Air Date: Tuesday, May 24, 2011 [8-9pm]
Themes: Contestants Favorites / Idols Own Idols Choice / Debut Singles
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| Source: MjsBigBlog.com |
Lauren apparently blew out a vocal chord earlier and has been having a tough time with her voice. A doctor comes out and explains the situation. They've given her medicine, and she's all ready to go for tonight. Just think about that for a minute: This is the night you're competing to become the winner of the biggest show in America, and you're having vocal problems of that magnitude.
Round 1: Contestants Favorites
1. Scotty McCreery - Montgomery Gentry's "Gone"
No surprise here that he chose "Gone," which was one of his best of the season when he first performed it (if not his best). And for this encore, he brought the same energy to the stage and working the audience. His voice sounded in top form.
2. Lauren Alaina - Carrie Underwood's "Flat on the Floor"
Considering she has vocal chord problems, she did pretty darn good. You couldn't really tell until the latter half when she had to really belt it out that her voice almost gave out at times. Like Scotty, she chose to encore one of her best songs of the season.
The judges don't comment at all during this round. What's the deal?
Round 1 goes to Scotty, if only because he hit all the notes. But, obviously, that's no fault to Lauren.
Round 2: The Idols Own Idols Choose Songs
1. Scotty McCreery - George Straight's "Check Yes or No" (Chosen by George Straight)
George Straight chose a song that's comfortable for Scotty and fits his vocal ability. As he's proven before, with this type of a song, he can almost do no wrong with voters. My only problem was that it didn't let him stand out; a little too safe.
2. Lauren Alaina - Pam Tillis' "Maybe It Was Memphis" (Chosen by Carrie Underwood)
Both the songs in Round 2 were a little more subdued, more middle of the road in terms of tempo. While I thought that was a detractor for Scotty, it suited Lauren better here. I loved her voice on this one (great choice by Carrie!). And her voice was in control. One moment where she went to belt out a note, I thought she would strain it, but she didn't unlike in Round 1.
The judges gives comments on both rounds. They say Scotty won Round 1 and Lauren won Round 2.
I say Round 2 goes to Lauren as well.
We take a break from the competition for Taio Cruz to perform "Positive," the winning song from the songwriting contest earlier in the season.
Click on each of the below links to open up those studio performances in iTunes. You will not be charged for clicking on these links, only if you click 'buy' in the iTunes Store.
Round 3: Debut Singles
1. Scotty McCreery - "I Love You This Big"
To close out his set, "Gone" would've been a better song. This single, like all the rest, suits his voice as always. But in terms of a debut single, I would have preferred something more upbeat as his introduction as a recording artist in the music biz. Whenever he's done slower songs, I'e never been a fan.
2. Lauren Alaina - "Like My Mother Does"
This song fits the traditional ballad-like songs that we come to expect from the coronation songs. And it allowed her to close out the show showing off how beautiful her voice is. Going down to her mother while singing this song about mothers will definitely garner votes for sure. I actually just loved her voice on this one. There was only one moment where her voice was strained.
The judges comment after each performance during this round.
To me, Round 3 goes to Lauren.
To close out the show, David Cook takes the stage to perform this year's exit song, "Don't You (Forget About Me)."
Favorite Performances: Lauren Alaina ("Maybe It Was Memphis" & "Like My Mother Does") / Scotty McCreery ("Gone")
My Votes: Lauren Alaina - 100 votes
Winner Prediction: Scotty McCreery
Who Should Win: Lauren Alaina
Who Will Win: Scotty McCreery
Runner-Up Prediction: Lauren Alaina
Below is the latest Idol social media stats (the combination of Twitter, Facebook and MySpace). These stats were compiled on 5/23/11 at 10:40pm.
1. Scotty McCreery - 320,976
2. Lauren Alaina - 198,285
No change there.
I'll comment more below, but to put it simply, Lauren won the night, but Scotty will win the show.
I have to say, I came in to this final performance show of the season not knowing who I would vote for. I say that because for the first time in the history of American Idol, my favorites aren't in the Top 2, and for the first time, I came into the night more objectively.
But I'm finally back to thinking logically, unlike last year's finale (or even the year before that). In Season 8, I overlooked the fact that Danny Gokey's votes would go to Kris Allen, thus ensuring his win over Adam Lambert. And coming into finale week last year, Lee Dewyze had had the momentum. Crystal Bowersox stumbled a little in the middle part of the competition, which helped Lee to coast all the way to the win. But after those two performed for the final time, Crystal just killed it with her final set and I mistakenly overlooked the Lee momentum and predicted Crystal to win only based on that final night.
I won't do that again this year. Scotty has had this in the bag the entire season. I don't know if I've seen that kind of continous momentum (maybe except for Carrie Underwood?). You can see how strong and solid his support system is just by looking at his social media followers versus Lauren (or anybody else who competed this year). Between him and Lauren, he probably has the best chance of having a successful music career. And we all now that's been lacking in our winners the past two years.
At the same time, I don't want to discount Lauren either. As you know, I'm not the biggest Scotty fan, so I would love there to be an upset and see Lauren win. It's unlikely, I know, but wouldn't that be great? And her stellar night last night helped her on this front, along with her vocal problems and singing to her mother. All of these fronts will help her.
Ultimately, though, it will come down to these words: "The winner of American Idol season 10 is...Scotty McCreery!" I wish them the best of luck in what's to come ahead.
Tonight (8-10:07pm) will be a star-studded two hours-plus of music stars, a Top 13 reunion, and I'm sure much, much more. I can't wait for Lady Gaga to perform "The Edge of Glory." Jack Black will be performing with Casey Abrams. I'm hoping that Steven Tyler takes to the stage. And at the very end of it all, we'll hear Ryan say the words we've been waiting all season to hear: "The winner of American Idol 2011 is..." with either Scotty McCreery or Lauren Alaina reining supreme and given the title of American Idol. See ya then...
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