Thaindian News

May 27 (THAINDIAN NEWS) Ryan, before introducing the judges, makes a surprising announcement. “Coming into the vote last night, less than 2 percent separated the finalists,” he says. (Wow!) The he adds, “What started in Chicago ends tonight.”

As last night’s ‘American Idol’ Finale began, all twelve top contestants sang with music legend, ‘Alice Cooper’. They belted out ‘School’s Out For Summer’,with Orianthi returning on guitar. Casey James introduced Alice Cooper to the audience after a choir of schoolkids walk down the stairs. This performance was followed by Chris Allen singing ‘The Truth’, much to the crowd’s delight. It was Simon Cowell’s last show, and the end of the season. We were taken back over Simon’s career, and his often rude-seeming behavior. All of the judges, past and present, as well as Ryan Seacrest shared their feelings on bidding Simon adieu. “There will be many more shared memories throughout the show,” Ryan promises.

Siobhan Magnus and Aaron Kelley stepped up to perform the ‘BeeGees’ ‘How Deep is Your Love’. Their voices sounded great together. And then Michael Lynch came back to sing ‘Taking It To The Streets’ with ‘Michael McDonald’ as they complete the ‘Doobie Brothers’ song.

Then, a song set to the tone of some of Simon’s greatest insults. And they brought back many of the old contestants which Simon had cut down during the years. ‘Dane Cook’, with his song called ‘Simon Said’ says, “You sir, have the honesty of Abe Lincoln, and the charm of the guy that shot him.” to which even Simon laughed out loud.

The four female contestants who left early, ‘Lacey Brown’, ‘Didi Benami’, ‘Katie Stevens’ and ‘Paige Miles’ all joined in to sing a mix of tunes, and are soon joined by ‘Siobahn Magnus’ and ‘Crystal Bowersox’, as they introduce Christina Aguilera. She sings ‘You Lost Me’ and although the lyrics were difficult to understand, she sounded good. Ricky Gervais joins in by satellite just then to rib on Simon a little more, “You have taken ordinary people’s dreams and made those dreams a reality … and you only take 80 percent of their wages. What a guy.”

As the guys all sang a mixture of tunes which included ‘I Can’t Go For That’, to introduce Daryl Hall and John Oats, who sang, ‘You Make My Dreams’. And then Crystal came out smiling, to sing ‘Ironic’ by, Alanis Morissette. Crystal then introduces Alanis, and together they sing one of my all time favorites, they duet on the song ‘You Outta Know’ and wow I got chills! Crystal held her own with Alanis, by the way!

Five years ago last night, Carrie Underwood was crowned ‘American Idol’, and she came back tonight to sing her new single,’Undo It’. Awesome song! Carrie Underwood co-wrote the song with Kara Dioguardi. And then Ryan shows footage of Chris Allen, as he informs Crystal and Lee that they get to keep the cars which they designed for a Ford commercial, which they were both thrilled about. After ward, Casey sang ‘Poison’ song, ‘Every Rose Has It’s Thorn’, and Brett Michaels stepped out on stage! This man is a walking miracle! He almost died, from an appendix infection, and then complications from diabetes, and then a brain hemorrhage, and here he is, singing and playing right along with Casey! Then came ‘Lee DeWyze’ and ‘Chicago’ to sing a medley of hits by the band.

A few more Simon moments, in which Paula is asked if Simon was a flirt. “Is Simon a flirt?” Paula asks. “Yeah. If you’re a mirror. … He never flirted with me.” Then General Larry Platt…who auditioned with his song ‘Pants on the Ground’ and made himself an overnight sensation performed his song, with a group of “thug” boys all dancing with their pants sagging, only to be joined by William Hung, rapping right along with them all.

And out walks Paula, who says she really misses everyone. She greets each of the judges one at a time, “It’s fantastic being here tonight,” she says. “I really miss everyone!” She tells Randy that he looks charming, then she asks Ellen if she wants to dance. She tells Kara she looks beautiful, and Kara answers,”You look amazing.To Ryan, Paula says, “You’re so cute, I want my lip gloss back!”

“And Simon … that’s all I got. Goodnight, everybody!”
Then she laughs and explains the real reason she left ‘Idol’- “There’s a baby backstage with Simon’s haircut” (she looks at Simon and says),”And darling, it’s your turn to feed him.” She went on to tell him that ‘American Idol’ would not be the same without him, but as only she can tell him, it will go on. A few more scenes of Simon’s past are shown as “I Did It My Way” plays in the background. “Someone once told me, you have to know when to leave the party, it’s that simple” he says. “I’ve had the best 10 years of my life, so I genuinely mean this, thank you, and I’m going to miss you.”

And Simon is called to the stage by Ryan, after a wonderful performance of ‘Together We Are One” by former American Idol winners Kelly Clarkson, Ruben Studdard, Fantasia, Carrie Underwood, Jordin Sparks, Taylor Hicks, Kris Allen. “I didn’t think I was going to be this emotional, but I genuinely am,” Simon says. “What Paula says is true: The show goes forward, it will be different, but I just want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for the support, then fun.” And, when it comes to the question of who will replace him as judge, he says, “The truth is, you guys are the judge of this show, and you’ve done an incredible job over the years.”

Here comes Janet Jackson, with her new cropped hair, singing ‘Nothing’, and ‘Nasty Boy’, which was, by the way, originally choreographed by Paula Abdul.

Crystal and Lee join together for a final duet, ‘I Get By With A Little Help From My Friends’ as they introduce music legend ‘Joe Cochran’ who comes out to sing with them. Crystal and Lee both seem to be flying high in the moment of surrealism. And it has come down to the mother from Toledo, and the paint salesman from Chicago, and the results are in! And the winner is LEE! He can barely speak, and looks to be in shock-literally.

“How does it feel to be the American Idol?” Ryan wants to know.

“I don’t know!” Lee tells him. “It’s amazing. Thank you guys so much. For everything. Thank you. Thank you.” He tells Crystal he loves her. “Oh my God. Oh my God. … I’ve never been happier in my life.”
He and Crystal hug in tears, and he is thanking everyone. “I am so happy, I have never been so happy, I cannot describe this feeling.”