onemattDOTcom

Wow...so it's all come down to this!  Last night, Adam Lambert and Kris Allen to the stage, mano-e-gayo, to figure out once and for all who America wants as the American Idol for Season 8.  Live from the Nokia Theater in Los Angeles...with all the pomp and circumstance one show can provide.  Jill Miranda, or as she calls herself, onejillDOTcom, is here to provide her guest commentary for the event...let's see how she sees it...her opening salvo...

Here we are. The end of an emotional melodious road. I believe the top two contenders have made it to the final two. We have Adam, the mesmerizing man of many colors, tricks and trades. We have Kris, the charming chum with a boyish appeal like no other. Which way will it go? Who will America choose as their next ‘idol’? And most importantly, does it even matter at this point?

I enjoyed last night’s show. Not because of any life changing performance or vocals that knocked my socks off, but the ambiance of the show made it worthy of dedicating an hour and 4 minutes of my lifetime to. I don’t feel like last night will sway anyone’s vote. You’re either a Kris or you’re an Adam. And I think the contestants knew that too. They had a good time last night, knowing that no matter which way the pendulum swings, they are both stars.

A very astute observation, Jilly.  I agree...I think last night's show in no way hinders either performer from becoming a musical superstar, and the results show tonight is merely a formality.  I guess you have to applaud Seacrest, Cowell and the whole gang for playing up this as a "showdown" and "final battle"...that's their job.  But to me, it lacked even the smallest bit of competition and just seemed as if it was two guys on stage taking turns singing...kinda like an Elton John/Billy Joel concert.  But you're here because you want to know what we think...well, here we go!

First Round
Adam Lambert
Performed - "Mad World"
onejillDOTcom - Adam’s first song had stage appeal with the dry ice, and silhouette of a trench coat clad figure hauntingly crooning "Mad World" to a sea of fans lost in his perfectly lined crystal eyes. I thought it was great. It did remind me of David Bowie in Labyrinth at times, but I’m a fan of that movie, so that’s OK. Could’ve done without the creepy eye gesture in the end though.
onemattDOTcom - Yeah, I agree...this, to me, was one of his better songs during the season, and it is a great choice for the finale as well.  I think it's kind of pointless for the judges to give critiques on the song when it was already performed once and critiqued once.
onemattDOTcom's Score - 9.3 / 10.0

Kris Allen
Performed - "Ain't No Sunshine"
onejillDOTcom - Then Kris sang "Ain't No Sunshine". It was really good. I love to watch his face when he sings. He makes some interesting facial movements, like John Mayer, but attractive. He can give me a coupon good for one song any day! Love.Your.Face.:) I’d also like to point out that it was at this point I noticed Randy’s purple gingham shirt. And I liked it.
onemattDOTcom - Kris' song choice here was just as good as Adam's, except to me, this is just a better song.  Kris' debut album will be a big seller and I think it's because he infuses a pop sound with those crisp vocals and he's got a lot of musical talent to boot.  He can play multiple instruments so he has the ability to be multi-dimensional with his songs.  I expect that and loved this one from him.
onemattDOTcom's Score - 9.5 / 10.0

Second Round
Adam Lambert
Performed - "Change Is Gonna Come"
onejillDOTcom - Second go round, the contestants sang a song chosen by the creator of AI. Adam sang ‘Change is gonna come’. I liked this performance, I really did, but its like he kept almost going “bluesy” but wouldn’t quite commit to it.
onemattDOTcom - I'm not sure I loved this one from Adam...he got a little too shrieky at the end, and to be honest, I think I'm burned out on his screams.  I've said it once, I'll say it a hundred times...the guy is immensely talented...but marketable?  Likeable?  I'm not so sure...
onemattDOTcom's Score - 9.2 / 10.0

Kris Allen
Performed - "What's Goin' On?"
onejillDOTcom - Kris sang ‘What’s goin on’. Simon said it was like a couple of guys sitting in a bedroom strumming to Marvin Gaye. And he was exactly right. What he didn’t say is that THAT is exactly what Kris’s appeal is! He’s easy like Sunday mornin’! And I love him for it! Could’ve done without the 2 year old he had in the back ground begging someone to help her “hide” and waving a blanket around. What’s that you say? That wasn’t part of his performance? That was my 2 year old? Surely not. Surely my 2 year old is well behaved and quietly plays with her dolls while mommy watches American Idol. . .
onemattDOTcom - Ha!  Nice one...I'm pretty sure that was your child not understanding that it's the finale of American Idol and wanting her mother's attention, but I could be wrong.  I absolutely loved Kris' song here, and not because it was politically or socially aware or any of that, but because the guy can flat out sing and man, did he do one great job with this song.  I hope that he's able to get permission to do that song on his album...that'd be one reason I'd buy it.
onemattDOTcom's Score - 9.7 / 10.0

Final Round
Both Contestants Performed - "No Boundaries"
onejillDOTcom - And the final battle of the night, the guys sing a song co-written by none other than  our very own Kara DioGuardia (?) who I for one think was an excellent addition to the panel of judges. Is it true that Simon is leaving after this season? Will Kara stay? I wish Randy would leave. Don’t care for him at all. Anyway. . .this last song really showcased the diversity of the two. With Adam, I can see myself and thousands of others rocking it out and having a great time from beginning to end at one of his shows. He can entertain. With Kris, I can see myself and that special someone sitting on a blanket, enjoying each other’s company while Kris serenades the crowd at an equally enjoyable, yet different, show.
onemattDOTcom - I have to say...I don't like how both contestants sang the same song, even though you could tell they backed off the volume a little when Kris sang it.  I don't get why they can't come up with a couple of different song choices for the contestants to pick their own song...or why they had to ditch the songwriter's competition, but there you have it.  I thought Adam's version was a little better than Kris' here, even though the song suited Kris' style more than Adam's.  And no, I haven't heard that any of the judges are leaving, although I disagree with Jill with her love of Kara...I think Kara adds absolutely nothing to the show itself.  I thought she was somewhat helpful during the auditions and Hollywood week, but when it came to the real competition, her observsations were shallow at best.  You can't get rid of the Dawg, dawg!
Final Round onemattDOTcom Score for Adam - 9.6 / 10.0
Final Round onemattDOTcom Score for Kris - 9.3 / 10.0

So there’s the recap-here’s the onejillDOTcom ranking:
#2 - Adam Lambert
#1 - ...and the winner of season 7’s American Idol: Kris Allen

onemattDOTcom Scoring Recap:
Adam Lambert - 28.1 / 30.0
Kris Allen - 28.5 / 30.0

Half the crowd goes wild. Half the crowd sulks. But the whole crowd is pleased a year from now when both contestants are doing AMAZING things with their bad selves.

And both Jill and I predict that Kris Allen will win American Idol...too bad.  I was hoping one of us would pick Adam and one of us would pick Kris, that way at least one of us would be right!  We shall see tonight during the 2-hour season finale of American Idol!  So what do YOU think, America?  Talk to us!  Let's hear it!