97.5 million votes…with 12 million votes making the vote 56% to 44%…so it was not even close…my hope is still intact…..

Mikalah Gordon in Cook’s home town-so what

Matt Rodgers in Archie’s home town-so what x2

Top 12 is back and performed with some of the dancers from So You Think You Can Dance…and I don’t know if you noticed, but Archie was just marching around in time to the music-not singing a word…..what was THAT all about? Cook was singing!!

Duet by the Davids-Hero was ok, Cook outsang Archie

Mike Myers as Pitka the Love Guru was classic marketing failure-as bad as Robin Williams on Idol Gives Back, maybe even worse.  Cross that movie off the list of things to see….really really stupid.

Syesha sang with Seal-she looked great, he looked like a rumpled Mr. Clean in a white t shirt and pants….they were not in sync and it was not great….I still love his voice, though.

Jason sang Hallelujah again—ZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Each of the Davids get a Ford hybrid—and Archie looks like he’ll faint AGAIN.  Don’t these kids ever watch Idol? They get cars every year!!!

Girls sang with Donna Summer-she sounded good, was wondering why she needed to be escorted down the stairs by 2 men, though-I hope she’s not ill.  Her last number with Syesha “Last Dance”-she sounded winded…

 I LOVED "nurse from hell" Amanda’s vocals this evening-she is still god-awful and I'm thrilled she wont be on tour. She looked like she was in excruciating pain every minute she was on stage. Funny, so was I!! 

I have no idea what he was doing, but Ryan was trying to break dance or else he was seizing over on the side of the stage while the girls performed. What a jerk.

Carly Smithson and Michael John sang some weird version of “the Letter”-it was kind of jazzy, but reminded me of some cheesy porno movie background.  I couldn’t watch it all with that stuck in my head. She still sounded great and he was not quite so terrible either.

CELEBRITY-Jeri Ryan in the audience

Jimmy Kimmel did some schtick…not that funny. I think he was asked to apologize in some way to Simon for the obnoxious nipple jokes during Idol gives Back…..I enjoyed his joke about Simon’s parents, “Rosemary and Satan Cowell” and that made Simon laugh, too.  I don’t think Simon is someone you mess with-I think he’s too wealthy and too influential.  Who the hell is Jimmy Kimmel to take him on? Sanjay in the audience-Jimmy Kimmel mocked him.  Mocked Ryan, mocked Paula, mocked Randy…ho ho ho..GET OFF THE STAGE

Top 6 guys sang “Best Days of My Life” and “We’re in Heaven” with both Davids. Special guest Brian Adams sang…another Zzzzzzzzzzzzzz moment for me.

Had to laugh till I choked over the new Disney offering:” the American Idol Experience”…Oh, how I wonder who will end up fronting that gig?!!!   "Archie!!!!!!!!!!!!  Can you please stop fainting for a minute and get over here to pose with Jasmine and Aladdin and this Brownie troop??"

The best of the night was David Cook singing Sharp Dressed Man with ZZ Top.  It was awesome and great fun.

Graham Nash has dropped a notch or two for me now that he did a duet with Brooke Shut Up White-and one of my favorite songs Teach Your Children. (Always been a CSN fan)  they sounded good together but she better not tour with them (CSN) and ruin it for me.

Some people did not seem to notice the commercial for Guitar Hero featuring David Cook-the Risky Business number, in his underwear…he was incredible!!!!  If you missed it, you really missed it.  Archie did the same thing later in the show-clearly, the kid never saw the movie and did not know the song---it was completely out of his league.

Jonas Brothers???? Who CARES?? GET OFF THE STAGE

I really enjoyed the flashback to some of my favorite auditions-foul mouthed Glitter Girl from Allentown, who’s going “get into actressin’”, the weird guy singing some operetta song in a falsetto that made your skin crawl, and good old Renaldo LePaz in his white suit and cape singing “I am your Brother” backed up by the USC marching band and cheerleaders…..give that man credit for being a good sport.  Still, my favorite of the entire year was James in his gold jacket a la Century 21 singing the ever popular “low” number “LET MY PIPPLE GAOOOOOOOOO”  It makes me laugh like a fiend every time I see it.

Lots of filler material I didn’t care about in here-Archie sang something accompanied by someone, Jordin Sparks sang something wearing a golden “Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz" dress that looked terrible on her, Carrie Underwood sang something wearing some strange looking outfit that reminded me of the white Dolly Parton cape ensemble, only she’s so beautiful that she didn’t look stupid in it.

