What a Way to End American Idol Season 8!!

David Cook said it best last night when he said, "I don't know that America can get this wrong." Be it Adam Lambert or Kris Allen who would be crowned the American Idol of Season 8, the winner would be well-deserving of the title, without a doubt.

By now, y'all have probably already read or heard who the winner is, but I guess I'll go and save it for the end of this post and just pretend like I'm breaking the news to ya, m'kay?

I was happy to see the whole boxing "In this corner..." crap Ryan Seacrest did with the Davids last year wasn't making a cameo this season! He announced that just under 100million votes came in Tuesday night, bringing the season total to a world recordbreaking 624million! What promised to be a star-filled two hours and seven minutes began with a montage of judges' quotes, including Randy Jackson's "For me, for you...", Kara DioGuardi's "Sweetie," Paula Abdul's word-of-the-day calendar vocabulary, and Simon Cowell's need for a hearing aid.

Kris Allen and Adam Lambert joined Ryan onstage, dressed in all-white...with non-working microphones. Live feed was viewed of Carly Smithson surrounded by Adam fans in his hometown of San Diego, while Mikalah Gordon was with Kris fans in Conway, Arkansas.
Kicking off the entertainment, and also the reprise of group songs sung this season, was Pink's "So What," performed by the Top 13, who just happened to be wearing all white also. :o) Watching a second time, I just noticed that the trio who sang the lyric "you weren't there, you let me fall!" was Adam, Allison, and Danny. Was that some producer foreshadowing/message to America? Hmmmm.

Last year's champ, David Cook was up next with "Permanent," and my husband asked, "Can't we just vote for him again?" Sorry, honey. This song was a tribute to David's brother Adam, passed away recently from cancer. I tearfully awaited a photo montage, but really, the lyrics were tribute enough. The itunes video proceeds from this performance go to a cancer research charity.

And in the true spirit of what's American Idol if you can't make fun of the reeeeeeeeally bad auditions...the Golden Idol Awards began with the Outstanding Male category. Nick Mitchell/Norman Gentle won the award and approached the podium dressed suspiciously in a black hoodie. Come on...y'all knew he was going with the breakaway pants, right? Norman Gentle '09, Peace Out.

The first duet of the evening was Lil Rounds singing "Cue the Rain," joined by Queen Latifah, who tried to pull off a Lil-alike one piece black spandexy outfit. The song had it's moments.
An even better moment was Anoop Desai singing Jason Mraz's "I'm Yours," then joined by Alexis Grace (which made me giggle because it had been leaked that Megan Joy would be singing this) and a barefoot (ew, why?) Jason Mraz, and the rest of the Top 13.

We then watched the Idol journey of Kris Allen and were treated to a surprisingly delightful duet of "Kiss a Girl" with Keith Urban. Who woulda thunk the southern boy could do country? Duh. It was great!!!! They complimented each other very well (Danny Gokey should be taking notes on how to do a duet well!). Even Simon stood to clap...trying to look uninterested.

Back from commercial break, the Top 13 girls reprised their group performance of "Glamorous." I think Megan Joy was trying to go for "hot" in her hot pink short shorts...but I think she only made it to another "h" word...that rhymes with Gucci. The girls were then joined by Fergie, and they all became backup singers that raced offstage once the rest of Black Eyed Peas joined Fergie for "Boom Boom Pow." The only thing that would have made their performance even more spectacular would have been if the striped backup dancers (or zebras, as my kids called them) ripped off their hoods to reveal the men of the Top 13...but when I noticed most of them had lady parts, I didn't think it was happening.

The corny Golden Idol Awards continued with the Best Attitude category, awarded to Bikini Girl Katrina Darrell. The best line of the entire season was when Bikini Girl came onstage and Ryan said, "I was gonna ask you what's new, but I think I know"...too bad he's already used that on Kelli Pickler before. Did you rewind your DVR to see Simon and Randy's reaction to her walking out??! Well you should!! Hi.freakin.larious! Almost as good was Katrina trying to re-sing "Vision of Love" and getting schooled (again!) by Kara DioGuardi...who then revealed her own bikini-clad bod...to win a bet with Ryan, etc., who will now be donating a lot of money to her favorite charity.

Next up, to start the list of songs entitled, "Why the H Didn't You Sing That During The Competition!!!?!" was Allison Iraheta and Cyndi Lauper's duet of "Time After Time." Another great pair...minus the riffing at the end!

