We open up with a shot of the three finalists: Danny, Adam and Kris. Doesn't it make you kind of sad? I don't want a finale with three dudes -- I want Allison back! She should be standing up there instead of Gokey, and she probably would be if the judges didn't have some weird fascination with him.
In any case, Ryan informs us it's the 300th episode and that we should stand up for the top 3. No thank you, sir. This is also the episode in which the finalists sing two songs, one of which is chosen by the judges. I already know what Gokey is singing, because Paula Tweeted it earlier today. NOT THAT SHE'S BIASED OR ANYTHING. Hey Paula, what are the other guys singing? Huh? What was that? <crickets>.
American Idol' Show Photos
AMERICAN IDOL 8 Danny Gokey performs in front of the judges. Airs Tuesday, April 28, 2009.
Fox
AMERICAN IDOL 8 Matt Giraud performs in front of the judges. Airs Tuesday, April 28, 2009.
Fox
AMERICAN IDOL 8 Allison Iraheta performs in front of the judges. Airs Tuesday, April 28, 2009.
Fox
AMERICAN IDOL 8 Adam Lambert performs in front of the judges. Airs Tuesday, April 28, 2009.
Fox
AMERICAN IDOL 8 Anoop Desai performs live. Airs Tuesday, April 21, 2009.
Fox
AMERICAN IDOL 8 Danny Gokey performs live. Airs Tuesday, April 21, 2009.
Fox
AMERICAN IDOL 8 Kris Allen performs live. Airs Tuesday, April 21, 2009.
Fox
AMERICAN IDOL 8 Matt Giraud performs live. Airs Tuesday, April 21, 2009.
Fox
AMERICAN IDOL 8 Adam Lambert performs live. Airs Tuesday, April 21, 2009.
Fox
AMERICAN IDOL 8 Allison Iraheta performs live. Airs Tuesday, April 21, 2009.
Fox
Danny Gokey, "Dance Little Sister"
Let me see if I can accurately recreate Danny's performance: "Growl, growl, rurrr, rurrr (dance like there's a hula hoop swinging around his neck) Growwwwwwl, (glasses, glasses) rruuurr, doo doo dee dooo deee dooo (interact with sax player) sistah!" I think I also heard the words, "dance," and "sister," but I can't be positive.
Randy says it's dope, Kara says that it kept him in his money spot, but doesn't like the dancing. Paula loved his Wii Fit style of dancing, while Simon calls the dancing a bit desperate and said it was vocally "very, very good."
Kris Allen, "Apologize"
While Kara and Randy are talking about why they chose this song for Kris, I was trying to place it. Right before Kris started singing, I remembered what song this was -- and that I hate it. After his performance, I still hate the song, but I hate it less because it's not over-processed and hideous. I am, however, concerned that he didn't make the arrangement different enough from the original. I do like how he busted out the piano, though, and the ending was lovely.
Randy says that this song shows what he can be in the future of the music business. Kara calls it a confident performance, but that he didn't hit it out of the park and that he didn't make it his own enough. Paula also doesn't think he took enough artistic license and that there was a bum note. Simon is awesome and calls Kara out saying, "You can't choose a song for him and then blame him for doing the song." He then tells Randy and Kara that they should have worked with him on the arrangement, and things get heated. It is amazing.
Adam Lambert, "One"
Simon chose this song for Adam and takes great pleasure in telling everybody that he got permission from Bono personally to use this song on the show. So he starts off really well, and I'm begrudgingly starting to think that this is the best performance of the night, when whoseinthewhatnow? Things get crazy in the middle. Now come on. I actually went, "aahhh!" when he started going off on his tangent. It physically hurt me. I know there are legions of people out there, my father included, who think that Lambert is the second coming, but come on. The slurred "whaIgot," the screechy falsetto, the "when all you got is waaaaahhhhhhhhh!!!!!" it was heinous. Right? I can't be the only one hearing that, can I? I mean, good on him for making it unique, but WTF?
