I wasn’t excited to watch the show tonight. I got home at 10:30 PM and was feeling too tired to turn it on. I seriously wanted to just watch the very end and call it a day, which is something I’ve never done before…but then I remembered that it’s Simon’s last show!

There’s Kris Allen. I really wish there was more buzz about his career. I want him to do well. Maybe he’s done more than I know as far as singles go. All I know about him is that I went to his church once in Arkansas (he wasn’t there) and it was AWESOME. Hopefully he’s been able to enjoy his home church since being out of Hollywood…

OK, let’s see some Simon footage. I love it when he gets tickled. It cracks me up.

It is hilarious when Ryan and Randy act like they’re going to live it up with Simon gone. Very cute.

Siobhan…Nate says they finally found the right thing for Siobhan…the Bee Gees…he’s serious. She does sound good. Oh my, the Bee Gees in the flaysh!

The HOFF! OH MY WORD. Have I ever told you about my fixation with David Hasselhoff??? Just ask a friend, or two, or five…rumor has it that I spent some time with him…mountain climbing, swimming and stuff.

Michael sounds great on “Takin’ it to the Streets.” He totally should have done this song during the show. And Michael McDonald! I am a huge Michael McDonald fan. Truly. That man can sing like nobody’s BUSINESS!!! He sang the SOCKS OFF OF THAT SONG!!!

Oh, Mylanta. That was AWESOME.

Dane Cook. I adored him in “Dan in Real Life.” He’s really funny. Love the “Simon Said” song…

The girl group song. Mercy. First one was sketchy. Second one, pretty fun. Is it me or did Christina Aguilera kind of not really sing more than a SENTENCE? Oh, but then she gets one all to herself…ok, then. I think I’d really like what she looks like underneath all that makeup. Hard to say, though.

If Christina was hooked up to electrical shocks that went off when she did a “lick”…she’d never survive.

The boys’ song was fun~ haven’t seen Casey that confident since, well, ever! And Tim~ he totally should do 80′s tunes! It fits him!

Hall & Oates~ You Make My Dreams Come True. Land sakes, that song played a LOT back in the day, didn’t it. Nate’s giving me a little history on some ego issues with these two. Interesting.

Crystal is wearing a darling skirt during her song, It’s Like Rain…

Speaking of Allanis Morisette~ I think she’s a brilliant songwriter. I went through a time when I listened to her songs during a daily drive I had to do. It was many years ago. After a week or so, I wondered why I was so ANGRY for no particular reason. Had to stop listening to the talented Allanis quite so much…but, boy, her songs are sure good.

I think Allanis and Crystal sound fabulous together. Very fun.

I was thinking about past years and realized that I haven’t felt this same lack of interest in the final 2 American Idol contestants since Carrie Underwood and Bo Bice. I was not attached to either of them…and look how that turned out for Ms. Underwood! Simon certainly did call that one.

I hope I’m that surprised by Crystal or Lee.

As much as I hate to admit it, Kara knows her stuff. She writes some good songs. If I just didn’t have to hear her expound, that would be nice…but anyway…

Bret Michael and Casey James…it was good to see Bret out and about after his health scare. Don’t you wonder what’s under that bandana of his? Does he have extensions? Bald head? Maybe glorious locks? Curious minds want to know.

I just thought you should know that I know every single word to many, MANY Chicago songs. Don’t you just feel richer with that knowledge?

It’s right around here that I feel I cannot stay awake any longer. And there is another hour to go. Help me, Lord. The things I do for you. I better get lots of comments for this one.

Fortunately Pants on the Ground wakes me up. Hilarious. I’ll have to show Indie this part. He laughed until he hurt when this guy tried out. He walks around singing the song, it’s so funny.

I’m glad they had Paula come and talk about Simon. It was very sweet and she looked so pretty in her hot pink dress. I liked that they honored her and that she showed class back in her words to the judges. She didn’t get a fabulous send-off and she could have refused to come back, but she took the higher road. She began to get a little long, but had a brilliant line~ “No, Simon, American Idol is not going to be the same without you, but as only I can tell you, it will go on.”

It was a treat to see all the past contestants that were there. Is Ryan feeling teary? Yes, I think he is. I am too. And SIMON is teary! Awww.

Ok, but who’s going to win because I need to go to bed. I don’t need to hear Siobhan anymore, thank you. Just tell me who won.

Wow, Janet Jackson, that was a surprise! Janet is totally channeling Michael’s voice. It’s uncanny. And then the dancing! Whoa.

