# Idol finale **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [May 17, 2009, 6:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idol-finale/496728 "2009-05-17T06:55:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![BigBertha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/d78d45/32.png) [@BigBertha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigBertha)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2009, 6:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idol-finale/496728/1 "2009-05-17T06:55:48Z")
Any inside info on what the Idol finale will entail? I cannot recall any fun/funny contestants who should return as did Reynaldo last year. Its 2 hours right? ---
**Author:** ![Rachael\_Rage](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/71c47a/32.png) [@Rachael\_Rage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rachael_Rage)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2009, 7:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idol-finale/496728/2 "2009-05-17T07:27:05Z")
According to [this blog](http://mjsbigblog.com/the-idols-talk-idol-on-larry-king-live-plus-tuesdays-song-rounds-revealed.htm#comments), the songs will be: 1. The performer’s choice to re-do one of their songs from earlier in the season. 2. Simon Fuller’s (producer) choice. 3. Both finalists will perform the same “coronation” song (possibly written by Kara DioGuardi?). I.E. a “This is My Now/A Moment Like This” piece o’ crap. If true - and I haven’t watched the whole Larry King video to confirm that it is, but it seems likely - that sucks. The contestants won’t get to choose a new song, which means my hopes for Adam doing “Crazy” are likely dashed. We’re stuck with a re-hash of a performance we’ve already downloaded and watched a hundred times (you all do that too, right? Um, right?), the inevitably godawful dreck that passes for the winner’s “hit” single, and either an overdone “classic” or top-40 nonsense from a 19 artist that Fuller wants to pimp out. Really disappointed that neither of our finalists gets to choose their own song for the finale (meaning, a NEW song). After a great season of choices from both of them, they’re being shot in the knees. Especially Adam, who benefits the most from the element of surprise. Bah. Oh, and I think David Cook is coming back to perform. I read that somewhere. ---
**Author:** ![Rachael\_Rage](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/71c47a/32.png) [@Rachael\_Rage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rachael_Rage)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2009, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idol-finale/496728/3 "2009-05-17T15:43:33Z")
It occurred to me this morning - I wonder if the contestants have to choose songs they’ve done in voting rounds, or if they can go all the way back to auditions (Bohemian Rhapsody? Believe?). Probably not, but that would at least expand the possibilities. That said, I think the no-brainer choice for Kris would be “Ain’t No Sunshine,” one of the most sublime moments of the season (even if nobody remembers it). For Adam it would be “Mad World,” which is really the only song that could beat “Sunshine” head-to-head. But if Fuller chooses a ballad for Adam (say, “Wicked Game”), he should might go with something more upbeat, which tend to be his less strong, more polarizing performances. Of these, I think “Born To Be Wild” might be the strongest bet, with hopes he could get closer to the modern pop feel of the recorded version than what came across live. Or “Black or White.” But I think he might go with “Whole Lotta Love” again. ---
**Author:** ![koeeoaddi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/koeeoaddi/32/408_2.png) [@koeeoaddi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/koeeoaddi)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2009, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idol-finale/496728/4 "2009-05-17T16:14:22Z")
> [@Rachael\_Rage](#): > > 1. Both finalists will perform the same “coronation” song (possibly written by Kara DioGuardi?). Please assure me that this possibility is not really, actually possible. pretty please? ---
**Author:** ![Rachael\_Rage](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/71c47a/32.png) [@Rachael\_Rage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rachael_Rage)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2009, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idol-finale/496728/5 "2009-05-17T17:12:12Z")
> [@koeeoaddi](#): > > Please assure me that this possibility is not really, actually possible. Sorry, not just possible but likely. I figured that was one of the reasons she was hired to begin with; if you have a songwriter on staff with [dozens of songs on her resume](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Songs_written_by_Kara_DioGuardi), why hire out for the coronation song? And it appears that she excels in the kind of pablum that makes for the winner’s first single. ---
**Author:** ![BigBertha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/d78d45/32.png) [@BigBertha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigBertha)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2009, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idol-finale/496728/6 "2009-05-17T17:54:04Z")
I had meant I wonder what kind of ‘extravaganza’ the results show will be. ---
**Author:** ![Tangent](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tangent/32/3098_2.png) [@Tangent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tangent)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2009, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idol-finale/496728/7 "2009-05-17T18:47:13Z")
> [@Tamara+](#): > > I cannot recall any fun/funny contestants who should return as did Reynaldo last year. Yeah, I don’t recall any real standout goofballs this year. Maybe they could have Bikini Girl come out and sit in Simon’s lap? I wouldn’t be surprised if they brought Tatiana out and tried one more time to get her to break down on camera. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2009, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idol-finale/496728/8 "2009-05-18T02:05:43Z")
> [@Tamara+](#): > > Any inside info on what the Idol finale will entail? I cannot recall any fun/funny contestants who should return as did Reynaldo last year. > Its 2 hours right? Really? Norman Gentle And what they did with Reynaldo with the marching band was horrible. ---
**Author:** ![BigBertha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/d78d45/32.png) [@BigBertha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigBertha)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2009, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idol-finale/496728/9 "2009-05-18T03:25:44Z")
I forgot about Norman! ---