Randy says he's been hot since day one, but that he's not in love with it. Kara calls it unbelievable (in a good way). Paula says it was a brilliant performance, while Simon is smug as all get-out. He says it was a brilliant song choice, and that it was a brilliant, brilliant performance. (Oh, and just as a side note, when Adam was talking to Ryan afterward and said that we at home should rewind it and listen to the lyrics because they're beautiful, I wanted to smack him. Does he really think he's the one who has given the gift of U2 to the unwashed masses?)
Danny Gokey, "You Are So Beautiful"
Even I will admit that this is a great song choice for him. It suits his growly voice, and the training bra crowd will love it. While it doesn't knock my socks off by any means, he does a perfectly nice job with it. I honestly thought he was going to start licking the microphone about halfway through, but other than that; good job, sir.
Randy says that he can "really, really, really" sing. Kara says it was stunning, while Paula tells him he left all of them breathless. Simon calls it a "vocal master class" and his white t-shirt is covered in Paula's makeup.
Kris Allen, "Heartless"
Come on, you have to admit this is a brilliant song choice on Kris's part. He has no choice but to switch it up and make it his own, because while he is many things, Kris is certainly not Kanye West. He gets up there with his acoustic guitar and completely nails it. Granted, I love both Kanye and Kris, but I thought this was a unique and fun performance. I'm not gonna lie: I was dancing in my seat a little bit during this.
Randy completely craps his pants, saying it was better than the original. There's another amazing moment when Kara yells at him, "Why didn't you do that with 'Apologize??'" and he quietly replies, "'Cause I didn't want to do that." HA! She calls him fearless, while Paula says that his ability to switch songs up is what keeps him relevant. Simon tells him that after the judges' lame song choice, he had written him out of the competition, but that it had all changed after this competition.
Adam Lambert, "Cryin'"
Hey, it's "old" Aerosmith! This is so much better than his first performance, it's ridiculous. This is a perfect song for him. Steven Tyler is over-the-top enough that this song complements Adam's style, instead of him completely overpowering it. I do think the last note was a little too Broadway, but overall it was a really good song for him.
Randy says that Adam is one of the best that they have ever had on this stage, Kara says that they'll see him in the Finals, and Paula says a bunch of stuff about frequent flier miles that makes no sense, and then says that they'll be seeing him next week and many years from now. Simon says that its easy to assume he's going to be in the finals, but that they still need to vote for him to make sure.
I'm not one of the people who thinks that Idol is fixed, but I can't be the only one who thought it was weird how Ryan was talking to Kris the entire night as though he was already gone. "So, this is it ... unless you make it to next week." What was that about? I know he's the dark horse, but still. Overall, Danny and Adam both had horrible first performances followed by really good second performances. Kris had a mediocre first performance followed by an amazing second performance. Yes, he's my favorite, but I honestly think he did the best overall, narrowly beating Adam. Gokey, for me, trailed a distant third. I'm afraid, however, that that's not how the voting will turn out.
What about you? Who do you think deserves to make it to the finals next week?
Mike Henry and Daryl Hall on a Cleveland Show Thanksgiving
The TV Squad Podcast: The Prisoner, '80s TV, soap news and more
Let's talk about spoilers ...
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
5-13-2009 @ 5:21AM
Gaby said...
Adam was amazing. I never liked that U2 song, but he made me like it a little. Still a big fan of him, and I loved Cryin. Kris also had one good song, so overall this season he's been better then Gokey - so it should be Kris and Adam in the end.
Reply
5-13-2009 @ 5:52AM
Jimmy said...
Cliff's Notes: Danny needs to go home, and he should take Kara with him.
Unabridged:
Danny: Paula's song choice was ridiculous, but he did a decent job with it. (Not that I want him to advance, but how is he supposed to compete with a second-rate Terence Trent Darby song against a classic like U2's One?) His second song was boring (song choice and performance), so I didn't understand the judges' praise. I also hate his banter with Ryan. I hope to God he doesn't advance. (It's too bad we didn't see Allison in this spot this week.)
