I think David Cook said it best when he said, "American can't get it wrong." There were reasons for both Adam Lambert and Kris Allen to win and in the end Kris took the title. I still believe Adam to be the better singer/performer, but I think Kris will benefit more from winning.

Last night's finale was, I think, the best ever. It was star-studded and moved at a great pace. There were highlights and klunkers spread over the 2+ hour event.

I enjoyed the montage of the judges' "quirks" - Randy with his "for me, for you"; Kara with her "sweetie" and "honey"; Paula with her expansive vocabulary; and Simon with his "what?" I liked that part.

AI alum, Mikalah Gordon and Carly Smithson were brought back as hometown correspondents, although we didn't see much of them. Last year's winner, David Cook, sang a goose-bumpy new song Permanent. Loved it!

There were Golden Idol Awards throughout the night. The Outstanding Male award went to Nick Mitchell aka Norman Gentle and Outstanding Female went to Tatiana Del Toro. Best Personality may have been given too quickly to Katrina Darrell aka Bikini Girl. Miss Personality seemd a bit miffed when judge Kara DioGuardi joined her on stage and out sang her by a mile only to end the performance by ripping open her dress to expose her bikini. Kara was clearly not comfortable with this, but it was kinda cute after their tiff during Katrina's original audition. Katrina, on the other hand, seemed not so happy with having to share the spotlight.

Stars included Queen Latifah singing with Lil Rounds; Jason Mraz performing with Anoop Desai and Alexis Grace; Keith Urban with Kris Allen; Cyndi Lauper with Allison Iraheta; Danny Gokey was joined by Lionel Ritchie; Adam sang with KISS; Carlos Santana performed with Matt Giraud; and Steve Martin played banjo for a duet with Michael Sarver and Megan Joy. Group performances included the gals singing with Fergie and the Black Eyed Peas and the guys singing with Rod Stewart - neither of which was anything to write home about. Finally, Adam and Kris performed with Queen.

As usual, I started watching AI late so I text messaged my sister, Kara, to let her know I was behind and not to call or text when the winner was announced. Just before 9:00 I decided to call her and watch the end of the show with her and then go back to watch the rest. Kara has been a HUGE Adam fan and supporter since day 1. She was not too happy with me when I said Kris would win. She knows I thought Adam was the better singer/performer, but that I figured the Kris voters would pull him through. As we watched the announcement she shreiked in terror as she learned that Adam had not won. I calmed her down and went to answer the phone...my other sister was calling.

A short time later Kara went out to walk her dog and sent me the funniest text I have ever read. She wrote, "There r a ton of bats flying around me rite now. I hope one swoops down, flies thru my eye and take a big lethally poisonous bat (poop) on my brain." Guess she didn't really calm down, but I got the laugh of a lifetime out of it.

Until next season...

Last night's show was filled with performances and not much else. Guess what, I LOVED it that way.

Remaining contestants Adam Lambert and Kris Allen each performed 3 songs. The first was a re-do of their personal favorite performance of the season; The second was a pick by AI creator, Simon Fuller and the third was the "winner's song". More about that misnomer later.

Adam chose Mad World, which I think was a brilliant choice. Randy gave him an A+, Kara described him as an "incredible artist", Paula said she was proud of him and Simon said the original performance of that song was his best of the season, but thought this performance was "overly theatrical".

Kris' personal pick was Ain't No Sunshine. Randy said it was one of his best ever, Kara agreed with Randy and said he "creates an intimate bond with his audience" andPaula said he "awakens the spirit". Simon began by saying that when he learned Kris was in the final he questioned whether or not American made the right decision. He went on to say that after that performance he was taking it all back.

Simon Fuller's choice for Adam was Sam Cooke's Change is Gonna Come. I thought he did well in the lower register, but that he lost it a bit in the higher. Randy said Adam can "sing his face off", Kara thought it was his "best performance and interpretation of the season" and said he "used both sides" of his performing style, Paula said it was "the best" she's heard in him sing and Simon said he was "100% back in the game". Was he ever out of the game? I don't think so.

Kris performed What's Going On (Marvin Gaye) as Simon Fuller's pick. Randy thought it was "too light at this point" in the competition, Kara said it was "true to yourself", Paula said he "tore that song up" and that he made Marvin Gaye proud, and Simon said it sounded like "3 friends in their bedroom strumming along to Marvin Gaye" and said it was "too laid back" at this part of the competition.

