In This Section
TV Guide Spotlight
Also on TVGuide.com
|
« Roush Dispatch
Finale Fever: Idol Goes Out on High Notes
David Cook performs with ZZ Top on American Idol by Michael Becker/Fox
There were no losers Wednesday night. Not even the viewers, and I can’t remember the last time I said that about an American Idol finale. Sure, it was too long, and it’s inexcusable not to be able to wrap the show by 10 pm/ET. Greedy, greedy Fox. As always, the finale had plenty of egregious moments: the run-for-the-mute-button return of the ear-grating Mikalah Gordon (who still looks like she’s trying out for a remake of The Nanny), and that obnoxious plug for Mike Myers’ new movie that went on so long even Ryan Seacrest looked fed up, although he got an awkward magic carpet ride out of it—and could someone rethink those cheesy group numbers (including the ghastly costumes)? Amanda looked about as happy and comfortable on that stage as Monica Seles did on the Dancing With the Stars dance floor the night before. Ouch and ick.
But overall, the Idol finale did an admirable job of pairing fledgling music stars with surprise music superstars. It felt at times like a mini-rebirth of the long dormant music-variety show. Syesha came off especially well: dueting with Seal and later getting a solo during a Donna Summer medley alongside the wobbly disco diva herself, who lent Syesha her own glittery mike to give us a little "Last Dance" action. (Memories …) And how about David Cook jamming with ZZ Top! Brooke White strumming alongside Graham Nash. David Archuleta harmonizing with One Republic. It was like they were all winners.
Speaking of winners, Carrie Underwood looked fabulous, Jordin Sparks (who?) did not, but so what. They sounded fine. The producers threw in a little something for everyone. For the kids, the Jonas Brothers. For the grown-ups, a wizened George Michael. For a laugh, a vintage Gladys Knight clip with the Pips made funny by Ben Stiller, Jack Black and Robert Downey, Jr. (Was I the only thought who thought Downey had vanished into the wings to slip into his Iron Man costume?) Even the best-of-the-worst montage was less painfully drawn out than usual, and the production number (with USC marching band and cheerleaders) built around cheerful Renaldo’s “I Am Your Brother” ditty was good-natured, never as mean-spirited as the exploitation years ago of William Hung.
Back to the also-rans. Jason Castro got to sing his greatest and only hit, “Hallelujah.” Michael Johns and Carly Smithson got a duet to show us what a different sort of finale night might have looked and sounded like. (He especially was shown the door too soon.)
And oh yeah, they finally got around to the point of the show. David Cook won. Maybe I’m projecting, but little Archie almost looked relieved. Both were gracious, and why not. Shortly before the vote was revealed, Simon backtracked from last night’s coronation of Archuleta to declare he was OK with either one winning. And so am I. This probably wasn’t the best and definitely wasn’t the worst season of American Idol, but at the very least, both Davids (and possibly a few of the other runners-up) have the prospect of decent careers ahead of them. And to think it will all start over again in around seven months. I think we could all use the break.
|
TVGuide Links:
|
|
|
|
May 22, 2008 1:28 AM
|
So glad America got it right..if creepy little Archie had won I was planning to quit Idol for Season 8
ZZ top and the Pips were my 2 favorite parts.. the camera angle for Brooke White and Graham Nash was unfortunate, we kept getting her foot in our face.
|
|
May 22, 2008 10:31 AM
|
I agree with you Matt (as I usually tend to). There WERE no LOSERS last night. Really enjoyed the show. What a great group of entertainers they all proved to be and both Davids were classy and gracious and I, too, had gotten to where the winner didn't matter to me because I knew both would be winners regardless. Was disappointed in Amber (where'd her voice go?) and didn't mind all the plugs except for the Love Garu but slapstick humor leaves me cold.
I'm glad we've got a break before another AI or DWTS OR Survivor!
Here's to a summer of occasionally catching up on shows I've missed and those on video/DVR!!
AND WHICH shows are you now going to be commenting on Matt?? Any you'll miss???
|
|
May 22, 2008 11:47 AM
|
|
"Hallelujah" was certainly not Jason Castro's only 'hit'. He had another terrific performance with "Somewhere Over The Rainbow".
|
|
May 22, 2008 2:45 PM
|
|
Do you guys even watch Idol??? Please, Hallelujah was NOT Jason's only hit. All his songs were hits with his fans and both Daydream and Over The Rainbow were big hits with the judges. Hallelujah just happened to be the best of the competition. I suggest you get your butts over to http://www.castrocopia.com/ click on radio and start listening to his pre idol songs as well as relisten to his Idol songs. This boy is good.
|
|
May 22, 2008 3:39 PM
|
Nice recap, Matt. I enjoyed the finale as well.
If only David Archuleta had won, we could be rid of people who say things like this about a 17-year-old kid: "...if creepy little Archie had won I was planning to quit Idol for Season 8..." I, for one, find that statement creepy.
|
|
May 22, 2008 4:31 PM
|
As a Michael Johns fan, i was sorely disappointed when he was voted off. After that, you were all on your own. I haven't watched a single AI since M got the boot, including the finale.
That being said, i am glad for David C. As much as i preferred M to the whole bunch, DC was def my 2nd fave. It's a pretty sure bet i'll be checkin' out his album when the time comes.
As for "Archie," well, i never thought he was creepy or anything, just very, VERY young. He's the same age as Jordin when she won, but they always seemed to be miles apart, in my opinion. Jordin, at 17, always felt like an "old" soul to me, whereas David i can only see as about 12 years old. (It's not a bad thing. He'll have a great career on shows like 90210, lol!)
Anyway, congrats to both Davids. I hope great things are coming for them both.
|
|
May 22, 2008 5:35 PM
|
|
While most of that is enough for a high note, the finale did leave a small bitter after taste. The one where I had to go online to find out who the winner was because they still could not end the show on time. I'm not sure if they don't know if DVRs exist or just don't care but either way, that ending should not have happened. The winner should have been revealed with about 2 minutes to spare so those that use their DVRs could at minimum see the winner and some post-win celebration.
|
|
May 22, 2008 6:46 PM
|
Those of us w/ dvr have been getting screwed like that for years, CubFan, you should know better. It's why when you set it to record you have the option of adding or subtacting an xtra min or 2.
Although for the AI finale i actually would have added 10 xtra, minimum. They have a habit....
|
|
May 22, 2008 8:06 PM
|
|
Do you think Renaldo knows it's a joke?
|
|
May 22, 2008 9:26 PM
|
|
While I thought Cook deserved to win, what I don't get is the meanness of his fans towards Archuleta. Some commenters and even writers attack Archuleta's wholesomeness like it's a disease. It's possible to like one thing and not shoot the other.
|
|
May 23, 2008 10:09 AM
|
|
Great recap. I never liked the two Davids but I am just relieved that Cook won.
|
|
May 23, 2008 1:37 PM
|
|
Hallelujah was Jason's only hit? Someone please inform iTunes that when Daydream, I Just Want to Be Your Everything, If I Fell, Fragile, Travelin' Thru, Over the Rainbow, I Don't Want To Cry, and Forever in Blue Jeans appeared on the popularity ranks just below - and sometimes even above - the two Davids, that their data was very, very wrong. Roush Dispatch said so.
|
|
May 23, 2008 3:21 PM
|
|
|
