Live Recap: American Idol - The Final 2

By Kelly West: 2008-05-14 21:01:18

Well folks, this is it! On tonight’s episode of American Idol we’ll find out which two contestants will be advancing to the final two and which contestant will be going home. Will it be an all David finale? If I were a betting person, I’d say so consider how popular the Davids are but who knows? Maybe Syesha managed to charm enough viewers with last night’s rendition of “Fever” to knock one of the Davids out of the running. Anyway, since tonight’s episode is kind of a big deal, I’ll be live-blogging it as it airs instead of doing the usual recap. So keep checking in for the latest updates and feel free to post your own thoughts on the episode in the comments section below!

The episode starts out with the top three performing “Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now.” They sound almost too good during the chorus and I’m guessing there are some unseen back-up singers providing some harmonies during certain portions of the song. Perhaps its nerves but all three of the remaining contestants seem a little bit distracted but vocally, they’re all doing fine. And it’s finally over. Four minutes down, fifty-something minutes of filler to go.

When we return from commercials we get to see this week’s Ford sponsored “music video.” Ryan starts talking about how close the votes are. And now the recap of last night’s performances and what the judges said. I have to say, I agree with Simon when he said Archuleta’s second performance was a little bit like a Chihuahua trying to be a tiger. So true. The replay clip of David Cook’s second song is giving me a weird flashback of A Walk To Remember.

Fantasia takes the stage sporting pink hair and a bejeweled outfit. Her energy scares me a little bit. Can anyone understand what she’s singing about? Afterwards, Ryan makes a crack about her hair and we’re off to another commercial.

Back from commercials and it’s down to business. Ryan calls David Archuleta to the stage and the girls go nuts. Ryan presents David’s homecoming video. David seems blown away by the reception he’s getting from the people in his hometown. You’d think the sound of girls screaming wouldn’t phase him anymore but he continues to sport his usual grin as he goes from appearance to appearance. You’d also think some merciful soul would get the kid some earplugs. At one point in the video we see David crying and talking about being overwhelmed. As his version of “Imagine” plays in the background, David returns to his high school where a man with an awesome mustache declares it David Archuleta day. Guess what, America? Utah loves David Archuleta.

After the video is done, Ryan runs through what the judges said about his performances. He then shows yet another video. This one is of David’s journey, starting with his audition. Lots of clips of him singing, goofing around with the other contestants and giggling in that “I can’t believe this is actually happening” kind of way. And we’re off to another set of commercials.

David is sent to the sofa to wait for the results. Now it’s Syesha’s turn. Ryan presents the video of Syesha returning to Sarasota, FL. She visits the local news station then heads off for another appearance. Some lady shoves her baby into her arms and takes a picture. Why do people do things like that? Like David A., Syesha’s blown away by the reception she’s getting everywhere. She visits with her parents and in the evening, she goes to visit her high school. At one point, the mayor of Sarasota gives a speech and then does a handstand. Weird. Syesha eventually gets just as emotional as David A and breaks down in the car.

After this, Syesha gets to watch her journey video and I don’t know if it’s the Fantasia song playing in the background or the fact that I’m secretly hoping Syesha somehow makes it on to the finale but I think her Idol-journey video is better than Archuleta’s.

David Cook is the last to take the stage and watch his homecoming video. People keep screaming out “We love you David!” Cook talks about going to Omaha to support his little brother in his audition and ended up auditioning himself. Now it’s on to the video. Cook went home to Kansas City (and Blue Springs), MO. Why are they playing a Bon Jovi song in the background? This would be more fitting if he were from Jersey. Cook does similar appearances (local news, local schools, etc) and a concert. He sings “Livin’ On a Prayer,” which explains the Bon Jovi song earlier. Girls are literally crying over seeing Cook. There’s a parade and Cook of course, tears up. A congressman without an awesome mustache or the willingness to demonstrate his handstand abilities presents David with a plaque of some sort.

Ryan runs through the judges comments on his performances from last night. After Ryan asks Randy to explain his critique, we get to see David’s journey video. I forgot about that ridiculous hot-pink tie he wore that one time. David C’s video’s moving but Syesha’s video wins the prize for being the sweetest, I think. There’s just ten minutes to go in the episode – results are coming soon!

And it’s time for the results. The final three step on to the stage and all of them look nervous and ready to get this over with. The judges take a minute to congratulate all three contestants and it’s taking what feels like a lifetime for them to finish this up so we can find out who’s getting eliminated. Simon says something about the finale being a humdinger. Ryan announces that the two people going to the finale are David Archuleta and David Cook.

Predictably, Syesha is eliminated and we’re looking at an all David finale next week.

Are You Happy With This Season's Final 2?

Is a David vs. David finale what you were hoping for?