American Idol Season 8 is over -

And the wrong guy won. How do I put this? Squeaky-clean, married (and therefore assumed to be heterosexual), cute boy with a little talent overshadows make-up-wearing, probably gay, over-the-top guy with a major talent. Obviously the red states are full of people who can't accept somebody who's so, um, flamboyant. And they're all watching American Idol, and they're the ones voting hundreds of times Tuesday night. (I got through twice.) I feel cheated. Of all the seasons I watched American Idol, the person I was supporting in the final two won. Until last night.

For once I watched the entire results show, and I enjoyed it right up until the end. I turned the TV off right after I heard the dismal news. I'm still furious. But I'll get a couple of good downloads off of it: Allison Iraheta (the real American Idol in my opinion!) sang an incredibly beautiful duet with Cyndi Lauper, "Time After Time." Cyndi was playing the dulcimer. And Adam Lambert, who should have won last night by a landslide, sang something with KISS (the first part I recognized from playing Rock Band, but I couldn't tell you the name...). Also, Michael Sarver sounded incredibly good when he performed with Steve Martin. I can't say the same thing about Megan Pain Joy; her voice reminds me of chalk squeaking on a blackboard.

I wish, I wish, I wish, that it had been Adam and Allison last night. That way, we'd have had a winner either way. With any luck, both of them will have stellar careers. I'll be looking for their albums.

American Idol: The Final Showdown

Well, this is it, the time all of us American Idol fans have been waiting for. Adam Lambert and Kris Allen competed last night. They were each asked to sing three songs. One they were allowed to choose from their previous performances during the competition. One was chosen by Simon Fuller, who created the show. And the final one was a newly-composed song that Kara DioGuardi co-wrote. Hmpf. Last year they had a songwriting competition, and the Davids were allowed to choose songs from the submissions. This year, their new judge got to write the song.

The singers had tossed a coin, and Kris won the toss. He chose to go second. I can understand that; the singer heard last tends to stick in your mind. But I'm not sure it worked out for him.

So the ever-dramatic and brilliant Adam Lambert went first. He chose to perform "Mad World" again. Excellent choice; I downloaded his earlier version. And he was breathtaking. He wore a long coat, almost ankle length, unbuttoned, and fog swirled around his feet in the blue light. Very mystical. He started out singing the song straight, then varied the melody in the second verse, just enough to keep it interesting and make it his own. It was an emotional performance, brilliant.

Randy loved that Adam was showing his sensitive side; he loved the long coat and the fog, and gave him an A plus. Kara was happy he chose that particular song, too. She told him he's he's an incredible artist. (Kara and the A word...) Paula was, of course, proud of him. She thought he was brilliant. Simon thought this was his best performance throughout the shows, but he thought it was a little bit overtheatrical; with the dry ice, the long coat, it reminded him a little bit of Phantom of the Opera. (Randy shrieked, “No, Twilight!”)


Kris Allen chose "Ain't No Sunshine", and performed it sitting at the piano. This was one of his best performances of the season; I even mentioned it last week. Like Adam's choice, it was a slow and deeply emotional song. Of course, Kris doesn't have Adam's stage presence, and I thought the piano kept him from communicating as well with the audience. He sang well, though.

Randy thought it was one of his best performances ever on the stage. Kara thinks he created an intimate bond with everybody in the audience (obviously, she didn't see the piano as an obstacle). Both Randy and Kara referred to his future album. Paula said he was “Allenizing” his songs with his trademark. Simon said that he originally wasn't sure that Kris was the right choice for the top two, but he's taking all that back after that performance.

Simon gave the first round to Kris. I disagree, of course.

The man who created American Idol, Simon Fuller, picked the next two songs (this spot used to go to Clive Davis). I know nothing about him, but both choices were soul songs from the 60s and 70s.

Adam Lambert was assigned “A Change Is Gonna Come”, written and originally recorded by Sam Cooke in 1963. He did a wonderful job. It had a slow, gospel feel. He was in that silver-gray suit he's worn before, and there was nothing too unusual about the lighting. Towards the end he poured his heart into his singing. This is what I love about Adam, the amount of emotion he can channel into his voice.

Randy said he can sing his face off and that was unbelievable. Kara thought it may have been his best performance and interpretation of a song since the beginning of the competition. She thought the high notes and the emotion are his winning combination. Paula, being Paula, stands up and gasps, “Adam, that was the best I've ever heard you sing, ever, ever, ever!” (She threw in a few more "Ever!"s.) She thought he looked like a superstar, and he's going to be iconic. Simon said he was 100% back in the game.

