I'm sad Niki couldn't watch the show, but I took my first runner up position in the event that she wasn't able to fulfill her duties and attempted to review the Idol Finale as I watched it.  I'll never do this again!  It's lots of work.

Okay, so here goes nothin':

Excitement is in the air.  It's the moment we've all been waiting for!  Out of over 100,000 auditions, we are down to our final two ~ Blake and Jordin!  First we acknowledge those who "discovered" them: Randy and Paula...both looking very nice tonight....and Simon, who is wearing the same white shirt and black suitcoat he wore last night.  Ryan points out that he already looks bored.  "That's because I'm listening to you, Ryan".

 

Blake and Jordin come out and sing "I Saw You Standing There"...They both perform it really well.  Jordin does some flirty stuff for a 17 year old.  If I were Phillipe Sparks, I woulda been on that stage informing America that "No one is gonna mess with MY baby!!!"

 

Gwen Stefani sang...But I was putting my kids in bed.  Sorry to disappoint.  I know she looked pretty and I'm sure she did great.

 

Then...the REAL moment we've all been waiting for....KELLY singing her new single "Never Again"!!! Kelly, Kelly, Kelly....She seems so comfortable on that stage with her thigh high boots and short black dress.  Niki would say she looks hot!  This is definitely not a crying moment because she's a woman on a rampage in this song.   I've decided she should sing a duet with Chris Daughtry.  They would rock the house!

 

Now it's time for the Golden Idols:  Best Presentation nominees: X-Centric, who thinks he's a panther.  Isadora Thruman in her cowboy hat making sounds that disturbed me for at least a day after I watched that audition show...and Margaret Fowler from Atlanta Georgia...Dressed like a yellow chicken and showing her not so hot belly to us all.  The award goes to...Margaret...she has a hard time getting out of her chair and marches her way up on stage in that same outfit and plants the most DISGUSTING kiss on Ryan's pretty-boy face.  She's a freak!

 

Now the top six guys sing a special arrangement by David Thomas of Take Six.  They all look nice in their white suits and their harmonies sound nice.  Sanjaya's hair looks normal.  I forgot about Brandon Rogers...was he really in the top six?  Smokey Robinson joins them, decked out in white.  He looks young ~ he has to have had work done.  I think the song's called "Being With You"...but Niki would know that for sure.  I'm not the entertainment guru.   The guys are doing backup for him.  They really do sound good together.  The Idol Tour could be very entertaining this summer.  

 

Reminder that the producers are looking for the best undiscovered group in America...send in your entries, people!

Barry B (Blake Lewis), and the original beatboxer, Doug E Fresh, start a beatbox together.  Okay, reminder to me that I'm totally buying Jordin's CD.  Actually Blake is pretty amazing in action.  If you're into that kind of music.  He's totally in his element...this is what runs in his blood.  The crowd is on their feet!  I'm sitting on my couch.  "Just like the days of Justin and Kelly..."  says Ryan.

 

Another Golden Idol:  Most original vocal nominees: Nicholas Zitzmann singing Simon's favorite song.   Sandie Chavez singing...something....   And Sholandric Stallworth singing If Ever You're in My Arms Again.  Sholandric wins the award (I was SURE it would be Nicholas...but maybe he couldn't make it tonight).  Sholandric looks to see if his name is on the award.  Ryan tells him no, it's a low budget show.  Ryan has Sholandric sing without a mic...asks Randy for a request.  He picks "Silent Night".  Sholandric doesn't sound too bad with no mic in a huge room.

 

Now we see the top six girls in white dresses singing together.  Haley's legs are still hot...They all look lovely.  Gladys Knight joins them.  Melinda is totally relating with Gladys as she would.  She's got such a sweet spirit ~ she's probably smiling because she's already got a signed contract in her purse. 

 

Oooh Constantine is in the audience.  He still looks naughty!!

 

Tony Bennett comes out to perform "For Once in My Life" ~ a slow version.  Simon gives him a respectful clap.  Paula is standing and singing along with him.  Okay, Tony can do what he wants, but I don't prefer this arrangement.  Who cares ~ everyone loves him.  

 

Justin Guarini is watching in the audience and seems so impressed.

 

Jennifer Hudson is there ~ she looks lovely!

