Finale Fever: Idol Goes Out on High Notes
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.
