Over here at IML we're getting excited to attend the performance finale of "American Idol" at the Nokia Theatre tomorrow night! That's right, we'll be there in the audience, screaming along with everyone else! We're psyched for it even though this season has not been, shall we say...exactly mindblowing. Maybe that's because of the contestants, or because it's Simon's last year, or because of Paula's absence, or because the previous two seasons were so great. Maybe that's because there's been a clear "front runner" from the beginning (Crystal Bowersox), if you're one of those viewers who focus on the competition aspect of the show. We think back to the Top 24 and maybe things would have been more interesting if certain people had made it into the Top 12 (uh...Alex Lambert? Katelyn Epperly? Lilly Scott?).
One reason why "American Idol" captures people's hearts and imaginations is that there's always a contestant you either (a) have a crush on or (b) identify with. Crystal is a unique and moving artist who genuinely seems to take everything in stride and stay true to herself. She's not perfect-looking, but she's beautiful. She's unconventional, but she has this "cool girl next door" thing going for her. Plus she's just an amazing and unique artist.
Lee DeWyze, on the other hand, started off shy and kind of overlooked. Nobody paid much attention to him at first. He didn't have a "story" the way some other contestants do (no baby, no diabetes); he was just a guy working at a paint store, making music on the side because he loved it. But he got more confident, picked terrific songs, and slowly emerged as someone fans could really connect with.
What we like about this finale is that it really seems to be about the music. Both Crystal and Lee are in their 20's; seasoned musicians who have been chasing a dream for years. It's not a question of younger versus older, or who's cuter, or who's been shaped and molded by stylists into something that doesn't resemble the person they started out as. When Crystal and Lee did their "Falling Slowly" duet two weeks ago, we knew these two were a great match in many ways. Whoever wins, both will have an amazing kick start to their careers (and only one will have to record this year's "American Idol" song; why does it always have to be so sappy?).
What's your prediction? Who will you be voting for? And why IS "American Idol" so addictive?
We'll report back tomorrow after the big show!
One reason why "American Idol" captures people's hearts and imaginations is that there's always a contestant you either (a) have a crush on or (b) identify with. Crystal is a unique and moving artist who genuinely seems to take everything in stride and stay true to herself. She's not perfect-looking, but she's beautiful. She's unconventional, but she has this "cool girl next door" thing going for her. Plus she's just an amazing and unique artist.Lee DeWyze, on the other hand, started off shy and kind of overlooked. Nobody paid much attention to him at first. He didn't have a "story" the way some other contestants do (no baby, no diabetes); he was just a guy working at a paint store, making music on the side because he loved it. But he got more confident, picked terrific songs, and slowly emerged as someone fans could really connect with.
What we like about this finale is that it really seems to be about the music. Both Crystal and Lee are in their 20's; seasoned musicians who have been chasing a dream for years. It's not a question of younger versus older, or who's cuter, or who's been shaped and molded by stylists into something that doesn't resemble the person they started out as. When Crystal and Lee did their "Falling Slowly" duet two weeks ago, we knew these two were a great match in many ways. Whoever wins, both will have an amazing kick start to their careers (and only one will have to record this year's "American Idol" song; why does it always have to be so sappy?). What's your prediction? Who will you be voting for? And why IS "American Idol" so addictive?
We'll report back tomorrow after the big show!