Finally, both Adam and Kris had to sing No Boundaries which is the "winner's song" and was co-written by Kara DioGuardi. Winner's song? how about having to sing this song should be reserved for the worst singer of the competition. It was bad. Neither Adam nor Kris did it well, but Kris did is less-bad. After Adam's performance Randy confirmed that he "can sing anything", but said it wasn't his favorite and that it was pitchy; Kara was "moved and proud" of his performance; Paula said she's a "fan forever" and Simon pretty much slammed the song when he said he wouldn't judge the song, but the performance. He said that Adam is "one of the best" ever on the show and that he's the most original. Simon further said, "I believe with my heart that we have found a worldwide star."

Kris didn't fare too well with the judges either given the horrible song he had to sing. Randy said the "key was too high", Kara said he was "a compelling artist" and that he's "come into his own", Paula said he should "take it in" referring to the entire night's experience and Simon said he "thoroughly, thorougly deserved to be on this stage tonight". Kara admitted that the song was in a key that was too high for his voice and seemed to do some damage control as she told the voters to "vote on the season" not this performance. 

Immediately after the show my sister, Kara, sent me a text claiming Adam the winner and pointing out that she picked him from "dia uno". I wrote back and said I think it's going to be Kris. Bring it on little sis, Kris is gonna win...whether I want him to or not.

I was helping a friend with homework last night so I wasn't home. I planned to watch AI when I got home (thanks to tivo), but at about 8:58 my sister sent me a "Holy crap" text. I quick wrote back and told her I wasn't watching so not to ruin it for me, but on the heels of that message I got her "OMG" message. At the same time, my friend's phone buzzed. A gal he knows sent an "American Idol upset" text. Okay, forget the homework and turn on AI to see what these 2 are talking about. He turned on the tv and we saw Danny standing next to Ryan watching the replay of his time on AI. What?!? Danny can't be the one to go. I picked him to win. I called my sister and in talking with her and my friend I decided that I didn't really want any of them to go and yet at the same time I was okay with any of them going. My sister is still rooting for Adam and my friend is pushing for Kris. At this point, I am confused about who I want.

The show started with the Ford commerical and a feel-good fundraising effort (Keep a Child Alive) headed by Alicia Keyes. A young boy from Rwanda sang I'm the World's Greatest.

The other performers for the night were Jordin Sparks and Katy Perry. Jordin looked amazing, but I wasn't thrilled with her new song Battlefield. That said, I will give it a shot in recorded form because I don't really ever think the live performance does the song justice. Katy Perry sang Waking Up in Vegas while wearing an Elvis-esque leotard complete with stand up collar. Initially, I hated the song, but then it kind of grew on me. I'll give it another chance. Maybe it will sound better without her buns hanging out?

They showed each of the contestants at their hometown celebrations complete with visits to the morning news show, the AT & T store's parking lot, parade and performance during which the city official proclaimed it "Danny Gokey/Kris Allen/Adam Lambert Day" in that city. Kris has clearly captured the vote of every girl in elementary school, whereas Adam seems to have the eyes of middle-aged women. My favorite parts of the home visit videos was the emotional reaction of Kris' dad upon his return to Conway, Arkansas and Adam's performance of the National Anthem at a Marine base in California. Now, that's the Adam I want to see. It was fantastic.

In the end, Kris was the first to learn he was safe followed by Adam. I no longer have a horse in the race and will truly be happy for whoever wins. I think they both deserve it.

Until next week's finale...

WOW, a total shocker that Rocker Allison Iraheta was sent home after rock night on Idol.

I have to admit that once again I got home way too late so I zipped through the show, but I saw all that was worth watching and even that which wasn't.

Show opened with the Ford Commercial and group performance which was spiced up with Slash playing as the Top 4 performed Alice Cooper's School's Out.

Ryan than visited with the Top 4 as they sat on the couch. The funniest part was Danny totally making fun of his "horror note" from Tuesday's performance. He definitely took that bashing in stride and turned it into a great tv moment.

Paula Abdul left the safety of the judges table and gave a very safe performance of her new song I'm Just Here for the Music. Well, that may be, but it is highly engineered, lip synced music. Despite that fact, I really liked the song. Another song I really like is Just a Girl by No Doubt, but Gwen Stafani did not have the priviledge of being engineered and lip-syncing. Her performance was horrible. So horrible that as much as I love the song I had to fast forward through it.

Daughtry returned to the AI stage and did the debut song off his new album - No Surprise. Unlike Paula, he was not engineered and was not lip syncing and unlike Gwen, he did great. Loved the performance and loved the song. Can't wait til it comes out in July.

