Final AI8 Performances, DWTS 8 Crowns Champ

It was a big 3 hours of reality last night, though for the two-hour DWTS finale it was a good thing to time-shift and leave plenty of room to fast-forward, which we did quite a bit and "caught up" way too quickly.

But first, the final IDOL performances for Adam Lambert and Kris Allen...

 Overall, I didn't think it was that great of a show.  The problem being that the contestants had little choice, despite what Adam said, when it came the songs.  It is no surprise that the best of the night IMHO was the first round where the guys encored their favorites from the season... and both picked the songs I would have picked for them.  But I think, Adam had a little advantage with all that mood lighting and fog machine. 

As far as the 2nd round with producer/creator Simon Fuller's choices, well I was not impressed... as he seemed to have forgot that the finalist were two white guys... and he deals them two soulful songs... with "A Change Is Gonna Come" being an iconic song of the civil right movement... so I just don't think it's a song that's particularly effective sung by a white person (there I said it!)... and I will say, I didn't love Adam's spin on it... i.e., screaming, but that's been my quibble with him the entire season and why thus far the only song I have purchased of his from iTunes is "Mad World."  I thought Kris was similarly saddled with a tough R&B "power to the people" song of "What's Going On"... and I was a bit befuddled by criticisms that it was too low-key... it is a peaceful song to start (literally and figuratively) and we're talking Kris here, so I am not sure how Kris was supposed to make it "big" as this finale apparently deserved.

And, as usual, there is no words for the awfulness of the IDOL anthem... and how the same exact song is supposed to be a good fit for both these guys is just silly.  As soon as I heard that the song was called "No Boundaries" there was no doubt in my mind who IDOL wants to win (not that we had to wait for tonight)... or heck, even for that matter it was a bit obvious with their choice of  "A Change is Gonna Come" with IDOL thinking they would be responsible for a groundbreaking moment if a gay guy wins (which granted it kinda sorta would be)....  though I am not sure if Adam does win that'll be the song he'll be wanting to sing that piece of dreck from Kara and friends (I suspect Kelly Clarkson doesn't have "A Moment Like This" on her concert playlist.. and does anyone else think Kara just got stranger and more cartoon-ish as the season went on?).

I think either guy could win. I thought Adam won the night pretty convincingly... but Kris is not the kind of "artist" that is going to deliver a knock-out punch... though he is my personal preference in the type of music I like to listen to... as mentioned, just bought 1 Adam song, 4 of them from Kris.  Pretty much everything I read from the "pros" and friends, seems like this should be a slam-dunk for Adam... but I think Kris will get a lot of support from the middle of the country and he will certainly get more of the Gokey vote (which appears to be considerable given the bespectacled one's run this season)... so my guess, kind of like the DWTS finale last night, is that Kris will pull the upset. 

And speaking of which, I was a bit surprised that Shawn and Mark pulled it off.  I will not shy away from my Twitter status that I thought she "didn't stand a chance."  While a very good dancer, I just didn't think she won it in the personality and charisma department.  While there is no doubt that she is a very nice girl (unlike her snooty seeming US gymnastic teammate Nastia!!), she just seemed quite shy and not enough to pull off the win in that department against someone like Gilles, who pretty much had it all... except maybe that he wasn't American (not that I think that was the deciding factor, after all Helio won).

Samantha Harris provided the most offensive moment of the night... right before the announcement was made, she noted that Shawn "in the past few weeks you have risen to the level of a true champion"... now I shouldn't blame Samantha, she was likely just a victim of writer's joke to see if she would actually read what was written for her... but I am glad that after having that great and utter disappointment of winning an Olympic gold-medal in one of the premiere sports of the Summer Games, that Shawn finally had the opportunity to get a taste of what it feels like to be a true champion.

Anyhow, the Ballas-Hough DWTS dynasty stretches to 5 wins in a row! 

So yes, Gilles would have been a more deserving winner (oh, so glad Melissa came in 3rd... as she really did stretch that definitiono of a "star" to the limits... you know I love my reality TV, but I place the romance sub-genre in an outer circle of oy!/oh brother!)... but I was fine with Shawn winning... and that's pretty much how I feel like the IDOL finale, pretty much fine with either way it shakes out... and then there's always that realization that none of this has any impact on my life.. at all!

Comments

[Joanna]

Hi Ed,

I hope you are right about Idol. I agree with you on almost every point but specifically about Kris' type of music. I would buy it for sure - but can't really imagine what type of CD Adam would release. Must admit though Adam seems like a really nice guy - with more personality than Kris.

Also if Kris wins, I win a few bucks in our office pool - I think.

[monette]

Yeah, last night's Idol show wasn't so exciting. Maybe partly because they appear to be so friendly, humble, and uncompetitive with each other (no backstage catfights or drama queens? sad), and for once I like both contestants, so I don't really care who wins. I don't feel like it would be an 'upset' either way, but I guess it is fun that it's too close to call in terms of popularity. It's funny because I really didn't care for Danny, so I might've been more invested if he were in the final 2.

Kris is much more the style of music I listen to and enjoy,although Adam can be endearing right before he decides to hit the high register on every single song. But honestly, Adam is what has made the show interesting for me this year (I usually give up around 7-8 contestants left), so I've definitely enjoyed it.

And ugh- that song written by Kara was just terrible. Bad for both guys, and it was worse when Kara admitted to Kris that it wasn't the best song choice for him. Granted, I'm sure they had to have to song ready before they knew who the top 2 were, but yeesh. I'd rather they go back to the 3 judges, but we'll have to see what the producers decide.

[Jeff]

Ha, when you said "artist," I heard it in Kara's voice. She has ruined that word for me. LOL!

Yeah, I wouldn't be surprised if Kris wins. I just wish he could project even more confidence; I don't mean strutting around or anything. Adam seems to come across as both humble and confident. Every time Kris finishes a song, he has this look that says to me, "Well, I guess that went OK" and not "Yeah, that was great!" (Oh, and I had to LOL when I read a FB comment that said he sings with his chin.)

I was surprised with Shawn's win. It was nice to see her finally let loose in the cha-cha reprise, but I was almost sure Gilles would take it. Still, a good final three; each one of them is actually a good dancer. (Still a shame Lil Kim got knocked out so early! I love her "Jailhouse Rock"!)

[Bellacantare]

I think Adam would be super entertaining to see in concert and while I'd buy both an Adam and a Kris CD (or download, whatev), I think this year it comes down to who has the complete package. Who is the bigger draw? Who has a unique sound? I've picked Adam from the beginning and I'm usually right. But then again...I voted for Gilles.