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.