Category: Season 8: Finals
Posted by Adam Graham (The Detroit News) on Thu, May 21, 2009 at 1:52 AMMiddle-of-the-road Kris triumphs over divider Adam in 'Idol' finale
The conspiracy theories will fly now that Kris Allen has been crowned American Idol, beating out heavy-favorite Adam Lambert after a nationwide vote that reportedly totaled nearly 100 million votes.
Was Lambert's alleged homosexuality a factor in his loss? Lambert was a divider -- you either loved or hated his over-the-top, glam-rock style -- while Allen was a unifier. He was so middle-of-the-road that he was hard to dislike.
Or did Allen simply have the goods over Lambert?
Read more here.
Category: Season 8: Finals
Posted by Caren Gittleman on Wed, May 20, 2009 at 10:45 PMKris wins 'Idol,' but Adam will reap the rewards
Throughout the entire star-studded "American Idol" finale tonight I kept having this nagging feeling (I had mentioned I am psychic, remember?) that Kris Allen would win. I could tell by the way the producers heavily leaned toward Kris the entire evening. The final dead giveaway was right before the winner was announced I noted who was standing closest to Ryan Seacrest - it was Kris. The winner of "American Idol" is always placed next to Ryan.
My heart sank to my stomach, but then out of nowhere a voice kept whispering in my ear, "Chris Daughtry, Chris Daughtry, Chris Daughtry." The best thing to happen to Chris was to not win "American Idol." He is doing better for himself than most of the other Idols who have won the coveted title. Adam will do just fine and I predict he will have a more successful career than unassuming Kris.
Now, if I can only shut my husband up and stop his incessant gloating. He called this at least eight weeks ago. My non-"Idol" obsessed, sports loving husband who would only catch occasional viewings of "Idol" said about Kris, "Don't be surprised if this guy wins it all."
Time for me to push aside the popcorn and brownies and eat a big serving of crow.
I have to regroup and figure out if all of this "Idol" worship is worth it for next season. Blogging has been a blast and I appreciated the opportunity, but maybe I should move on to "Dancing With The Stars"? Naw ... I'll get over it, I always do. Gotta start counting the days til January 2010 when I next hear "THIS is 'American Idol'."
Category: Season 8: Finals
Posted by Mark Eaton on Wed, May 20, 2009 at 10:44 PMAfter 'Idol' upset, maybe Adam can join Queen
In the biggest upset in "Idol" history, America showed its true colors and showed it unfortunately is not ready for its first gay American Idol after all.
Not to take anything away from Kris Allen, who is a good singer and will fill locales like The Fillmore Detroit theater with thousands of tweens, but Adam Lambert was by far the more talented of the two.
I realize "American Idol" is an over-glorified popularity contest. However, it is simply sad to see America can't handle anything that is not as simple and apparently as straight as American apple pie.
Of course this shocking outcome didn't happen immediately; instead, we were subjected to two hours, six minutes of recaps, medleys, duets and silly gimmicks like the Golden Idol awards. Some of the silly gimmicks included:
* The Golden Idols: We could have saved the seven minutes the show went over.
* The American Idol trophy: Apparently "AI" producers were fearful Idol contestants would be insulted that "celebrities" like Shawn Johnson received a trophy for winning a silly dance contest whereas the Idols are simply treated with the opportunity to sell millions of records.
* Former Idols as off-site correspondents: Rather than have to wait for a "what happened to?" series, we got reintroduced to Mikaleh Gordon and Carly Smithson.
* Randy Jackson's bow tie: Perhaps not a gimmick, but what the heck was up with that thing?!
As for Adam Lambert, with Paul Rodgers no longer leader singer of legendary rock band Queen, might the remaining members consider Adam as the next? With the flair of Freddy Mercury, Adam seems like the perfect fit.
I was thoroughly impressed by Kris Allen's and Adam Lambert's duet of "I Will Remember You" during yet another silly Ford commercial. However, that was quickly negated by "Idol" giving Ford an even bigger plug by giving Fusions away to Kris and Adam.
I can't finish up the season without a best and worst of the night:
Best: In an emotional tribute to his late brother Adam, David Cook performed his new single, "Permanent." I encourage people to download this song on iTunes as proceeds go to Accelerate Brian Cancer Cure.