Kris: His first song was GREAT. The high note in the chorus was just out of his range, but I thought he nailed the rest of the song. In fact, for pure singing, I thought it was his best performance of the year. Kara's comments were way out of line. (Paula's comments are often idiotic, but the difference between her and Paula is that Paula is just stupid; Kara is self-righteous.) Kris' second song was also VERY good. I hope he makes it to the finals -- and in the off-chance Adam doesn't advance, I hope he wins it all.
Adam: His first song was excellent, as expected; the second -- for me, anyway -- was overly indulgent (performance) and kind of a let-down (song choice). I would have picked November Rain, but I guess that's hard to arrange in a short format. I have to disagree with Simon: If Adam doesn't advance, it won't be because people assumed he would make it through; it will be because a lot of people just don't like his style. He's clearly the most talented of the three, but that's no guarantee he'll win -- or even make it to the finals.
Ranking and aggregating the performances, I'd say Kris won the night:
Adam (Round 1)
Kris (Round 1)
Kris (Round 2)
Danny (Round 1)
Adam (Round 2)
Danny (Round 2)
Worst performance of the night: Kara. I actually liked her during the audition rounds, but she's intolerable now. Idol has created a monster.
Reply
5-13-2009 @ 6:30AM
Xina said...
I have to agree with you! Adam saying that we should rewind the show to listen to the lyrics! I would have been right behind you with the slap. Honestly, I didn't like either of his performances. When he said he was doing "Cryin" I thought, ok, this might work...but his screeching reminds me more of my 16 months old, than Steven Tyler.
Kris-I thought apologize was a lovely piano bar version. But "Heartless!" Crazy! When he said he was doing that song, I was like "What!?" But I thought it was pretty darn cool
Danny-I thought he did the first song really well, and the second was probably his best performance of the season.
All three are talented, but Adam's screeching drives me nuts, and out of the three Danny should go home.
Reply
5-13-2009 @ 6:41AM
Lisa said...
I got the same vibe, Kona, when Ryan chatted up Kris. Seems like he was saying it was Kris' swan song. Not so fast, I think Kris is going to make it to the final two. He is my favorite so I am biased but I say he is this year's runner-up. There's no one that will beat Adam but I want Kris in the final anyway. While I always appreciate Adam's performance, Kris sings the music and the style I buy.
Reply
5-13-2009 @ 6:53AM
greg said...
Danny>>>>> Just can't stand the guy, I want to knock the stupid grin off his face.
Kris>>>>> How can the judges pick a song for Kris, by a artist and style they can see Kris Making tons of money doing, then telling him he should've mixed it up?!!
Adam>>>>> How can Adam sing a rock song and have people say he sounds to broadway?
The Final 2........Kris and Adam!!
Reply
5-13-2009 @ 6:59AM
Lori said...
You are clearly tone deaf. Allison was not better than Gokey. The man is amazing. Go Danny!
Reply
5-13-2009 @ 11:43AM
Scott said...
Wrong. Alison was light years ahead of Danny Gokey, vocally. She got to the final four with pure grit and talent, not by playing the heartstrings of America with the story ("No, really, I don't like talking about it, but did I mention my wife died recently?") the deceased wife story, like Danny Gokey did. Danny's got a great voice, but he lacks charisma and presence, things the prodigiously talented Alison had in spades.
5-13-2009 @ 7:10AM
Michael said...
Kona - this was your BEST REVIEW EVER!!! You nailed every single thing I was thinking the whole night and your description of Danny's first song about made me spew coffee out over my computer. Outstanding, girl!!!
I hope it will be Kris in the finals along with our nemesis Adam but unfortunately I think the judges' fascination with their boy Danny will make it go the other way. All I can say is that I've bought more of Kris' songs on iTunes this year than I have everyone else put together! That ought to tell you something.
Reply
5-13-2009 @ 7:25AM
Jason said...
What he said. :)
5-13-2009 @ 8:17AM
Dave said...
Bono will never let another U2 song be done on Idol again...at least he shouldn't. That was GOD AWFUL. One is an amazing song because it builds, it doesn't just go quiet....SCREEEEEEEEEEEEECHWAAAAAAAH. Yes Adam has an amazing range, but he seems like he has to show that off all the time instead of SINGING. Can't stand him. Kris is the only person I could ever see myself buying a record from.
