American Idol Season 8: The Final 2

After over 100,000 auditions, over 30 hours of television, and more than half a billion votes, its down to two Idol contenders...Kris Allen from Conway, Arkansas and Adam Lambert from San Diego, California. These two got three chances each to win America and the judges over one last time. America, this is last chance this season to vote..you're choosing a winner. One bad performance could cost one of them the title. The crowd at the Nokia Theater in Hollywood was filled with celebrities and family and friends of the two finalists and fans eager to buy the new champion's first single. Who will be your new Idol? May the best man win!!!

Round 1-Favorite Performance of the Season
Adam Lambert-"Mad World"-Tears for Fears
The first time Adam performed this song...Simon gave him a standing ovation. Randy gave Adam's performance an A +; Changed the game for the other contestants; Rocked it again; Simon called it "over theatrical" and reminded him of "Phantom of the Opera" I love the long coat and fog

Kris Allen-"Ain't No Sunshine"-Bill Withers
Played the piano; one of Kris' best performances; Intimate brooding with audience; Allenized won't ever become a verb--Paula, what type of dictionary would accept that word; Simon loved it

Kris wins round 1

Round 2-Songs Picked by "Idol" creator Simon Fuller
Adam Lambert-"Change is Gonna Come"-Sam Cooke
Unbelievably good; Winning combination of both sides; Could become iconic in the future; Paula went gaga over Adam's version of that song; 100% back in the game

Kris Allen-"What's Going On?"-Marvin Gaye
Too light; Uplifting; Made Marvin Gaye Proud; Too laid back for the finals; Simon called it "three friends strumming around listening to Marvin Gaye"--lol, very funny, Simon

Round 2 goes to Adam

Round 3-The First Single of the Season 8 Winner (co-written by judge Kara DioGuardi)
Adam Lambert-"No Boundaries"
Randy did not like it; Kara was moved; Paula will forever be an Adam Lambert fan; Simon thinks Adam is the American Idol

Kris Allen-"No Boundaries"
Amazing competitor; the song fits Kris better than Adam; Incredible person to watch every week; Simon is happy that Kris is on the finale stage; He called it "One of the most compellings finales"

Winner?: Kris Allen
Runner-Up?: Adam Lambert--the world can sleep again

Carrie Underwood closed the show with the song used to say goodbye to the eliminated contestants --"Home Sweet Home"

American Idol Season 8: The Final Three

Next week, it's the big finale. This season's top 3...Kris, Adam and Danny are one step closer to stardom. These performances could make or break someone. This is their big chance to convince the judges and the public that they are worthy of becoming a pop music superstar. Time to lay it all on the line. Idol celebrated a milestone--300th EPISODE!!!

They perform two songs: Judges' Choice and Their Personal Pick

Judges' Choice:
Danny Gokey-"Dance Little Sister"-Terence Trent D'Arby as chosen by Paula
Energetic; Way to start the show; his dancing was still awkward; Simon hated the so called "Toy Saxophone Solo"--Very funny, Simon, lol. Danny should not go on a dance competition show

Kris Allen-"Apologize"-One Republic as chosen by Randy and Kara
Played the piano; Showed who he could become in the music business in the future; Kara wants Kris to take more risks; Simon hated the arrangement and stood up to Kara

Adam Lambert-"One"-U2 as chosen by Simon
Simon had to get permission from Bono to perform the song on the show. Bono happily granted that permission. Randy hated the arrangement; made it his own--predictable; Brilliant song choice; Simon thinks Adam will be in the final; If Adam is not in the finale, it will be devastating and upsetting

Round 2: Personal Pick
Danny Gokey-"You're So Beautiful"-Joe Cocker
Proved why he is on the show; stunning; brought the magic to the song; Vocal Masterclass

Kris Allen-"Heartless"-Kanye West
Played the guitar; thousand times than the original; Randy enthusiastically loved it; bold; brave; Simon suddenly likes Kris based on his second performance

Adam Lambert-"Crying"-Aerosmith
Should be a rock star; High notes like crazy; Simon thinks Adam won't easily get into the final

Two people in the finale?: Kris Allen, Adam Lambert
Eliminated?: Danny Gokey

The Results--88 million votes were cast--Whoa!!
Top 2: Kris Allen, Adam Lambert
Eliminated: Danny Gokey

Performances: Jordin Sparks-Season 6 winner--Her new song "Battlefield"
Katy Perry-"Waking Up in Vegas"-Her new song
Alicia Keys with a kid named Noah from Africa--He was amazing

Text "ALIVE" to 90999 to donate $5 to Alicia's charity that helps kids in Africa live a happy life

Next week, a new American Idol will be crowned--watch the final 2 perform for the title and your last chance to vote this season on Tuesday and after Idol, don't miss a special preview of the new fall series "Glee"--Check out their own version of Amy Winehouse's "Rehab"
Wednesday night, the winner is revealed. Season 8 comes to end next week!!

American Idol Season 8: The Final Four Rock On!!

The grand season finale is two weeks away. The final four must give their most awesome performances of their singing lives to keep their Idol dream alive. This week's theme is Rock Classics with awesome rock guitarist Slash of Guns 'N' Roses mentoring the final four.

Adam Lambert-"A Whole Lotta Love"-Led Zeppelin
He was shockingly in the bottom two last week but can he avoid it this week? He was a rockstar tonight; He and Slash would make a record--That would make No. 1 on the charts!!!--Rock God!!--Are you serious???--Simon's favorite performance and he predicted that the three other Idols won't top that--we'll see about that. A Led Zeppelin song is performed on the Idol show for the first time---Safe!!

Allison Iraheta-"Cry Baby"-Janis Joplin
Randy didn't like it; Wrong Song Choice; She tried too hard; Sounded like the original; Should have stayed from Janis Joplin---Big mistake, Allison--Safe--I like her

Danny Gokey-"Dream On"-Aerosmith
Ultimate rock anthem!!!--Hard song to sing; Tricky genre for him; Last note sounded like someone is choking a cat!!-Danny, dude, don't sing rock songs on your album--Bottom 2!!

Kris Allen-"Come Together"-The Beatles
Simon described Kris' performance as "Eating Ice for Lunch"---ewww!!!; Kara hated it; He played the guitar; Bottom 2

Duets:
Danny Gokey & Kris Allen-"Renegade"-Styx
Close harmonies; Danny sang better than Kris

Adam Lambert & Allison Iraheta-"Slow Ride"-Fog Hat
Two seasoned rockstars on the stage; Adam & Allison should record a rock duet; Adam & Allison won the Battle of the Duets and Adam may have helped Allison's chances of staying in the competition

Bottom 2?: Kris Allen, Danny Gokey
Going Home?: Danny Gokey

The Results--64 million votes were cast

Safe: Kris Allen, Danny Gokey, Adam Lambert--surprise, surprise!!

Eliminated: Allison Iraheta--boo!!!!!

Performances: Paula Abdul and her new single "I'm Just Here for the Music"
Chris Daughtry and No Doubt

Group Performance--"School's Out"-Alice Cooper
Slash playing guitar

Next week, the final 3 battle it out for a place in the finale.
It's all guys--What happened to the girls on Idol this year?; Why were they struggling in the competition?