When the top 12 started with Faith and them moved into Father Figure, I was hoping that George Michael would perform and TA DAH, there he was.  Apparently his ego prevents him from actually performing with the kids at the same time, but he sounded good-not as good as when Carrie Underwood sang the same some on Idol Gives Back, but still good.  Paula was weeping, of course. She can probably be moved to tears by a  rubber dog terd.

George Michael is not aging well-looking jowly and wrinkled and the Wonder Woman-sized sunglasses have to go…I would have figured him to be a likely cosmetic surgery seeker and I was surprised he hasn’t been tightened up yet.  I do love his voice, even though I would never have let my kids go within half a mile of him-in a public park restroom or anywhere else.

FINALLY, after 2 excruciating hours of fluff, filler and self-promotion…wait!  First, Simon has to apologize to David Cook for bordering on disrespect….gee, how transparent…so much for the winner not being known before it’s announced to America…..

But, to my relief , DAVID COOK wins Season 8 and is our new AMERICAN IDOL

At least my vote for the Idol counted for more than my votes for Gore or Kerry did…..and I suspect I will enjoy Cook more in the long run that either of them, anyway.

Celebrity-Camryn Manheim is going nuts-large unfettered body parts are flapping around like wild-watch out, or you could lose an eye….

It was nice to see David Cook win, graciously acknowledge Archie, get a bit overwhelmed and them step up and sing… he should have a good ride.

Now get up out of your chairs, hide your remotes and go have a life until next January when Season 9 begins-I know I'm going to!

FINALLY, after 317 weeks of vegetating in front of the TV for 11 nights each week, we are down to the finale….David A vs David C or Archie Vs Cookie…….live at the Nokia theater in LA, 7000 seats….cavernous!

I liked the opening with the Let's Get Ready to Rumble guy and the boxing theme, although I was hoping to see Cook pop Archie one for effect. Also thoroughly enjoyed the absence of Ryan for the opening….even if he didn’t get to say THIS …is A..MER...ican Idol for once.

Celeb sightings: Luke Perry in the audience with kids….Clive Davis, Andrew Lloyd Weber (the supreme being of Idol, apparently)…and no one else??

Randy and Simon both dressed nicely in open-necked shirts with jackets, and even Paula did not look as tarty as usual…..the evening is off to a promising start….

Cook is clearly much more at ease, much more confident, and Archie is just a little boy nebbish who looks likely to faint at any moment. Simon advised them they have to “hate your opponent” and yet they both were very complimentary to each other-no joking, not jibes…BORING.

Round 1-Clive Davis song choice

Cook-I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For

I liked it-fun to watch, sounded good..all 3 judges loved him…good start

Archie-Don’t Let the Sun Go Down On Me

Very emotional, sitting to being the song, squinted the whole way through the song, sounded slightly off key on some of the low notes and was not fun to watch-he made me feel anxious.  And the judges LOVED LOVED LOVED him and gave him round 1….HUH? and Archie looks unsteady and likely to faint-OMG, just DO it-quit faking it!!! Drop over and I’ll muster up some sympathy, but not for the phony humility.

I didn’t think it was a clear win at all……would have called it a tie, at best.  I’m not happy about the direction this is taking….the Machine is pushing for Archie….already….

Round 2-New song chosen by contestant

Cook-Dream Big-as Idol songs go, this was not as cheesy as the past 7 seasons, but it wasn’t great, either.  He sang it well, but the song kind of stunk.

Archie-IM this Moment-as cheesy an Idol theme song as was ever written…and Archie lived up to the expectations as the cheesemaster  (insert breathy gasp and slight sob here)  Very much a ballad, so this was right up the child’s alley.  Judges LOVED his performance, and we were treated to the theme of ‘you can sing the phone book” one last time by Randy….and the judges call it another victory for Archie….

Again, I’m not happy.

Round 3-Contestant Choice

Cook-the World I know

I thought it was a nice soft-rock kind of performance and he did a great job. He actually got a bit weepy but composed himself quickly and it was not a “moment.”  Wacko Paula rambled on some crap about “Standing in your truth” and Randy and Simon both complimented him-Randy liked the performance and his sensitive side, Simon says he is one of the nicest and most sincere contestants they ever had on Idol, but told him he should have repeated Billie Jean or another standout from this season…uh oh….