 

Golden Idols again: Best Buddies nominees: Johnathon and Kenneth ~ remember they were at the Seattle auditions?  Go Seattle!   Amanda and Antonella.  "Together we're hot!"  "You're the best singer...no YOU are"   And the surprising nominees:  Simon and Ryan...followed by some great clips of their quips.  And the winner....The suspense is killing Simon....Ryan tells him good luck and Simon has his fingers crossed.  Ryan pulls out the envelope and says to Simon, "You don't have an Emmy and you don't have one of these either."  IT'S JOHNATHAN AND KENNETH.  Kenneth is sporting a beard.  Ryan interviews them and we find that they've been on Jimmy Kimmell, gone to the Grammys, and had numerous Red carpet experiences.  He tells simon if he hadn't have called him a bush baby, he wouldn't be where he is .  They show a picture of a real bush baby and announce that they've sponsored one on his behalf at the Milwaukee County Zoo.  NO WAY!

 

Melinda Doolittle gets to perform with Bebe and Cece Winans... No more backup for her!  "Hold Up the Light...Save the World from Darkness." 

 

Oooh, now it's Carrie Underwood singing "I'll Stand By You" from Idol Gives Back.  I'm crying.  She's so pretty and I just love this song.  I'm glad she redid it!  Carrie is a class act...I dig her.

 

Clive Davis comes out with a presentation:  A report card.  Daughtry is the biggest selling artist of the year.  The album is still in the top ten after 6 months.  Over 2.5 million sold.  He mentions that Taylor and Katherine still have shots at #1 with their singles.  He mentions Jennifer Hudson as well.  He applauds Fantasia Barrino in the Color Purple.  He mentions Kelly and Clay and how songwriter/singer combos are what successfully sell records.  Then he sums it up announcing a Certified Award to Carrie Underwood for Six Million in album sales.   

 

Okay I'm so excited that Kelsey Grammar and Patricia Heaton are doing a sitcom together in the Fall.  I'm totally going to watch it!

The African Children's Choir is back.  They're so cute and happy.  They're dancing on stage with their leopard print headbands.  They have a rhythm I can only dream about.

 

Okay, a funny commercial....SANJAYA.  "One with the courage to embrace his destiny.  One who stands firm in the face of adversity." Here he is  PERFORMING LIVE with Joe Perry from Aerosmith.  Girl you really got me now...they've got the fan blowing in his hair.  He's out of control.  He's loving it.  The crying girl is back in the audience.  He goes up to her and she's totally doing it again.  I think her mom should stop bringing her to these shows and perhaps seek a little therapy? 

 

Green Day is next singing John Lennon's "Working Class Hero". 

 

Taylor's Here singing "Heaven Knows" ~ It seems a little tame for him but he's still a great performer.  He finally pulls out his harmonica toward the end. 

 

Ooh they have Jordin and Ruben singing together "You're All I Need to Get By".  She looks gorgeous in a two tone pink dress.  Ruben's slimmed down a lot.  Oh, I love his voice.  I miss Ruben.  They sounded great together.

 

A side note: It's 9:38 and I don't know HOW Niki can blog a whole show.  I'm never doing this again!  This is a big commitment. 

 

Bette Midler takes the stage with "Wind Beneath my Wings"...oh I love this song.  Randy and Paula are slow dancing.  I totally want to rent Beaches and have a good cry now.

 

An Idol Tribute.  Kelly is singing Sargeant Pepper accompanied by Joe Perry. She introduces Taylor singing a Beatles song.  I think he's doing great...Jeff's rolling his eyes.  He does NOT like Taylor.  He introduces Carrie, who is in a hot teeny black dress singing backed up by the top six girls.  Then Ruben comes out and sings "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds"...joined by all the top 12.  Then they do a little top 12 thing and we finally hit the final commercial break.  Up next, the results.

 

74 Million votes were cast last night... a new record.  And the winner....

 

American Idol 2007 is JORDIN SPARKS!!!!

 

We all knew it...I think Jordin even knew it.  She's not crying yet.   Okay, now she is.  "Thank you for keeping me around.  Mom, Dad, Nana, Papa I love you." 

 

Paula's crying.

 

Let's see if she can make it through the song...her mom and dad are totally crying.  We're at the quiet part at the end and she's definitely choking up.  She hits the big note spot on.  Okay, now she's lost it.

 

Yes, Jordin...This is your now.