I agree that Adam did something between the two versions, with a bit of signature Adam thrown in at the end. He may borrow bits and pieces from various arrangements, but in the end it’s unmistakably his. Same thing with “Ring of Fire.” He is the most creative artist ever on this show. I actually find myself disappointed when he does a song straightforward, even though he’s excellent at that too.
Yeah, it wasn’t note-for-note Gary Jules’ version, though it was closer to that than the original.
They were way, way over time. I think they, especially Ryan, try to credit the arrangement when possible (after the Daughtry “scandal” of '05) but they were just trying to get the show moving.
By the way, I don’t ever recall Simon standing for anyone else, has he?
This is as close to a complete blow out as I can recall. I can’t imagine anyone but Adam winning this. The only thing that could possibly stop him would be homophobia and I just don’t believe there’s enough of it to overwhelm the plain fact: the guy is all that and a bag 'o chips.
the hat didn’t bother me but I did noticed in his kids photos that he didn’t have the alien in his forehead. At least it wasn’t noticeable.
I also did a “snort and snerk” when Mr. Lambert said that Adam didn’t do sports.
At the same time, I’d almost prefer Adam NOT win so that he’s not tied to the AI contract and stuff. I’d rather he come in second place, get signed by someone else (as is usually the case anyway), and be allowed his artistic freedom (for lack of a better phrase).
It’s becoming abundantly clear that once we get rid of Scott, Lil and (sigh) Anoop, we’ve got a contest. I think the judges are getting fed up with Lil’s crap performances, and if she doesn’t break out with something amazing in the next week or two they won’t even bother using the save on her.
Top 5, in order from worst to best should (will?) be: Danny, Matt, Kris, Allison and Adam. Hopefully, out of reach of the “save,” everyone will finally realize that Danny is a mediocre singer at best and not much of a showman. Matt and Kris have real talent but not nearly distinctive enough. When watching last night I forgot Matt was even in the competition, and I was almost finished writing this post when I realized I omitted Kris completely. Also I think both have been in the bottom three at some point. Has anyone ever won who’s been in the bottom three?
Allison has no real chance of beating Adam, though she deserves a crack at it more than anyone else (especially Gokey). Sam Stone is right - she’s got mad natural talent and deserves to have a career, but Adam is still out of her league. But for a record contract and a marketing team, the guy is already a star.
“Has anyone ever won who’s been in the bottom three?”
Fantasia.
I believe E19 has dibs on the top 2, maybe even (post-Doughtry) the top 4 or 5.
I think the only reason, or the most obvious reason that Adam is miles ahead of Alison has everything to do with age and experience. A quick lookup of Adam Lambert on you Tube yields a treasure trove of video showing that he’s got tons of stage experience, whereas Allison is a little Janis Joplin - 100% raw, untutored gift.
Someone says this every year but it’s a myth. ALL of the top 10 and perhaps even the top 36 are obligated to 19 Entertainment unless 19 opts not to sign them.
The winner has plenty of artistic freedom, if they choose to exercise it. People fretted over David Cook being burdened with a win, but his album - while not earth-shattering - is pretty good, and sounds very much like the David Cook album you might expect (Bar Ba Sol? Anyone?). The biggest impact on “artistic freedom” for the first record is that all of the top 10 have to do the summer tour, which allows little time to write and record, and of course there’s the obligatory first single which usually is released and disappears quickly if it’s not very good. In Cook’s case he managed to make the best of it, “magic rainbows” notwithstanding.
So what I’m saying is, it’s not like they hand the winner 12 tracks of computer-generated tween-bait pablum and say “you must record this or your career is OVER…bwa ha haaaaaa!” The winner can just as easily put out a decent album as anyone else in the top ten, and they have the benefit of all the Idol marketing muscle behind them.
So noted. 
I liked Allison’s vocals but hated the arrangement. They took a lovely, sad song and turned it into a schlocky power ballad. She would have been much better served by just her on a stool with an acoustic guitar.
And that’s the difference between her and Adam. He would have known better than to sing that arrangement.
Yeah, I think we’ve seen the last of the days of “Justin & Kelly Make Complete Asses of Themselves in a Shockingly Horrible Piece of Shit Movie Because They are Contractually Obligated to Do So.” Which, by the way, says a great deal about Kelly’s talent, that she managed to move beyond THAT shit.
Again, age and experience.
The cynic in me wonders if Adam is working hard with the lighting guys, or are the producers deciding that Adam deserves the special effects? (and conversely, Lil gets a naked light bulb).
And who decides which contestant gets to be surrounded by adoring fans while they sing?
Notice that the Judges Entrance was mercifully abandoned last night. Thank God.
Back to the singing…I don’t like Allison or Adam. But they did turn in the best performances, by far.
Hm. I think if Alison did Joplin on the show she’d be the first to do it any justice at all.
I find the Justin & Kelly movie to be at least entertaining the way awful movies can be entertaining.
Ah you are evil.
I noticed the same thing about his lack of a “third eye” in his younger pix as an angel. I also thought he wore the hat to hide the third eye.
I know this is a moot point, but that song was redone in country style by Dwight Yoakum. Perhaps it will still fit one of this year’s categories.