Archie –repeated performance of Imagine and the judges went nuts. He sang it with his eyes closed again.  It was good, but he did it before!!!  Judges went nuts and essentially told him he was the winner, Simon saying it was a knockout night for him.  Not sure about anyone else, but I was seeing red and felt like the decision had been made without any input from America, or more importantly, from ME.

I was irritated enough to vote for Cook 55 times. Thank God I have AT&T and can text-it only required 45 second of my time. 45 seconds was just about the exact time that I lost interest and so it worked out well.

56 million votes this week and FANTASIA sings live tonight. Well whoop-de-doo!!!

Group performance of Aint No Stopping Us Now was just terrible and hard to watch-they had to have been lip-syncing because it sounded like at least 30 people were singing.  You think they could follow simple dance moves by now without moving their lips to count off the steps, but NOOOOOO, Archie is having a hard time “1..2..3..4.. smile…turn…clap…” and you can see his little lips move.

Looks like most of the Season 8 contestants are in the audience tonight-I wonder if the Idol Machine flies them in or if they get there on their own dimes? Saw Chikezie, David H, Kristy Lee, Ramiele.

Ford Video-no comment



Recap of last night- skip this!!! WE SAW it already…most of us have short term memory intact and can remember things for 24 hours…



OMG WHO IS THAT…Its some chunky rapper stomping around the stage looking like a parrot with a scarlet head!!!  What is she doing?  This is SINGING??? On what planet?

She looks like hell, sounds like a rapper, just screaming the “lyrics” and lurching all over the stage…then stopped to sing up at some clown in the balcony with a hat hiding 99% of his head and face…Bazooka Joe, no that was a turtleneck sweater…..who’s that character off Fat Albert with the hat???? DUMB DONALD!!!!! HEY HEY HEY  It’s FAN-TASIA.  It was far and away the WORST performance by a guest star in Idol history and the only part I enjoyed was the expression on Simon’s face that they managed to catch on camera-just sitting there with his mouth hanging open.

I’d put a fair sized bet that Fantasia will never be invited to perform again on Idol after that mess……maybe that was her strategy.  You know how difficult it is for these “superstars” to return to Idol to acknowledge that they got their start this way…..

ANYWAY…I'm sidetracked again

David A

Watched clips from his trip home to Utah-he was goofy and uneasy, especially with the screaming girls-crying about the crowds, overly grateful and thankful and teary…and then we move onto Ryan’s over the top melodramatic proclamation that there is a “VERY REAL POSSIBILITY TTHAT HE MAY BE LEAVING THIS STAGE”

Oh shut up.

Syesha-trip home to Sarasota/Bradenton. My mom lives in Bradenton and never watches Idol, but even she can identify Syesha. She said it was such a big deal that they even talked about it in church and it was all over the news for days.  I found Syesha’s recovering addict father to be a huge annoyance -all the crap about this being a “natural high” and how he has struggled with his addictions…excuse me, dimbulb…this is about your DAUGHTER!!! 

David C-trip home to Blue Spring MO was by far the most fun video clip to watch, in spite of the hag holding the “Cougars for Cook” sign. He may be 25, and technically legal, but if you own underwear older than David and you are drooling over him, then you should be ashamed of yourself.  It’s bordering on pedophilia. Watch and enjoy the view in silence.  David seemed at ease in front of big crowds and truly thankful-no false humility got in the way, loved his comment that it was the “coolest day of my life” and that he got to do everything he ever wanted, all in one day.  Yes indeed, he’s got my vote for sure.  Loved the clip with his elementary school music teacher-think he made her very proud and I suspect she will NEVER forget that day.

Syesha is going home-thankfully, no nasty surprises… and I’m looking forward to Simon’s “HUMDINGER” of a finale…..

3 songs per contestant-one judge’s choice, one producer’s choice, and one contestant’s choice.  This could go either way.

Kewpie Ryan this evening…extra scruffy beard-trying to be more macho?  He’s right up there with macho Clay Aiken in my book, just a lot prettier.  Heard about his new show on NBC?  Reality show called “Mama’s Boy”  Seriously.  It sounds doomed already.

Celeb sighting-that young girl off Brothers and Sisters….you know, the one who they thought was really their illegitimate sister but turned out not to be that Jason has the hots for and her TV mom is Ken Olin’s wife in real life and we know her from 30-something?  SUCH a major celeb I don’t know her name at all…just major enough that I knew she was “somebody” and it took less than the rest of the show to place her. Scraping the bottom of the barrel-where’s Haselhoff these days?

