Aired 5/19/09
Bunny: Randy is wearing a really loud suit, and Simon has put on a jacket. We must be at the finale! The two leather-clad rockers, Adam Lambert and Kris Allen, enter to wild applause. Thank goodness they weren't forced to wear satin boxing robes this year. Kris won the coin toss last week, so he has wisely chosen to sing second, although we all know Adam would win even if he didn't show up because he had a scheduling conflict with a puppy-drowning party.
Adam and Kris will each sing three songs tonight: 1) their favorite performance from the season, 2) a song chosen by Simon Fuller, one of the show's creators, and 3) the winner's single, which was co-written by Kara DioGuardi.
RATING SYSTEM
Litterbox Level
Paws-itively Purr-fect
Contestant’s favorite previously done song
Adam Lambert
“Mad World”
Bunny: Why am I not surprised that Adam has been screaming since babyhood? I am very happy, however, that he is doing “Mad World” again. As before, he absolutely kills it. His voice is truly fantastic when he just ... SINGS. That was superb. And again, I have to give him 4 paws.
Burke: I haven't liked him all year, but that was definitely his best song. 
Kris Allen
“Ain't No Sunshine”
Bunny: He's at the piano again. He does it even better than the first time. It's every bit as effective as Adam's performance, but in a very different way. Simon calls Round 1 Kris', but that's probably only because he's going to tear him apart later.
Burke: It was just a hair too slow for me. I actually think Adam's first song was better. But that was an enjoyable opening round.
Simon Fuller's choice
Adam Lambert
“Change Is Gonna Come”
Bunny: It starts out pretty good. Of course the screaming begins again halfway through, because that's what America and the judges love. But he's not as shrill as on previous occasions, and he does sing with feeling.
Burke: Well, he's back to his old screamy, over-emoting, super-theatrical, weepy-pouty self.
Kris Allen
“What's Goin' On”
Bunny: He's got the acoustic guitar and three other musicians front and center. I don't think it's the best song for this point in the competition, as Randy said, but it's not his fault, as Randy seemed to forget. It was well done, but sure enough, the wolves are tearing into the carcass already.
Burke: Didn't like the song choice, and it was a weak performance. I think the contestants should be able to choose both of the first two songs.
Winner’s single
Adam Lambert
“No Boundaries”
Bunny: I'm not sure what to say about the song. Pro(s): Title doesn't make me gag. Con(s): It doesn't include the word “rainbow.” Still there's enough evidence to warrant the inclusion of a coronation song cliche count: moment, chances, mountain, higher, believe, dreams, road. Did I miss any? As expected, the judges' last critique of the preordained winner is worshipful, except for Randy. The way he sang it, I had a hard time detecting a melody.
Burke: To me, this proves why Adam shouldn't be the American Idol. He can't sing a popular song without screaming, shouting, and pouting.
Kris Allen
“No Boundaries”
Bunny: This is likely to suit Kris' style far more than Adam's. I think it's a smart move to not use an instrument for this last performance of Season 8. The notes are a little flat at times. However, I prefer his version because he makes it sound like a better song than it really is. The judges give their “we're proud of you for making it this far and you might as well enjoy this moment because we have ensured that you're going to lose” speeches. Arrrrrgh. Hopefully this will motivate his voters.
Burke: Did he have a mustache during the first song? Weak song, weaker performance. I liked it less than Adam's, I hate to say it. The last two songs were the kiss of death for ol' Kris.
Bunny: Carrie Underwood sings “Home Sweet Home” accompanying a generic goodbye package which includes clips of some of the most obnoxious contestants from Season 8, several of which are likely to be in the house tomorrow night to provide us one last laugh. Or agonizing groan.
PREDICTIONS
Bunny: Let's compare the ratings we gave to each. I gave Adam 4 + 3 + 2 = 9 and Kris 3.5 + 3 + 2.5 = 9. Strangely, even though we've made no secret of the fact that we are not Lambert fans, I believe he is the only contestant I gave 4 paws to this season, and twice! That said, I still have to name him Bunny's Bomb (someone has to be). Obviously neither of them bombed and I rated them equally overall. But the only way I can decide is go by season performances as a whole, and as you undoubtedly know, I have always liked Kris better. However, if I want to correctly predict Season 8's American Idol, I have to guess that he won't be it.
Burke: Ratings for Adam 3.5 + 2.5 + 2.5 = 8.5 and Kris 3 + 2.5 + 2 = 7.5, so I feel there was a wider margin between them tonight than Bunny. Burke's Turkey is Kris Allen. I want him to win, but I believe Adam will because he was the stronger competitor tonight. It would have been interesting to see a finale featuring David Cook vs. Adam Lambert or Gaspy vs. Kris if Seasons 7 and 8 had been combined.
Prognosticats: Hairball performance honors go to Kris Allen, yet we believe Adam Lambert will not be the American Idol.
Bunny: See you tomorrow night for the final results show, wherein someone will be crowned, and someone will be owned (and based on the restrictive Idol winner's contract, it may be the same person)! Remember to set your DVRs for MORE than two hours, since they're already planning on running overtime. I love ambitious goals.
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AMERICAN IDOL SEASON 8 ADAM LAMBERT KRIS ALLEN NEW CD |  |
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US $8.99 | 13d 2h 38m |
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Adam Lambert Kris Allen Kelly Clarkson Dustin Hoffman | |
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American Idol Season 8 Adam Lambert Kris Allen | |
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ADAM LAMBERT billboard magazin KRIS ALLEN november 2009 | |
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{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }
I would have to rate this one of the most thrilling finals in the history of the show.
For the first time since Sanjaya— I was dialing my fingers off for Adam (100 votes in about 90 minutes time).
West Coast is just finishing the dialing period…….and we closed the gap at “Dial Idol” from 2.05 percentage points to just under 1.07 points difference between the two finalists. [Margin of Error = 2.08]
Dial Idol is saying, essentially, that the results of the busy signal monitoring show that the two candidates are within perhaps 500,000 votes or less (out of 60 million votes).
Meaning, a very close call! And, it means BOTH will succeed no matter what.
This folks…….is RUBEN/CLAY 2.0 (Same outcome…….a close call with the gay contestant losing, but ends up selling 5x as many records).