American Idol Season 8 Finale

American Idol ended its eighth season with a bang last night! I wasn't sure if I was watching Idol, a comedy show, or a multi-genre super concert.

The finale show just keeps getting better with each passing year. The producers drummed up some of the biggest stars in music (from all historical time periods) singing duets with the Top 13 Idol finalists, including the two final contestants Adam Lambert and Kris Allen. Some of the stars that graced the stage were: Queen Latifah, Lionel Richie, KISS, Carlos Santana, Black Eyed Peas, Rod Stewart, Steve Martin, KISS, and Keith Urban.

All of the performances were very engaging, except the duo of Queen Latifah and Lil Rounds. Maybe the mikes were turned down too low because their voices were barely audible, and they didn't seem terribly comfortable with each other onstage, awkwardly moving around without really being in sync. And by the way, Queen Latifah looked fierce in her black, one-shoulder catsuit, mohawk-type hairdo, and smokey eye makeup. It was obvious that she had dropped more than a few pounds.

Adam's wardrobe for the KISS performance was very vampire-like and theatrical. I could actually envision him standing on a Vegas hotel stage with bats flying around him. Wholesome Kris just looked like he was in his living room singing and dueling guitars with country music star (and husband of Nicole Kidman) Keith Urban.

The American Idol awards were hilarious! No one in the free world should've been surprised when "Bikini Girl" made her way across the stage. And it was loud out loud funny when Ryan Seacrest said, "I would ask you what's new, but I think I already know." (implying that she had breast implants). When Bikini Girl grabbed the mike and began to sing Mariah Carey's Vision of Love, Idol judge Kara DioGuardi waltzed on stage, stealing her thunder and out-singing her...again (remember the audition?).

The best part of the night was when Kara ripped her dress open to reveal a bikini as well. She had a super flat stomach and authentic breasts, and I couldn't figure out why she kept pulling her dress closed. She should've been showing off as much as (if not more than) Bikini Girl! Perhaps she needed a little more sun, but she's in great shape and she should've boldly dropped her dress around her ankles for all of the women over 30!

The Idol girls and Fergie's rendition of Glamorous and Big Girls Don't Cry was awkward at best, but when the Black Eyed Peas joined Fergie onstage for their new song Boom Boom Boom all was well again. I especially liked the dancers in the black and white, geometric full body suits.

Adam was supposedly the fan favorite; although I'm not exactly sure where that statement came from. Kris took the big prize, and he looked genuinely surprised, even stating that Adam should've won. Kris was the appropriate winner in my opinion. He has boyish looks, humility, and mid-western charm. Kris is commercial, he has crossover appeal, and he seems to be able to sing most genres of music with ease.

All in all the show was spectacular, never having a dull moment. Ryan was his usual witty, entertaining self as he poked fun at the judges trademark lines which they delivered throughout the entire season, like Randy Jackson's constant "For you for me" line, Kara's "Honey" and "Sweetie the music business isn't for you." Paula Abdul's extensive vocabulary ("authentic", "masterful", etc.) and Simon Cowell's lack of hearing, always asking "What did he say?" and "I didn't hear a word of what you just said." The laughter never stopped, and the show with all of its antics will definitely be missed until next January.