Ryan is making ridiculous comparisons about Adam Lambert and Kris Allen, the final two. The glam rocker vs. the acoustic rocker. Conway vs. California. The guy next door vs. the guyliner.
Simon is actually wearing a sportcoat. What? Paula's hair looks like it was french-braided until about five minutes before the show started.
They are each singing three songs tonight: their personal favorite of the competition, one chosen by Simon Fuller, creator of the show, and the winner's first single, co-written by Kara DioGuardi.
Poor Lamberts. Adam was a screamer who didn't sleep through the night until he was 18 mos. old. This baby in my belly better not get any ideas from hearing that.
Adam's first song is "Mad World." Ooh, spooky with the trench coat and the backlighting and the stage fog. He's all brooding in a very "love me even though I am the undead" sort of way. Classic Adam. No complaints, but also no surprises.
Randy is so completely mismatched I don't know how I missed that during the introductions. He gives Adam an A+. Kara is so happy he chose that song. She looks a little undead herself. Nude lipstick; it isn't for everyone. Paula is proud of him. Haunting, theatrical, she keeps on talking. Simon always thought this was his best performance. Simon says it was "over-theatrical" with the coat and that it was Phantom of the Opera, to which Randy responds, "No, Twilight. Twilight." I told you, the undead.
Aw, how sweet. Kris was shy when he was a kid and wouldn't sing in front of his family unless they paid him a quarter. Last year, he gave his mom a coupon book for songs.
Kris's first song is "Ain't No Sunshine." I guess that was the judges favorite of his, but not mine. I actually forget which one was my favorite, but I remember I LOVED it. I'll have to look it up and edit this later. There is too much orchestration (is that a word?) for my taste on this song. I think that is what I meant when I said I didn't like the arrangement last time. I think the arrangement is fine, there are just too many instruments playing. Is that the same thing? I know nothing about music. Of course, he sang it well.
Randy says it was one his best performances ever on this stage. Kara says he has a way of creating an intimate bond with everyone in the audience. Paula says he awakens the spirit in all of us. Dear lord, she is completely orange. Simon says he wasn't sure if America had made the right choice last week but is now sure after hearing that performance.
Ryan asks Simon to call round one. Simon says it goes to Kris.
Husband said he thinks the top two should both get albums and then the person who sold the most after a month wins American Idol. But what would be the prize then? I don't think just the title of American Idol would be sufficient then.
Adam's second song is "Change Is Gonna Come." It's a bluesy song. This is not my favorite. I wish he didn't ALWAYS have to go into the high-note rock screech. Randy says he can sing his face off. Kara says it was the best performance and the best interpretation of a song in this competition. Paula says it was the best she has heard him sing, ever, ever, ever, OMGMYNIPPLESARESOHARDANDSHOWINGTHROUGHMYSHIRT. Simon says he is 100% back in the game.
Kris is singing "What's Going On" for his second song. Acoustic slow jam time. I think Kris might win. He has more mainstream appeal than Adam does. I would buy both of their albums, but I would listen to Kris's while imagining myself making out with Adam. (I don't care if he is gay. I'm still hot for George Michael.)
Randy says it was a little light for him for this stage in the competition. Kara says he hasn't wavered and some crap about social consciousness. Paula says he tore it up. Simon says it was like three friends in their bedroom strumming along to Marvin Gaye and that it was too laid back for a night like this.
The local news just had a clip of Allison's reaction in their promo. Still can't stand her. Oh look, there she is acting like a spaz in the audience.
Adam is up first singing the winner's single. Did Ryan say the name of it? If he did, I missed it. Not loving it from the start. Cheeseball just like all the past singles have been, but it is slightly more interesting. Slightly. If this were any other night, the judges would be saying, "Poor song choice," to this one.
Randy says Adam can sing anything but that wasn't his favorite Adam performance. Kara, of course, gives herself props for being a co-writer and doesn't really say anything to Adam other than thanks for singing it. Paula blah, blah, blah. Simon clearly thinks the song is stupid but says he won't judge the song, he'll judge Adam. He says Adam is one of the best, most original contestants they've ever had on the show. He genuinely believes Adam can be a worldwide star.
Now it's Kris's turn to sing "No Boundaries." He has a case of the mush-mouth. Husband is making groaning and wretching sounds and says, "What is this, week three?" I agree, this is not the big sing out that it should be. Husband says, "I knew this song would be too much for him." He is totally outmatched by Adam on this one. Now I am thinking that mainstream appeal doesn't trump talent and Adam will win. This is leaning toward terrible.
Randy looks like he doesn't want to say what he has to say. He says Kris should be proud of what he has done in the competition. He and Kara both think the key was too high for him. Kara doesn't want him to be judged on that song. Really? Then why did she write such a shitty song? Paula shut it. Simon says his highlight tonight was the first song and that watching him on this stage has been incredible because he has come so far and thoroughly deserves to be standing there now.
I'm calling it for Adam.
Ok, so the reason they are going long is so that we can hear Carrie Underwood sing some song over a montage of this season. Who gives a shit? Ryan warned us at the beginning of the show that it would go long. He also said tomorrow night would go long, so plan accordingly. Seriously? The show tomorrow is two hours long when it could be two minutes long. And I am the sucker who is going to watch the whole thing.
