Idol Chatter & Voice Views

First the good news.

Once again. American Idol put on an entertaining finale Wednesday night.

Regardless of the missteps during the season — misguided mentor selections, strange pairings of guest performers and themes, etc. — Idol can be counted on for a season-ending spectacle.

Wednesday was no exception.

Oh, I got a little concerned when you could still hear Ryan Seacrest talking when Kris Allen launched into his new single early on, but the technical glitches that cropped up in so many result shows this season were otherwise absent.

Unless you count the strange reappearance of season three phenom William Hung in the middle of Gen. Larry Platts’ performance of “Pants on the Ground.” But I think that was planned.

And didn’t Idol handle the departure of Simon nicely?

I mean, it was all light-hearted fun until Paula Abdul appeared on stage — as you knew she would — to pay tribute to the guy who sat at her left side for eight years.

A particularly nice touch was having all the former Idol champs (except David Cook) gather on stage
to sing for Simon, then be joined by a bevy of other past contestants.

And despite his me-first persona, Simon was most gracious. Heck, he even got a little emotional.

“The truth is, you guys are the judges,” he told the crowd and, presumably, the audience at home.
“And you’ve done an incredible job over the years.”

Except here’s the problem, Simon.

The judges at home got it wrong. Again.

Last year, Adam Lambert was easily the most talented performer on the Idol stage. Heck, he was one of the most talented contestants ever. He, of course, finished second to Kris Allen.

This year, Lee DeWyze might have been the most improved Idol contestant from the beginning of the season to the end, but dread-locked Crystal Bowersox was without doubt the most talented performer.

It was clear from her first Hollywood performance that Idol had a unique talent on its hands, and she never really stumbled over the course of 14 live shows and 18 live performances.

As for Wednesday night, MamaSox sang loops around the former paint store clerk. She mopped up the stage with him. It was a three-round knockout.

While Lee stumbled on both songs he was handed, she triumphed. Her show-ending performance of “Up to the Mountain” was probably the best single performance of season nine.

Yet she lost.

Folks, this was like Fantasia Barrino losing to Diana DeGarmo in season three.

Or Kelly Clarkson losing to Justin Guarini back in season one.

I mean, the final performance show was that lopsided.

As soon as Wednesday’s show ended, my wife proclaimed that she’s through with Idol. Tired of watching a show where the best singer doesn’t win. (Which means I just lost my silent co-judge on performance nights.)

As for me, well, my TV might have had an encounter with my foam stress ball, but I was too busy blogging.

I’d ranked Crystal Bowersox as the top singer on American Idol since the first week of the semifinals. There was no doubt in my mind that she deserved to win. Most of the former Idols interviewed on the TV Guide red carpet pre-show agreed.

All of which shouldn’t take anything away from Lee DeWyze.

Hey, the guy is talented. Check out his “Slumberland” CD. It features 10 original songs Lee wrote.

Three — “Annabelle,” “Princess” and “Stay” — are exceptional. The album’s a good listen. Heck, I like it much more than the first post-Idol album from Kris Allen, and I’m sure he had much more support in recording his CD.

And, no doubt, Lee had some stellar moments on the Idol stage. “The Boxer” on inspirational song night and “Hallelujah” just last week were brilliant.

But Tuesday, all the brillance came from this year’s runner-up.

Which leaves just a touch of tarnish on that Idol crown.

As Idol ponders the great question between now and season 10 — WHO can replace Simon Cowell — it might want to think about a second question as well.

How do you fix the fact that the best singer keeps losing your singing competition?

Or do you just rename the show Cute Guy Idol?