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May 22, 2007: Finally, Finale Eve
Woo-hoo! The final countdown is here. We've been together since January, and I feel like I know each and every one of you. OK, maybe that's a bit over the top, but it has been an interesting ride, wouldn't you agree?
This was a fairly entertaining show. Both Blake and Jordin really went for broke. It will just come down to who the American public will choose when they vote. These are two very different types of contestants, and that makes it difficult to predict the winner. Blake has his “Blaker Girls” and his beatboxing and his ability to make even out-of-date songs seem contemporary and hip. Jordin can make anything sound good with her huge, beautiful voice. Do you go for entertainment value or singing ability? It’s a tough call and could prove to be one of the closest contests yet.
Simon looked very nice tonight. Too bad he doesn’t wear a jacket more often, it was quite becoming!
On with the show:
Blake wore not one, but two different argyle jumpers (that’s British for pullover sweaters).
His first song choice, Bon Jovi’s “You Give Love a Bad Name” was perhaps his best performance of the entire contest. He opened the show really well and was entertaining and exciting. He really pulled out all the beatboxing stops, and it was even better than the first time he performed the song.
Next up for Blake was “She Will Be Loved” by his heroes, Maroon 5. I love this song (though I didn’t know it was M5’s) and this may have swayed me somewhat. However, in the infamous words of our spangly-jacket-wearing Randy, “It was just OK for me.” Since Blake had really blown it out the house with the Bon Jovi song, it was going to be hard for him to rise back to that level.
Finally, Blake brought us his version of the songwriting contest’s winning song, “This Is My Now.” I’m not sure from the sound of it what that title means, however, it was a cheesy song and as Simon said, “not the kind of song [Blake] would normally sing.” I think this might have hurt him. He needed a totally different ending, something more akin to the first performance or some of the other show-stoppers he’s performed along the way.
Incidentally, the song was written by two guys, Jeff Peabody and Scott Krippayne (who reminded me of HRG from Heroes), both of whom looked more like staff writers on a sitcom than songwriters. But rah for them: You know that song is going to be sung on every Idol tour date this summer.
Jordin took on Xtina and I had to give her kudos. She chose “Fighter,” one of my favorite Christina Aguilera songs. Not only is this a tough song to sing, but no one should take Xtina on without really committing. That being said, Jordin did an excellent job (though I’m partial to the original).
Then she brought back her fantastic rendition of Martina McBride’s “A Broken Wing” and it will now be known as Jordin Sparks' “A Broken Wing” — she outdid Martina. This was her best performance of the night. She nailed it.
Finally she also sang the new Idol song, “This Is My Now.” (Could they only pick one song out of the thousands sent in?) But unlike it being a problem for Blake, this was a perfect song for Jordin. It was anthemic and highly emotional; she even ended up getting a little verklempt at the end. Remember, this is an awful lot for a 17-year-old to handle, and Jordin has done it with grace and poise. Simon admitted that he was wrong last week and that tonight Jordin, “wiped the floor with Blake.” Once again, my British friend, we agree.
Anyhow, without further ado: Jordin's slated for the big win. That's my story and I'm sticking to it! Jordin is my pick. After all, it is a singing competition.
Chris Daughtry closed the show singing his hit, “Home.” I love this song. We’re all winners here. Chris got kicked off early on last year and look at him now. The lyrics, “Be careful what you wish for, you just might get it all,” were very telling, however, as he’s been trying to distance himself from Idol.
So for further excitement, I’ll be on the red carpet for the finale chatting up Idols both present and past. Any burning questions you’re dying to ask them, ask now, or forever hold your peace. I’ll pick the best ones and let you know the Idols' answers here tomorrow.
Meanwhile, check out the Idols on our Online Video Guide.
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May 23, 2007 2:20 AM
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"This is My Now" has got to be the most cheesiest song ever! Makes me wonder what the other choices were that people had to vote on. You could tell even Blake didn't want to sing that song.
Both Blake and Jordin have had good and bad performances this season so it will be interesting to see who America picks as the next Idol. I think Jordin will win. She reminds me of Kimberly Locke from season 2.
Overall I thought season six was the most boooring of all the seasons! Here's hoping season 7 will be much much better!
Paula, I enjoyed reading your recaps each week.
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May 23, 2007 2:53 AM
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Paula, you have got to be kidding me?? Blaker Girls?? first it was Claymates, now Blaker Girls. Good grief.
Before I go on with the performances can I ask this one question..."What the bleep Randy had on? Was he channeling his inner Micheal Jackson with that blazer?
Anywhoo Blake did ok with his first. On his second I was paying attention to his repreat argyle sweaters.....and if Im mistaken didnt he wear the samething last week? For the last song, Ill get to that one later.
Jordin-that was also one of my favorite Christina songs. She did good on that one. The second was absoutly outstanding....she did outshine Martina on that song.
Now for the last one...that song was so cheesy. I wouldnt even say cheesy is the right word, imitation cheese wiz that you would find at the dollar store. Thats how cheesy that song was. Plus it was boring. But Jordin did great on it. I wonder who gotten to choose the winner of the contest. I know that there was a better songs to choose from.
I would also like to add that this finale was one of the boring finales ever on AI history. Bring me back to the finale of Fantasia's winning performance.
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May 23, 2007 3:22 AM
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I also believe Jordin will win. She is a very talented 17 year old! That is not to take anything away from Blake.
The one thing I would not have said is:
After all, it is a singing competition.
That has been such a highly debated subject on this blog. Some say singing competition, some say hottest performer, some say pop idol (which of course few winners have been pop.) Anyway, it always seems to be a topic. I thought Melinda had it all, but...whatever.
Red carpet?! Have fun with that! Will you post pics or video on TVGuide.com?