Seeing the scenes from the beginning with Crystal and Lee…look how far Crystal’s teeth have come! No, really! They are much better than they were. I think they might have skipped the Crest Strips and gone straight to the whitening tray. I’m really happy for her.

I don’t think I’ve seen Crystal any happier than when she was singing with Joe Cocker. Aw, they’re having fun. This has to be the coolest finale EVER. What an experience to sing with all those people! But who is going to be???

And the winner is…Lee!!!!!!!

Aw, I said I didn’t mind if he did, but I AM bummed about Crystal. She’s so graciously happy about him winning, though. I hope we hear good things from her. Lee gives a great heartfelt speech. I hope we hear good things from him too.

Fun times. Simon, it’s been a delight.

Guess what time it is? It’s down to the wire, my friends. This season is coming to a close. We are down to the Final 2. More importantly than that, this is our last season to enjoy Simon’s comments and personality…

You might think I have a preference, given the picture that I posted first. I do. But I will watch the show with an open mind. I can do that because, at this point, I am somewhat unimpressed with both of them. I favored Crystal the whole show, until the last few weeks. I feel she has taken steps back and Lee has taken steps forward…but I still think she’s got a more unique thing going on.

Shall we watch the show?

First of all, I’m always shocked that they can make the show so long when it’s just the two final contestants.

OK, what is going on with Crystal in the beginning? Did she drop the microphone and then trip? Bless her heart. She should win. Just kidding.

Lee DeWyze~ The Boxer
To me, he kind of sounds like several people that are already on the radio right now…which isn’t all a bad thing, of course. He did a nice job on that song, just slightly mellow…I’m sure he’s super nervous.

Randy feels mediocre about it. Ellen is as proud as if she’d birthed him. Kara agrees with Randy. Simon expected a lot more PASSION and EXCITEMENT…and that was a “kiss on the cheek versus a kiss on the lips,” according to Simon.

Crystal Bowersox~ Me and Bobby McGee

She starts out REALLY rough. Come on, Crystal, you can do it. She picks up steam in the chorus and then goes all wild with it. It works part of the time and the rest of the time makes me nervous. She ends the song on a great note, though.

Randy says exactly what I just said. Except he adds that at the end he thought it was “Dope, man.” Ellen speaks like a true fan. Kara tells Crystal that she has fire in her belly tonight. What? I know what she means, but isn’t anyone even going to giggle over that one? Simon tells her she’s back on her best and that we have a competition again.

Lee DeWyze~ Everybody Hurts

I love that gravely sound he gets…just REALLY want him to get right on the pitches. Please, Lee, please. The choir is super cool. Can I hear them for a while, please? Excuse me, Lee. It’s the choir’s turn.

Randy & Ellen tell him he was off at times, but Ellen says she doesn’t really care. So I guess we’re not about that. Kara says she likes the emotion. Simon thinks it’s a brilliant choice of song, off at parts, but that he realizes Lee is nervous and that he’s really got to realize the importance of the night.

Crystal Bowersox~ Black Velvet

Oh dear. This song doesn’t usually go well, does it? Crystal looks like she has to talk herself into going down all those stairs. I don’t blame her for that one. I feel she oversings the song and it’s not exactly my favorite thing.

“Mamasox is in it to win it!” Randy yells. Ellen comments on the scary stairs and says the performance was “fantastic.” Kara feels Crystal wants it and you can tell. Simon says he’s allergic to that song. I am too, I’ve decided. But Simon says she took the song and “absolutely nailed it.”

Lee DeWyze~ Beautiful Day

This is the song that will be his single if he wins the competition. Don’t they usually have a song handwritten for them at this point? It feels like Lee is going for all the extra~ strings, choir…he really does seem extra nervous, understandably so!

Randy likes it after the verse. Ellen comments on how far he’s come out of his shell since the beginning and I agree. Kara says he got swallowed up in the song and I agree about that too. Simon tells him that he made the most of the song…and that this is what the competition is all about. I think he’s giving Lee his stamp of approval.

Crystal Bowersox~Up on a Mountain

Crystal and her guitar~ this is how I like her. The background vocalists are struggling a bit in places, but when they hit it, it sounds so sweet. I’m loving it all the way through, although close to the end it does begin to feel like it is sort of meandering. I really like her on the soulful folk songs though. Crystal tears up at the end.

