Blog posts by category: Season 8: Top 3
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: Top 3
Posted by Nikki Stephan on Wed, May 13, 2009 at 10:51 PMIn Simon's words, next week's 'gonna be a big ding dong'!
Looks like I'm not the only one who was pulling for a Kris/Adam showdown next week! Apparently the majority of the 88 million votes (seriously, 88 million?!) were also in favor of seeing the duo battle it out in the finale!
My hopes for Kris were high, but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't shocked when Ryan named him as the first person moving on to the finals next week. I think it's safe to say Kris' genius rendition of "Heartless" last night sealed his fate and finally gave him that extra push he needed to surpass Danny. To quote one of the screaming teeny boppers, the best things about Danny are "he's cute, he has good glasses and he lives in Milwaukee." He doesn't have what it takes to make it big beyond the "Idol" stage.
Kris making it to the finals was definitely the shocker of the evening. But, there was also an "I don't get it" moment of the evening, which was not surprising because that seems to be a recurring theme this season.
Katy Perry definitely qualifies for worst vocal performance by someone with a record deal. The only other person who might trump her is Lady Gaga. I won't even get into that superhero get-up she was wearing. Katy's performance earns a two thumbs down from me and a big "I don't get it."
Putting all the weird and senseless moments aside, Season 8 has been wild! All that matters now is the two most deserving and worthy performers made it to the end. Adam and Kris couldn't be more opposite, but at least we know we're in for an entertaining finale next week!
Category: Season 8: Top 3
Posted by Caren Gittleman on Wed, May 13, 2009 at 10:49 PMBring on the 'American Idol' finale!
"What a long strange trip this has been." Who'd a thunk it that Danny Gokey would be sent packing before Kris Allen? Danny with his mega watt, twinkle in his designer eyeglasses, Robert Downey Jr. grin. Certainly not me. At first I was in shock but the more I wrapped my brain around what had just happened the more I started to think this was in fact the best choice for the "American Idol" finale.
What I love about Adam and Kris putting on their boxing gloves to duke it out at the finale is that I believe the two most creative, think out of the box, risk taking and serious artists have made it to the finale. Week after week you could tell Adam and Kris didn't just pick songs and sing them karaoke style, they lived them, breathed them, reworked them.
They thought long and hard as to how they wanted to touch the audience and for that they have been rewarded. They became the songs they performed. They dared to be different. They both bring an artist's spirit to the competition the likes of which I don't think we have seen on an "American Idol" finale before. It is nice that the "Idol" fans have rewarded creativity, talent and artistry over just having a great "bring me home your Momma will love me" personality, a touching story and a pleasing enough voice.
We have the polar opposite in flamboyant, dramatic, immensely gifted, never dull Adam Lambert competing against the quiet, unassuming, slow and steady, cool vibed, "me famous?, I just wanna sit down and jam" Kris Allen. It should make for an entertaining and highly creative finale, I am just hoping this is one race that slow and steady does not win.
Category: Season 8: Top 3
Posted by Megan Carolin on Wed, May 13, 2009 at 10:48 PMThere's no stopping Jordin Sparks
Jordin Sparks was introduced to us during Season 6 of "American Idol." It was clear the judges had a soft spot for this young, talented girl with a bright smile and huge voice. Week after week, viewers heard Randy comment "Yo, you're only 17 and you can sing anything." Jordin sailed through to the finale, where she was able to conquer beat-boxing heartthrob Blake Lewis.
Since then, Jordin has been hard at work. Many questioned her pop star ability, but Jordin has grown as a performer and produced three No. 1 hits in a short amount of time. Her debut self-titled album was released in November 2007 and was certified platinum in December 2008. Jordin has also been nominated for a Grammy and was the recipenet of an American Music Award. She has collaborated with hit artists such as The Jonas Brothers, John Mayer and Chris Brown and has toured with Alicia Keys and Jessee Mccartney.
Tonight, Jordin returned to the "Idol" stage to perform the first single "Battlefield" for her sophomore album, due out in July. She looked gorgeous and nailed the performance with her outstanding vocals and stage presence. Jordin's likable, bubbly personality combined with her musical ability will assure that her career is only just beginning. There is no doubt in my mind that as she continues to grow and mature, she will only become a bigger star.