Kris Allen was given “What's Going On”, written and originally recorded by Marvin Gaye in 1970. This time, he accompanied himself on the guitar, and he gave a stripped-down version that might have worked for this song in other circumstances. I love this song; it's got an anti-war message that's deeply moving. It wasn't Kris' best performance, though. His voice was weak and he slid around the notes a little bit. Not bad, though.

Randy thought it was a little bit light for this big ol' room at this point in the competition. Kara babbled about how he's been true to himself from day one, and she's glad Simon Fuller picked a socially conscious song for him. She didn't say one word about how he sounded. Paula said he tore it up and made Marvin Gaye proud. Simon wasn't so thrilled, though. He said “It was like three friends in their bedroom strumming along to Marvin Gaye.” He didn't grab hold of the song and make it his version, and it was too laid back for a night like this. I think he's probably right, too.

Simon said Round Two goes to Adam.

Ryan opened up the next section with all the Top 13 who had been eliminated around him. It was nice to see Alexis Grace and Jasmine Murray there.

Each contestant now sang “No Boundaries,” cowritten by Kara DioGuardi, Cathy Dennis and Mitch Allan.

I wasn't sure how much Adam Lambert was enjoying himself singing this song, which I don't think he would have chosen for himself. At the beginning, his pitch was shakier than I'd ever heard before. But his voice strengthened as the song went on, until he was really wailing Adam-style. Then he pulled it back, a quiet, tender section; then he let it go again. Ack, the Swaybots are back! (Those are the teenyboppers in the front who sway back and forth with their arms in the air. I give credit to Michael Slezak for coining the name.) Nice performance, but not his best.

Randy said he could sing the phone book (yeah, I rolled my eyes at that platitude), but it wasn't one of his favorite performance; a little pitchy in spots. Kara was moved and proud to hear him sing her song. He thanked her for it, said it was beautiful. Paula babbled; I couldn't get a handle on what she said. Simon stated he wouldn't judge the song; he'd judge Adam instead. “Over the entire season,you have been one of the best, most original contestants we've ever had on the show, and the whole idea about doing a show like this is that you hope that you can find a world-wide star. I genuinely believe with all my heart that we have found that with you. Congratulations.”

Kris Allen, in his turn, also gave a very weak and pitchy beginning. He picked up by the chorus, but his pitch was still uneven, and he faded out on some notes, as if he'd run out of air. Not a very polished performance; I was a little embarrassed for him. He carried it off, though, finally, grabbing the mike stand and walking around the stage.

Randy said he should be very proud of what he's done in the competition. He thought the song fit his voice better than Adam's. Kara thought the song was too high for him, but he's a compelling artist, and she congratulated him on an incredible season. Paula told him he's done an amazing job to get this far. Simon thinks his highlight was the first song he sang. But he thought Kris deserved to be standing on this stage tonight. I really felt the judges were trying to let him down gently; they seemed convinced he couldn't win. Although I don't remember Simon mentioning it, it was clear the third round went to Adam.

If there's any sense and order to the universe, Adam will be winning this competition. What worries me is Kris' fan base. There are a lot of them, and they probably had more patience than I did voting last night. I managed to get through for Adam twice; my son got through five times, so if Adam wins by seven votes, they were ours. But if we were basing this on talent, on charisma, on stage presence, on style, Adam is the clear winner.

American Idol Update: Bye Bye, Danny!

Let me restate my opinion: American Idol's Top Two should be Adam Lambert and Allison Iraheta. That not being the case, I knew there would have to be a choice between Kris Allen and Danny Gokey.

Checking over my earlier blog entries, I've determined the number of times I actually liked Danny Gokey:

• Top 36, when he did Mariah Carey's "Hero." Funny, I can't even remember that now.


• Top 9, iTunes Top Download Week, when he did Rascal Flatts' "What Hurts the Most."


• And, oddly enough, Top 5, Rat Pack Standards, when he did "Come Rain or Come Shine". I said his was the best performance of the night. I didn't download it, though, although I did download Allison Iraheta's performance (I wanted the free autographed picture!).

Okay, how often did I like Kris Allen over these weeks?

• Top 9, iTunes Top Download Week, when he did "Ain't No Sunshine" by Bill Withers.


• Top 7, Take 2, when he performed "She Works Hard for the Money" by Donna Summer. I liked his take on it, and I commented that it was the best he'd ever done.


• Top 5, Rat Pack Standards, when he did "The Way You Look Tonight". I said: "Kris Allen continues to surprise me. He's one singer who has improved as the competition has gone on."


• I basically liked his performance of "Come Together" on Top 4 Week. He took some risks.