Randy thinks this is one of her best moments. Ellen loves how Crystal is in a league of her own and she raves about how much she loves her voice. I believe she is voting for Crystal. Kara talks about how Crystal is emotionally invested in the song with no barriers.

Crystal interrupts to say something to Simon, thanking him for all his advice. It’s a sweet moment.

Simon says that for his final comment ever to be made on the show, he wants to tell her that the song was outstanding…the best of the night…OK, so maybe he’s giving HER his stamp of approval!

I got a little lump in my throat when he said those nice things and that it was his final comment. I have enjoyed my time with Simon all these years. I shall miss him.

Ryan gives Simon some love at the very end, too. Now I want to watch tomorrow just to see what surprises they have for Simon.

So who do you think was the best? And who do you think will win?

I really would like Crystal to win. I won’t be surprised if Lee wins, but I want Crystal to win just a LITTLE bit more than I want Lee to win.

American Idol, The Last Three…

It needs to be an exciting night. I’m starting it late and I’m Suh-Leepy.

Casey~ Alright With Me

Lalalalalalala…wonder if the clothes are almost dry? I hope there are enough eggs for breakfast in the morning…kind of in the mood for bacon…sorta hungry right now…

What? Oh! Casey, oh…do I have to say anything about that dull performance? Ok, thank you.

The judges say it for me. They rip his song choice and lack of “bringing it” so late in the game.

Crystal~ Come to My Window

Crystal seems more and more comfortable in the interviews. I’m glad to see her with the harmonica and hope that it means she’ll go back to more of her own sound. I remember mid-way through the verse that I never expected her to get very far past Hollywood week…not because of her not being great, but because of her teeth.

I thought the song was just OK. Not great, but better than Casey.

Simon tells her that she has never compromised as an artist and he admires that about her. It’s true.

Wonder if she’ll get her teeth fixed or not.

(Side note…I must have put Indigo back to bed 4 or 5 times, while watching this…he saw a werewolf on the Disney channel that he can’t stop thinking about. So we tried to think of funny things to do to the werewolf~ like flinging snot on it or tickling it until it got the hiccups or hic-burps…and between you and me…hic-toots.)

I may be a tad distracted.

Lee~ Simple Man

I heard the whole song and then said, “What did he sing?”

Guess that says it all. For my level of distractedness. I have no idea if he was good or bad.

But the judges loved it. Simon said the song was, “On the money…” He also said that Lee “crushed the other two” in that round. Hmm. Wish I’d been able to pay attention now.

“BeLeeve.” Nice sign.

Now for the songs the judges pick for the contestants…this is always a bit interesting…

Casey is standing by Kara…they are just going all the way with that one, aren’t they. Is anyone remembering the Paula Abdul and Corey Clark scandal?

Well, maybe it was just because she picked the song for him, but I’m sure it was intentional.

Casey~ Daughters

His pitches are all over the place. Oh, but I do like him going to that higher range…he did it so briefly, but he really sounds good up there. That performance was a little uncomfortable to watch~ I felt nervous for him. But I thought it was definitely better than the first!

Simon talks about the limp arrangement, giving Kara and Randy reason to get defensive, since they arranged it.

Kara bugs me. There, I said it.

Crystal~ Maybe I’m Amazed

This was Ellen’s choice and Crystal seemed pleased to do it. I feel like everyone is singing sharp tonight…wonder if the sound is giving them some trouble? She belts it, though, and hits those notes…for the most part.

Ellen gives her a Standing O.

Randy says she’s “In it to win it!” Ellen couldn’t have asked for more. Kara said she showed notes she’s never shown before. Simon admits he was surprised by the song choice, but that he got it…and thought it was terrific.

I think she should win. Have I said that yet? She might not be my favorite artist ever, but she’s been the most consistent for SURE…and is way more unique than the other two.

Lee~ Hallelujah

Simon picks this song and I am so surprised by this…it’s been done a FEW times, even this season. But Simon loves the song and thinks Lee will do something with it that hasn’t been done.

And to an extent, he’s right. I think the original version is really great, but Lee does a really great job too. I’m pleased that he nails the notes and that he stretches past his comfort zone a bit. I actually think it’s the best Lee has sounded. And the look on Simon’s face makes me think he’s going to agree.

That was GOOD.

Yep, I knew the judges were going to say it’s his best yet. Lee admits that he had questioned Simon’s choice, but he was glad he listened. The judges RAVE.

Lee definitely takes the night, Crystal follows, and Casey is lagging. Surely, Casey will be sent home tomorrow night. We shall see.