Category: Season 8: Top 3
Posted by Megan Carolin on Wed, May 13, 2009 at 10:42 PMDoes Kris have star power needed to best Adam?
The Top 3 hometown visit episode of "American Idol" is one of the strongest traditions of the show. It allows the contestants to get a glimpse of just how big this show is and how quickly they have become famous. They are able to have an emotional reunion with their family and friends and perform for their communities, who for the past several weeks have been hosting "Idol" watch parties and voting faithfully for their very own Idol.
Danny's visit to Milwaukee allowed him to reunite with Jamar, who was on the "American Idol" journey with Danny through the Hollywood rounds. One of Danny's fans explained why she is rooting for him: "He's cute, he's got great glasses and he's from Milwaukee!"
Kris Allen returned to Arkansas, where he shared emotional group hugs with his family members and was mobbed by screaming girls. Kris' laid-back, Jason Mraz style of music combined with his adorable looks have definitely turned him into a heartthrob.
Finally, Adam Lambert made a quick trip to San Diego, where he visited the theater where he performed as a child, handing out high fives and advice to its current students. He also appeared at Mt. Carmel High School, where a lightly clothed girl rushed the stage. Adam seemed comfortable signing autographs and interacting with fans - just another way that he has proven to be our seasoned performer.
The results tonight were what I was hoping for. Kris, although not always my favorite, is one of the most talented and creative musicians of the bunch. I respect him as an artist, but fear he does not have the star power to make it big. Adam is in a league of his own and delivers brilliant performances week after week. His consistency is what has brought him to the finale.
As for Danny, I absolutely loved his closing performance tonight of "You Are So Beautiful." It reminded me of the Danny Gokey from the beginning of the season. I hope if Danny continues with this career he chooses the Christian music route. His vocal talents could succeed in that area, and his story would reach out to people.
After months of performances, it all ends next week in the finale. Will it be laid-back, creative Kris or the praised rocker, Adam?
Category: Season 8: Top 3
Posted by Kathy Buhaj on Wed, May 13, 2009 at 10:35 PMKrazy 4 Kris
After all the years of watching my favorite Idol being voted off, finally America got it right.
I was really worried Kris might be voted off "American Idol" tonight but after his performance of "Heartless" last night I think he gained some much needed fans who may not have noticed him before.
I am disappointed Danny left. I think it would have been an awesome finale if it were Danny and Kris not Kris and Adam. It goes to show you that you can't always listen to what you hear and read. Predictions were swarming that the finale would be between Gokey and Lambert.
I think Danny's problem was his constantly playing the sympathy card. He did it again last night by singing "You are so Beautiful." At first I did feel sorry for him but after a while you realize this is a singing competition. That's what we are voting on. I am sorry to see him go, but I am thrilled my favorite made it through tonight.
Can Kris pull it off and become the next American Idol? I think he can.
Category: Season 8: Top 3
Posted by Mark Eaton on Wed, May 13, 2009 at 10:32 PMHappy day in 'Idol' Land
The Internet and media outlets were ablaze about the judges' love of Adam Lambert on Tuesday night and their almost annointment of Adam as this year's American Idol. Heck, even Katy Perry showed she is a huge fan as she began her performance tonight with an Adam Lambert-branded cape.
Although the judges did seem to show a little more love than normal to the very talented Adam, don't they really know more about music than the general public? Shouldn't we thank them for guiding us through this process rather than debate whether they help the people they like? Haven't we already witnessed what can happen when we trust America to vote?
Well, hallelujah, praise the lord, ding dong, the Hokey is dead. America got it right and tonight we bid adieu to Mr. Gokey.
Of course, before we got to the exciting results that Hokey was going home, we were treated to 57 minutes of filler. And it wouldn't be 'Idol' without the requisite tears-filled "Coming Home" episode. All I can say about tonight's episode is that the cities of Milwaukee, Conway, Ark., and San Diego apparently need more to do if the most exciting thing is to line the streets to welcome home someone who hasn't done more than perform 15 or so songs on TV. Well Conway, I can understand.
Sort of funny how a USA Today article mentions how no one in Hollywood batted an eye at the three Idols as they walked the streets and shopped at local stores, but how thousands show up to see these guys in their hometowns. What the heck did they offer fans of these contestants to get them to freak out about seeing them perform? And seriously, if I have to see one more shot of an AT&T store - well, we get it, you're a sponsor.