David A

Paula chose “And So it Goes” by Billie Joel-announced by the mayor of northwest  noplace Idaho or wherever he’s from, LOVED the mayor’s waxed handlebar moustache.  Fabulous fashion statement.

Judges loved him-thought it was predictably boring

Syesha

Randy chose If I Aint Got You by Alicia Keys….was he deliberately trying to screw her over?  After weeks and weeks and weeks of telling her she shouldn’t take ion a diva if she can’t outsing the diva, they give her ANOTHER diva song??  I gave her an extra 25 points for the beautiful gold gown-she really is stunning which always begs the question “why do some women get it ALL?”

Judges loved her

David C

Simon chose Roberta Flack’s First time Ever I saw your Face

WHAT????

I did not like his stretches for the falsetto range, but he did pull it together quite well. And the

Judges LOVED him

Modestly, Simon announces Round 1 to Cook and Cowell (I love Simon)

Round 2-Contestant choices

David A-With You by Chris Brown

Syesha-Fever by Peggy Lee

David C-Dare You to Move by Switchback

HEY!!! LOOK its JUSTIN GUARINI!!!!

Round 2 was nothing to write home about-none of them were very good-Syesha loved performing again, channeling the broadway musical….blah.  Judges declared the second round just “ok”

Round 3-Producer’s round

David A-Longer by Dan Fogelberg-predictable cheesy ballad from good old “Squinty”

Syesha-Some uptempo number from some movie about penguins-Simon called it “forgettable”

David C-Don’t Wanna Miss a Thing by Aerosmith

David C takes Round 3 as well.

Looks pretty clear that it’s going to be the BATTLE OF EPIC PROPORTION-WHICH DAVID WILL BE THE GOLIATH-STAY TUNED FOR THE MOST DRAMATIC FINALE ON AMERICAN IDOL EVER

Unless YOU forget to vote and Syesha somehow squeaks into the finale…..

The show tonight features Bo Bice and Maroon 5-the last time Bo was on Idol, he sucked.  Keep your fingers crossed that he won’t tonight. The male Idol winners and runner-ups don’t seem to do much after Idol-wonder if this year will be different since it certainly looks like we’ll have a male win it all for Season 8. 

The opening of American Idol no longer even shows the images of all the previous winners….you can really only ID Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, and Jordin Sparks…..kind of interesting to see the Machine turn its back on their own.

51 million votes this week, with the top 3 within a million votes…. let’s see, at an Idol machine profit of even a nickel per vote…..over $2.5 million.  You’d think they could afford some better featured guests than Bo Bice and Maroon 5….

The group performance of Reeling in the years was far crappier than usual-Archuleta almost missed his cue to begin. Jason (shockingly) looks totally disconnected “Duuuuuude..” and David A has trouble keeping up for most of the performance. Wonder if Daddy-dearest was brandishing his belt at him or something-David A was very distracted.  The others did ok (Syesha and David Cook) but the ending of the song and performance was strangely abrupt…like they were just cut off without any plan to end at that point. Mandatory deduction.

Judge Judy and Kimberly Caldwell in the audience….the weekly star power seems to be fading fast this year…now we’re down to the “D” list celebs.

The recap of last night’s performances just confirmed how truly BAD Jason was.  This wont be a surprise at all.

With 10 minutes to kill, the kids all had to be Ryan-terrogated before being told they were safe….way too much info, lots of pointless yammering. The kids are scared and not ready to be profound-leave them alone and stop tormenting them!

Archie is safe…..Cookie is safe, after whining rather pitifully about “something was “off” all day yesterday”….and somehow, Syesha is safe again……

So, GOODBYE stoner-boy Jason.  He certainly seemed relieved-almost happy-to be getting the boot. He was by far the happiest person eliminated this year.  I wonder how he felt after he sobered up again?  His final performance was much worse that the disastrous performance on Wednesday-good bye Jason…see you on tour,

Maroon 5…peaked with “Songs About Jane”  and has gone downhill since. Hated the performance.

Bo Bice, looks the same as he did during Season 5…but was not as interesting and his performance explains why he will never be more than an Idol apostrophe.  Give him 5 points for being LOUD, though.

Did you catch the commercial for “Bones” next week featuring Ace Young getting murdered?  Cool beans, it’s about time.  What?  It’s only a TV show murder? 

Top 3:

David “Disney Prince” Archuleta

Syesha “wannabeadiva” Mercado

and David “the weeble winner” Cook