• And last, but far from least, this week, when he did Kanye West's "Heartless." That one I'll be downloading.

Kris has steadily improved over the competition, and he's impressed me more as the season has gone on. I don't think he can beat Adam Lambert, but he can certainly give him a run for his money. He was the right choice of the two of them. And fortunately, America got it right. Next week should be very, very entertaining!!!

American Idol "Top" Three Perform

I never updated last week. The results just proved who does the bulk of the voting in this competition: heterosexual teenage girls. Why else would two not-especially-talented males still be in the competition, when one of the two most talented performers in this year's competition was sent home? My long-term choice for second place, Allison Iraheta, who FAR outperformed both Danny Gokey (ESPECIALLY Danny Gokey) and Kris Allen, was sent home. I always get caught up in American Idol, and they always send somebody talented home too early. Tamyra Gray came in fourth during the first season; I'd chosen her to win. And while Kelly Clarkson has proved she deserved the title, I still think Tamyra was cheated. (Interesting aside: I watched Rachel Getting Married recently, and Tamyra had a bit part as a singer.) And there was the season I didn't watch because IMHO most of the singers sucked; that season Chris Daughtry was sent home in fourth place. He has proven himself to be the best performer of that season. How did Taylor Hicks ever win? He hasn't had any success; the week he performed on the results night, I fast-forwarded through it. Boooring. Chris was the performer last week, by the way. I didn't fast-forward through him!

Anyway, with any luck, Allison will be a huge success without winning Idol. Sigh. It's depressing when superb talent isn't enough to get you through. The fuchsia hair probably didn't help.

So last night, the three men sang. There were at least two good performances, and no, they weren't both by Adam Lambert. Here's the way I see it:

Last night was the 300th episode of American Idol. (Obviously they count all those laugh-at-the-bad-performer tryout episodes.) The three men were asked to perform one song chosen by the judges, and one that they chose. The one who should have gone home last week, Danny Gokey, was up first. Paula had chosen "Dance, Little Sister" by Terence Trent D'Arby. Okay, I've heard of him, but I didn't recognize the song. And even if I had, I wouldn't have after Danny murdered it. What is this, disco week? According to Wikipedia, this song was released in 1987, so I guess it wasn't supposed to be disco, but that's the way it sounded to me. I suppose this song suited his style. He did a “duet” with the saxophonist; I thought it was cute. But as usual, Danny was off-key, and his interpretation was to shout the entire song. Not my cup of tea at all. But Randy liked it. Kara said that the dancing was "a little too gyrating" for her... She didn't think she'd remember the performance tomorrow. Paula thought he did a fantastic job. Simon wanted to "remind the two girls that this is actually a singing show, not that funny little dancing show, whatever it is, next door." (Michael Slezak said it was "Dancing With the Stars".) He agreed with Kara that the dancing was a bit "desperate". He didn't like the "toy" saxophone bit in the middle, but thought the singing was good. Are they all wearing some kind of selective filter over their ears that removes all the bad notes? Sheesh.

Kris Allen was up next. Randy and Kara chose “Apologize” by One Republic for him. "Big song, big range, big voice," Randy explained. Right. I'd at least heard this song before. Kris chose to start it at the piano. A poor choice; his playing simply isn't strong enough, and his singing couldn't pull him through. And as for that "big range" stuff? He squeaked the high notes painfully. Eventually, he chose to perform them at a lower range. Uh huh. Big voice, my ass. Randy, of course, must have been watching an imaginary performance; he thought this song showed who Kris could be in the future of the music business. Kara thought it was competent, but by now he's got to be doing better. "Take more chances." She thought he should have performed it with the guitar. Paula mentioned his "bum note" and then said "I'm proud of you." Typical. Simon thought it was a competent version of the original, but not quite as good.

Finally, it was time for Adam Lambert. Simon got to choose for him - think they've picked the winner already? Adam was on the cover of Entertainment Weekly this week, BTW. Anyway, Simon chose "One" by U2. He had to get permission from the band, and (name-dropping!) added that he'd had a phone call from Bono on Saturday giving him permission. Adam started it quietly, drawing out the raw emotion of the song, and I thought it was perfect for him. Then he went for the high, loud notes, twisting the melody. He's just so impressive, even when he hits the occasional off note (which he did). Randy said "Unbelievable vocals", but he didn't like when Adam went off the melody. At this point, Simon booed (Randy boos him every show, when they announce his name in the intro). Kara called him an "amazing strategist." He did his own version. "See what I mean, Simon?" she taunted, referring to their argument over Kris' performance earlier. Paula thought it was "One" brilliant song, "One" superb performance, and "One" American idol that she's looking at right now. Simon called it a brilliant song choice (he made it, of course), and a brilliant performance.

