American Idol Episode Recap: The Final 2 Perform

After weeks of amazing performances (plus plenty that made us laugh and cringe) we're finally here: the final performance show. Adam Lambert has clearly won the judges over, but can Kris Allen pull the upset? Let's find out!The Final 2 get three chances to wow the crowd of 7,000 (including all the eliminated Season 8 finalists, Sir Anthony Hopkins, Katie Holmes and little Suri) and all of us at home. For starters, both Adam and Kris sing their favorite song from this season. Then, each singer performs a song chosen by Idol creator Simon Fuller. Finally, they must sing the worst song ever written. (More on that in a minute.)Thankfully, we were spared a cheesy theme like last year's boxing motif. Instead, we got family packages, which revealed that Kris was a shy singer as a kid (shocking!) and that Adam got good practice screaming when he was a baby. (The montage of tongue-wagging wails made me laugh). Unfortunately, Paula looks like an Oompa Loompa to Randy's Willy Wonka. But of course, it's all about the songs, so let's take a closer look at each. Kris won the coin toss and (wisely) chose to let Adam go first.ROUND 1"Mad World"The Idol producers chose to give Adam the same lighting cues this time around, but look, fog! Adam doesn't need any help being moody, especially in his black trench coat. I preferred this performance to the first one, if only because he kept it subdued the whole way. I'm more than a little scared that Paula agrees with me. But even though he saved my ears from his screeching, Adam was— as Simon rightly noted — totally rocking a Phantom of the Opera vibe."Ain't No Sunshine"Kris Allen is here to fight, folks. He totally rocked this song the first time he performed it, but he made extra tweaks this time around that made it even more compelling. Randy said Kris was saving his best for last, with which both Paula and Kara agree. Kara also says Kris creates an "intimate bond" with the audience on every song. I agree, but Kara just seems pervy when she makes those comments. Simmer. Simon says he takes back his reservations that America chose the wrong person to face Adam, and even gives Round 1 to Kris. (I wholeheartedly agree with Simon, but perhaps for the last time this season.)ROUND 2"A Change Is Gonna Come"Looking sharp in his silver suit, Adam finally does what I have been dying to see all season. He sings at least half the song in the middle of his register, and he does it wonderfully. It was honestly the first time I have actually heard Adam sing a song I wouldn't turn off on the radio. Yes, he does his usual vocal acrobatics through the end of it, but even at his screechiest, that final note was impressive. Randy calls it "unbelievable," Paula calls it "iconic" and Kara dubs it his best performance of the season. Agreed."What's Going On?"Here, Kris does what I've been harping on Adam for all season: delivering something that was expected. His version of Marvin Gaye's social-change anthem was perfectly competent and Kris' smooth vocals were pitch-perfect. But, as Randy noted, the acoustic feel didn't match the power of Adam's preceding performance, and it also didn't have the same kind of groove that Kris achieved in a similar setup with "She Works Hard for the Money" in Disco Week. Paula still thinks Kris tore the song up, but Adam Lambert clearly dominated the middle round.Before we get to the final round, here's an open letter to the Idol producers:Please stop forcing the winners of American Idol to release these ungodly cheesy songs. Sure, you worked in a plug for your new judge Kara DioGuardi, but it didn't do her any favors. In this case, you're taking a song that doesn't in any way match either finalist's style or sound, and forcing it onto whoever wins. Plus, it ended the show on a terrible note. Please save us all some pain next year. That is all.Moving on...Round 3: "No Boundaries" aka The Worst Song Ever WrittenAdam LambertAdam did the best he could with this song, but it was definitely one of his weakest moments of the season. Randy called it pitchy and Simon blatantly called the song the steaming pile of crap it is. But he also chose to ignore Adam's weak performance to again stump for him to win based on the fact that they have found a "worldwide star." I don't agree, and this performance proves why I have felt that way all season long. Adam Lambert is not "current" and will not make a pop (or even rock) record that the Idol machine generally produces. I'm not saying he's not talented, but I don't think he's going to produce a listenable record. He thrives in the live setting, but showmanship and charisma don't always translate in the studio. Hate me now?Kris AllenKris was equally bad in this round, as the song was clearly in a key that was beyond his range. (Funny that it really wasn't in Adam's either.) Kris' version did sound more radio-ready, but that's always been Kris' edge against Adam. Kara says she hopes people judge Kris on the season, and Simon again acknowledges that Kris deserves to be standing on the stage. (But no worldwide star, huh Simon?) As much as I want Kris to win — and I think he has a better chance than most people are giving him — I still think Lambert has the slightest of edges, even without the judges' fawning praise.So, what did you think? Is it still Adam's title to lose? Did Kris do enough to overcome the judges' bias? Whose record — be honest! — would you listen to on repeat for days or weeks on end? In short, who's gonna win? Vote in our poll below and tell us why in the comments. See you tomorrow as the Season 8 champ is crowned!

from yahoobuzz.com

Analyzing Idol's Top 2: Was Kris Able to Close the Gap?