Ryan checked in with Kris' parents (but not his wife?! what the...?) and "Team Lambert" while Danny Gokey got set on stage to sing "Hello." Ummmmmm, Helloooooooo?!?! What would possess him to sing that song after David Cook rocked it so originally last season?! And that is reason #43 that I'm glad Danny Gokey went home. Then out came Lionel Ritchie to duet "Just Go" with Danny...and we all heard a song with worse lyrics than Kara's co-written coronation song! Lionel and Danny redeemed themselves, a little, with "All Night Long" next.

It was time to watch Adam Lambert's idol journey, and out he came, in serious Adam fashion with angelic-yet-not mettalic shoulder pads and HUGE platform boots (seriously, y'all, he could have strapped cinder blocks to his feet and been shorter!), singing KISS' "Beth." Did you see his grin and eyebrow waggle when he sang "cuz me and the boys will be playing' all night"?? LOVED it!! And that eyeliner...to.die.for! Adam then breathed new life into KISS' "Detroit Rock City" and "Rock n Roll All Night" !!! It was BEYOND amazing. Seriously! Do you think Adam's parents ever said to themselves, "One day my baby is going to sing with KISS?" Wellllll, maybe. What a moment! For Adam, the Lamberts, AND for Idol!

Carlos Santana and Matt Giraud were up next with "Black Magic Woman" and the rest of the Top 13 took on "Smooth." These were followed by the final Ford music video with images of all the previous videos, to the song "I Will Remember You." Then a clip of David Cook presenting them with new Ford Fusions. Surpriiiiiiiise...not. Kris said he needed a new car so bad...one with 4 doors and room for an infant car seat perhaps?! (Still no confirmation on the babybump, btw!)

Megan Joy and Michael Sarver were joined by Steve Martin for a banjo ballad about walking by the river and making love. Don't worry, I didn't get it either. When put on the spot when Ryan asked him who will win, Steve replied, "Well, I know it's a long shot, but I'm hoping I do."

The guys of the Top 13 went all Men In Black and sang "If You Want My Body," then Rod Stewart awkwardly stumbled around like an oldie needing a hip replacement (or two!) and sang the longest!song!ever!... "Maggie May." He told the audience, "Thank you kindly..." at the end of his song, but in my mind I heard him say, "...now where's my inhaler!" Flash forward to Danny Gokey in 35 years! *clears throat* :-O

The final Golden Idol Award was presented to Tatiana Del Toro, who feigned surprise and "rushed" the stage when Ryan told her he was...oops...out of time, then she escaped her two "escorts" off the stage like four times (*eyeroll*), and it finally really was time for a commercial break.

"In a few short minutes, either Kris Allen or Adam Lambert will walk away with the title, but in the eyes of the nation, both are victorious," was Ryan Seacrest's intro for Kris and Allen's duet for Queen's "We Are The Champions." What a great song. Then out comes the band! Where were these guys on Rock Night?! I liked both Adam's and Kris' voices with this song. Awesome!

After the final commercial break of American Idol Season 8, it.was.time. Simon gave them a "the future's all yours" spiel, and the official...and British (so you gotta believe what he says with that accent) vote tallier brought Ryan the envelope...

"For the final time this season, dim the lights, heeeeere we go! After the nationwide vote of nearly 100 million, the winner of American Idol 2009 iiiiiiiiis...Kris Allen!"

Ryan told Kris, "You're a superstar, bro!" Then pottymouth Kris was like, "Are you fri**en serious?!" I don't think Kris was expecting a win because he did NOT have a single thing prepared to say!!! He stammered, "It feels good, man, but Adam deserves this! I'm sorry, I don't even know what to feel right now, this is crazy! Thank you so much." Ryan presented Kris with the new American Idol winner's trophy, and he still couldn't find the words. And when Adam joined him centerstage, Kris looked ashamed, like he'd stolen his car or something.

Ryan Seacrest began thanking the band and judges, etc., and when the cameras flashed to the judges table, everyone was standing and clapping...except Simon! Whiner.

Do you think the lack of Ryan telling us the margin of votes by which Kris won means that it was a landslide? I do. Ryan announced that Kris would be singing "No Boundaries" again, Adam said something to Kris through his teeth...probably "Haha, you get to sing that wretched song"...or maybe he just giggled maniacly, but naughty Kris called him another potty word. Tsk. Tsk.

Kris sang the song much better than the night before, and missed his confetti shower as he led the Top 13 to the judge's podium, and FINALLY, he was joined by his wife, who's shoulder he cried on. So sweet!

