IDOL KRISTENED!

 

Kris Allen is your new “American Idol.” Who’d have thunk it?

Certainly not the “Idol” producers. They couldn’t be bothered to show Kris at all before this season’s semi-finals began, which is usually the kiss of death to all but the most compelling singers (Kelly Clarkson in season one, Bo Bice in season four). And they shamelessly, even by their standards, tried to stage-manage a victory for pet contestant Adam Lambert, giving him an abundance of screen time, better production values (special lighting and other effects) than any past finalist, and multiple chances to close the show near the end of the season.

Certainly not the “Idol” judges. They had trouble hiding their love — or, in the case of Paula Abdul, worship — of Adam throughout the finals. On Judges’ Choice night last week, Simon went to the trouble to get U2′s “One” cleared for him to sing, and talked about how pleased Bono was to have Adam singing one of his songs. At the end of last week’s performance show, Simon Cowell all but begged the audience to vote for Adam so he wouldn’t be a surprise elimination before the finale. And at the end of Tuesday night’s show, after Kris had struggled through the embarrassingly mawkish “Idol” coronation song co-written by new judge Kara DioGuardi, all four judges were so condescending in the way they each told Kris that he should be proud of making it this far, the only way he could have been more insulted was if Paula had patted him on the head while Randy Jackson gave him a trophy for participation.

And so we don’t have the Idol we expected. But we also have one who earned his unlikely victory.

The Finale!

Well, it’s been a long season and it all comes down to the final two. This season, more than any, gave us character and personality. From screaming to alter-egos, from wiggle dances to drama queens, from a drunk Paula to.. um well, a drunk Paula, we saw it all. In the finale, it’s about who gives us a “moment” each time out. So, how did the finale shape up? Well, read below.

 

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SONG 1 (CONTESTANT’S PICK)

I absolutely hate when contestants re-perform a song from earlier in the season, especially when it was deemed as their best or most popular. Seriously, do they think they can do better? If you’re going to repeat a song, why do one you can improve on and thus blow everyone away?

 

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ADAM LAMBERT - “MAD WORLD”

So, Adam”s choice was bringing out the song that put him on the high-pitched map this season. Well, it sounded a lot like the first time, didn’t it? The special effects were cool but it was kind of a boring performance overall in my opinion. I know a lot of people like his version of this song, but I really only see this being a knockout performance in a hit musical on Broadway. In that way, the song and the performance are REALLY good. As a  single on the radio? Eh.

 

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KRIS ALLEN – “AIN’T NO SUNSHINE”

Now, I honestly may be a little biased because this is a song I’ve always loved. I feel the same way about him picking this song as I do about Adam singing his. But, I really like Kris’ arrangement on this song. As I said weeks ago, I’ve always wanted someone to cover the song and change it up and I thought he nailed it. Nothing changed here. But, I actually think he did a better job of it this time. Not from a song arrangement or vocal standpoint, but I thought his stage presence was much better.

 

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SONG 1 VERDICT:

Kris Allen by one of those strange, straggly hairs on his head.

 

SONG 2 (SIMON FULLER PICK)

ADAM LAMBERT – “CHANGE IS GONNA COME”

I thought this was an odd pick for Adam. It kind of has a blues feel to it and I just don’t picture that with him. I was actually digging the song and then the screaming started.  And then, guess what? Yes, more screaming. Change is gonna come, huh? Sounded like the same thing to me. Paula Abdul – “You’re going to be iconic!” Huh? The dude is not even out of the season of Idol let alone having a CD out yet, and she’s already putting him a “iconic” class in the likes of Elvis, Sinatra, Michael Jackson, etc. Come on!

 

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KRIS ALLEN – “WHAT’S GOIN ON”

This was an interesting choice for him as well. I think Kris did the song real well, he made it current and cool. But, I agree with Simon. While it would make a decent single from a CD, it might be from the tail end of one and the whole performance in itself just didn’t feel finale worthy.

 

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SONG 2 VERDICT:

Adam screams ahead.

 

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SONG 3 (CRAPPY, SAPPY, TRYING TO BE MOMENTOUS SONG WE’LL HEAR OVER AND OVER AGAIN ON THE RADIO FOR THE NEXT YEAR UNTIL OUR EARS BLEED)

Seriously, can they do something better? God, these songs they write for them every year make me throw up in my mouth.