During these final weeks of American Idol, as each sing-off signed off, TVGuide.com has checked in with TV Guide Network hosts/Idol alums Kimberly Caldwell and Justin Guarini to get their particularly qualified takes on who soared, who stumbled, and which judges' review most rang true.For this final week, Caldwell weighs in on finalists Adam Lambert and Kris Allen and whether this season could turn out to deliver one of the closest votes ever.TVGuide.com: Kris chose to sing second; what's the strategy there — don't let Adam's "wow" factor linger in the air?Kimberly Caldwell: I think it was a great strategy because the last person to perform on the show is normally the one that really sticks in your head! Also, if some of the audience was tuning in late then they definitely got to still see Kris.TVGuide.com: Did either of the guys' own song choices surprise you? Did you predict, perhaps, anything different for either?Caldwell: I thought they were both brilliant song choices. "Mad World" is the performance of Adam's that everybody is still talking about today, and I think he nailed it. But Kris really showed that he was ready to fight in the first round with "Ain't No Sunshine." He knew had to represent — and he did!TVGuide.com: Yeah, Kris came out swinging with "Sunshine." Would you give Round 1 of the night to him?Caldwell: Round 1 goes to Kris!TVGuide.com: Conversely, would you give Adam the edge for Round 2?Caldwell: Adam is a true professional and showed that his previous stage experience has really paid off, so yes, I think he took Round 2.TVGuide.com: On paper, who do you think the song Kara wrote, "No Boundaries," was a better fit for? And Danny Gokey isn't an acceptable answer in this instance!Caldwell: Adam's range is genius and unbelievable at times, so I think the song suited him better. Kris definitely doesn't have Adam's range, but it doesn't make him any less credible. But I was really hoping that the [final] songs would have been specifically written for each individual artist.TVGuide.com: All told, did this final sing-off wind up closer than you anticipated? Caldwell: I think the votes are going to be closer than we all anticipated. Adam has been a front-runner since the beginning of this competition and Kris had been the underdog, but Kris has grown tremendously. They are both superstars at this point.TVGuide.com: What was your singular fave performance of the night?Caldwell: Adam's final performances really had a lot of emotion, and he seemed like he was giving it all he had. I know they are both exhausted at this point, and they really stepped up as true artists tonight.TVGuide.com: The audience for this final performance night was particularly star-studded. Who were you most star-struck to see in the crowd?Caldwell: I love seeing all my old American Idol friends. It's like a family reunion! Go Ruben!TVGuide.com: And how nice of Ryan Seacrest to remind us that Wednesday's results show will run long!Caldwell: Set those TiVos!TVGuide.com: Before we go, have you heard any rumors about Wednesday night duets or special performances? Anything you can tease?Caldwell: I heard a rumor that not only are former American Idol finalists performing but possibly Black Eyed Peas, Cyndi Lauper, Queen Latifah ... and even Steve Martin!? We will have to see if the rumors are true! Hope so!

