American Idol - The Top 3

Our final three for American Idol Season 8 is Kris Allen, Danny Gokey, and Adam Lambert. This is the 300th episode of American Idol, and tonight we visit the finalists hometowns with them for parades and interviews and all that.

Tonight each contestant will sing one song of their own choosing, and one selected by the judges.

Paula’s selection for Danny Gokey is “Dance Little Sister”, which is almost certainly a cruise line anthem. His performance and dancing with the saxophone player are also reminiscent of a Cruise Ship Idol but still have Paula on her feet dancing. I bet she loves cruises. Randy predictably loves it, and Kara has to question the dancing. Simon thinks it was the wrong song. I concur.

Randy and Kara have chosen “Apologize” by One Republic. Fortunately I have never heard this song before. Kris takes the song on behind a grand piano and as cool as Kris is, I think it’s gonna take a miracle for him to make it to the finale. Randy is satisfied with this choice, but Kara didn’t like the way he performed the song she chose for him. He got stuck with a lame song by lame judges. Simon completely calls Kara out on this and it quickly deteriorates to a shouting match between the judges. Next we see Kara standing behind a frieghtened Simon Cowell with her hand over his mouth. If Simon isn’t with the show next year, I hope they get an entirely new batch of judges. This has gotten out of hand.

Simon Cowell personally sought U2’s permission for Adam Lambert to sing “One”, and they obliged. Regrettably. It is possibly his most egregious song ever, but the judges are falling all over themselves praising Adam, and he has the momentum of a runaway train. And to think he and Randy had a previous professional relationship wherein Randy suggested he try out for the show. Some people think he is a plant and I think they may be right.

Idol gives back update: 300,000 mosquito nets have been donated. “But we’re not done yet” says Carrie Underwood.

Danny Gokey has selected Joe Cocker’s “You are So Beautiful”. I thought for sure he would go with Whitney. Man this guy has managed to continue getting more boring each week, despite each week being all new kinds of boring. What a tool. RJ - “Mad vocals”
KD - “Stunning” PA- “You left everyone breathless” SC- “Vocal masterclass”. Me- “This guy sucks.”

For his song, Kris Allen decided to go with “Heartless” by Kanye West. I am skeptical. But Kris surprises once again and it’s actually very impressive! One of his best performances ever, he really gave that song a Kris Allen feel to it and I think it could be a single. This will definitely earn a lot of votes, hopefully enough o be here next week. Judges absolutely love it and Simon admits that although he’d written of Kris, he now thinks he has a chance. Nice. I am of the same mind.

Adam Lambert’s up to round out the night and his choice is “Cryin”, the one with Alicia Silverstone in the video. A backup singer out of control distracted form the chorus, but Kara happily declares “We’ll see you at the final.” Paula agrees, saying “We’ll be seeing you next week, and many years after that.” Fantastic.

Nothing would make me happier than to see Kris Allen and Adam Lambert in the finale, and have Kris Allen win. I think its possible.