American Idol 11: And, The Winner Is...

Another American Idol season has come to an end. CONGRATS to Phillip Phillips on winning the title! It was, truly, the best possible result for both he and Jessica.

Phillip Phillips
Photo: FOX

The final competition show was, as I expected, very BORING. Phillip was his usual steady self, which is my way of saying he was good, but VERY safe. It seemed the song choices for him were designed to present him at his best. Interestingly, I felt the song choices for Jessica did just the opposite. Instead of playing to her season-long strengths, she sang songs that amplified her vocal flaws and you could hear her young nerves as well. Setup? Arsenio Hall would say, "Hmmm…." 

But, not winning is really the best thing for Jessica Sanchez. Now, it will be up to the recording execs to do what Randy Jackson suggested-- make sure they play to her strengths when picking songs, recording them and mastering the tracks. They need to let Jessica be Jessica and stop trying to turn her into the next Beyonce or Rihanna.

Jennifer Holliday and Jessica Sanchez
Photo: FOX

As for the finale show last night-- it was the worst I've seen in years. Possibly in the entire 11-year run. I thought most of it was a high, holy MESS!!! Fantasia looked a hot mess. (See video below.) Chaka Khan looked a hotter mess. And, could Jennifer Holliday have made ANY MORE faces while singing her signature song with Jessica?  But, I must say, facial contortions aside, that performance and the Aerosmith headliner were THE highlights of the show for me!  Does anyone remember the Season 3 finale when Prince was the surprise headliner? Now THAT was a finale!!!

Ace Young proposes to
Diana DeGarmo.
Photo: FOX

When Holly Cavanaugh came out to sing "You'll Never Walk Alone," I said to myself, "If Jerry Lewis shows up as her duet partner…" LOL!!!!!  Jordin Sparks sounded good and looked nice, though I wish to God that she would stop wearing that stud on her nose!!! 

The Skylar/Reba pairing was highly predictable, too.

OMG! How could I forget the Ace Young proposal to Diana DeGarmo? I'm happy for the couple, but how cheesy was THAT?!?

CLICK HERE to watch performance clips from the American Idol Finale

All in all, the two-part finale turned out about like I expected considering the two finalists. Sigh… Now, we'll have to see how the concert tour and the first singles do in terms of sales.  Suffice it to say that I will NOT be among the folks racing to drop even a dime on downloading either single. Did you hear those songs, last night? SMH and saying, Oh, Good Evening!