AIIX recap, Finalists x 2 (05/25/10)

And then there were two. I originally thought that Crystal and Siobhan would be the best finale, but after Siobhan flamed out, this was the absolutely the best 2 for this season. Held at the Nokia Theater with 7000 people in attendance. What a big night for Lee and Crystal.

Three songs tonight. First one is the contestant’s choice from earlier in the season. Second is a choice from Executive Producer Simon Fuller. And the last song will be the song that will be released if he or she wins. Interesting to note that both are singing a cover of a song and NOT an original like in all the previous seasons.

There was a coin flip last week and Crystal won. She chose to defer and play defense first. Um, she actually chose to go second, which means she gets to close the show, so smart move on her part.

Going into tonight I don’t really think that this show matters. Voters’ minds are made up already. I guess the question is, where do Casey’s votes go? Maybe nowhere.

01 – Lee, The Boxer (Simon & Garfunkel)
I liked his version the first time better than this time. I think it’s because I didn’t expect it out of him that first time. This time didn’t creep up on me. And the exploding sound that my wife Kristin was making during the song didn’t startle me like the first time around. My son Jared asked if the name of the song was “La la la.” Nice. Randy thought it was a great way to start it off, but wanted him to pick it up. Ellen thought it was better than the first time he sang it. Kara said he needed to punch harder. Simon was expecting more passion and excitement. I think his nerves got the best of Lee on this song.

02 – Crystal, Me and Bobby McGee (Janis Joplin)
If The Boxer sounded like “La la la,” this song has a “na na na na” in it. I remember this song from earlier in the season and I thought she sang both well. Honestly I don’t like these repeat songs. I don’t think you can recreate a moment from earlier in the season. Randy hopes she makes a record like that. Ellen thinks she’s so compelling on stage. Kara said she has a fire in her belly. Simon thought this reminded him of when they fell in love with her on stage. Round one to Crystal.

03 – Lee, Everybody Hurts (R.E.M.)
Lee was kinda flat at the beginning of this one and my wife Kristin didn’t think he really connected with this song. Good song for his voice, but I don’t think he killed it. Randy thought it felt better than the first song. Ellen thought he had some exciting moments but pulled back. Kara didn’t think it was a perfect vocal (it never is with Lee), but liked it. Simon thought it was a brilliant song choice, but thought he was nervous. And he wants him to understand how tonight can change his life. My answer to that is that, win or lose, his life has already changed. Being the American Idol won’t make his career better or worse. It only means that he has to sign and make a record with 19 Entertainment. Believe me, if he finishes in 2nd, someone (if not 19 Entertainment) will pick him up and have him cut a record. Look at how “losing” has worked out for Adam Lambert.

04 – Crystal, Black Velvet (Alannah Myles)
Did you notice the sheer panic in Crystal’s eyes when she had to navigate those stairs in those heels? She didn’t have the guitar on this song, which is a comfort zone for both her and Lee. Still a pretty good performance and she really hit the glory notes. Randy screamed that Mamasox is in it to win it. Ellen gave her a standing O. Kara like that she was killing herself on stage. Simon said she took that song and absolutely nailed it. Crystal’s outperforming Lee so far tonight.

05 – Lee, Beautiful Day (U2)
The Idol Chatter guy’s line was, “the coronation song is dead – long live the coronation cover.” My thoughts exactly. Maybe it was too hard to get an original song for each contestant. Maybe they thought the buying public would be more interested in a song that they know rather than a (mostly bad) original song. This was not a great rendition of the U2 song. Randy thought he caught his groove at the end, which means he thought it wasn’t good before that, but he resisted saying that because he didn’t want to get booed. Ellen chose to talk about how much he’s grown over the course of the show rather than critique his performance. Kara thought he got swallowed up in the song, but noted that he grew the most on the show and thinks he has the most commercial voice of the season. Simon thought the competition was designed for a guy like Lee, giving him a much needed break. And genuinely wished him the best. Didn’t sound like an endorsement.

06 – Crystal, Up To The Mountain (Patty Griffin)
I didn’t love it as much as the judges did, partly because I wanted something more uptempo. But Crystal still did a great job with this song and outperformed Lee tonight. Randy called it incredible. Ellen liked that she can’t compare Crystal to any contemporary artist. Kara thought she was completely, emotionally invested in that song. Simon thought it was the best song and performance of the night and offered his last critique on Idol by saying, “that was outstanding.” Best of the night, but it was an overall underwhelming finale.

Then they had the British Idol sing a song but the video was mostly the bad auditions and outtakes from behind the scenes. It was like a blooper video. And they didn’t really show the video. It was on in the background as the cameras were on the singer. Completely odd scene. The best thing about it (other than it was over) was the scene of the other finalists hugging the 2 finalists.

I think Crystal was better tonight but don’t count Lee out. I think it’s too close to call, but I’m pulling for Crystal.

And that’s a rap. I may go out as Simon does. But I’m intrigued to how the show will go on without him. AI lost a ton of steam this year. Ratings were down, as was interest. I thought these finalists (and top 24) were the weakest ever. I really only liked Crystal, Lee and Siobhan this season. Honestly, I wouldn’t mind if this just went away because I’m so entrenched in this that I can’t stop. It’s like Michael Corleone in The Godfather, Part III. Just when I thought I was out … they pull me back in.

As always, thanks to Mike and Jim for filling in this season. We’ll see how AIX goes…