Okay, having watched it back, I can’t help being happy for Lee. And I didn’t catch “Crystal, I love you” the first time around either. It’s hard to denigrate him when this clearly means so much to him.
But I still don’t think he’s a better singer than Casey, Mike or Siobhan.
Further proof (as if it was required) that this is not and never has been a singing competition. Singing ability is only a necessary entry condition to the popularity contest.
With a few notable exceptions, all the AI people who are having actual careers were missing. 
FTR, I know a voice teacher and former opera singer who says Crystal is the best. So much for all of Dio’s “I used to be in a band” schtick. This woman has made singing into her life’s work, and she voted for Crystal.
Apparently the morning of the final performance show, Crystal got dumped. Apparently Big Tony couldn’t handle the fame.
Ouch.
I’d guess he has a bright future in comedy ahead of him.
He seems to have perfect timing…
Part of me wants to just say he’s a douche bag, but on the other hand, who can say what it’s like to have your SO suddenly be famous and have a wild change in lifestyles? Even normal rock star success takes more than four months and you can get used to it.
What was that good-luck charm PapaSox had peeking out of his pocket? I thought Mr. Bill, but I didn’t get a close enough look.
Huh…and as the show was beginning, I turned to my wife and said “One of tonight’s ‘shocking surprises’ will be Crystal’s boyfriend proposing to her”. Guess I was a smidge off on that one…
Upon hearing Siobhan again, I think she really could have had a shot at the top if only she hadn’t screamed.
I personally think Crystal was/is better, but at this point it doesn’t make any difference.
I mean, not only those two, but some of the others got 8 weeks or more of singing one or more songs in front of millions of people and get name recognition.
If that doesn’t jump start a music career, well - maybe it really wasn’t in the cards.
Daughtry didn’t win, and hasn’t done badly since. Jennifer Hudson didn’t win, but doubt she is crying about the fact while dusting her Oscar. I know lots of people have serious doubts about the talent of people on American Idol, but regardless what you think, that kind of weekly exposure is something most musicians would kill for!
I am sure there are lots more talented, young singers out there - some even with a hit single or some moderate fame in their region - but without a huge marketing push, few of them will ever have the opportunity to perform live on television for that many weeks with that many people tuning in.
So - sorry Crystal didn’t win, as I think she is quite good - but in the grand scheme of things, it doesn’t really matter an iota at this stage of her career.
Perhaps a smidge, but at least you called Lee’s victory back in top 24 days. I said your name, bitch!
So is it becoming SOP that the obviously superior artist takes second place? Not that it hurts, look at last year’s idol and runner up, but still… it’s freaky. Lee’s fine, but he’s a dishclout to Bowersox.
I think that the bigger SOP is that ever since they allowed instruments, a white guy who plays guitar has taken the title.
For the folks that claim that this season was (un)memorable, try my AI Season 9 Sporcle quiz.
Got 11. I had to leave the room with over a minute left, but in all fairness I don’t think I’d have gotten any of the ones I missed in that minute.
Got the top 12, and one guy not in the top 12 (because I remembered his last name was the last name of one of the top 2 from last year). As the remaining names popped on the board after 4 minutes. I can honestly say I wold have never remembered them.
Yeah, I had nine of the top 12, and two others – the one you mentioned, and one who absolutely should have been in the top 12. The three top-12ers I missed, I probably never would’ve remembered.
Chicks dig guys playing guitar. That’s why the drummers get the cast-off groupies.
Caught up on DVR last night.
I also found Alanis’s appearance hilarious. Also sad that Alanis was (apparently) okay with it.
Glad to see Brett Michaels in apparently good form after the month he’s had. Sounded great.
Ditto for Janet, who I’m sure is still recovering from losing her brother. Am I wrong or was her performance one of the only (the only?) that was lip-synched? The vocals sounded VERY produced (and then VERY rough in the one little section where she sort of spoke to the audience near the end).
I feel bad for Ricky Minor. Unless I missed it through all the “Simon is leaving” video packages, was there really not even one little mention that it was also their band leader’s last night?
I remember giggling somewhere near the end of the night when the camera caught a glimpse of him looking Pissed. Off.