Jordin! Jordin! Jordin! Okay okay, i was very much rooting for Blake Lewis, I’m still a Blaker Girl all the way…but i should be happy for the 17-year old from Glendale, Arizona. Afterall, she had the better vocals. Let’s give her the title. 
This year’s finale episode was not that good compared to the finale’s of previous years. I call this year’s finale “dry”. Of course it’s relative. But really, the numbers weren’t that so great. No offense to the Golden Idols, I think they’re great. It’s just that, the overall presentation was dry and tamed and gloomy and what not. Where have all the sparkling lights gone? And the confetti when Jordin was announced winner? Seriously, I watched all the AI finale episodes, and this one was rather on the average side, as far as impact is concerned. Whatever…
Here were the production numbers (as far as I can remember):
-“I Saw her Standing There” number by Blake and Jordin
-Gwen Stefani song number
-Kelly Clarkson sang “Never Again”
-Best Presentation Award for Margaret Fowler (the big old lady known for wearing the yellow suit that makes her similar to BIG BIRD)
-Top 6 boys, song number with Smokey Robinson
Barry B. ,Doug E. Fresh, Blake Lewis beatboxing. (I love Blaaaaaaaaaaake!!!!!!)
-Most Original Vocal Award for Sholandric Stallworth
-Top 6 Girls, song number with Ms. Gladys Knight
-(by the way, some known celebs in the audience were: Justin Guarini, Constantine Maroulis, Ace Young, Jennifer Hudson, David Hasslehoff, etc…)
-Tony Bennett song number (For Once In My Life)
-Best Buddies Award for Jonathan and Kenneth
-Melinda Doolittle sang with BeBe and CeCe Winans
-Carrie Underwood sang “I’ll Stand by You”
-Clive Davis (gave a speech that actually went nowhere)
-The African Children’s Choir
-Comedic tribute to Sanjaya Malakar, and he sang “You Really Got Me” with another appearance of Ashley, the crying girl. ( I loved the airblowin’)
-Green Day performs
-Taylor Hicks performs with the harmonica. Awesome! Yeahhhh!!!
-Song number by Jordin Sparks and Ruben Studdard
-Bette Middler sang “Wind Beneath My Wings”
-Song Medley by Kelly Clarkson, Taylor Hicks, Carrie Underwood, Ruben Studdard
A filled-up Kodak Theater with fascinating lights and powerful support from fans… That was the scenario at the season’s final performance night. Actress Denise Richards was part of the audience, and I’m sure there are other Hollywood stars that the cameras didn’t see. Other season 6 top 10 finalists were in the theater as well (spotted were Sanjaya Malakar, Lakisha Jones, Haley Scarnato, Chris Richardson, Melinda Doolitle, Chris Sligh, and Phil Stacey -who was kinda wearing a navy uniform-)
As reported earlier, Paula had a broken nose for trying to not fall over her dog “Tulip”. She didn’t appear with any nose bandage, she still looked as lovely as ever, but I thought I spotted a little bruise in her left cheek (I’m not sure though).
Constantine Maroulis was also in the house. And Chris Daughtry performed during the closing credits.
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Coin toss was made last week to determine who will go first. Blake was first to perform, Jordin last. Each had three songs to sing.
For Blake Lewis:
You Give Love a Bad Name
Thank Goodness he chose to perform this song. No doubt it was his best performance. Paula said: “You outdid yourself, I wish I can give a 10 + 10 +10…”. Simon said: “You’re not the best singer, but you are the best performer…I’m someone in the middle.. But I don’t think it matters because it was you best performance”.
She Will Be Loved
He sounded so confident singing this song, he can make a hit out this rendition, much to the chagrin of Maroon 5…well, not so much. Blake sang the song well, I’m sure Maroon 5 is proud too. Randy Jackson said: “Great song, great vocals—Very natural”. Paula liked the performance too.
This is My Now
He was kinda pitchy in the middle part, but he was still displayed so much confidence and that’s what matters. He generally did a good job.
+++++++++
For Jordin Sparks:
Fighter
She surely looks better without the curly locks. I thought she sounded good, but Simon thought otherwise, saying: “Vocals were a bit shrieky in the middle”. Simon preferred Blake Lewis for the first round.
A Broken Wing
This time, Jordin got the praises from the judges. Randy Jackson said that it was “Better than the original” , which was Martina McBride. Simon said with much conviction: “That was good”.
This is My Now
This is more of Jordin’s genre. She fits the song, and she sang the song so well. In as much as I would want Blake Lewis to win, I think Jordin’s rendition for this song will pull in much votes for her. She even felt like a winner already, she went emotional. And the judges were impressed too. Simon said: “You just wiped the floor with Blake on that song”.
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“This is My Now” is clearly in favor of just Jordin. How could it not be so right for her? That song was practically a ballade and it was so not Blake’s genre. Oh well, crappy songs are so American Idol finale signatures.
In Season 4, Carrie Underwood had the better rendition of the finale song versus Bo Bice (of course, that very mushy song was so out of the rocker’s league). Last year’s finale song was like the worst forgettable song ever. Katharine McPhee and Taylor Hicks probably just endured the 5-minutes of singing that song.
Results will be out in a few hours… I do hope Blake wins. Yes, Jordin has the better pipes, but Blake is far more entertaining.