The week before the American Idol gigantic-mahunga-godzilla two-hour-plus finale aired, Simon Cowell predicted it would be a "ding-dong finale." Of course, that brilliant prognostication was hype personified, but Simon did his job. The finale drew 28.8 million viewers. Ironically, the buzz in the biz when those figures were revealed skewed it as a bad thing. It was the lowest-rated American Idol finale ever. But it still drew a tremendous amount of eyeballs, so why is it being characterized as a flop?The answer is simply this: American Idol is competing with itself. It's expected to exceed its highs year after year, and generally speaking in television, that just doesn't happen. Older shows decline, and yes, even superhits like American Idol can't stay on top forever. Look at ER or CSI.
That being said, Simon Cowell was wrong about the quality of the finale. It was a lot more dong than ding. Bloated, slow, bombastic and packed with promotion for the American Idol Summer Tour and everybody else's greatest hits CDs, the finale was only interesting in the last five minutes when the results were read. That was the water-cooler moment. It was also the moment when I wondered if my hearing was going.
Imagine all those gambling web sites that lost their shirts when Kris Allen's name was announced instead of Adam Lambert. And do you think Entertainment Weekly is going to put Kris on the cover now that he's won? Of course they will!
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
5-22-2009 @ 9:33AM
Jeffrey.Kinderdietz said...
I remember Adam from the competition he was AMAZING! Who was the other guy? That is his name from now on... the other guy... why remember it we will all be calling him the other guy in a few months so let's save ourselves the time.
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5-22-2009 @ 10:10AM
Jason said...
You mean Kris? Yeah, he was pretty good.
5-22-2009 @ 10:30AM
Wilhelm Barry C said...
I disagree about the finale. I found it very entertaining. And FOR ME the highlight was actually Adam singing with KISS, and not actually the annoucement of who won.
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5-22-2009 @ 10:50AM
TWAD said...
I have to agree with you Barry. I loved seeing the contestants singing with Kiss and Queen and Santana. For me, the final decision was just the icing on the cake. I preferred Adam, but both he and Kris are excellent and have a bright future ahead of them.
5-22-2009 @ 11:55AM
Dan said...
While I thought Adam's best performance of the season was when he was with KISS, I still think Kris was the deserving winner.
That being said, this finale was the most watchable results show they've ever had. There were a lot of good guest appearances and it seemed like they worked a lot on making the losers sound and look better on stage. I was surprised how entertaining the finale was.
It's funny how these people all act as if Adam DESERVED to win...he didn't...he was just being pushed on everyone by the producers and most people just didn't buy his schtick. Kris won fair and square, he didn't have the Idol machine putting his performances last and showing twice as many of his clips as anyone else's the next day. He didn't have the long back-story and the judges going on Oprah and calling him the winner. He just won because he was a consistently good MUSICIAN who didn't feel the need to scream or go into a falsetto on every single song.
6-07-2009 @ 2:11AM
Gene said...
@Dan
Kris won simply because he automatically acquired Danny Gokey's fans who are generally conservative. These same people do not support Kris by buying his album. In fact, Adam's album is outselling Kris's on Itunes. People made a big deal about Adam's sexuality but Adam made it this far because his talent is undeniable. And his pimping was no more obvious than Archuleta and Cook's were last season.
5-23-2009 @ 2:24AM
Joe said...
Actually, 40 million people tuned in for the last seven minutes, so it couldn't have been that much of a flop...
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5-22-2009 @ 11:28AM
kassie said...
As decent and kind as both Kris and Adam seem to be, both of them humble and gracious about where they ended up in the winner's circle, I would say it is quite beneath Adam for his fans to be so insulting and mean-spirited and vocal regarding the fact that Kris won. It really kind of ruined the moment for me when the audience seemed to gasp rather than clap when the announcement was made. I can only imagine how Kris' family felt. Yet what could we expect when we were force-fed the "Adam Lambert Show" week after week by the judges and some of the performers, like the chick last week who was allowed to wear an Adam Lambert cape while she sang? The judges and some performers who tried to influence the vote in this way was one of the reasons I was happy to see that Kris won, and Paula's dismal expression showed her utter bias for the last time. Kris is more mainstream, he is also a musician while Adam is more of an actor, and I love Kris' mellow, beautiful voice. Adam is certainly talented, but much nicer than his fans.
