American Idol Finale: Adam Lambert Versus Kris Allen; it Could Go Either Way

I don't know what I was expecting when I parked myself in front of the TV last night in anticipation of the American Idol finale.

Perhaps Adam Lambert's big finish scream has begun to wear on me or maybe Kris Allen's seeming lack of enthusiasm has me down. I kept thinking, he should really be stoked but he seemed only mildly affected. I can't quite put me finger on it.

Perchance the prevailing knowledge that regardless the outcome, there's a record deal in the offing caused both of these guys to put their A-games away and bring their B-minus,. C-plus games.

Though I really can't pinpoint exactly what my expectations were, I find myself feeling a tad bit let down. The show did not live up to the hype that surrounded it. Perhaps it was that it felt very rushed. Is it me or isn't their normally two hours for the finale? Whatever the case it was not the perfect end to what has been a great season of American Idol.

Mayhap a reminder of last nights finer points will help me to key in on the seeming malaise.

The first round of performances were songs they'd performed during the season.

Adam Lambert who has vacillated between spectacular and spectacularly dramatic all season, favored us with a rendition of his stand out performance of the Tears for Fears hit, "Mad World". Dressed in a maxi coat a la Matrix, Adam strolled in and delivered a solid performance. However it was nowhere as affecting as his original performance of the song and it felt slightly flat. It was beautiful and melodious but missing some of that initial yearning and pathos that he delivered the first go round. Kris Allen resurrected his performance of the Bill Wither's classic, "Ain't No Sunshine When She's Gone". It was his best performance of the night - to quote A little Simon speak - by a country mile. Initially, it seemed that these performances would set the tone for the night but such was not the case.

Kris edged out Adam for the first round but obviously the effort wore him out for the rest of the night.

The second round of songs were chosen by the creator of American Idol, Simon Fuller.

Adam tackled Sam Cooke's "A Change Gon' Come" to mixed reviews on my part. He started out lovely and I was eager to see where he would take it. Adam usually surprises, if nothing else but this time he didn't. We've come to expect the big Adam scream at the end and he delivered. I would have liked to have seen him do something less visceral and more emotional. I would have liked to know that he really got what Sam Cooke was singing about. Though the judges and his praises, I didn't get there was an emotional connection. I felt that he was a little lazy by resorting to his go to big finish.

Kris sang "What's Going On?" by Marvin Gaye. That was the question that came to mind when I saw Kris's performance. What the H-E double hockey sticks is going on? He could have been sitting on the couch for all the umph he put into it. It's disappointing because this is the kind of song Kris was born to sing. He has the range, the heart and the depth of emotion to deliver on this song. I would wager that his studio version will be a million billion times better than the live version we were treated to.

Score this round for Adam Lambert.

The third round was a performance of "No Boundaries" this years song which was co-written by judge Kara DioGuardi.

Having said that, let me get right to it. Don't even get me started about this trite mess Kara and crew delivered. I am well aware that of Kara's songwriting pedigree and all of the hits she has pinned. I'm just saying this may not be the best of them. These people are world class songwriters. Am I to believe this is the best they could come up with? I wouldn't be going on like this but, in my best judges voice, "This is the finals, this is where we see your artistry and separate you from the pack." Kara and Co. that's a fail.

I'll score this one a draw for Adam Lambert and Kris Allen.

There is no lasting lasting damage done. Unless of course I have to listen to Adam or Kris's version of that song all summer.

Adam and Kris will secure record deals and Adam will ascend to the iconic status that we all know is just around the corner. Kris will go on to to team up with Jamie Foxx and have one of the hottest records of the summer

This article brings me to the end of of my American Idol armchair quarterbacking for another season . Until next year. Hasta la vista babies.