Last, while I am not one to make fun of children (heck who am I kidding, of course I am), it looks like Rwanda talent suffers from the same infliction of "lip synchitis" that Paula Abdul and Britney Spears suffer from. I would have been extremely impressed by Alicia Key's comment that "AI"'s special guest Noah learned a song in one week, but when he doesn't sing it live, do I really have to pretend to be wowed?! Plus, should AI really choose an R. Kelly song for a child to sing? For those familiar with R. Kelly's past, you will understand why that is completely inappropriate.
No matter who wins "Idol" now (I still want Lambert to take the title), both will find success. Congrats to Kris and Adam and a solid "nice job" to Danny Gokey for getting this far.
Category: Season 8: Top 3
Posted by Adam Graham (The Detroit News) on Wed, May 13, 2009 at 10:28 PM'Idol' nearly gives me a finals heart attack
By me, not by the "Idol" producers, who did just about everything in their power to ensure a Gokey-Lambert showdown in the finals.
For a second there, however fleeting, it looked like we almost had a Allen-Gokey finisher, which would have been one of the biggest upsets, if not the biggest upset, in show history. But all was righted in the "Idol" universe, at least temporarily (for me, dawg), when Lambert was given his golden ticket to the Kodak Theatre and Gokey was handed his walking papers.
See ya, dude. (And seriously, call Richard "Sexy Specs" Golden. He's waiting for your call.)
Now "Idol" is faced with one of the most lopsided finales since Diana DeGarmo and Fantasia Barrino went head-to-head for the "Idol" crown back in Season 3. (I'd go with the Jordin Sparks-Blake Lewis finale by means of comparison, but I don't think anyone even cared who won that year.)
Lambert not only deserves to win way more than Allen, but I feel like he wants to win way more than Allen. Allen is way too cool, too laid back and too reserved to be the "Idol." As far as his temperment, he's sort of like this year's Jason Castro -- you can almost see him shrugging his shoulders and saying "whatever" if he was asked if he wants to win it all.
But Lambert is almost destined to win. He was put here for this, and he's been working toward this. He's got the talent, the personality and the star power to be the biggest "Idol" winner since Carrie Underwood.
Now the only question is, will Bikini Girl come out during hour 1 or hour 2 of the finale? I'm guessing hour 2, in some sort of skit alongside her nemesis, Kara DioGuardi. Any takers?
Category: Season 8: Top 3
Posted by Emily Gordy on Wed, May 13, 2009 at 10:22 PMKaty Perry rooting for Adam? Shocker
I never did like Katy Perry.
She's never been one to shy away from stirring the pot, so to say, and I've just never really been a fan of her music. The fact that she so blatantly displayed Adam's name on her costume when she performed on "American Idol" tonight was very disrespectful. What if you're Kris or Danny, excited to see her perform, and then realize she has another contestant's name on her back? I just lost what little respect I had for her.
On a lighter note, I loved little Noah's performance. I thought he was the best guest performer of the night! He was so cute and charismatic. I'd rather see him perform than Adam any day.
Speaking of Adam, I had a bad feeling it would come down to this. All I can say is, go Kris!
Category: Season 8: Top 3
Posted by Kathy Buhaj on Wed, May 13, 2009 at 10:16 PM'Idol' results shows getting ridiculous
I guess I should have waited until 9:45 to turn on "American Idol" tonight because watching the first 45 minutes of the show was a waste of my time.
It all began with Ben Stiller and his friends talking about the "American Idol" desk going into the Smithsonian (a tie-in to Stiller's latest movie). This was just plain stupid. Do I really care where that desk is going and why do they even want it? Then we go into another ridiculous Ford commercial. Then we go on to Alicia Keyes and "Keep a Child Alive" campaign.
Then we go to the Idols' hometown visits. This part of the show was all right. I did enjoy watching Kris Allen go home to Arkansas. I can now see where Kris gets his humbleness from. It takes a big man to cry and show his emotions and Kris' dad did just that.
I guess the point I'm trying to make is isn't this supposed to be a results show? Is it really necessary to bore us with all these things? What happened to the good old days when the results show lasted half an hour? Well, I guess it really doesn't matter now since we have just one week left to find out the winner.