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5-22-2009 @ 11:55AM
Dan said...
Right on, I agree with every part of this post. I wasn't buying his act all season...I know actual rockers and I know posers, Adam is certainly a poser.
5-22-2009 @ 1:35PM
mdisloki said...
I thought it was one of the best finales they've ever done and most people that I've talked to seem to agree.
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5-22-2009 @ 1:22PM
Mike said...
I loved the finale - it started kinda meh but the last half was awesome! As the others mentioned, seeing Adam sing with KISS was the high point - and if I were him, that would be the high point of my life to that point!
I liked Kris as well - sometimes MORE than Adam. Both are good, and neither is in any danger of being overlooked by the CD-producing movers and shakers.
Here are all of the performers in the order of 'goodness', with the craptastic ones at the bottom. IMHO, of course.
KISS - The high point of the night
Queen - excellent
Fergie/Black Eyed Peas - great stuff!
Keith Urban - meh - BUT Kris' voice was just as good as his - that was a hint...
Steve Martin - awesome to see and hear Steve, but why did they put the pretty harpy with him?
Lionel Richie - meh - He's OK. Danny is Ok as well.
Cindy Lauper - she's OK, I wish Allison had gone higher however.
Carlos Santana - cool guitar, but I hate group-sing.
Jason Mraz - meh
Queen Latifah - meh
Rod Stewart - um. Old. Decrepit. Sad.
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5-22-2009 @ 3:30PM
Jimmy said...
> Imagine all those gambling web sites that lost their shirts when Kris Allen's name was announced instead of Adam Lambert.
Were there really betting odds on the finale? I thought it was a no-brainer when they announced last week that only 1 million votes separated Kris and Adam.
http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/05/13/is-anybody-changing-your-mind-on-american-idol/#c18829952
This finale was more about entertainment than it was about suspense. Unfortunately, the "entertainment" consisted of Queen Latifah in a unitard, Cyndi Lauper sitting with her legs spread, Rod Stewart nearly falling down, etc., etc.
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6-03-2009 @ 8:52PM
idolfan said...
Amazing how many of Adam's fans were shocked when Kris won. Not surprised at all. If you paid attention you would of known when Danny was voted off that Kris would get his votes. Those that voted for Danny liked the Christian faith , clean cut guy.
Both are winners!!!! Kris needed to win to get his career going in the right direction while the irons are hot. Adam , being second will have the time to use his creative energy to make a creative memorable kick awesome CD.
No one lost on the finale. It came down as it was meant to be.
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5-22-2009 @ 11:54PM
zala said...
I think Jesse was far better than Kim and should have made it into the final 4 with Brad, John S and Lea. Oh and Lea is so hot, along with her vocals that she should be signed right along with Allison and Adam.
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5-23-2009 @ 12:30AM
Jessica said...
the only reason Kris won is because.. of Arkansas Cheated.
Here what I know.. Kris told Jay Leno the population in Conway(where he lives of course) is 40 to 50 thousands.
Ryan Cyrest reported in the finale that 38 millions votes came alone from Arkansas... Extra reported that 2.8 millions is the population with the Entire States???
So how can you not think this is a Rigged?
Extra also reported that even when the Poll is closed Arkansas still able to vote...is AT&T behind the cheating escaped? They are using Gizmo to dialed in home PC??? and American Idol should not allow any votes after the Poll is closed.
So, the Clear winner is actually Adam Lambert.
And Kris Allen promoting as a Christian and the boy next door. That is so ashamed with that town. How can you have that many votes in 4 hours Conway is only 40 to 50 thousands people.. .lets get real that is including the child... so the dead and the cows voted for KRis?
Is that why we never find out the Gap of the votes that night?
America really votes for Talents? or the other party Cheat?
HOw can the producer of American Idol allow the extra votes that came in after the deadline. That should be a questionable.