Worst: Did "Idol" really need to give Nick Mitchell, Tatiana del Toro and Bikini Girl extra time on their 15 minutes of fame?!
Thank you to all of those folks who enjoyed my equal opportunity offending this year. Like Simon, I enjoy taking the side usually less popular and challenging America. With "Idol" gone until January, I encourage you to look inside yourself and ask whether you voted for Kris Allen because he truly was the best singer or because he was the worship leader of his church in middle America who didn't challenge the norm.
Category: Season 8: Hollywood week
Posted by Nikki Stephan on Wed, May 20, 2009 at 10:28 PMKris Allen pulls off biggest upset in 'Idol' history
HOORAY! Congrats Kris Allen for beating all odds and winning "American Idol" Season 8!
Five minutes before Ryan Seacrest revealed the results, I forced myself to accept the fact that Adam Lambert would be named the winner. What an unexpected surprise! It's so awesome to see someone who was an underdog throughout the majority of the competition come through as the winner. I haven't bought many of the past Idol winner's albums, but I can guarantee that I will be buying Kris Allen's!
Adam Lambert deserves tons of credit for making it as far as he did. I'm interested to see where his career goes from here. Can he really produce successful records? Or will he return to Broadway after his first (and only) attempt at the big leagues flops?
I've had a blast writing these posts throughout Season 8, so thank you to The Detroit News for this opportunity! Thanks also to the other Idol bloggers for the entertaining and witty posts.
Only seven more months until the "Idol" craziness starts all over again!
Category: Season 8: Finals
Posted by Emily Gordy on Wed, May 20, 2009 at 10:22 PMA total shock, but right decision for 'Idol' winner
On the homepage of Dial Idol, the vote-predicting Web site stresses that it has "accurately predicted the winner of every 'American Idol' season it has covered." So when they predicted Kris would win by a very slim margin, I had my doubts.
Well, Dial Idol can breathe a sigh of relief, because it got it right once again.
At the beginning of the competition, no one knew who Kris was. When he made the Top 13, people were surprised. Sure, he was cute, but did he have the talent?
Throughout the season, Kris proved he did and I believe America got it right this time, despite the producers' attempts to sway it otherwise.
I wish the best to Adam Lambert, but I will be spending my money on Kris Allen's albums. Hail to the "Idol" victor!
Category: Season 8: Finals
Posted by Kathy Buhaj on Wed, May 20, 2009 at 10:20 PMSweetie, for me, America made right choice in 'Idol' winner
This is kind of a sad moment for me, writing my last blog post for Season 8 of "American Idol." I was really looking forward to tonight, but I couldn't believe it was coming to an end.
I have been watching this show for the past eight years but this is the first year that I have really felt connected to these contestants. Being a blogger really changes things. You know the contestants' names and you follow them so closely that it's an amazing experience.
It's amazing to see how talented Adam and Kris are. The thing about them is that they are so different. I love finales like this. Having a hard core rocker like Adam and a soft spoken singer like Kris makes you wonder what America is thinking. I am a country girl at heart and my taste in music is more the Kris Allen type. Adam is a good singer but just not the type of music I would listen to. I guess the bottom line is how many people vote who are like me, listening to music sung by Kris Allen types, humble and sweet or do they prefer the screaming, loudness of Adam Lambert.
It's always such an intense last few minutes wondering who is going to be the next American Idol. Does it really matter anyway? We all know after eight years of watching this show that holding the "American Idol" title doesn't always mean as much as we think.
After Ryan announced Kris Allen was the "American Idol" winner I jumped out of my chair. Finally, America got it right. He deserves it. Even after he was announced the winner, Kris didn't gloat, he showed America what a true gentleman he is. That's what we need to see at a time like this. Kris Allen shows us what it means to be a true "American Idol."
I am thrilled that I was able to be a blogger for Season 8 of "American Idol" and I am even more thrilled that Kris Allen won.
Category: Season 8: Finals
Posted by Karen Hepner on Wed, May 20, 2009 at 10:16 PMI will remember you, 'Idol'
Kris Allen is the Rocky Balboa of song. The scrappy boy next door sang his heart out and won over the "American Idol" viewers tonight.
How cool that one of his sound alikes, Jason Mraz, was featured tonight? And Kris and Keith Urban together made magic.
