Nigel Lythgoe must be thrilled.
He got his wish. Tuesday night, we’ll have teen facing off against teen in the American Idol finale.
You had to know Idol was pushing to feature younger contestants in Season 10. It was obvious from the decision to drop the lower age limit to 15. It was obvious from all the 15- and 16-year-olds who were featured during the audition rounds.
And I can’t help but think back to the Los Angeles audition show, one of the last. Idol introduced us to very few new contestants that night, but found time to pimp the youngest ones we had already met, including Scotty McCreery and Lauren Alaina.
So it all worked out like you planned, Nigel.
Now, what are are left with?
Another finale that looks like a mismatch.
Let’s compare our finalists: Scotty, 17, of Garner, N.C.;and Lauren, 16, of Rossville, Ga.
The voices
Scotty startled the judges with his deep voice during his audition. He sounds way older than he is. He’s also blessed with the most distinctive voice we’ve heard from a male country singer on this show in 10 years. He lacks the range of some past winners. Heck, he doesn’t have the range of some of this year’s better singers. But when his songs hit the radio, I’m pretty sure you’ll know who’s singing. Score: 7 on a scale of 10
Lauren is supposed to be blessed with a magical voice, but I doubt it’s any better, and probably less distinctive, than dozens upon dozens of struggling female singer-songwriters in Nashville. In fact, I could point to a couple of Hollywood round contestants Idol passed over as part of its youth movement who sound better than Lauren has during her Idol run. Score: 4
The stage presence.
Has Scotty ever looked flustered on stage? I mean, he looks more like a 17-year veteran of the country music circuit than a 17-year-old. Yes, he needs to avoid the tendency to hold his mike like a flute. Yes, he needs to control those strange facial expressions. But in terms of working the stage, he’s a pro. Score: 8
Now, here’s the strange think about Lauren. Put her in a group and she seems perfectly comfortable. Remember the Hollywood round when she and her group members pulled Steven on stage? Or that duet with Haley? Put her on stage alone and she seems much more fragile. Had she taken a mid-song tumble like Haley, would she have been able to recover? I doubt it. Score: 5
The moments
Idol loves it moments. And Scotty has had a couple, though not nearly as many magical moments are the judges would lead you to believe. My favorite of his ballads was “Letters from Home” during the semifinals. My favorite recent performance was “Gone” on Top 5 night, when Scotty showed he can have fun on stage and still produce a spot-on vocal. Both are among my picks for 10 ten Idol performances of Season 10. Score: 6
Lauren? Please, tell me which of her performances were memorable? To date, her most memorable moment during the Idol finals has been taking a tumble down a flight of stairs as the Idols rushed to depart their mansion with its leaky roof. Score: 0
The personalities
Scotty is as all-American as they come. Played baseball for his high school team. Kissed his cross after a strange encounter with Gaga. Broke down in tears at the overwhelming reception on his return home. Told the crowd back in Garner, N.C., that his Christian faith has grown stronger since being in L.A. And, get this, he won the coin toss after Thursday’s show. That meant he could decide whether he wanted to sing first or last in the finale. Instead, he deferred to Lauren. I mean, how do you root against this guy? Score: 10
As for Lauren, if you like your Idols with giggles, she’s your girl. Personally, I find it annoying. In her silliest moment, she decided to sing Elvis’ “Trouble” a couple weeks back. Here are the key lyrics: “Because I’m evil, my middle name is misery / Well I’m evil, so don’t you mess around with me / I’m evil, evil, evil, as can be / I’m evil, evil, evil, as can be / So don’t mess around, don’t mess around, don’t mess around with me.” Then Lauren says she’s going to have trouble singing the song. “I just don’t want to call myself evil.” It’s only a song, sweetheart. It’s only a song. And YOU picked it! Score: 5
The Idol journey
Who has improved over the course of the show? Well, consistency has been Scotty’s trademark. Week in and week out, he’s delivered a solid performance. I’ve graded 17 since the semifinals began, and he’s never scored less than a B-. He’s also shown a little more versatility over the course of the season on songs like “Gone” and “Young Blood.” Score: 7.
Lauren was hailed as “the one” at the end of the Nashville audition episode. Randy compared her to Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood during the semifinal show. She has failed to live up to that billing. Improve? Well, she delivered one of her best vocals last week on “I Hope You Dance.” But it was preceded in the very same show mediocre versions of “Wild One” and “If I Die Young.” So, no, you can’t even say she’s improved over the course of the show. Score: 3.
So there you have it, five key categories and Scotty McCreery sweeps all five.
And when Wednesday’s two-hour finale ends, confetti should be falling on his head.
