May 19 American Idol Finale Recap

After five months of auditions and performances it has all come down to the final two singers - Adam Lambert and Kris Allen - the theatrical rock god and the dark horse.

For the final performance show each singer performed three songs - one that was the singer's favorite, one that was chosen by "American Idol" creator Simon Fuller, and the song that was written for the first single by the winner. The new single "No Boundaries" was co-written by "American Idol's" newest judge Kara DioGuardi.

After a coin toss won by multi instrumentalist Kris Allen - who chose to go second - the theatrical rock singer Adam Lambert chose the song from the birth week theme "Mad world". Ever the one for making an entrance Adam rose out of a fog and shadows wearing a long black coat. Randy gave Adam an A+ for the song and said that he loved how Adam showed his sensitive side on the song. Kara said that she was so glad that Adam chose the song and once again he rocked it and Paula told Adam that he was astonishingly handsome. She added that she loved the song; while Simon felt that Adam's performance was a bit too theatrical.

For round two "American Idol" creator Simon Fuller chose the Sam Cook song "Change is Gonna Come". Lambert said that he embraced the chance to sing the song since there was no opportunity to do so during the season. Adam performed the bluesy song donned in a grey suit that Randy pronounced as unbelievable; while the girls proclaimed it the best performance Adam has done all season.

Lambert's final performance of the evening was the new "American Idol" single "No Boundaries" which he performed true to Adam fashion as a rock song, but it was not a favourite performance for judge Randy Jackson. Song co-writer Kara DioGuardi thanked Adam for his rendition of the song saying she was moved by the performance and proud. As the judge who at times is at a loss for words Paula said that adjectives could not describe what Adam has brought to season 8 of "American Idol" and Simon congratulated Adam calling him one of the best and most original artists on the show all season and one who stayed true to himself. Simon added that Adam was what "American Idol" was all aobut.

Dark horse contestant Kris Allen chose the Bill Withers song "Ain't No Sunshine" as his favourite performance and played the piano as he sang. Randy and Kara agreed that the performance showed what kind of artist Kris is and that it was one of his best performances; while Simon said that the song was too laid back for a night such as the finals.

For round two Simon Fuller chose the Marvin Gaye song "What's Gong On?" Paula said that Kris made Marvin proud with his guitar accompanied rendition but Simon likened the performance to three friends sitting around a bedroom strumming the guitar to a Marvin Gaye song.

Kris Allen's rendition of the "American Idol" single "No Boundaries" was a much more laid back version compared to Lambert's and while Randy said the song was better suited to Kris' voice judges felt the sng was in a key too high for Kris.

The finale on Wednesday will reveal the winner of "American Idol". This season Idol has come under fire on more than one occasion for running long; as a result host Ryan Seacrest gave warning that the grand finale would run long and for anyone planning to record the show should plan accordingly.

At the beginning ofevery season fans hear how the new season will be the best yet; this season the judges proclaimed that it indeed was the best season yet. But in the end in what is sure to be a record setting vote - fans were given four hours and three phone numbers per singer, the real question is will the best singer and the one who will be a success also be the winner?