When I got on Twitter at about ten til eight this evening, I realized I was in for a finale like no other. The move to the Nokia theater can do strange things to contestants. Go to season 4, where Bo Bice seemed swallowed whole. Season 8 where Kris and Adam commanded the room in entirely different ways. And so on.
I was glad that Lauren Alaina was able to perform, because at the end of the day, this is what America voted for. That said, the strain her voice has been under should be a clure to producer's that maybe they should reconsider the age limit. She's lucky her vocal chords aren't permanently damaged. It makes me angry, because an older, more experienced vocalist probably wouldn't have gone through that.
Moving on. First round was the reprises. Scotty went with "Gone" and I'll admit that he definitely had a stronger vocal than the first time. I get the feeling that Scotty would be comfortable singing anywhre, and that will serve him well in the future.
Lauren chose to sing "Flat on the Floor". She was aggressive, with tons of stage presence. Where has this Lauren been all year? It wasn't perfect by any means, but this performance had more conviction than anything she's sung in months.
Strangely no judging after the first round. I won't complain. (Side note: why do Randy Jackson's finale outfits get worse with every year? Seriously.)
Second round was their idols picking songs. George Strait picked "Check Yes or No" for Scotty. This was right in Scotty's wheelhouse, and while a bit off in places, he brought all of his charm to the forefront and gave a solid performance.
Carrie Underwood chose "Maybe It Was Memphis" for Lauren. I loved that this brought out a warmth to Lauren's vocal tone, and I don't care, the dress made Lauren look her age. (Although the boots need to go. Stat.)
Finally the judges speak, giving round one to Scotty and two to Lauren. I don't disagree.
Taio Cruz sang a song I cannot remember except for the awesome neon drums. Sorry. Aaaaaayo and all that.
Round three is their future singles.
Scotty gets "I Love You This Big", which sounds like a Sesame Street informercial, but the song really shows off his gorgeous tone. Say what you will, his voice is beautiful and the ending note showed that with time, his range could be pretty phenomenal.
Lauren sings "Like My Mother Does", which shows her vocal weaknesses: she's soft and unsupported in the verse and powers through the choruses. That said, she gave it her all.
At the end, the judge's gave it to Lauren, but I'm not so sure.
Finally David Cook came on and performed "Don't You Forget About Me" and sort of embarrassed everyone by filling up the room just by standing still and singing a song.
So what does all of this mean? I do not know. My heart says that Scotty deserves this, but Lauren wants it more. I honestly have no investment, and am completely uncompeled to vote, which is the first time since I started watching in season 2 I haven't voted in the finale.
There are a lot of questions after tonight, and I'll think I'll close with that.
1. Was it just me, or was the sound mix awfully strange tonight?
2. Did anyone really believe that Lauren wouldn't perform?
3. Isn't it a bit weird that Scotty got the thanks for playing edit tonight? Don't the producers know that's a way to guarantee his win? Or is that their plan all along?
4. Was it just me, or did neither contestant really fill the room?
5. Where's the number to vote for David Cook?
I have a lot of mixed feelings about tonight, and I wish both Lauren and Scotty the best. They sang solidly tonight, but there was just a missing element of surprise tonight. A lack of this actually mattering.
What are your thoughts?
Agreed on the Cook stuff!
it hasn't mattered since James left…there were a couple of times during this finale that I thought…I wonder what kind of show stopper Casey would have brought or what CRAZY GOOD song James would have sung…but in the end, American Idol gets the finale it deserves by not having a sensible voting system.
Here's an interesting thought weight the scores each week…1/3 by judges…1/3 by the idiotic American public…and 1/3 by the contestants (each voting for someone besides themselves)…then you have an idol from all sides…
If you find that number where I can vote for David Cook, let me know. Easily the best performance of the night. Take note, kids – this is how it's done.
Yeah, really, really want to vote for David Cook again. He ALWAYS had that stage presence. He can"fill" the room anytime he takes the stage. Maybe these two finalists can develop this ability as they grow older. Keep in mind, David Cook, 28, has been performing in bands since he was 15 and it really shows.