Congratulations to Kris Allen, and also to Adam Lambert...there were no losers last night!!!
And that wraps up the five months of the Idol season that would never end. We survived a fourth judge, a second Hollywood week, a Top 13, the Judge's Save, and a Norman Gentle.

Thank you all for a fun season!!

Kate '09 Peace Out.

Who'll Get The Confetti Shower Tonight?

Sauntering down a bigger staircase in front of an audience of 7,000 at the Nokia theater, Ryan Seacrest welcomed us to the battle of the acoustic rocker vs. the glam rocker...Kris Allen vs. Adam Lambert.

He introduced the judges, Randy Jackson (sporting at least three different plaids/patterns in his suit, shirt and crazy tie), Kara DioGuardi (looking like she had a little stage fright), Paula Abdul (sporting a tangerine shade of spray-on tan AND a bright green dress, yikes!), and Simon Cowell (sans babyGap tee...and of course his button-up shirt was very unbuttoned).

Kris and Adam had three songs to sing last night, their favorite from the season, a song chosen by Idol creator Simon Fuller, and the winner's single which was co-written by Kara DioGuardi. Kris won the coin toss last week, and chose to sing second, so Adam would be kicking things off...

Adam Lambert ~ "Mad World"
When I heard the guys would be re-singing their song choice, I hoped Adam would choose this one. It was my favorite of his songs this season...emphasis on the was. It wasn't bad...a little corny with the long gothicy matrix-style coat and the dry ice, but it didn't give the same chills as when he sang it the first time. I listened back a third or fourth time, and it was still great, but there was only one semi-"big" note mid-song. Here's hoping he gets to go bigger on his next song, because if you came to see Adam, you came to see big!
I: don't think it was OVER theatrical, it was just a little corny, but it was all Adam. Theatre is who he is and though he's trying hard to transition from that a bit, it will always be in his blood, I think. Anyway, I'm now questioning the re-singing of songs for the finale. We all knew Adam's first "Mad World" was awesome and I think a big part of this competition is being excited to see what the contestants choose to sing and how it sounds the first time. To hear "Mad World" again was just a little meh for me. Still hoping Adam goes big...or goes home.

Kris Allen ~ "Ain't No Sunshine"
Upgrading from keyboard when he first played this song, to piano, I think Kris was smart to showcase his ability to play multiple instruments. His next song would undoubtedly be sung while playing a guitar, making me wonder if he wins, will all future American Idols need to play an instrument from here on out? David Cook did, and if Kris wins, that's two in a row...is this what America is looking for in their next Idol? (Note to self: sign the boys up for guitar lessons *wink*).
I: My only criticism of Kris' song is that super high "gone" note at the end. "Oh man!" I yelled at Kris, and my husband laughed at me as I recited my hatred for them ending songs on those super high notes. "He should have made it low and like goooo-oone," I continued. "Oooh, that would have been SO good! Yeeeeeeeeeaahhhhhhhh," I purred...and suddenly, my husband wasn't laughing anymore and he was all "Uhhh, 'scuse me?!" And I was like, "No honey, not like THAT, I'm just saying Yeah it would have ended better on a lower note..." {crickets} Then I tried to distract with Mrs. Allen's babybump...(I don't think it worked either).

Adam Lambert ~ "A Change is Gonna Come" chosen by Simon Fuller
Finally, Adam went big. I tried to get past the overdone-ness of this song on Idol and listen to his interpretation of it. Adam did great, and it was a good combination of mellow Adam and screechy Adam.
I: think the more times I watched it back, the better it was. When we first heard the song, I thought Simon Fuller was crazy for picking such an oldie, but it wasn't that bad after all.

Kris Allen ~ "What's Goin' On" chosen by Simon Fuller
On stage with some percussion guys, Kris played the guitar and sang this heartfelt song in true Kris style. It was no "Heartless," but Kris sang it well, delivered the message, and I liked when the other instruments dropped out so we could better hear Kris' phrasing at times. It was a solid performance, a little mellow, but solid.
I: don't agree with the bedroom analogy, but I do think it was a liiiiiiiiitle bit light for this point in the competition.

Adam Lambert ~ "No Boundaries" co-written by Kara DioGuardi
It was soooooooo hard to critique Adam for his voice and not critique the actual song and lyrics itself...but corny hurricanes and mountains aside, I think that Adam did great with the verses and it had this whole soundtrack-to-a-movie vibe. He was breathless and felt rushed during the chorus, however. It is, after all, pretty hard to sing "hurricane" with your tongue out *snicker* jk
I: think Adam had a great season. If it hadn't been for his great arrangement of songs on AI8, he might have never made it off the musical-theatre stage. I'm looking forward to hearing what the producers in the music industry have in store for him to sing, and it will be great to see him in concert someday!