**Author:** ![well\_he\_s\_back](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/3ab097/32.png) [@well\_he\_s\_back](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/well_he_s_back)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2009, 4:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idol-finale/496728/10 "2009-05-18T04:21:20Z")
Hope Cookie rocks out with his song “Bar ba Sol”. Although it was sappy, I really enjoyed his coronation song last year. Wonder what they will have this boys sing this year. ---
**Author:** ![Rachael\_Rage](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/71c47a/32.png) [@Rachael\_Rage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rachael_Rage)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2009, 4:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idol-finale/496728/11 "2009-05-19T04:51:51Z")
_bump_ So is this the official finale thread or what? I’m just so excited I can’t stand it, sorry! More on-topic, a little more intel has come out about non-Idol-contestant performers. Source: who else but [mjsbigblog.com](http://mjsbigblog.com/)? (rumors deleted). Er, on second thought maybe I’ll spoiler in case anyone wants to be surprised: \* Danny Gokey will be dueting with Lionel Richie \* Santana will be performing with all the kids \* Also confirmed to appear: Cyndi Lauper, Queen Latifah, Black Eyed Peas and Keith Urban \* Jason Mraz is set to appear, according to his website \* Keith Urban will duet with Kris Allen \* Allison Iraheta will duet Cyndi Lauper \* David Cook will perform the song “Permanent”, according to a MySpace message from Our Lady Peace. The performance will be downloadable from iTunes with all proceeds going to charity Also I read somewhere Carrie Underwood would be performing (again). ---
**Author:** ![Declan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ecae2f/32.png) [@Declan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Declan)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2009, 5:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idol-finale/496728/12 "2009-05-19T05:21:06Z")
> [@Rachael\_Rage](#): > > _bump_ So is this the official finale thread or what? I’m just so excited I can’t stand it, sorry! > > More on-topic, a little more intel has come out about non-Idol-contestant performers. Source: who else but [mjsbigblog.com](http://mjsbigblog.com/)? (rumors deleted). Er, on second thought maybe I’ll spoiler in case anyone wants to be surprised: > > \* Danny Gokey will be dueting with Lionel Richie > \* Santana will be performing with all the kids > \* Also confirmed to appear: Cyndi Lauper, Queen Latifah, Black Eyed Peas and Keith Urban > \* Jason Mraz is set to appear, according to his website > \* Keith Urban will duet with Kris Allen > \* Allison Iraheta will duet Cyndi Lauper > \* David Cook will perform the song “Permanent”, according to a MySpace message from Our Lady Peace. The performance will be downloadable from iTunes with all proceeds going to charity > Also I read somewhere Carrie Underwood would be performing (again). I think I heard on the radio that Britney Spears is also going to appear. Declan ---
**Author:** ![tnetennba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7993a0/32.png) [@tnetennba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tnetennba)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2009, 12:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idol-finale/496728/13 "2009-05-19T12:32:26Z")
We’re on vacation and as luck would have it, have Internet access but no TV (cable is out, and there’s no reception where are). So we’ll miss both nights. Might catch up later on the website. ---
**Author:** ![Rebo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rebo/32/13005_2.png) [@Rebo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rebo)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2009, 12:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idol-finale/496728/14 "2009-05-19T12:39:15Z")
**Rachael** , I sure hope your spoilered rumors are right! It could be an awesome show. ---
**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2009, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idol-finale/496728/15 "2009-05-19T14:28:21Z")
> [@koeeoaddi](#): > > Please assure me that this possibility is not really, actually possible. > pretty please? This will almost DEFINITELY happen. It is the shame of the show. ---
**Author:** ![vivalostwages](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/d07c76/32.png) [@vivalostwages](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vivalostwages)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2009, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idol-finale/496728/16 "2009-05-19T17:48:29Z")
I misread one of the hidden comments as “Allison will DO Cyndi Lauper.” :smack: ---
**Author:** ![well\_he\_s\_back](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/3ab097/32.png) [@well\_he\_s\_back](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/well_he_s_back)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2009, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idol-finale/496728/17 "2009-05-19T19:38:47Z")
Note that David Cook fans will be esp interested the song he’ll be doing. See spoiler above. No BarbaSol, drat, but should be fantastic. ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2009, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idol-finale/496728/18 "2009-05-19T21:45:05Z")
> [@Rachael\_Rage](#): > > 1. Both finalists will perform the same “coronation” song (possibly written by Kara DioGuardi?). I.E. a “This is My Now/A Moment Like This” piece o’ crap. It must be written by her, since they didn’t have the song-writing contest this year. ---
**Author:** ![GrandWino](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grandwino/32/67_2.png) [@GrandWino](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrandWino)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2009, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idol-finale/496728/19 "2009-05-19T22:08:03Z")
I have heard that David Bowie will duet w/ Adam Lambert tomorrow night. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2009, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idol-finale/496728/20 "2009-05-19T22:09:07Z")
On a mostly-related note, I just took a listen to Kris Allen’s studio version of “Heartless,” and they de-funked it. Dammit. It’s just another ballad now. Guess I don’t have to waste a buck buying it on iTunes now. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idol-finale/496728.md?page=2)