Although sometimes controversy ruled in this blog, it was always fun.
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May 23, 2007 4:01 AM
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Plus I didnt know Chris was the singer for that song. I like that song.
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May 23, 2007 4:24 AM
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I also had no idea it was Chris Daughtry on that song. at last he's getting some residuals from AI.
Love Jordin, she is the perfect winner. where are the Blaker Boys? you know that's who has been keeping hin afloat.
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May 23, 2007 5:05 AM
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Before Jordin auditioned in Seattle she was in Los Angeles and didn't
even get to meet Simon and the other judges.
I wonder if she thought
her dream of becoming the American Idol was over then?
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May 23, 2007 5:41 AM
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That was the winning song? Oy! While I've been predicting Jordin for at least 2 months, that song sank any chance Blake had. I think for the first season in AI history the winner isn't even in doubt. While the favorite typically wins, at least the result has been in some question. Blake did a pretty good job on his first two songs, but that winning song killed any slim chance he had. I like Blake and I predict that he could have a successful career by appealing to the currently untapped "male heart-throb" or "boy band" fan base. But, Jordin is the whole package. She's pretty, she has a bubbly personality, she's versatile with music styles, and she has a very good voice. Even Blake picked her to win in interviews over the past week. He was quoted as saying he picked her to win some time ago. I thought it was a pretty decent final sing off, but I'm mad that AI ran over so long that my DVR cut off during Daughtry's performance. Jordin should and most likely will win, but Blake should have a decent career and has nothing to regret. Although, he may wish to punch out his fellow Washingtonians for having their sappy song win the AI contest since it really showed the difference between the two finalists. ~ÐL
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May 23, 2007 6:50 AM
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The best part of last night - Daughtry! He is still the winner in this families book.
Jordin has what it takes to turn into the next Kelly Clarkson. Much potential. Hope to see her crowned the winner tonight!
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May 23, 2007 7:40 AM
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With respect to the last song, to quote my husband, "Blake really got the raw end of that deal". As much as I have enjoyed Blake during this season, I think Jordin will win and she deserves it.
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May 23, 2007 7:59 AM
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After the first line of the cheesy AI anthem du jour, I said to my husband, " You know Jordin's gonna do a better job with this song." Yes, it has taken a contest to allow this rise to new heights of cheesiness. Leave it to Jordin to wring every last drop of cheesy emotion out of her performance. She teared up at the end, and America went "Awww!"
I do not agree with others who call this the most boring season and direly predict the demise of AI. This juggernaut still has plenty of juice. However, I am getting plenty tired of Simon poking Paula, or whatever he is doing; Randy's supposed coolness (that jacket last night looked like it was maybe recycled from the Sergeant Pepper album cover); bloated results shows; and the AI signature song that incredibly gets more cheesy every year. OK, I feel better now.
I honestly think either Blake or Jordin could win, and I honestly don't care who does win. They are very different, both appealing, both young and fresh, and both will have fine careers. My favorite was Melinda, but then I am an older AI fan. Melinda seems OK with being eliminated last week, and I'm sure she too will have a fine career. That was the point Ryan was trying to make at the end (I sure don't know what Paula was trying to get him to say), that the winner of AI isn't the only one who gets the glory. All season I've been wondering who was singing that catchy song in the commercial. Lo and behold, it was Chris Daughtry. He was wearing a little too much eyeliner, but he sounded great. I can believe he is glad he didn't win AI. Good for him.
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May 23, 2007 7:59 AM
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I thought when they announced the Songwriting Competition we might actually get a decent song. Boy was I wrong! "This Is My Now" is just as bad, if not worse, than all the tripe from past seasons. When will they allow the winner to sing a song that isn't sappy garbage? And of course that type of song (not the sappiness but the fact that it is a ballad) is tailor-made for Jordin. She is definitely the better singer, but that song was unfair for Blake. No way can he showcase his talent singing that lame song.
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May 23, 2007 8:04 AM
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 ">Since Melinda went home I could care less who will win. But I think the next AI champ should be Jordin. They should cut out the AI anthem's and let the remaining 8 finalist or the audience pick a song for them to sing. I thought the song Taylor sung last year was awful, but yesterday's song was worse.
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May 23, 2007 8:08 AM
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That was a dreadfully dull final. The songs that they had done earlier in the season were just note for note repeats. They may as well have been lip-synching. The new songs they got to choose were bad choices for both of them. And that Songwriting Contest song was just dreck. It blew major chunks. Neither singer made any big blunder or had any real "wow" moment either.
Paula wasn't wacky enough. The audience was more obnoxious then Oprah's when she does her "Oprah's Favorite Things" show. Remember when standing ovations actually meant something? Just pretty dull stuff.
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May 23, 2007 8:19 AM
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Last night truly showed which contestant didn't deserve to be in the finale. I agree with Simon that Jordin wiped the floor with Blake.
I didn't like his goofy take on "You Give Love a Bad Name" the first time and it was even less enjoyable this time. He was out of tune on "She Will Be Loved" and seemed to let the background singers carry those high notes. And the Idol song, well, that was just a disaster made worse by his onstage antics.
I don't think Jordin started off very strongly either, but then she nailed "With a Broken Wing" and even made the ultra cheesy "This is My Now" a true Jordin ballad, sealing her as the obvious choice for winner. Think how much more competitive it would have been if it had been Melinda and Jordin in the finale instead of clueless boy.
As far as the Idol song, the goal of the contest was to create something listenable and less cheesy than the sappy "Do I Make You Proud?". They failed miserably. Idol hasn't had a decent finale song since season 1 when Kelly wiped the floor with Justin. Are there not professional writers who could come up with something better? Get Diane Warren to write something.
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May 23, 2007 8:33 AM
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