But could Lauren Alaina pull an upset.
Well, if Kris Allen can beat Adam Lambert, if Lee DeWyze can beat Crystal Bowersox, Lauren Alaina can beat Scotty McCreery.
If that happens, Idol would be left with its least deserving winner yet.
But, hey, Nigel, this is likely the matchup you’ve been dreaming about.
Editor’s Note: This is one in a series of blogs looking back at Idol Season 10. Others include my picks for the top 10 performances, the top 5 non-performance moments, 7 tips for improving American Idol and a look at how this year’s Idol finale compares to the first nine.
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10 Comments
I disagree that this is the worst finale ever. I think Scotty will become very big in the country music business and all Lauren needs is the right song. When Jordan Sparks won, they stuck her with that stupid Tatoo song. Now that she is broke away from Idol. She looks and sounds great.
scotty is way to boring, so I don’t thing Lauren is undeserving. I know it would have been impossible, but I wish it wouldve been a Lauren/Scotty finale. Also the descision to lower the age came pre-Nigel.
I think you’re a little too hard on wittle wauren (Lauren).
In my ears, Turn on the Radio was pretty good, Candle in the Wind was great, Flat on the Floor — and a lot of people loved “Anyway”, she had great vocals on that one.
I seriously don’t think Scotty has a better voice than Lauren. Lauren has way more range. I dare say she’s more often in tune – while Scotty has a tendency to strain or go off-pitch (especially on top 3 week). Scotty has a more distinct voice, yes, but it’s a very standard male country voice, which IS pretty distinct, but not exactly all-around pleasant to listen too, and not really something new. Oh, also the fact that Scotty is pretty damn boring.
Check out http://www.whatnottosing.com ‘s ratings.
Look, they are BOTH deserving of winning this. It’s just your personal preference. That’s all. They seem like good, positive role models. Just nice kids. It’s what American Idol wants, and America seems to agree. Sometimes an edgy personality w/attitude gets old. Besides country music is very popular. I think Lauren has a good chance to pull this off. I wish them both nothing but all the success in the world!
I agree with this article. Its spot on.
Here are some scores for Neil Franklin:
CREATIVE WRITING SKILLS: Actually, I can’t find any creativity — just a big, old, whomping chip on his shoulder. Shouldn’t you at least like the show you are reporting on?
Score: Neil Franklin: 3
Anybody Else: 4 or more
ENTERTAINMENT VALUE: Nope. Can’t find that either.
Score: Neil Franklin: 1.5
Anybody Else: More than that
OBJECTIVITY: Dang. Gotta’ go negative here.
Score: Neil Franklin: -10
Anybody Else: More
BIAS: Well, here’s where our boy Neil shines! Nobody can dish it up with more bias than Neil — except perhaps for Annie Barrett on EW. (I mainly attribute her bias to a rabidly mean streak.) However, our expert team gives the nod to Neil!
Score: Neil Franklin 10+++
Annie Barrett 9+++
It was close, but gotta’ go with our boy Neil.
Oh, yeah, keep on spreading the joy, Neil.
I was a contestant on AI this year who made it to Hollywood. I am so upset about what I saw and what Idol really does. First of all, Nigel Lythgoe picks the contestants. It is who he likes and then he shows his picks to America and convinces America that these people are America’s favorites. If you could have just seen the people that he let go. Many, many singers much better than these final two. Idol lies to America because they can. One 15 year old was Hanani Taylor. She made it to Hollywood Week group round. I saw her. I am following her because she is truly a star and Idol trashed her. Watch her sing “Rolling In The Deep” by Adele on Youtube. The link is:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=piOLJXd9qTs
Seriously, who cares what you think?!!! Lauren is one of the best role models there has been for younger generation. She is so humble and I love her giggles, shows she is still a kid, she will grow up soon enough. She still has that innocense about her. Lauren and Scotty are close friends and to be honest with his country charm and her sweet southern belle charm, they will go far. Then who will you be no one just someone who wants to give his petty opinion!!!
Also think article is spot on….Thank God, somebody still have some powers of observation….Lauren’s are a dime a dozen and I have never watched a more annoying performer in my life. I too thought the whole I don’t want t say I’m evil thing way too much…maybe thou does protest too much….and her attitude when in bottom three…if I had been Jacob Lusk I would have had to exert extreme restraint not to have slapped her. And then it just got worse from there…she made total fool of herself on tour. If AI pulls this crap in season 10, I’m done. they promoted Lauren over Scotty, and now enjoy taking credit for him…they got real darn lucky…Lauren makes them all look like fools…