Adam beat in surprise upset, but star-studded lineup makes everyone happy in festival-like atmosphere – a closeup from the Nokia venue
By Hayley Taylor Block

Lambert, Abdul and winner Kris Allen at AI finale

Los Angeles (Hollywood Today) – 5/21/09 — After President Obama’s amazing victory and dark horse “Slumdog Millionaire” pulling in the Best Picture Oscar, it shouldn’t have been a shock that American Idol’s eighth season would crown an underdog as well. However, when Ryan Seacrest read out Kris Allen’s name instead of odds on favorite Adam Lambert, you could feel, sense and hear the howls of surprise inside the dark Nokia Theater. And no one seemed more surprised than Allen himself.
As Seacrest did his usual build up, Allen had looked ready for defeat, and his jaw literally dropped open as the giant video screens flashed KRIS, a curtain of fireworks fell behind him, and confetti exploded from above.
The standing ovation for the Arkansas winner was the perfect ending to a night of unprecedented glamour and spectacle for the highest rated show on television that in its final round set a record with nearly one hundred million votes.
The all-star music celeb turn-out equaled any big festival – and they get paid scale, not the $1 million several of these acts would normally demand. But the ratings on an AI make it worth it to them.
The stars of the evening were piled on high with numerous celebrity performers on hand. However, the night really came to life each time Allen and Lambert, separately or together, in a duet or with the 13 top Idol finalists, came onto the stage. The show was definitely the most entertaining and enjoyable finale of the eight seasons, with amazing performances from Queen to Cyndi Lauper to Kiss, mixed in with funny awards and crazy light displays.
Despite the competitive nature of American Idol, Allen and Lambert seemed to have developed a genuine friendship during the season, and were very supporting to one another and refreshingly humble. Also, for the first time in a long time, both finalists seemed equally deserving of the title, though they’re polar opposites in style. Even acidic judge Simon Cowell told Lambert and Allen (with the most sincerity he’s ever mustered), “I thought you were both brilliant, unusually, incredibly nice people, and I think both of you should be incredibly proud of what you achieved last night.”

Allen, the quiet “dark horse” from Arkansas, consistently wowed audiences with his heartfelt and stellar musical performances, including unusual arrangements and top notch guitar playing. Meanwhile, Lambert, the front runner rocker from San Diego, took in America with his charismatic smile, unbelievable range, and theatrical performances.

The moments before the show went live were full of an excited frenzy, the air thick with suspense. The show began by poking fun at the judges (who were dressed to the nines), which was a great way to open. From there, the musical performances began, and consistently upped the ante until the exciting final results.
The thirteen finalists started the show in matching all-white outfits, doing a passionate cover of Pink’s “So What.” David Cook then came out with a black arm band, honoring the recent loss of his brother to cancer. He gave an emotional performance of his ballad “Permanent”, to which he dedicated the iTunes’ proceeds to cancer research.
My least favorite performance was next by Lil Rounds and Queen Latifah, doing Latifah’s new single without much originality. However, that was followed by my personal favorite performance of the night, Jason Mraz’s “I’m Yours.” Anoop and Alexis each got solos before Mraz himself came down the stairs, his sleek voice seducing the crowd and the reggae beat making everyone a little happier.
Allen and Keith Urban were paired to sing “I Wanna Kiss a Girl,” which was a nice rendition with both playing guitar, but definitely not as exciting as the pairing of Lambert and Kiss a few songs later. However, that performance was followed by the girls glamming out to sing Fergie’s “Glamorous,” with Fergie herself joining in to sing her hit, “Big Girls Don’t Cry”.
Then the Black Eyed Peas took over the stage with Fergie for the group’s rocking, “Boom Boom Pow.” Though Fergie looked a bit tired in her black leather getup and metallic Halloween nails, her voice and presence was as heartfelt as ever.
Interspliced throughout the acts were “Golden Idol Awards”, which Seacrest presented to the worst (though most memorable) auditionees: Katrina “Bikini Girl” Darrell, Nick “Norman Gentle” Mitchell, and Tatiana Nicole Del Toro, whose apparently staged version of “Saving All My Love” ended with her being dragged off stage by guards.
Definitely one of the highlights was when the fourth judge added this season, Kara DioGuardi, came out to sing with Bikini Girl, who had knocked her song arrangements during the auditions (which was shown in clips just before the performance). Bikini Girl seemed genuinely surprised and annoyed when DioGuardi came out in her black sheath dress and upstaged her. Then in what seems to have been either a staged “equipment malfunction” or a last minute cop-out, DioGuardi’s dress flopped open, half revealing a black bikini, which she quickly grabbed closed while still trying to talk with her hands.
Another great performance was the duet by Allison Iraheta and Cyndi Lauper doing “Time After Time.” The sixteen year-old seemed to be ecstatic to be singing with Lauper, though she completely held her own, proving to be one of the best finalists of the year.
Following that intimate set was Danny Gokey, who seemed a bit down after his loss last week, joined by Lionel Ritchie for a hybrid version of several of Ritchie’s songs.
Next, Lambert and the band Kiss did an incredible and crowd-blowing performance of some of the band’s hits, with Kiss in full makeup and Lambert wearing studded shoulder wings.
All the finalists joined in to sing along as Carlos Santana made magic with his guitar on his hit songs “Black Magic Woman” and “Smooth.” That bit of fun was followed by a surprise appearance by actor Steve Martin who played the banjo on a bouncy duet with Michael Sarver and Megan Joy. It was a song Martin wrote which appears on his album which drops today.
The guys then sang with Rod Stewart, who was as rocking as ever, though he looked like the rock and roll lifestyle had definitely begun to catch up with him. Finally, Allen and Lambert sang “We Are the Champions” with Brian May, bringing everyone in the house to their feet to sing along with the iconic and legendary song. The two finalists stood center stage next to guitarist Brian May and drummer Roger Taylor, surrounded by fog and light beams.
All in all, it was a much more interesting evening than anticipated (even for the most cynical America Idol viewers), and definitely a great way to see some favorite performers from the last several decades in one star studded evening. American Idol is a show that plays to all age groups, from kids to grandparents, with old fashioned showmanship, high tech wizardry and most of all music. The finale was definitely a showcase for why it is TV’s biggest tent-pole show, drawing in America’s widest audience.
The fact that there was a surprise happy ending and a new “underdog” was crowned proved a great storyline. However, none of it would have worked without Allen, who genuinely seemed humbled by his win. Although he could barely speak immediately following his victory, Allen’s tearful embrace of his wife onstage provided the emotional message.
Although I did pass a crying seven year-old girl holding an “I love Adam” sign on my way out, most people seemed happy with the outcome. It definitely left me filled with the hope that even in these difficult times, maybe, just maybe, after all, every dog does have his day.