I won’t go saying that Haley is the best that could happen to Idol. I couldn’t. She stumbled and fell (metaphorically and literally) through her Idol run.

But instead of what could’ve been an interesting finale, we get (as EIREGO says) “Country Idol”. And I wouldn’t mind if we had such people as Carrie-bot, Kellie Pickler, Josh Gracin or even Kelly Clarkson (hey! she’s done the country thing once or twice). Hell! I’ll even take Kristy Lee Cook or (heaven spare me) Danny Gokey over these kids we got left. I like country. I don’t love it, but I enjoy it well.

My point is that neither Scotty nor Lauren has done anything worth pushing the replay button. In previous seasons, when the final two were revealed, they had often given at least one “wait, what did just happen?” performance: either they made you stand up or give you goosebumps. Neither Scotty nor Lauren have acchieved that.

See what I mean:

I didn’t watch Season 1, but I’ve watched Kelly Clarkson’s “Natural Woman” and “Stuff Like That There” a lot of times. During Season 2, Ruben did “A Whole New World”, while Clay sang “Bridge Over Troubled Water” and “Solitaire”. In season 3, Fantasia sang the hell out of “Summertime” and Diana DeGarmo did “Don’t Cry Out Loud”. In the fourth run, Carrie-bot wowed us with “Heart” and sang “Independence Day” great, and Bo Bice shocked everybody with “In a Dream”.

I refuse to talk about Taylor Hicks, but McPhee sang “Over the Rainbow” in season 5. In season 6, little Jordin made everyone reach for milk and crackers (to cut their collective wrists) with “I (Who Have Nothing)”, and Blake reinvented Bon Jovi. During season 7, the Davids both gave outstanding performances: “Hello”, “Billy Jean” by Cook, and “Imagine” and “Stand by Me” by Archuleta, just to name a few.

Kris Allen, who at the time was labeled the worst idol winner ever, made buzz with “Ain’t No Sunshine”, “Falling Slowly”, “She Works Hard for the Money” and his coup-de-grace “Heartless”, when Adam Lambert did things like “Mad World”, “The Tracks of My Tears” and the out-of-this-world “Slow Ride” duet with Allison.

I even accepted Lee Dewyze as a finalist after his “The Boxer” cover, and MamaSox’s whole Idol run was a huge highlight.

My point is: Tell me, name anything any of these two kids have done (musically) that’s worth breaking the replay button on your VCR/computer?

Have an answer yet? Didn’t think so. So… we’re having the lamest Idol finale, coupled with the lamest winner.

Anyway, I will be watching so you don’t have to (for the first time this season, Mexican cable will air the finale live). I’ll be setting my coffee machine early and bringing my Don Quijote mug and refilling between breaks.

Wish me luck.

Last night was an interesting mishmash of highs and lows. I agree with most everything you said. When the judges picked “She Believes in Me” for Scotty, I thought, “That is the PERFECT song for him.” I remember when that single was a hit for Kenny Rogers and even sang along because I knew all the words.

Haley was bold as usual for tackling Led Zeppelin and Alanis. Dang. Talk about a high level of difficulty. She wasn’t angry enough for “You Oughta Know” but there isn’t anyone who can sing it like Alanis because it was personal for her. I’m glad the judges chose that song for Haley, though. They must respect her skills if they thought she could handle it.

The thing I am dreading most right now is when it’s the final 2 and they have to sing a song that even one of those Disney teens would turn down.

Again, thanks PCN for the chance to share my Idol mind. You rock!