Because there's really nothing to review, per se, on tonight's American Idol, I'm continuing the tradition of live-blogging the finale. So here we go:
8:00 p.m.– My first thought was, “Wow, that’s impressive. They got the POTUS to do an intro to American Idol." Then, one sentence later, it became a voting PSA.
8:02 p.m.– I’m all for the pristine arrangement and inspirational song choice. But, man, that opening harmony was off.
8:03 p.m.– I’ve been watching the show for all 15 seasons, but there’s still a handful of people I don't recognize at all. Also, hello Jessica Sanchez, always wondered what happened to you. And hello Allison Iraheta, it’s nice they let you out from behind the background singers’ section.
8:07 p.m. – Awkward Brian Dunkleman bit aside, we really have ended this farewell with the best two contestants. Singing a very standard karaoke-bar track, you really realize how supremely talented these two are. I’m rooting for La’Porsha, but I wouldn’t bemoan a Trent victory.
8:16 p.m. – I’ll stick by previous statements that the Harry/JLo/Keith combo is the best Idol judging panel ever, but I really did like Kara DioGuardi. After a succession of judges with questionable credentials, Kara was smart and very musically sound.
8:17 p.m. – Jordan Sparks, man. Since Hamilton is the hottest thing now, I’ll remind you all that she starred in Lin-Manuel Miranda’s first show In The Heights on Broadway. Check it out.
8:18 p.m. – I think I might have owned that Kimberly Locke CD back in the day. OK, I definitely did. Man, I wish she did more. That girl has pipes!
8:18 p.m.– I’m sorry to be writing so much about this one specific medley but…Holy Smokes, they brought back “Pants On The Ground” Guy! I love “Pants On The Ground” Guy. So much. To this day, that song still pops into my head every so often. I even loved the Jimmy Fallon/Neil Young version. Night=made.
8:32 p.m.– I could watch a full two hours of Kelly Clarkson going through her greatest hits. She really is a tremendous pop singer…and, from the looks of it, ready to be a new mommy any second. That a capella “Moment Like This” was really chilling and beautiful. A very touching way to honor this show’s legacy.
8:36 p.m. – Oh my, Bo Bice got a haircut! And aged about 10 years since the last time I saw him. I’ve always loved Caleb – who, due to his resemblance to a younger Meatloaf, I always affectionately called Meatball – and hope he gets his career going again. Another cool segment here, although I sorely missed Adam Lambert, for my money the greatest rocker (and perhaps best vocalist overall) to be on Idol.
8:42 p.m. – I’m not a big country fan, but I’d download this new single tomorrow. Two fantastic artists, no matter what genre you like.
8:44 p.m.– I watched Season 11 and have no memory of Skyler, but from her verse I’m not missing much. Diana DeGarmo, though, I remember exactly even though she looks quite different (her hair and skin seem about two shades darker). Lauren Alaina are Kellie Pickler are also powerhouses – both of whom I was fans of during their Idol tenure.
8:47 p.m.– I can’t say I’ve missed Scotty, although I do sort of wish he had sung that “Baby Lock Them Doors” song.
8:49 – Something tells me Nicki Minaj has not watched any of Idol after leaving the show and has no clue who the current contestants are. Despite some…odd and entertaining comments…that was a dark period in Idol history.
8:52 p.m.– OK, this is a commercial musing, but I’m beyond bummed about this new So You Think You Can Dance Jr thing. It turns a really solid and mature show – full of great, sexy, important, moving dance pieces – into a dog and pony show. I recapped the show last year. I’m not sure I can bare to do it this year. It might just end up being me repeating “No! No! No!” over and over again.
8:52 p.m.– One of my favorite parts of tonight has been rediscovering talent I’ve totally forgotten about. Carly Smithson? Yes, please. Also, I was sort of hoping Katharine McPhee would sing “Don’t Forget About Me.”
9:01 p.m.– Someone grab Ruben a handkerchief.
9:03 p.m.– Jessica Sanchez has great vocal technique. Also handy when you need to check her tonsils.
9:10 p.m.– Jennifer Lopez is an incredibly talented and beautiful woman. She really doesn’t need to keep releasing crappy songs that are both dumb as all get-up, but also ones barely appropriate for someone half her age. She doesn’t need all this ridiculousness. It's stupid and doesn't show off her talent.
9:19 p.m.– I’ve enjoyed this finale so far. It’s really kick-ass. Am I allowed to say that on here? That being said, it’s been over an hour and they haven’t had a single contestant from Season 15, except for the opening number. What about them?!
9:22 p.m.– I said earlier that Adam Lambert might just be the best singer to come out of this show. Now I’m amending that to best male singer. Jennifer Hudson being the best female. Doubt it? Just check out her singing kiddie songs on Late, Late Show or this chill-inducing number from Color Purple at the Kennedy Center.
9:27 p.m.– You know who else I miss tonight? Jacob Lusk. Remember him? His “God Bless The Child” is one of my favorite Idol performances ever. I could use some Jax tonight, too.
9:28 p.m.– Why in the world are we singing Christmas carols in April?
9:37 p.m.– I’m not a big fan of bad auditions, but there’s a few that still make me laugh. Like this one or that one (which I can’t find online) where a terrible auditioner incited loud claps of thunder every time she started to sing.
9:41 p.m.– Love him or hate him, Simon Cowell is a huge part of Idol history. Great to have him back.
9:49 p.m.– OK, you have time for William Hung and a whole package about Ford commercials, yet no love for any of this year’s top 10. I get having the Idol greats back, but I feel kind of bad for this year’s contestants for getting swept aside.
10:02 p.m.- And the winner of season 15 and last winner of American Idol is … Trent Harmon! While I think La’Porsha out-sang him, Trent indeed worked really hard and improved exponentially over the last month. He’s also the more marketable one between the two.
10:03 p.m. - But La’Porsha will be just fine. Besides putting out her own music, I hope she joins fellow Idol alumni Joey Cook, Haley Reinhart and Casey Abrams as a vocalist for Postmodern Jukebox. She’d be a killer PMJ member. Also, I can’t wait to see Dalton in the next national tour of Rent or Jesus Christ Superstar. That man belongs in rock musicals, even if he doesn’t know it.
10:03 p.m.– Trent going the William Barfee route with his speech – “I worked so hard for this moment!” – 100 points and my eternal love to anyone who gets that reference.
10:05 p.m.– No. I’m not choked up. You’re choked up. All joking aside, I’ve been watching Idol for 15 years. I was 10 when the show began. I’ve been writing about it for two years. It’s one of my favorite shows and has been through the good times and the bad (I’m looking at you, Mariah!). There’s something about Idol that puts it ahead of competitors and knock-offs like The X Factor or The Voice. More stars have been made, more memorable television moments and it will be missed.
10:06 p.m.– Golden, out!