Didn't watch it, but agree that who cares about who wins – the real winner was not in the final and hasn't won for many years on Idol. Scotty will take it all, has 6 yr olds voting Plus the teeny boppers! This has nothing to do with singing! Its based on who looks the cutest – all those hormones! The final this year has lost its edge – a number of people I know didn't watch and will not watch who wins – such a shame. And in the end it will be Lauen Who and Scotty Who.
ok i am i a teenager who loves scotty…and im not ur typical teenager i always like the unusual….PAUL was the best! and scotty is my 2nd fav I DONT LIKE SCOTTY CUZ HES CUTE OK?? he is extremley talented, has a beautiful country voice one of the best in country music for shure! he is very chill and relaxed on stage, he is humble and has morals and he is good looking; he puts heart an soul in his singing and progresses so i dont know what ur on but he is a amazing artist… i do get y it is kinda predictable with lauren AND scotty, cuz Lauren has that country feel also, i like lauren a lot but she doesnt do it for me i was hoping it would be between james and scotty or scotty and hailey(although i h8 haileys cockyness but shes the best singer) and this season was incredible!!!!!!!!!! soooo much talents and virsitility, not the typical has a good voice and looks pretty so i dont think anything is sad i think its all great.
David Cook's performance was hands-down the best of the night! Talk about filling up a room, stage presence, amazing vocals! That's a great song and his version of it was growly, sexy, and rockin'! Yeah, where's the # to vote for Cook?!
I swear I was giddy when David Cook performed. He showed them how a real American Idol can do it, and all the while playing a 12-string guitar!
David cook for the win!!! again… haha best part of the night.
This was the most boring finale. And the only reason people are talking about Cook is because he was better. But that performance on any other night would be average at best because he showed very little star power. Talio was just embarrassing.
Unclog your ears and open your eyes, perhaps then you would see that David has TRUE star power!!!
Can't believe people are over the moon by Cook singing a song he didn't write, didn't make, and he didn't sing it a smidgen as well as Simple Minds. There was absolutely nothing special about that performance tagged onto the end of a mediocre Idol finale. Moving on to the contestants. The finale seemed rigged to favour Lauren. The last two songs Scotty was forced to sing were dreadful song choices. Strait's choice was just hideous – what the judges would normally call a "boring song choice". Lauren not only got a half decent choice from Underwood, but her love-my-mother song was emotionally manipulative. Topping it off she gets escorted down the stairs by Seacrest where she hugs her mother, then she tears up on stage. Add to that the sympathy she gets for having her vocal chords strained. It could be that the judges are hoping to soften the blow if it comes, because Lauren can't handle being in the loser's seat very well. They probably don't want a repeat of her balling her eyes out on stage if Scotty wins. In any case, Idol should just be archived.
@MacKenna. Simon Fuller requested David Cook to sing the boot song! Of course, Simon Fuller was very happy after Cook's live performance of "Don't You (Forget About Me)".
Do you remember Cook's giving life to last season after his live performance of "Jumpin' Jack Flash". Let's hope, Nigel Lythgoe will have Cook as regular on AI stage.
But Cook's performance was rather bland. Pretty much like the entire evening. What a snoozfest Idol became after they got rid of Haley. She would have lit up the stage.
I thought it was just me, but I didn't find this finale very exciting. Scotty is impressive with his confidence and stage presence for his age. The season in general was entertaining, but, for some reason, tonight fell a little flat…that is until David Cook appeared. Love how he sang this song. He's just a great all around performer.
Both of Lauren and Scotty will be winners, ultimately. They've got careers in country music. As for David Cook, his performance was subtle and capable. The final song and montage was about the season's contestants, not him. He always knew how to deliver appropriately.
Thank you Emily for writing the truth. I have watched each season and when Idol decided to lower the age and not push the contestants to their full protential. I thought letting them sing 3 "country" songs was ridiculous. It seemed like Iwas watching the CMC. They are too young and not seasoned to really be able to pull the audience in to their songs. (JMO)
The best part of the show was the last 3 minutes when David Cook sang the exit song "Don't You Forget About Me" Now that is how a artist performs on stage. He knows how to make the audience feel what he is feeling and brings everyone in the audience to the stage.
The County Library on Lindbergh, Melissa hope to see you there!