Simon Night on American Idol

Posted by Cynical Sarah on May 27, 2010

The American Idol finale was the background soundtrack while I was studying last night. I haven’t watched the show all season, but I figured at least it would mostly be music while I crammed in more Project Management info before my test next week.

Sure, it was mostly music, but it was also mostly a big love fest and goodbye to Simon Cowell.

His leaving the show completely took away from what should have been a huge night for the two finalists. Instead, most of the show was clips about Simon, comments about Simon and Simon’s goodbye. Even all the music stars from various decades brought on for the night seemed more about making a big blowout for Simon’s last show than for promoting the finalists and their talent.

It worked out well for me. Aside from creating  my own playlist to study to, when else will I get to hear the Bee Gees, Hall and Oates, Janet Jackson, Alanis Morissette and more in one evening. (Did anyone else think Janet sound a little too much like Michael last night? It was weird.)

It didn’t work out so well for Crystal and Lee. They fit in a few moments to highlight their hometown crowds and they got to sing with a lot of different people. But they were only featured solo a couple times and only the last five minutes or so were used to focus on them and announcing the winner for this season.

That’s not the greatest send-off into a career. It certainly seems like a poor business move for a production company that plans to market and make money off the winner.

Speaking of poor business moves … I’m not too keen on Lee DeWyze’s choice for a first single either. A U2 classic is not an easy song to remake and do well with, especially if you haven’t done much to make it your own. Based on one night of watching, I do think Lee was the right choice to win. The guy has a strong voice, and I like his style, but his U2 cover is like a bad karaoke remix.

It felt like such a letdown to end the show with that rendition after so many other great performances.

And by the way, how did America not vote to keep that Casey guy in? Super cute and a good voice – seems like it should be a winning combo. If I was American Idol, I would have pushed that guy. They have plenty of rocker men already in their stables, why not do some male cross-over country appeal to join Carrie Underwood?

Not that I have much say in the matter since I came in waaaaaay late in the game and never voted for anyone.

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Tags: American Idol, music, tv series, tv shows

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