The second half of the show, the alleged top three performed the songs they'd chosen for themselves. Danny Gokey had chosen "You Are So Beautiful", by Joe Cocker. He gave a very slow and tender performance. His husky voice worked well with the sentiment, but I thought the huskiness overshadowed the melody in some places. Randy liked it. "Mad vocals, dude." Kara thought it was stunning. Paula said he left all of them breathless. Simon didn't think the song needed rearranging, but he thought the singing was good.

Kris Allen chose "Heartless" by Kanye West. I think Kanye West confuses himself with God, and I didn't expect to like it. But I did. Kris accompanied himself on the guitar, and that was the only accompaniment. And it worked. This was the first Kris Allen performance I plan to download. His voice sounded good, and the song suited his style. Randy thought this would be one of the toughest voting nights ever. He thinks Kris did it even better than the Fray or Kanye West. (The Fray covered it?) Kara wished he'd done this (used just the guitar) with the first song. Bold, brave and fearless. She loved it. Paula said "You know, you are the bravest artist because you sang a song that's about Simon Cowell." She loved it. Simon thought the first song choice was lame, and he'd mentally written Kris out. But that's all changed after that performance. I agree. Since Allison can't be there, I'd prefer him to Danny in the Top Two.

Adam Lambert chose "Crying" by Aerosmith. It's all Adam, high notes, emotional performance, over the top as usual. Not my favorite performance of his, though. Randy said "You're one of the best we've ever had on this stage." He thinks Adam should be a rock star. Kara asked "How do you hit these notes and still talk the next day?" Paula thinks Adam set the bar very high. Simon said he wasn't going to "suck up", because it's easy to assume that Adam will sail through to the finals. He wanted everybody to vote for him because he deserves to be there.

And we tried. My son and I tried to vote for Adam for about an hour, but we couldn't get through. I suppose that's a positive sign...

Anyway, if there's any rightness left in this competition and it isn't all being rigged by the producers, Kris Allen should join Adam Lambert in the finals.

American Idol: Top 4 Perform

Last night it was Classic Rock Night on American Idol. "Classic Rock" is a term that makes me wince - it smacks of Oldies, and I was afraid we might get Classic Pop instead. But the mentor turned out to be Slash, the guitarist from Guns n' Roses and Velvet Revolver. Now, he can rock. So I thought it might turn out to be fun. I was expecting great things, especially of Adam and Allison.

It didn't quite live up to my expectations, although it wasn't too bad. Here goes:

Adam Lambert went first. He had chosen "Whole Lotta Love," by Led Zeppelin. Good choice - it's definitely classic rock. I thought he looked more like Elvis in Las Vegas than a rock god, though. He was wearing a silver beaded jacket, and had his hair done spiky and falling over the left side of his face. Adam definitely has the pipes for this. His singing is faultless. Absolutely wonderful ending, the pause and the great finale. (Although it seemed odd to hear Adam, who is widely assumed to be gay, singing "WOMAAAAN"...) Randy was effusive: "This is the Adam that I love." He's a rock star waiting to happen. Kara said Adam's a rock god. Paula thought it was perfect. Simon thought it was one of his favorite performances that Adam's ever done. "The problem is, nobody can top that now."

American Idol's Rock Goddess, Allison Iraheta, was up next. She told us she'd visited Adam's hair stylist for this. I don't know how to describe her hair; it was pink with purple highlights and I think she had extensions. She said couldn't decide between "Somebody to Love" by Jefferson Airplane or "Cry Baby" by Janis Joplin. She went with the Joplin. I'm willing to bet she would have made a great Grace Slick, too, but she was in her element doing Joplin. She's got the right voice for it, the huskiness and the raw passion. I just love to hear Allison sing. The judges weren't all that enthusiastic about her song choice, though. Randy didn't love the song choice; it didn't have a lot of melody in it. Kara thought Janis was the right choice for her, but "Piece of My Heart" might have been a better song. Later, after all the judges had spoken, Allison commented that "Piece of My Heart" had already been done so often on the show, and she's got a point. Paula thought she was peerless, and could play Janis in a biopic. Simon was amazed at how far she's come during the competition. He thought she had complete confidence, and her vocal was good, but it wasn't that original.