Kris Allen ~ "No Boundaries" co-written by Kara DioGuardi
I watched the two performances side-by-side online and thought that while Adam handled the verses well, the chorus was all Kris. He's definitely better suited to be singing about mountains and hurricanes, and though he flubbed the lyrics in one spot, and the song was in a too-high-for-Kris key, he did the best he could with what he had to work with.
I: peeking through my fingers hoping they wouldn't call him out on they lyrics, and was surprised to hear that they didn't...and that Simon didn't do a little vote for Adam spiel again. I also hope now that the season is over after tonight, he's done being in my dreams...not Kris, he can come anytime, but Simon has got to go! I hope I'm not being rude when I say this was a rather anti-climactic end to the season...kind of a blah finale. I remember being more excited last year with the two Davids' song choices. I think Kris and Adam are equally awesome musicians, just in different ways, and if there ever was a tie on AI, tonight should be the night...but we know you won't let that happen, will you America. Mmhmm.

My Prediction ~
Last year, in March, I typed: cue the confetti, David Cook is the American Idol. So this year, on the radio blog, I wanted to get another prediction in by the end of March. I typed up April 1st's post the evening before and typed this:

I: Think I’m ready to declare the winner of AI8...Kris Allen. He’s been the most consistent, without a single bad song choice yet…and he makes every one of them his own.

And is it a sign that was the same week Kris sang "Ain't No Sunshine" for the first time? Hmmmm, I'm thinking it might be!! I stand by my prediction...Kris Allen is American Idol's Season 8 Winner. I would be okay with either of these guys winning, though. I thoroughly enjoy Adam Lambert's songs as well, if not equally as much...I just hope they don't lose a little something when you can't "see" him singing them on the radio. So much of his performance is his facial expressions/snarls/sideways glares (hence, theatrical), I will miss seeing him perform them...Thank goodness iTunes has video downloads! :o) But, I think Americans (and the many texting teenie-boppers) have been favoring Kris lately...and I don't think the songs last night really swayed anybody from voting for their usual Idol. If anything, Adam was a little disappointing by not rocking out as much as he could and holding back a little.

I'd like to thank my Facebook friends for putting up with all the Idol links (LOL), I promise it'll be all about diaper changes and the children's messes from here on out...or at least until Season 9! Woot.

I've been complaining all season that the results night should be only 1/2 hour, so what do producers go and do? Make it two+ hours long. Thanks for that! Ryan Seacrest warned several times that they're slated to go longer than the two hours, so make sure y'all record the 10:00p show as well!! You don't want to miss the many rumored duets and awesome performances with such great artists as Jason Mraz, Cindy Lauper, Queen Latifah, Lionel Ritchie, Keith Urban, Black Eyed Peas, previous winners, your Top 2, and the rest of the Top 13, and more. Oh yeah, and Steve Martin will be playing the banjo...can't wait for THAT. What the...?

Just one final AI8 post tomorrow morning! I've been debating videoing our reaction. I think MTV or someone is having a contest, so if you record your reaction, let me know...I wanna see it!! :oD

Yes, Simon, you are what we call, a big ding dong.

88 Million votes came in for the Top 3 on Tuesday night. Ryan Seacrest told us only 1 million votes separated the Top 2, which evidently isn't much in the grand scheme of 88 million...but remember back when Anoop lost and won with 20-30,000 votes? Anywhooo...

After Ben Stiller & Company opened the show pimping their new movie, Ryan Seacrest opened the show for real and we watched Adam Lambert, Danny Gokey, and Kris Allen's Ford music video, which included animation and the song "Break My Stride." Seated in the audience was the complete Top 13! Hiiiiiii Anoop!

Then Ryan introduced Alicia Keys, who spoke about the "Keep a Child Alive," and introduced Noah from Rwanda who sang a song and it was the cliff notes version of Idol Gives Back, asking for text donations.

Finally, it was time--or so we thought--to get down to business. Going into Wednesday night's results show, I really, really, REALLY hoped that Danny Gokey would be going home and Kris Allen and Adam Lambert would complete the Top 2. I wasn't sure, though, how AI would go about keeping it suspenseful, however. I think we all knew Adam was IN and the only competition was between Kris and Danny's votes. But when they called Danny out first to watch his hometown visit video, I wondered (sadly) if Ryan would announce his safety. Thankfully, he didn't. We were just going to watch videos, recap judge critiques, and send them to the couches until the end of the show. Phew!