Reply
5-13-2009 @ 8:19AM
Char said...
When you come to think about AI, it's all about "personalities" winning. Again, I say Adam's singing is horrible especially if you look away. Yuckipoo.
Reply
5-13-2009 @ 8:27AM
Kris fan all the way said...
I've purchased all the Kris Allen songs on Itunes...this guy deserves to be in the finales.
Reply
5-13-2009 @ 8:38AM
Chadah77 said...
""Old" aerosmith" Hilarious! I thought the same thing about Adam rewinding back to listen to the lyrics of One. I said to my wife, "who could understand them?" Anybody else think Danny's 2nd song was just a new version of I believe I can fly, by R. Kelly? Watch it again and think about it.
Reply
5-13-2009 @ 8:56AM
callpegnow said...
Kara is absolutely worthless -- never more so than last night with her inane comments -- I hear she will return next year -- why? Meanwhile, though I have not been a big fan of Kris ( even tho' I know he has a good voice) last night I was really impressed, I thought he nailed both songs -- "Heartless" was brilliant. I wasn't looking forward to the show without Allison, but it was worthwhile -- both for the performances, and all the nonsense with the judges. I praise Simon for calling Kara on her stupid reaction to Kris' first performance, and why does she care how Danny dances?
Reply
5-13-2009 @ 8:52AM
ellen said...
I lost interest last week when Allison got kicked off. She really is better than all the guys. I think I'll just get drunk tonight and not even watch it any more. Don't really care about the grand finale either.
Reply
5-13-2009 @ 8:54AM
dennis phillips said...
anyone notice adams gene simmons lizard tongue during the 1st song?strange!
Reply
5-13-2009 @ 9:47AM
TVWatcher said...
I thought that tongue thing Adam did was strange too. It didn't fit the song because he usually saves that disgusting move for the big note he screams at the end of every song he sings. I thought he butchered one of the best songs ever (U2 doesn't need help or improvement from Adam) and I felt like I was watching the local high school's version of Rent when he sang it. I think he's so confident he's going to win that he is just phoning it in now.
5-13-2009 @ 9:08AM
Kitty said...
I just want to say, I have disliked Adam from day 1. He is egotistical and highly overconfident. He thinks he's better than everyone else, when all he is is a one trick pony. Much like Blake Lewis, though, Blake was much more likeable. IMO, I think Adam chose an Aerosmith song just to show up Danny. Why? Danny tortured the high note from his Aerosmith performance, so Adam just went up and basically said without words, "I'll show you how it's done." That was just rude and inconsiderate. And did you notice, during those high notes in Adam's performance, the backup singer was singing louder than he was? He's not as great as he thinks, and the producers saw that too, which is why they had the backup singer support him. Play it back, you'll see.
Kris did an amazing job with Kanye's song. I've never purchased a song from an Idol prior to the finals before, I think I'll buy that one.
Danny's second performance was very heartfelt. I had goosebumps.
Reply
5-13-2009 @ 9:15AM
Eileen said...
I have to admit that, although, I have been on the Adam Lambert band wagon all season I really loved Kris last night. I think he is the only one I would consider buying an album from. Danny was AWFUL and Adam just pissed me off last night. Where have I been? Kris bothered me because some of his song choices through the season but I never hated on him. That comment he (Adam) made about rewinding the song and listening to the lyrics really made me want to punch him in the throat.
Reply
5-13-2009 @ 9:21AM
bgonza1 said...
Kara was wayoff base last night about Kris's first song. I have never heard it before and I LOVED it and Kris sang it beautifully. (Yes I am old) I loved his second one too!! Adam did go over the top withthe first one but I still think the guy has never really done a bad performance and should win this. Adams second song was good too and I think after last night Kris and Adam are the 2 finalists. Danny has not given a really good performance in weeks!! He can sing but it is almost like he has gone as far as he can go. I would have liked to seen Alison instead of Danny in the final 3
Reply