For the first time, American Idol featured two duets by the Top Four. The first one featured Kris Allen and Danny Gokey performing "Renegade", by Styx. These two singers were well-matched; they're the weaker singers, the ones who aren't exactly rockers. They tried hard, and they looked like they were having fun. But Kris, as usual, was a little pitchy. Danny's the clear star of the two of them. Randy really liked the harmonies; thought they complemented each other greatly. The individual vocals were okay, but the harmonies were outstanding. Kara thought they couldn't always hear themselves; there were pitchy moments. But together they were strong. Paula thought it was powerful and compelling. Simon said Danny was better than Kris. That's the only thing he said. Sheesh. Even though he's right, I wish he'd said more.

Kris Allen did his solo piece after the break. He'd chosen "Come Together", by the Beatles. I groaned. Carly Smithson did this so well last season - how did he dare try it again? But Kris looked as if he was having fun with the clearly drug-influenced words. (Example: "He wear no shoeshine he got toe-jam football / He got monkey finger he shoot coca-cola / He say "I know you, you know me" / One thing I can tell you is you got to be free...") He was accompanying himself on the guitar, and he always looks more confident on stage when he's got it. I thought he did a creditable job; he was different enough from Carly to make it interesting. He did one part an octave lower, and I thought that worked well. It was weaker at the end, though. Randy appreciated that Kris (not a rocker) picked something where he could still be himself. He loved what he was playing on the guitar. Kara said he's the softer side of rock, but she didn't think it was a good performance. Paula thought it was risky to do a Beatles song, but she thought he did well, at least I think that's what she was trying to say. Simon didn't like it that much, it was "rather like eating ice for lunch...it will leave you with nothing to remember afterwards." He thought it was quite a boring song, a safe performance.

Danny Gokey chose "Dream On" by Aerosmith. He's got guts to attempt this song, and he didn't do all that well. I don't think this was a good choice for him. The high notes were just shrieked, horrible. The ending, where Steve Tyler screams in clear falsetto, came out like subway brakes squealing. Randy said he knows this isn't Danny's genre; it was all right for him, not perfect, but he'll give him an A+ for effort. Kara thinks he took it a little too far. But she likes to see growth, risks, more edge. She commends him for taking chances. Paula doesn't think this was the right song for him, but she's a fan of his. Simon said the last note was like watching a horror movie. A scream. It didn't work, but Simon still thinks Danny will be safe. I'm not so sure. If fans keep remembering that last note, Danny will be the one going home tonight.

Finally, Adam Lambert and Allison Iraheta did their duet, "Slow Ride" by Foghat. (I've never heard of them.) Adam and Allison are still my Top Two. Their voices work well together. Randy thought they were two seasoned rock stars; they should do a duet on their albums. Kara said they're a rock god and rock goddess, pushing each other to be better. Paula said the two of them are a perfect blend. Simon said they win the battle of the duets.

If they still do a Bottom Three tonight, it's clear that somebody undeserving will be in it. The Bottom Two are Danny Gokey (because of Dream On) and Kris Allen (just because he's a weak singer). I'd prefer to see Kris go home, because I think Danny will redeem himself next week. If Allison or Adam get sent home, I'm going to be furious.

American Idol Update: Down to four

Interesting outcome on Wednesday night. With only five left, it was obvious that a Bottom Three was going to include a possible winner. Ryan divided the performers into two groups: Allison and Danny to the right (traditionally the side of the "safe" singers) and Matt and Kris to the left (where the Bottom Three stools are). Then he asked Adam which group he thought he belonged with. Of course, he chose Danny and Allison. To the surprise of almost everybody, Ryan moved him over to stand with Matt and Kris - who were in fact in the Bottom Three. Well, third place out of five... But wait! When Ryan returned a singer to the "safe" side, it wasn't Adam, it was Kris. So there's the Bottom Two: Matt, who should have been there, and Adam, who shouldn't have. Fortunately, it was Matt who was sent home.

So the top four are Danny, Allison, Kris and Adam, probably in that order as of last week's voting. I still think Adam is the most talented performer in this group, but that doesn't necessarily make him the American Idol. I'd love to see Allison win.

I spent some time yesterday downloading American Idol tracks and videos. I got Allison's performance of "Someone to Watch Over Me", and it came with a free "autographed picture" (well, she autographed a picture and somebody scanned it in...). I also downloaded some of my other favorite performances, including Anoop Desai doing "True Colors" (it's lovely) and Jesse Langseth doing "Bette Davis Eyes". I still think Jesse should have been in the Top Twelve. I also spent some money on Adam Lambert tracks - I sprung for the videos of "Wheel of Fire" (it's so over the top!) and "Tracks of my Tears", to be sure and get that stripped-down accompaniment. I also got "Mad World", so now I have three different performances of it on iTunes.