Musings
an Online Journal of Sorts

By Alyce Wilson

Copyright 2006, Fox Broadcasting

For the American Idol finale, both contestants sang three songs each. The first two were songs they'd sung previously in the season, and the third was the single that had been written for them.

Katharine McPhee lost the coin toss, so she went first, performing "Black Horse and a Cherry Tree." She didn't seem quite as joyous as she had the first time she performed the song, and it wasn't as much of a surprise, but it was still fun.

Judge Randy Jackson said it looked like she was having fun but it wasn't as exciting this time. She said she sang the song better this time around. Nice judge Paula Abdul said that she had a fun opening and that she expected better to come from Katharine. Tough judge Simon Cowell said that he'd give it a good with a small "G" and said that the occasion tonight was bigger than that song. He called it a warm-up.

For his first song, Taylor Hicks sang "Taking it to the Streets", wearing a velvet jacket. He got funky and danced, all the while demonstrating great vocal control.

Randy said that what he loves about Taylor is that he doesn't care who sings a song, he makes it his own. Paula remarked that everyone was dancing with him and said, "way to go." Simon said it was a great way to start and a great song, although it was the worst jacket he'd ever seen. He declared that Taylor won round one.

For her second song, Katharine wisely chose "Over the Rainbow," a song that had gone over well the first time she sang it. She oversold it a little this time around, I felt.

Randy said that she worked it out. Paula said that she has God given talent and said that she was making all the fathers in the audience cry. Simon said that that performance was her come back into the competition.

Taylor did "Levon" for his second song, a song that got him noticed early in the competition. He didn't rest on his laurels, though, and gave it a new interpretation, throwing in some extra flourishes.

Randy called it a nice song but said to be honest it was a little pitchy. Paula said that Taylor was getting into the song. Simon said it would probably not be as popular as the first song and said that Kat had taken the second round.

For her third and final song, Katharine sang the single written for her, "My Destiny." It seemed like the song was too low for her in the beginning. She was pitchy through most of it, and it was not exciting.

Randy said that she looked amazing and sounded good but he did not love the song. Paula said that the song wasn't her fault and that she'd brilliant. Simon said that she'd gone from brilliant to quite good with that one song. He noted, though, that she has great potential and said that those who want to vote for Kat should remember her second song.

Taylor finished up the evening with his single, "Do I Make You Proud," which seemed especially written for him. He had a shaky opening but delivered it with more power and excitement than expected for such a mediocre song.

Randy said that the song was slightly better and complimented Taylor on knowing how to make it a Taylor song. Paula said that he's better than the song and that he makes it a Taylor Hicks song, no matter what. Simon said that if the show was tied before, that Taylor had just won.

I tend to agree, and I did everything I could to make it happen, hitting redial over and over for Taylor, but we'll have to tune in tonight to find out for sure.

More on American Idol:

Musings on American Idol Season 5 (2006)

Musings on American Idol Season 4 (2005)

Musings on American Idol Season 3 (2004)

Copyright 2006 by Alyce Wilson

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