Danny's hometown video brought tears when he cried during his parade. He called his homecoming bittersweet and "tragedy to triumph," we flashed back with pictures of his wife Sophia, and he was reunited with Jamar (remember him from Hollywood week?).

Next up was Kris' hometown video. And I thought, "That means Adam is last and they'll tell him that he's safe right after his video and then come back to these two." We would soon see...

And if Danny's video brought tears, Kris' video brought the waterworks when his dad hugged him and didn't let go. It was such a sweet moment. He is soooo proud of his boy! The crowd for Kris' concert appeared to be bigger than Danny's, and his wife rode with him for the parade...but I didn't see her crack a smile even once (maybe it was the morning sickness...does she not look pregnant to you? Somebody get that girl some saltines!), but Kris' parents were still in tears watching the video. Cute.

After a break, Jordin Sparks performed her song "Battlefield," with songwriter Ryan Tedder (from One Republic) at the piano. After Jordin's DIVA moment, Adam came out for his video, which included a "streaker" (maybe she didn't get the memo. heh.), a sweet visit to the Met2, where he performed as a child, and a visit to his high school (which, btw, did you see his youtube video of his graduation??!?!?! It didn't even look OR sound like him until the end of the song. I thought it was a fake 'til he went big at the end. Seriously, check it out!)

To me, this would have been the time to send Adam to the Top 2, and have us all on pins and needles wondering if it would be Danny or Kris joining him, but no, it was time for Katy Perry to perform. Her crew was still setting up, so Ryan made smalltalk with Danny who whined and said he just wanted it all to be over already, while Adam yelled, "I just want to see Katy Perry!"...who apparently wanted to see him...win...or so her cape embroidered with his name on it made me think. Heh. Did you think she was sort of bug-eyed-ish singing "Waiting in Vegas?"

Finally, the three guys joined Ryan center stage. From left to right was Danny "You Are So Co-o-cky, To Me" Gokey, Kris "How Could You Be So Heartless (and vote him off?!)" Allen, and Adam "He's Not Cryin'" Lambert. I would have sent Adam to safety then. He was a sure thing, especially after Simon's shameful pimping last night. But Ryan said, "After the nationwide vote...I can now reveal the first person competing in next week's finale is...Kris!" Whaaaaaaaaaaat? YAY! Simon clapped and smiled, looking a little shocked. Poor confused Paula's face was like "yay Kris, wait, that means Danny, awwww (commence tears!)." Her mouth was wide open. Priceless. Kara said O.M.G., and Randy was doing this sort of bowing down thang.

So then it was Danny, who had never been in the bottom three...EVER, and Adam, who had been once and looked genuinely scared to be going home. "The person competing with Kris Allen next week in the finale, is...Adam Lambert everybody."

Simon looked relieved, Paula sad for Danny, Kara was still all O.M.G, and Randy was a-clappin.' We watched Danny's farewell video, and he sang "You Are So Beautiful" again. He didn't cry, but Paula was!

Ryan asked Simon to sum up the Top 2 and Simon said, "None of us would have predicted this {Um...HELLOOOO, I DID, Simon!!!}, guys...no disrespect because you were brilliant last night and just now, Danny, btw, congratulations...but, Kris your second song in particular made you a contender...you're in with a real shot...Adam, you know we've always liked you. This could be, what we call, a big ding dong coming up for next week...It means good."

Yes, Simon, you are what we call, a big ding dong...but I agree. This will be a very enjoyable and nerve-wracking finale!! It really is either of these guys' game. I still think, however, that Kris will pull it off and be the American Idol of Season 8. He's a "true" musician, with the ability to play the piano and guitar. While Adam can captivate an audience, without a doubt, I think that the people who were voting for Danny now have to either a)not vote, or b) vote for someone else...and I'm thinking that whoever was voting for the gospel-ly crooner guy aren't necessarily going to vote for the goth-rocker guy...and Kris will probably get the majority of Danny's fanbase now.

I can't wait to see the performances Tuesday night. It would be great to hear three songs from each of them. I read somewhere that Kris won the coin-toss and chose to sing in the "pimp spot"...finally!

"Well, you told me to share, Mom..."

I probably shoulda waited for Wordless Wednesday, but I couldn't resist :o) Maybe I'll link it up if I don't get back on before then...I'm gonna try tho!!