So the finale starts with footage of Glambert and Kris Allen saying things like “I am the next American Idol” and “In Your Face Other People” from their auditions. (No wonder auditions take so long!) This is spliced together with footage of the judges’ comments during the season. What becomes immediately apparent is how unprepared everyone on staff was for Kris Allen to make it to the finales.
Examples of comments on Glambert:
“OMG GLAMBERT YOU ARE AWESOME!!!”
“HOW DO YOU HIT THOSE NOTES!!!”
“I WAS BLIND BUT NOW I SEE BECAUSE OF THE POWER OF YOUR VOICE”
“SEE YOU IN THE FINALE! (ad nauseum)!!!
Examples of comments on Kris Allen:
“First of all, you look beautiful tonight”
“That was pretty decent…yup.”
“Oh, are you still here?”
“Quit hitting my Simon…no you shut up! No you shut up, stupid face! No you’re the stupid head”!
The overall impression I got during this mediocre and disappointing finale is that no one on the production staff was prepared for a Glambert/Allen finale and nor did they care to be.
This is….American Idol!
Glambert:
Round One: Mad World (Glambert’s Favorite Performance of the Season)
Round Two: A Change Is Gonna Come (Simon Fuller’s Choice)
Round Three: No Boundaries (Idol Coronation Song co-written by half of Kandy)
Adam begins the show atop an illuminated stair case in silhouette entrenched in darkness and fog and entrenched specifically because he is actually wearing a trench coat. You can always tell when Glambert is singing a ballad because he is hardly visible and smogged up. Unquestionably the right choice of song. Unfortunately, it went downhill from there. Simone Fuller (creator of Idol) selected the soul gem “A Change Is Gonna Come” for Glambert to sing which makes me wonder if Simon Fuller has watched a single episode this season. I appreciate the song but it does not suit Glambert at all and though he attempts to glam it up. I am left with a decidedly mediocre and boring performance. Unfortunately, a change does come…for the worse when Glambert takes the stage to sing quite possibly one of the worst Idol coronation songs since Season Five’s “Inside Your Heaven”. I will address this year’s “No Boundaries” later but Glambert’s final performance does him no favors. That song does a disservice to music in general and the night ends for Glambert with only one solid and unique performance.
The judges critiques range from using letters of the alphabet (Kandy: A is for Adam and Artistry) to air lassos (Paula: You are going to be iconic! Yes you are!) to laughing at the ridiculous lyrics for “No Boundaries” (Thank you Simon!). Surprisingly the judges talked very little about these specific performances and just very emphatically stated their support of Adam Lambert.
Kris Allen
Round One: “Ain’t No Sunshine” (Kris’ Favorite Performance of the Season)
Round Two: “What’s Going On” (Simon Fuller’s Choice)
Round Three: “No Boundaries” (Idol Coronation Song)
I love Kris Allen’s first song mostly because I think it is one of the best songs ever written. I agree with Kris selecting it because it is the best performance he had on the piano. I expect he will play the guitar later in the show so playing the piano will demonstrate versatility. This particular performance was slightly more emo than his original performance of the song. Simon Fuller’s choice was at least more suitable for Kris Allen and his Jug Band. Kris gave a very unassuming performance that clearly had some thought during his acapella delivery of the “war is not the answer” line. I would have liked him to structure the end differently but I felt this was a much more comfortable performance than the other Simon Fuller selection of the night. Finally, Kris tackles the Idol Coronation song and the best I can say is that it didn’t make me want to throw up as much as when Glambert sang it. Kris’ voice is warmer and he so much heart that the song was slightly more palatable. Overall, I think Kris Allen owned the night.
The judges comments ranged from the distracted (Kandy: I hope the Lakers win tonight!) to the inspirational (Kandy: Make them think! Make them feel! Make them change!) to the made up words (Paula: You Allenize everything you sing!) to the honest (Simon: I was surprised when they called your name last week, but America got it right!).
The Idol Coronation Song:
I managed to get access to the original lyrics for “No Boundaries” co-written by Kara Dioguardi. I think you’ll find them interesting. Also, I’ve added illustrations that I think really capture the incredible spirit of this song which ultimately is a testament to music, mankind, and artistry!
