American Idol Finale: A Horseplayer's Perspective

[brianwspencer]

A fine night. I didn't take notes for every individual song because I flat out didn't feel like it.

My fleeting enjoyment of Blake has really reached its bottom. I enjoyed "You Give Love A Bad Name" better this time around, and I had loved it the first time around. I thought his second song was not very good, and sort of more run of the mill Blake. His finale was just awful. With that being the lead single for whoever wins, I was hoping he'd rise to the challenge even though it's not his style of song. I think he mostly butchered the lead single and the fact that he's not a better singer than Jordin notwithstanding, that should be reason enough for him to lose this one.

Jordin came out and rocked "Fighter," the exact kind of song she would be performing in the future on her record. She nailed that one and then of course nailed "With A Broken Wing" the second time around. I think that the big difference tonight was when they sang the lead single. She did everything one could hope for with a song like that, and I think that her version of this single would do wonders for jumpstarting her recording career. A fine performance from my early season favorite.

I think that unless Blake's fans really mobilize in the next few hours, that there is no logical reason Jordin should lose this. She's superior in every way to him outside of the actual showmanship aspect, but we've seen with Carrie Underwood in the past that that sort of stage presence just comes with experience on the road. (Carrie, robot then, sexy country vixen now)

I would feel completely vindicated after last season if Jordin wins this. Last season saw a no-talent jokester win this competition, and I would love nothing more than if the single person I fell in love with the first time I saw her ran off with the competition. My faith in Idol may be renewed.