Kris should be shocked and he should question how he win?
Yeah Kris not all of the America voted for you .. No Kris you are wrong that you hope people votes base on Talents. Yeah we are hoping too..... but your town cheated.
Sorry Kris, you have some talents but not as Talented as Adam Lambert.
Kris you are in pain when you sing.. I am feeling your pain.
Adam on the other hand never seems to struggle.. it comes natural for him. He is so talented.
Kris people voted base on talents... I think but you won cuz your town cheated.
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5-23-2009 @ 5:24AM
Paula said...
That is very interesting to hear. How did you find out about the votes? It is a shame because Adam was truly the best singer not only for this season, but for Idol's eight seasons. Adam is like the next Elvis.
5-24-2009 @ 2:19AM
Terrie said...
I know this is probalby old news, but here goes anyway. I am a resident of central AR. I do know I was not able to vote for the first two hours after the show. Lines were jammed. The 38mil figure was a RUMOUR!!!!!NOT TRUE! AT&T released a statement saying they don't know how many votes came from AR. The local FOX 16 later announced the false report came from one of their own over excited reporters who got it wrong. They went on the air with it without verifying it with AT&T first. Bad move. As far as "Gizmo" goes, the Glamberts did the same thing. It's been done every year since AI began. Check out their on fact and answer page. AI says you can use these programs if you subscribe. There was NO cheating in Arkansas. Kris won. It is what it is. Why do people always want to scream "Cheaters" when the results are not what they hoped for? I almost wish Kris hadn't won. He doesn't deserve all this flack. He'd have a contract still, but he wouldn't have all this negative talk to deal with. It's bad enough that he can't get the respect he deserves, but now Arkansas can't either. Our state is shamed for "cheating" and called ignorant, inbred, stupid Christians, etc., yet in the same sentence we are accused of being "smart enough" and capable of pulling off a rigged contest to stage the biggest tv show in America???!!! I'd laugh if it wasn't so insulting and sad. I never really knew there was so much hate out there until now. My mistake.
5-23-2009 @ 1:53AM
sunflowergirlntx said...
You know, I saw Kris singing on a news show this morning and I just SHOOK MY HEAD. What a joke!!!!!!!!! I mean, he is OK, but he looked like he was miserable up there singing, and lets face it, Adam Lambert can sing circles around Kris...But hey! All of you haters (mad Danny Gokey fans who voted for Kris in order to vote against Adam) and all of you HOMOPHOBES (who voted for Kris just to vote against Adam) got what you wanted....but just wait...Adam will knock the dust out of Kris on the Billboards!!!!
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5-24-2009 @ 9:07AM
idolfan said...
Throughout the whole competition I have been a huge Adam fan and always will be, but I gotta get this straight to whomever said that Glamberts don't respect the winner. That is totally not true! All we're saying is 'vocally Adam deserved to win'. Adam can make it in the music buisness without the title...Kris however is a different story, but I for one am not upset at all about the result and wish them both all the luck in the future.
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5-24-2009 @ 2:55PM
Preston said...
I think that the reason that Idol this season and its finale got lower viewership is that some people just decided not to watch Idol at all. If their favorite was eliminated, they backed off and walked away. I didn't watch the audition shows, but I watched the semifinalis and finals competitions. But people quit watching longer running shows after 5 to 7 years and move on to something else. Cosby Show and ER have faced that. The days of the high 35- to 37 million of the audition shows are over. Now, they'll have to deal with 22 or 24 million instead. Fox execs need to stop thinking about those once high numbers too much. I noticed that several shows took a chunk of Idol's audience this year. That said, I thought their season finale was fun. I didn't think it was bloated at all. One or two things should have been taken out, but I thought it was exciting. They like to load it up thick with that big, massive production like an '80s heavy metal concert--Idol always thinks BIG with their finales and you can't change their minds. This wasn't one of their best, but they pulled it off. liked seeing the finalists singing with their favorite singers. Even though Kris thought that Adam should have won it, he was the obvious winner. It was just too close to call with their performances, because they were both great and solid to me.
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