By Janine Theriault staff writer
LosAngeles(RPRN)-05/20/09 – All of America (or at least those under age 16) is waiting in rapt anticipation for the outcome of tonight’s American Idol Season 8 Finale: Adam Lambert vs. Kris Allen – tonight at 8/7c on Fox.
In the words of Ryan Seacrest himself, as he introduced the finalists on Tuesday night’s (May 19) final “American Idol” performance episode, this season’s showdown is a case of “the acoustic rocker versus the glam rocker … Conway versus California … the guy next door versus the guyliner.†That’s pretty apropos.
Or, to continue with the analogies a bit further: the confident, comfortable-in-his-own-skin (or at least his Look) guy, vs. the kind-hearted, unassuming, soft-drawling sweetie you may just want to hug enough to vote for. And let’s not forget Image vs. Substance, or straight-ahead straight vs. a slightly ambiguous c-curve.
However you want to frame it, this season’s American Idol has broken some records; for the second week in a row, Idol voting history was made with 88 million votes cast.
And with only one million votes separating Lambert and Allen when Danny Gokey, – favored by many to be up against Lambert in the final – was sent packing, things in Idol world are truly heating up. But before packing, Gokey had this to say about his former fellow competitors: “I’m telling you. This competition is not over yet. I have a feeling it’s going to be a very tight raceâ€. Mark his words, Idol fans.
Although all the signs, celebrities and pseudo-science points to an Adam Lambert win, with Idol – like in all acts of democracy – it remains up to the people to actually voice their support by voting. Until that happens and they’re all tallied, it’s still an open story. Or, to quote Gokey’s departing words of wisdom, as someone who knows all too well: “If you want some person to win, you’ve got to voteâ€.
And so, as seems fitting, we leave the final word on each of the finalists to the Infamous Simon Cowell. Starting with the positive, on his reaction to Allen’s name being called last week; “I wasn’t sure America had made the right choice, but I absolutely take all that back now after that performance.” And for Lambert? “The whole idea about doing a show like this is that you hope that you can find a worldwide star… I genuinely believe with all my heart that we have found that with youâ€.
Now for the much more fun, but less-than-flattering Simonisms, like his comments on Allen’s “What’s Going Onâ€; “…three friends in a dorm room strumming along to Marvin Gayeâ€. And for Lambert’s rendition of “Mad World”? “…A bit over-theatrical… reminded me of “Phantom of the Opera.” What painful Fun!
So, whether you’re a card-carrying Glambert or could care less, we’ll all know the outcome this time tomorrow.