Have No Fear, Underdog Is Here

(Here’s the results show recap from Howard!)

American Idol Season 8 Finals

Well, Idol-lovers, this is it. The songs have been sung, votes have been counted, and the envelope has been sealed. Hopefully, both Adam and Kris managed to get some sleep before the marketing extravaganza of the finale, 2-hours of filler draped around the commercials that lead up to the 7 minutes of anticipation and announcement of the eighth American Idol.

We start with a disjointed recap of the night, and Crusty reminds us only one can win the title. Ryan says it is one of the biggest nights in television - just under 100 million votes cast, and 624 million votes for the season - obviously he missed the memo about the ratings for last night. Then he introduces the judges one by one, with little video rolls mocking them. We've also been getting shots of various stars in the audience, including Carrie Underwood, who has been on the screen as much as many of the contestants this year. Adam and Kris come out all in white. We go to Conway, Arkansas, with Mikaela Gordon, and then to San Diego, California, with the gorgeous Carly Smithson hosting the party.

The first number starts up, with the Top 13 all in white. I hope it is live, because Jasmine blew her note... 'So What' was the song by Pink. Next up is the reigning American Idol, David Cook. He is singing 'Permanent.' The performance will be available on iTunes to raise money for charity close to David's heart. All the proceeds will go to ABC2, funding a cure for brain cancer.

Next up the awards portion of the program, the Golden Idols. I'll say it before it even starts, UGH. First category, and I am right. First award goes to Nick Mitchell, AKA Normund Gentle. And he breaks into 'And I Am Telling You.' [Damn, you know they are bringing back Tatiana Del Toro at some point.] And then the first duet of the evening, Lil Rounds and Queen Latifah. They sing 'Cue The Rain' and the Queen just towers over Lil. Lil is sounding pretty good. Not a bad duet.

We come back to Anoop singing 'I'm Yours' with Alexis, and they are joined by Jason Mraz. Soon, the Top 13 join in. They all sound pretty good. Then we take a look at Kris' Idol journey. It leads to a duet with Keith Urban, 'Kiss A Girl.' If I am not mistaken, Kris is out-singing Mr. Urban. Wait, perhaps I spoke too soon, for Keith is picking up his game. Yeah, Keith is definitely bringing this song home. Nice duet, but not sure why Kris is singing with a Country star.

The ladies of the Top 13 are back to sing 'Glamorous,' Fergie's song, who joins them on the stage. She sings 'Big Girls Don't Cry' and the ladies sing back up. And then comes the Black Eyed Peas. And rather quickly, the Black Eyed Peas are censored with silence and an AI logo. And they certainly are there to promote the new CD. I can't tell if it is the camera work or if the stage show is that much of a mess. Oh well.

And on to more awards. Damn, it is all about Bikini Girl, and it is repulsive, just a tad more synthetic. Oh, they are really letting her sing? And Kara comes out singing - trying to make up for the nasty bit of songwriting last night? Well, she does sing better than she writes, that is for sure. And she further cheapens herself with the bikini strip. Kara, have you no pride?

Next comes Allison, joined by Cyndi Lauper singing 'Time After Time.' It is a rather nice performance, quiet an nuanced. Then we check in with the Allen parents. Very gracious. And we move on to the Lamberts. Mama Lambert is sweet, too. And now it is time for Danny Gokey singing 'Hello' which Danny opens alone on the steps. After the song, he is joined by Lionel Richie, and they sing a medley of Mr. Richie's songs. And we see Ruben singing along in the audience.

Now we have Adam Lambert's Idol journey. And then he is singing in full rock costume, singing 'Beth' by KISS. He introduces KISS, who enter in on a platform surrounded by pyrotechnics, and suddenly Adam is so theatrical. Starting with 'Detroit Rock City,' we get a medley and Adam is singing with the old men. Adam is kicking some ass up there. He gets lots of high-fives from the band.

Carlos Santana is up next, getting ready to start a 2-year gig in Las Vegas. The Top 13 join him on stage. Eww. I just saw a Danny 'air-hump.' They sang 'Smooth' by the way. And the final Ford video of the season, with a greatest hits video-montage of the season, with Adam and Kris featured in the song 'I Will Remember You.' And David Cook catches Adam and Kris, and gives them both a new Ford Fusion.

Steve Martin with Michael Sarver and Megan Joy. Sarver seems oddly out of breath while singing 'Pretty Flowers' from the CD Steve released yesterday. Really? I mean, really? Crusty promises results after the break. But we haven't really heard from Matt G or Scott, have we? We get Sarver and no Matt?

We are back, and Sarver leads the men in a song. He has now sung more on this show than he did for the season. They did 'Do You Think I'm Sexy' and then Rod Stewart comes out to sing 'Maggie May.' Wow, he has been in better voice. And I think he tripped on his way to the mic stand. But they are also doing this odd adult contemporary-lite arrangement. Ah, he is pushing a tour right now, and a new CD in the fall.

Another Golden Idol moment, this one for the ladies, and it has to be Tatiana. Indeed, she is no actress. And again with the 'Saving All My Love.' Wow, that joke went south a very long time ago. Please, let that be minute 16 for Tatiana...

Kris and Adam get a duet, singing 'We Are The Champions' by Queen. Holy crap, Queen is on stage! That was great! That really rocked! While the group numbers have tended to get lost and muddy, that really took the stage and held it.

CRAP, I just lost the picture and sound, because an Amber Alert. I am scrambling to get online and catch what I can. It is back in time for the announcement. The American Idol is Kris Allen. His first words are 'Are you freakin' serious? Adam deserves this.' When will the bitter realization that he will be saddled with that song for the rest of his life? Although the crap song did sound better tonight.

In conclusion, what is up with Sarver getting so much time, and Matt and Scott shoved into back-up singer roles? And setting up the last number to be all about Adam, and then giving the title to Kris? Just toying with us, I suppose.