' version and tell me they are not different. That's totally Kris' style...I can't believe Simon said this! I'm steaming at this point...he just wanted to even this up, and I'd call this round a draw, with possibly a slight edge to Adam. But very very close. In fact, screw it - I'm downloading some Kris Allen tomorrow on iTunes. I don't care what anyone says.

Shocker - Simon gave this round to Adam. "Million Percent Adam..." Yeah, sure Simon...it was SOOOOOOO much better. Get your head out of your behind, Cowell.

OK, so the final song will be the "signature" original song for whoever wins. And that means it's going to be cheesy and horrible. It has to be. We come back from the commercial with all the "Idols" from this season (sans Adam and Kris, natch...but there is my girl Alexis! I miss her!!!!)...and we're informed that this song, "No Boundaries", was co-written by Kara. Isn't "No Boundaries" a tagline for Ford?? Anyway, Adam sings this putrid song - which by the way, contains the words "Mountain", "Hurricane", "Pain", "Dreams", "Higher", "Deeper"....OMG - this is just a horrible song, and Adam doesn't do it any favors. He looks constipated during the entire thing. I hate this song, but I can't blame Adam. He can't help it if Kara served up a giant turd of a song. Ugh....please, let the song end...wow, this really will be on the album of the winner?? I feel sorry for that person! I used to like Kara. Wow... Randy has the balls to stand up and say he didn't care for the song (take THAT Kara!!!). But he says Adam is a superstar - he can sing the phone book. A little pitchy in spots, though. Kara name drops her co-writers. She was moved and proud, and Adam has the audacity to thank Kara for giving him that song - it was "beautiful", according to Mr. Lambert. Yeah...no it wasn't. Adam, stop the brown nosing. America loves you and you're going to win tomorrow night. You don't need this. Tell Kara next time, please leave out the main ingredient of 100% American Cheese and just write a good song. Puhleez!! Paula said she'll be a fan forever (she never actually says anything about the song!). Simon says, "I'm not going to judge that song, I"m going to judge you..." He said Adam is one of the most original artist ever on Idol. He believes he's found the next star in Adam.

Now it's Kris' turn to sing "No Boundaries". Kris sounds like he's sleeping during the first part of this performance. I don't like his version either. It's still the same crappy song. I don't think either of them did anything with this song, but it's not their fault. Kris sounds like he's really straining during this song. Wow, it sounds awful at times. But again, I'm not knocking Kris. Adam's version sounds better, but that's not saying much. This type of song lends itself to Adam's bombast, so in some ways, I think he wins round 3 over Kris. But none of this matters - Kris can't possibly beat King Adam, but he did himself proud tonight. Randy says exactly what I just said - Kris did an amazing job this season. Kara says she doesn't want him judged on her song (ha! That's because it's CRAP Kara!) She congratulated him on a great season, and hoped people voted for the entire season. Paula said it was a compelling finale, and he deserves where he is in the spotlight. Simon said Kris' best song was his first song, and he's come a long way from the beginning of the show. Simon said he deserves to be on that stage tonight.

So who won? Well, I personally think Kris was better tonight (especially on his first song), but I also thought Adam did a very nice job with his second song. The third song was a wash. I think Adam has this in the bag, but I also wouldn't be totally shocked if Kris ends up winning because he DOES have a big fan base (you need to in order to get to the finale). But if I was a betting man, I'd put my money on Adam being season 8's winner. Regardless of what happens, both Adam and Kris will more than likely BOTH have record deals, and I'll more than likely NOT buy either of them. Because I rarely do (exceptions - Clarkson/Underwood/Daughtry). Speaking of Carrie Underwood, she comes out to sing her version of the Motley Crue 80's classic "Home Sweet Home" (where is Vince Neil when you need him?? Can you imagine a duet?!). My DVR gets cut off, but that's OK because I was taping "Glee" anyway, so it's all good.

Tune in tomorrow for the big finale - I'm sure there will be a lot of fun, surprises and time wasted on a TWO HOUR finale. Ugh...I'll watch it of course, but I'll probably just fast forward through a lot of it. And no Lost tomorrow...oy vey...what am I to do?? :^) Thanks for reading my Idol Blog this season. I really hope to post on other topics between seasons, so keep checking back from time to time. And maybe I'll write up a review of the finale tomorrow night. We'll see...anyway, enjoy!!