You Pick the Title

So the big excitement in the house last night was the American Idol finale. Quite an exciting show they put on. Hubby and I were commenting about wondering how much those people paid to get into that show with all those big names performing. It was so much fun watching the top 13 get to sing with all these huge music greats. The music was great, but the Idol awards, Blech. I could have done without revisiting Tatiana or Norman and Bikini Girl. That is one part of the show they can totally scrap in my opinion.

What struck me through the whole show is the seemingly genuine friendship that the top 2, Kris and Adam, seem have developed. It was really refreshing to watch. As was Kris' total shock and tonguetiedness ( I just invented a word, let's go with it) when he was announced the winner. I think he truly thought he didn't have a chance against Adam.

So why did Kris win was the topic of conversation amongst us last night. Several thoughts came up. First of all, let me say, I thought both final 2 were very, very talented. Just in very different ways. Adam's talent is way more obvious and in your face, while Kris' was much more subtle. That said, why didn't Adam, the obvious judges' and producers' favorite, win? Well this little Canadaian, who picked Kris from the top 32 but having to watch from the sidelines and not be able to vote, is gonna go out on a limb and tell you what I observed from the sidelines.

First, Adam was incredibly talented but incredibly polarizing. Either you liked his style or you didn't. He was very interesting to watch and you couldn't wait to see what he would do week to week with his theatrics even if you didn't like the screeming, but that is exactly the point. Would the general viewing audience of American Idol actually buy his CD, and listen without the visual effects, to his style of music. The majority of American Idol viewers, I'll bet, are not your hard core rockers.

Second, I think the judges and producer's blatant, constant endorsement and near worship of Adam actually backfired on him. I think it galvanized voters to vote for the more mainstream music style of first Danny and then Kris. This was American Idol after all, and their music is supposed to go onto mainstream radio, not a rock station. And it brought out the underdog factor. We all like to get behind the underdog, well, most of us anyway. Well, ok, me. I like to get behind the underdog.

Third, Adam came into the competition already with mega stage and professional experience. I mean the guy performed a main role with Val Kilmer in The Ten Commandments, the Musical. (Who knew Val Kilmer could sing, BTW, but that is a whole other post!) He was already the comsumate professional with great work ethic and know how, with his name well known in certain circles. Kris was totally the inexperienced guy next door who had a good voice and a desire to sing, who didn't even know if he could be the next American Idol when asked by the judges. And isn't the point of American Idol to find that unknown gem out there , the one hiding on that farm, or working behind the grocery store till, not necessarily the one who's already in the business in one form or another?

We watched Kris grow and get better and better each week. There is something inspirational about watching the underdog listen to the judges critiques and put them into practice and come into his own as an artist and performer. The judges didn't really critique Adam, they just fell all over themselves each week praising him, except when Simon would mention theatrics, but even then, he was never really critiqued. It didn't grab you and want to cheer him on and become his fan. He didn't grow on you. You were either a fan from the beginning or not.

Fourth, there was the Danny factor. When Danny got out, the question was who would get his votes. It only made sense that Danny's fans would back the guy who's style was more like Danny, which of course, was Kris. And with only 1 million votes out of 88 million separating Kris and Adam at the final three point those votes obviously went to Kris.


Fifth, there was something appealing to the general population about Kris' humbleness, in spite of the fact that Simon told him to cut out the humbleness, even in the face of Simon's disparaging comments the last few weeks and his telling the audience to make sure and get voting for Adam and even in the face of Paula and Kara's outright worship of Adam. Don't get me wrong I thought Adam was actually a very humble person too considering all the "can do no wrong praise" but he did have a very professional confidence in himself and his talents, whereas I don't think Kris really knew how good he actually is.

Sixth, never discount the tweenie vote, with their hundred mile an hour texting talents.

Congrats to both the final 2. I'm happy that Kris won. This will be life changing for him and his cute little wifey. I hope American Idol backs & promotes him well even if he wasn't their choice for the winner. I know I'll be buying his CD. Adam will, no doubt about it, get a big recording contract and go on to huge international fame, I'm sure. All he really needed was the exposure and for big recording execs to see him. In fact, it was probably better for Adam to not win as now he is free to do exactly what kind of recordings he wants without being tied to an American Idol contract and putting out what they deem would make the most money for them.

And that my friends is my post for my "Why Kris Won" or "Why Adam Lost" or "About American Idol by a Canadian" or "I haven't a clue what else to post about today so hey, why not post about American Idol" post. You can go ahead and pick your favorite title.

I've now done a first, writing about American Idol. What could be next? LOL.