Seconds, Minutes, Half Hours, Hours, Days, Weeks, so many months
You know what you want but how long can you wait
Every moment last forever if you feel you’ve lost your way
What if my your chances are already gone
Started believing that I could be wrong for being a judge on this show
But you give me one good reason and I’ll turn right back around
to fight and never walk away
P.S. I can totally sing better than Kelly Clarkson and Tracy Chapman combined
Coz hear I am — still holding on!
Every step you make climb another mountain
Every breath you take its harder to believe
I’ll be watching you
You’ll make it through all your arthritis aches and pains
Weather the flash floods and hurricanes
To get to that one thing
One love
One life
When you think the road is going nowhere
Just when you’ve almost gave up on your dreams
Then take it by the hand even though dreams don’t have hands and show you that you can
You can go higher
You can go deeper
If we love each other, it’s okay Matt G.
There are no boundaries
Above and beneath you
To the front or beside you
Or on either side of you if you are facing forward
B-reak every rule coz there’s nothing between you
and your dreams
Every step you climb another mountain
Every tip toe you ford another stream
Every thought you follow every rainbow
Till you find your dream
Every breathe its harder to believe
Random Idol Thoughts:
Clearly they were stretching on what to label this finale conflict. They had it easy with The Two Davids last season but come on guys: Guy next door vs. guy liner? Conway vs California. Acoustic rocker vs. glam rocker.
The personal information learned about each contestant was really not fun at all. Glambert was a screaming colic baby and Kris Allen’s family had to pay Kris a quarter to make him sing for his family.
Katie Holmes and Suri were let out of the compound this evening.
Ryan fondles Kris Allen as much as possible tonight because tomorrow, it will all be over.
Why did the finale end with Carrie Underwood singing the elimination song over a montage of extra footage from the season? Why is she trying to get all up in our heaven?!
Final Thoughts:
The Idols should be able to pick all their own songs for the finale because honestly, this show was ruined by Simon Fuller and Kara Dioguardi. At the end of the night, I feel Kris Allen pulled off a better show in that he demonstrated most of what makes Kris Allen great. Glambert however was not able to really glam anything up to the levels of ridiculous entertainment that he had been over the course of the season.
If America votes based on last night, Kris Allen will be our next American Idol.
If America votes based on the season, Glambert will be our next American Idol.
Hopefully the finale is more entertaining than tonight!
J Ramp Out!
May 20, 2009 at 1:57 pm |
I feel that even if Kris’ first album was titled “Kris Allen and his Jughead Band” I would STILL buy it!
Kris has it!
May 20, 2009 at 2:51 pm |
Kara ruined this night! What will the season be like next year with no Simon? I mean, those three say nothing notable.
May 20, 2009 at 3:22 pm |
The best performance of the night was Ain’t No Sunshine. However, Kris sounded absolutely TORTURED during the coronation song. It was way too high for him and he strained so much he almost blew out his karotid (sp?) artery.
I simply have no idea who is going to win. Even dialidol considers it too close to call.
I’m mostly just looking forward to the group numbers tonight.
May 20, 2009 at 7:26 pm |
How much better would the show have been if they allowed the contestants to pick all their songs, and those two contestants were Adam and Allison? Answer: 1 billion times better.
But, I like Kris a lot, and I like Adam a lot. I think for the sake of the show, Adam would be the better pick. After the Ruebens and the Taylor Hickses and the Fantasias and the Jordin Sparkses… they need an Adam.
My opinion is, if Simon quits, the best move for the show would be to entirely redo the judges table with three (not four) entirely new people. If you simply try to replace Simon and leave the others, the Simon replacement stands no chance with all the comparisons. Gotta mix the whole thing up.
May 20, 2009 at 8:30 pm |
I’ve tried all day to think of something relevant to write. Truth is I couldn’t care less who wins. In terms of talent, charisma and “star” quality it should be Adam. He has the staying power of a Carrie or what’s her name… Kris is fine too.
Speaking of tangents, remember Simon’s show the Next Great American Band? Whatever hapened to the Clark Brothers? DotDot Dot is playing in Columbus, OH on Saturday night.
I hope there is a special surprise guest on Idol tonight – something more along the lines of Prince and less along the lines of Boy George.
Was there an Idol gives back this year? What happened to the big event fund raising show?
I agree we could use some new judges. When Simon leaves, there will be no relevant judges. How about Bon Jovi?