AI Judges Choose Adam Lambert to Win Season 8

It was 'guy next door' vs 'guy-liner', according to ringmaster Ryan Seacrest. It is hard to believe we are finally at the end of AI Season 8. The showdown between Adam Lambert and Kris Allen has been anxiously awaited this week. Tonight would include three songs from each American Idol finalist. One the contestant picked, one the producer (Simon Fuller) picked, and one that was written by Kara DioGuardi and her 'team'.

There was a coin flip earlier in the week to determine who would go first and last on the AI finale. Kris Allen won and chose to close the show. It may have proved to be a fatal mistake. It may have been a no win situation for him. Let Adam close and it's all but his title to take, close himself and risk what happened tonight... a really bad song and a pitch-y (at best) vocal performance.

Adam Lambert started the night with his favorite "Mad World". My guess is that "Whole Lotta Love" was only released for Slash on American Idol rock week. I wanted to see it again, but the band seemed to be against both Idol finalists tonight. None of the performances were great. After Simon Cowell told Adam Lambert earlier in the season the staircase entrance was too dramatic, he used it again. This time adding dry ice fog to the stage for ... drama. We know Lambert loves the drama, this time though he almost rubbed Simon's (and ours) face in it. I strongly preferred Adam's first performance of the song a few weeks ago.

Kris Allen followed with his favorite, "Ain't No Sunshine". I thought it was brave of Kris to bring back this song and do it differently yet again. This time seated and subdued. Not my favorite, again I liked Kris' first version better. I like the fact that he did not bring back "Heartless", though he too may not have been allowed. Having just performed it so perfectly last week, I think it would have been a mistake so soon. Tonight, Kris Allen really showed us his artistry on each song. I just like the excitement of this song better the first time.

The AI judges gave round 1 to Kris Allen. Of course Simon Cowell is the only vote on that.

American Idol producer Simon Fuller chose perfect songs for both AI finalists. These were my favorites of the night. Adam Lambert was assigned Sam Cooke's "A Change is Gonna Come". We have not heard the bluesy side of Lambert's voice yet. It was magnificent. He still tends to over play the high notes, but they were in tune. If you are not a fan of Aerosmith, Skid Row and the other '80s hair bands, you will never be a fan of Adam Lambert's. He will still be a super star.

Fuller chose Marvin Gaye's "What's Going On" for Kris Allen. An unplugged version, of course, had Allen sitting between too other guitarist and he on his acoustic. I really enjoyed this performance. It was different than I expected, which is great for Kris Allen. The more he changes things up the better he sounds.

The judges gave round 2 to Adam Lambert... before Kris Allen had a chance to sing.

Every season there is a signature American Idol song that both finalists have to sing. This season's newest judge Kara DioGuardi and her "team" co-wrote the song "No Boundaries". It was not good. In fact it was so bad for both Idol finalists that the judges asked the audience to not vote according to the final performances.

Adam Lambert was all over the place vocally. The back-up singers again clashed with his voice. It is really too bad that this had to be his final performance as an American Idol contestant. Simon Cowell said he would not even comment on the song. I wonder how long Kara DioGuardi will stay on Idol.

Kris Allen had to close out Season 8 with his worst performance ever. While completely different from Lambert's flashier performance, it too was pitch-y from the start. Kris Allen had all but converted Simon Cowell to a believer when he struck those sour notes. Simon did not throw him under the bus. He did jab at the song choice, an obvious dig at Kara. Did she not go to rehearsal?

The judges made it clear tonight that they support Adam Lambert as the winner of Season 8. They gave condolence "feel good about making it this far" comments to Kris Allen after his final performance.

Maybe it really was a band issue tonight. Carrie Underwood, the most celebrated American Idol winner ever came out to close the show with a live version of "Home Sweet Home". Underwood and the band were completely out of sync. She was stopping and starting verses hesitantly. It is really too bad. A show this big, all about music, needs to have the absolute best band ever. Every week. A great band does not override a singer, it enhances it.

All that is left is to hand Adam Lambert his title according to the AI judges. I think it may be closer than that. Rest assured we will be told there were a record number of votes cast tonight. My guess... 94 million. I don't know, I'm just making it up like Seacrest. I do think that American Idol has been Adomized and that Adam Lambert will win Season 8. There has never been a real shocker ending to AI, could this be it?

For all the AI judges comments and the live blogging of tonight's American Idol performances check out my blog at TV Review.