Teaming up the Idols with various stars were mostly hits. Adam Lambert performing Kiss was scary magic. Rod Stewart was just plain scary. Matt Giraud and Santana seemed to be in the groove. A ghostly Cyndi Lauper paled to Allison's youth and vibrance. Danny Gokey and Lionel Richie can sing but not dance. A curious trio of Megan Joy, Michael Sarver and Steve Martin on the banjo was a total miss. The funniest act was "Bikini Girl," looking a little more enhanced, getting upstaged by judge Kara DioGuardi. I guess Kara just wanted to have the last word - or note as it was.
The excitement of the night was captured by Queen and the Idols singing "We Are The Champions." Adam had to be on cloud nine to be in that awesome rocker company.
I said this from day one, America will vote with its heart this year. There seemed to be an overwhelming sense of unity in this group. It needed to rub off on the judges.
Yea for Ford giving the last two standing a new Fusion. It makes us Detroiters proud.
Celebs spotted dancin' and singin' to the music included Heather Locklear, Kate Walsh, Carrie Underwood and Bo Bice.
Thanks for letting me say what I really mean about a show that gets into your heart and head. As Bob Hope would say, thanks for the memory.
Category: Season 8: Finals
Posted by Beth Reeber Valone (The Detroit News) on Wed, May 20, 2009 at 10:04 PMKris Allen wins 'American Idol'
With 100 million votes cast, Kris Allen upsets Adam Lambert to win Season 8 of "American Idol"!
Congrats Kris!
Category: Season 8: Top 3
Posted by Kathy Buhaj on Wed, May 20, 2009 at 9:34 PMGreat to see ex-Idols on finale
I cannot believe we are already at the finale of "American Idol." I wasn't quite sure what to expect from this two-hour finale but I'm glad I watched it.
Beginning with seeing Carrie Underwood in the audience, which I thought was totally awesome. Carrie has become one of the biggest names from "American Idol" and never once has she forgotten that if it wasn't for "American Idol" she wouldn't have made it. Unlike many of the other American Idol contestants Carrie never forgets to thank "American Idol" and Simon Fuller for where she is today.
Having David Cook perform was another amazing "American Idol" moment we will never forget. We all know David Cook from winning "Idol" last year, but we also knew about his late brother Adam. Even with the recent passing of his brother, David still performs like the professional he is. He lives in his music through his brother. We all knew who Adam was and how much Adam meant to David.
I enjoyed this first hour of "Idol" especially watching Kara and Bikini Girl. Wow, I have a whole new respect for Kara. I was totally impressed with her tonight. Who knew she could sing like that? I actually think she sings better then she co-writes songs. She put Bikini Girl to shame. I wonder what Paula thought about her performance?
Category: Season 8: Finals
Posted by Caren Gittleman on Wed, May 20, 2009 at 9:21 PM'Idol' goes out in a blaze of stars, skin
I love "American Idol." Here I am ending the season as I started it with popcorn at my side, "two bite" brownies at the ready, bring on the finale! Even when I think I have had enough of the ear shattering auditions, the tedious task of whittling the top 12 (or 13 depending on the season) down to 10, the clownish antics of the judges, cocky contestants thinking they can one-up Simon with sassy retorts, hokey (not Gokey) dance and song numbers, dialing my fingers silly (as if my vote really does count) which I choose to foolishly believe that it does.
It all comes down to the final two. Who will it be? Adam or Kris? If the busy signals of last night are any indication (I could not get through on Adam's lines til 11:45 p.m.) it could be, dare I hope, Adam? (But so far tonight the producers have filled the show with content heavily leaning toward Kris).
In the meantime I am being hugely entertained by stars such as David Cook, Keith Urban, Queen Latifah, Cyndi Lauper, Fergie, Black Eyed Peas, Lionel Ritchie and the "Dueling Diva Darlings" Bikini Girl and Kara, (glad to see Bikini Girl invested her money wisely into revamping "the girls".)
No more time for "Idol Chatter" I gotta get back to the show.
Category: Season 8: Finals
Posted by Beth Reeber Valone (The Detroit News) on Wed, May 20, 2009 at 8:55 PMKara takes on Bikini Girl
I love it! A (breast) inflated Bikini Girl returns to "American Idol" but Kara DioGuardi totally upstages her in the singing department.
That makes up for the horrible song Kara co-wrote for the finalist.
Fun!