Kris Allen was the first to learn he was safe. I was absolutely shocked - not upset, just shocked. Adam Lambert was the second to learn that he was safe. This left Danny Gokey and Allison Iraheta standing. After 64 million votes, America decided that Allison would be the one to go home leaving the final field with 3 guys who are headed home for their hometown parades.

Who's gonna win? I still have no idea. Who do you think is gonna win? Who do you want to win? Are they the same?

Gee, I wonder which contestants will do well with rock and which may struggle a bit, hmmm.

The Top 4 were given a shot at rock during last night's show and Slash of Guns 'n Roses and Velvet Revolver fame was the mentor of the night. I actually liked him as the mentor because he actually provided criticism for each of the contestants - no pandering. For a twist, they added duets to the show with Kris and Danny singing and Adam and Allison. Gee, how did they come up with those pairings????

Adam Lambert was the first to perform and he did Led Zeppelin's Whole Lotta Love. Slash told him to not "improvise in the upper register so much" and Adam said he would take that advice given that it was Slash. As much as I love Adam I have to say he didn't blow me away as much as I would have expected. Randy said that no one could say he was Broadway after that performance and said he was "a rock star tonight". Kara described him as a "Rock God", Paula said he was "Whole Lotta Perfect" and Simon mockingly started by saying the performance was "understated" but went on to say it was his favorite of Adam's performances and that "nobody can top that". What a way to start the night...especially for the other 3.

Allison Iraheta was in her comfort zone with Janis Joplin's Cry Baby. Slash's criticism matched what Simon has been saying - that she needs to get past her fear and bring it full on. She looked amazing and can definitely sing Janis. Randy didn't love the song choice and didn't love the performance. Paula described her as "downright fearless" and said that if they do a biopic of Janis, she's got the role. Simon thought the vocals were terrific, but too like the original. Allison and Simon then got into a bit of a battle over the song choice and she slapped him a bit, figuratively of course.

Kris Allen and Danny Gokey then took the stage to do their duet of Renegade by Styx. They both had major klinkers from the get go and it got worse as they went along. It was HORRIBLE! Kara said that the "sum was better than the parts" and Randy agreed. Paula described it as "powerful and compelling" - huh??? Simon was simple and said "Danny was better".

After being told that Danny did better in the duet, Kris Allen took the stage to sing Come Together by the Beatles. Slash's criticism was that Kris needed to "increase the animation" if he was going to perform with his guitar. I think Kris did a fantastic picking a song. He's not a rocker and he knew it so he went soft, classic rock versus the over the top hard rock. I didn't love the performance and all I could come up with was a big ? to describe the performance. Randy didn't love the vocals, but loved the guitar. Kara didn't love it and thought he tried too hard. Simon described it as "eating ice for lunch" and went onto explain that it'll leave "nothing to remember afterward". Oh, almost forgot, Paula said it was "compelling" this was the second performance she described as such - guess that was the word on her "word-a-day" calendar.

Danny Gokey took on Aerosmith's Dream On. I didn't love it, but think he did okay given that he's not a rocker. I thought the last notes of the song were his best, but Simon compared them to a horror movie. Randy gave Danny an A+ for his "valiant effort" and Paula, having to out do Randy gave him an A++. Kara didn't love the performance, but did appreciate that he took a risk and a chance saying, "that's what doing rock is about".

The final performance of the night was Adam and Allison singing Foghat's Slow Ride. I was entertained from the get go. I enjoy watching them when they are alone and I think they are even better together. Randy said it was "the bomb," Kara called them the "Rock God and Rock Goddess" and Paula said it was "a beautiful thing" - whatever that means to a rock duet. Simon told Adam that he "may have given Allison a chance to stay in the competition" with that performance and Adam seemed truly happy for that saying, "she's like my little sister".

Putting aside the fact that Adam and Allison were almost destined to do better than Kris and Danny in the rock duet forum, I have to say that I found the difference between the two performances to be less a factor of rockers vs. non-rockers and more of a collaboration vs. competition. I felt that Kris and Danny were trying to out do one another and "win" whereas Adam and Allison totally played off one another in an attempt to make the other better and to almost force themselves to do better. Bottom line - Adam and Allison were great and Kris and Danny were horrible.

I think it is tough to call who's gonna go tonight because they all have a unique style and a very different fan base, but if I have to pick I'm gonna say that Kris will be going home tonight. We'll see.