American Idol: Adam Lambert & Kris Allen Fight To The Actual Death

So that’s it. No more American Idol for another year. Last night Adam Lambert and Kris Allen sang their final songs, so it’s over.
No, hang on, wait - there’s still tonight’s American Idol final results show to go. But, hey, that shouldn’t take too long, should it? Hello, here’s the winner, goodbye. Probably three, three and a half minutes, tops.
What? Two hours? Two full hours, plus the inevitable 30 minutes of unplanned overtime because Paula Abdul will get overexcited while answering a question and start speaking in whalesong for no good reason whatsoever? Thanks, American Idol. You’re spoiling us. Really.
Judging by some of the comments we’ve received this week, this could be one of the most divisive American Idol finals in history. In one corner is Adam Lambert, the show’s break-out star. And in the other is Kris Allen, the amiable dark horse who’s probably only in the American Idol final because people couldn’t bear to see Danny Gokey get any more attention.
Because of this, whoever wins American Idol tonight will blunder into a massive shitstorm. If Kris Allen wins, some will claim it’d be down to bigots working the anti-gay vote. And if Adam Lambert wins, some will threaten to boycott the show because it’s become too camp - which is really saying something for a ballad-heavy singing competition hosted by Ryan Seacrest and judged by Simon Cowell.
But that’ll play out in the days and weeks to come. At least we can all be united on one front - regardless of whether Kris Allen or Adam Lambert sings American Idol, the song that the winner will have to release as a first single is horrible.
No Boundaries, it’s called. It’s all mountains and roads and hapless sincerity. It’s sounds like a bloody Gillette advert. From 1986. Honestly, No Boundaries is so terrible that neither contestant got it right - Kris Allen’s version was off-key and insipid and Adam Lambert’s version was like Meat Loaf karaoke performed by a man with a face like a crying baby.
This is how bad No Boundaries was - American Idol judge Kara DioGuardi said that she didn’t want anyone to be judged by it. And she wrote the bloody thing. What hope do the rest of us have?
If you want to hear No Boundaries for yourself, then we’d suggest tuning into the final American Idol results show tonight where, in a gormless attempt to shift copies, it’ll no doubt be performed twice each by Kris Allen and Adam Lambert, then again by one of the guest stars, then again by a choir of war-scarred orphans standing on a canyon at sunset in front of a firework display made to look like a unicorn hugging a dolphin.
So, who do we think will win American Idol tonight? We’re going to go out on a limb here and say us. Because after tonight we won’t have to write about American Idol again for months. And in many ways, that’s the greatest prize of all.

from www.hecklerspray.com

WIN IT: American Idol Gift Bag and Autographed Photo of Top 13

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from http://www.usmagazine.com

Simon Cowell Predicts Idol Winner

Simon Cowell has picked his favorite American Idol contestant of the season — and it comes as no shock that it's season-long front runner Adam Lambert.
"I would have to put my money on Adam right now," Cowell told Oprah Winfrey during a guest appearance on her talk show Monday. "I think he's got that 'it,' and I think he's fearless and I think he's unique. And he's got swagger."
The episode also featured Britain's Got Talent superstar Susan Boyle, who answered Winfrey's question about whether she would get a makeover before her appearance on the Talent semifinals this month. "Depends what you mean by a makeover," Boyle said. "My best friend helps with my makeup. That's hardly a makeover."
When Winfrey inquired about her hairstyle change, Boyle downplayed her new 'do. "That was just to tidy myself over like any female would've done," said Boyle.

fromhttp://www.tvguide.com/

American Idol Then & Now

He's about to compete in the finals on American Idol, but we have pictures of him when he first started his entertainment career, on the stage at Mt. Carmel High School.

The "Idol" front-runner performed a brief set for adoring fans and screaming teenagers at Mount Carmel High School Friday, May 8.
His legacy at the school includes more than a few performances with the drama club. These pictures are from the March 1998 performance of "Music Man." Lambert, who was a high school junior at the time, played Marcellus Washburn, the friend of Prof. Harold Hill, in the classic musical. As part of the performance, Lambert sang "Shipoopi."

We're told Lambert was the understudy for the starring role. The student who nabbed the role of Harold Hill is as far away from "American Idol" as you can get, studying law.
Lambert joins a few famous alumni from Mt. Carmel High School including Blaine Cotter from "The Biggest Loser" and Eric Chavez who plays professional baseball with the Oakland A's.

from http://www.nbcsandiego.com/

American Idol: the Incident

So sure were we yesterday that Kris Allen would be voted off of American Idol this week that we Photoshopped him into a coffin. Oops! On last night's episode, Kris rose from the dead, John Locke–style, after which Ryan Seacrest detonated a hydrogen bomb, sending Danny Gokey back to Milwaukee and erasing our memories of him forever. (This is exactly how it happened.)
So, astonishingly, we may actually have an interesting finale to look forward to next week. For the past two months, all indications have pointed to an eardrum-exploding Danny-Adam screech-off spectacular. But now that Danny — who was never once in the bottom three before last night — is out, who will inherit his legions of tone-deaf voters? Idol producers seem to have their hearts set on an Adam Lambert victory, though one imagines he'll have trouble making inroads with the Christian soldiers who kept Danny on the show all this time. Will they break for Kris, also something of a God-rocker, who won new pull with heathens this week for his awesome acoustic version of Kanye's "Heartless" on Tuesday? IS KRIS NOW THE FRONT-RUNNER? Yes, probably! Even so, we'll refrain from making any bold pronouncements about his imminent victory, since we tend to be wrong about practically everything.

from www.myng.com