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ADAM LAMBERT – “NO BOUNDARIES”

It was a nice performance, especially considering he didn’t yell. Yeah!

 

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KRIS ALLEN – “NO BOUNDARIES”

I thought the song fit Kris better and, while it was not a knockout performance, I thought he made it more of a moment than Adam.

 

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SONG 3 VERDICT:

Kris tells Adam, “Yo foo’, there are boundaries and you be steppin’ out of them. Dog!”

 

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THE WINNER:

Check out the “PREDICTED WINNER” page with the link above!

It’s On Like a Ding Dong!!

 

So, it’s down to Adam vs. Kris which sets up probably the most unique final show in ‘Idol’s history. It pits two of the most creative contestants to ever grace the show’s stage against each other. As Simon said, it’s going to be a Ding-Dong show. Ironic due to how contrasted these two guys are from each other. Mmmmm, I love Ding-Dongs!!!

Gokey, a Goner!

He had a great run and is a real good story after the passing of his wife. The way he overcame his tragedy to standing on stage with thousands of screaming fans in his hometown is stuff of movies. But, it was his time to go. He didn’t have the artistry  of the other contestants.

Top 3 (Judge’s Pick Week)

So, here we are down to the big enchilada. Loser goes home and watches the other two compete for this year’s title. The contestants really have to bring it this week and I feel, for the most part, they did just that.

 

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DANNY GOKEY – “DANCE LITTLE SISTER”

I really don’t understand this song choice by Paula. Aaah, that’s right. She’s more interested in Simon than the show itself. This performance, while sung extremely well, was kind of on the boring side. It’s didn’t sound very current either.

 

“YOU ARE SO BEAUTIFUL”

MUCH better! He changed it up and made it his own. It came off with some emotion. Very well done.

 

SUMMARY

The guy did well for the most part but he still showed his main flaws. First, he doesn’t have ANY star power or charisma what’s so ever. Secondly, nothing he performs sounds remotely current.

 

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KRIS ALLEN – “APOLOGIZE”

Again, I didn’t understand this song choice by the judges. It was almost like they were setting him up for failure. That song is still played at nauseam on the radio so I’m not sure what they expected him to do with it. I thought he still did a real nice job under the circumstances and changed it up to a degree.

 

“HEARTLESS”

Seriously. The guy didn’t just pick a hit hip-hop/rap song did he? He did and blew it out of the water! I agree with Randy in his version being better than the original. It was a BIG gamble to take on that song but that’s what made it even more impressive.

 

SUMMARY

Kris has really put together a long streak of excellent weeks. He went from being a nobody in this year’s competition, to one of, if not the most, creative performers in Idol history. he showed tonight he could be a current hit maker and be a marquee performer.

 

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ADAM LAMBERT – “ONE”

Three judges picks, three lousy choices. Adam actually started the song out pretty well but then he flipped the switch on the ol’ scream machine. I really didn’t understand a word of the song after that.

 

“CRYING”

Now, the judges all get on performers for not changing the song up to make heir own. heck, they did it earlier in the night when they though Kris didn’t do enough. But, I hear anything that made Adam’s version any different from the original. Well, again, outside of the screaming. which he thought we didn’t hear enough of earlier.

 

SUMMARY

You have to wonder about the agenda of the show when they constantly set up Adam to be the last performer and the judges, not only proudly predict him being in the finals, but also winning it AND having a long, huge career. I know he has his big following but, in my opinion, he is a one-trick pony – flaunt and scream. When he releases a full-length CD, there will be thousands of shattered car windows everywhere. If he doesn’t make the finals it will be a upset though.

 

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PREDICTION:

Bottom Three – Adam Lambert, Kris Allen, Danny Gokey

See ya – Danny Gokey

DIAL IDOL PREDICTION: http://www.dialidol.com/asp/predictions/predictions.asp

 

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‘Big Red’ Put to Bed

The talented 17 year old sang and outperformed her age, but could never muster enough popularity to make a legit run to the finale. It’s either that or all her Latin fans were still hung over from Cinco de Mayo. It’s really too bad she couldn’t last one more week because it now ruins my next poll question – “Who sounds more masculine, her or Adam?”

Don’t Forget…

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