Kris is the Idol, Adam still wins, and Allison is a star!

My favorite moment of the finale was not Kris Allen's reaction to winning the title of American Idol (though it was one heck of a moment), but Allison Iraheta's subdued, yet powerful, performance duet of "Time After Time" with pop icon Cyndi Lauper, proving what a great performer and singer she is, and how great a finale it would have been had she been in the final two. Oh what could have been. I cannot wait until she finally releases her original music. I am certain she is bound to be a pop-rock icon, herself.

Other hi-lites of the night:

- Kris & Adam Lambert's performance of "We Are The Champions" with the remaining members of Queen.
- Mr. A-Z, Jason Mraz, sans the creepster goatee.
- Idol predecessor David Cook's performance of "Permanent" as a tribute to his late brother Adam. Amazing.
- Finally airing Kris's audition video, which was four months long overdue, ya think?!
- In the audience, Carrie Underwood, looked very pretty in pink.
- Adam's goth-industrial-winged-whatever get-up during his performance with KISS
- "The winner of American Idol 2009 is Kris Allen!"

...and lo-lites...

- Judge Kara DioGuardi, in a boost of her ego, attempted to one-up some no-talent bikini bimbo in a Mariah sing-off.
- "No Boundaries", although Kris sang this better the second time around ;)
- Rod Stewart, who I do not think he is sexy, nor do the rest of America.
- The fact that top 5 finalist Matt Giraud was never given the chance to sing a duet with a star, yet Megan Joy and Michael Sarver, of all people, got to do one (with Steve Martin...WTF)
- Kris apologizing for winning. (Dude, I know no one in Idol-land wanted expected you to win, but live it up. You represent the best of America's undiscovered talent and was bestowed the most-fitting title.)

And as for the runner-up, I have to say that I really do like Adam. Watching the finale back, it did cement my understanding of why he belonged in the final two. He is arguably is the best performer to come away from the show, came off as a very confident and seasoned pro (perhaps too seasoned), and left indelible images after every performance -- from his hair, facial expressions, outrageous fashions, and ridiculously impressive vocal range. Ultimately, I truly think Adam is better off without the constraints of the Idol contract. This non-win will enable him to do more things without the scrutiny the job title entails. I know his supporters may be very disappointed and angry at the outcome, and I certainly won't blame them for it, but we all know Adam will come out of this with tons of success. He already is an Idol. I may have been a bit critical of him in the previous post, but he still intrigues me. Perhaps if the judges hadn't praised him so darn much and all but bestowed the title all season long, I would have been squarely in his corner, too...but if it is one thing that America proved to be true last night, it is that it hates being told how to think and who to vote for. Let this be a lesson to the producers and judges for next year: showcase all serious contenders from the beginning, drop the fillers, and let the country do its thing.

Winning Moment:

Video: MJ's Big Blog; Photos: AP, Ray Mickshaw