American Idol Season Five Finale

May 23, 2006

Published on May 23, 2006 By Jamie Burnside In Entertainment

The best news from tonight's show didn't happen during any of the performances. The best news for me was that Gordon Ramsey's "Hell's Kitchen" will be brought back again for a second season. That'll be fun, as I really enjoyed the first run.

Tonight's final featured each contestant singing two of their favorites from the competition, plus a third song which was written originally for each contestant.

Song Number One:

Katharine sang "Black Horse and the Cherry Tree." This was Katharine's best song during the season. It was a good choice for her to start with. This time she did it standing up. Grade: B+

Taylor sang "Livin' for the City." The first thing that undoubtedly struck everyone was Taylor's jacket. It looked like he stole it from The Joker. That said, this song was awfully good. Taylor sang this song a bit stronger than he had been singing them this season, and he sounded a lot better for it. Grade: A

Song Number Two:

Katharine sang "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" again. I suppose everyone liked it the first time. blah blah I heard it before blah blah Mandy Patinkin blah blah dad cried blah blah. . . Still, it was probably a crowd-pleaser. Grade: B

Taylor sang "Levon." Two good ones in-a-row by Taylor. He picked a good week to peak. Nice feeling, good power. Grade: B

Song Number Three:

Katharine sang "My Destiny." Man, they should really bury these "original" songs in the number two spot. I don't think anyone would be able to make that song good. Boring! Grade: D

Taylor sang "Do I Make You Proud." Not fantastic, but better than Katharine's song. Boring, but not painfully so. Grade: C+

Prediction:

I expected Katharine to perform well enough to sway the voters on the fence. Taylor seemed to be the stronger of the two contestants tonight. I think that it is likely that he'll win, but ultimately Katharine will be the one with the hit records.

Comments

amandapearl2

on May 24, 2006

I don't think either of them will make hit records to be honest. I haven't really been following the show, but from what I have seen, They both are ok for the tv, a hot chick and a funny dude, but once the finale is over, no one is going to remember them. The only American Idol with any career to speak of that lasted six months past the end of the show has been Kelly Clarkson, and I bet that has as lot to do with being the first. Plus, she's been the strongest singer in the competition. Most of the winners have been huge let downs.

KarmaGirl

on May 24, 2006

I don't think either of them will make hit records to be honest.

I have to agree with that. I didn't even bother watching last night because I know that I wouldn't buy a recording from either of them.

Actually, the only one that I can see really having a real career is Chris. The rest are OK to watch on TV, but their vocals are too generic.

KellyW0498

on May 24, 2006

The best news for me was that Gordon Ramsey's "Hell's Kitchen" will be brought back again for a second season. That'll be fun, as I really enjoyed the first run.

That was the best thing!

JillUser

on May 24, 2006

I thought the whole finale was boring. I think Katharine could be successful if she had some good songs picked for her. I could see her doing better on tape and Taylor is more entertaining in person but I can't imagine listening to a record of his.

I wish the final two would have been Chris and Elliot. I'm glad the season is coming to an end. Simon is the only adult on there now. Paula always acts like a drunk teen, Randy's "dawg" and "yo" stuff has gotten waaaaaaay old, and am I the only one sick of Ryan's jeuvenile jabs at Simon?

Kelly is still the only Idol that I have really listened to since the show. Looks like that trend will continue.

Jamie Burnside

on May 24, 2006

Randy's "dawg" and "yo" stuff has gotten waaaaaaay old

I don't know. . . He's REALLY toned it down for this season!

Kelly is still the only Idol that I have really listened to since the show.

Me too. I gave Clay Aiken a try, but his albums thusfar haven't been so good.

Actually, the only one that I can see really having a real career is Chris. The rest are OK to watch on TV, but their vocals are too generic.

Chris is way overrated. He's set up to fizzle. The ones this year for whom I see really big things for would be Katharine and (possibly) Paris.

KarmaGirl

on May 24, 2006

I don't know. . . He's REALLY toned it down for this season!

Yeah, but it was way old by the end of last season. He needs new lines.

Chris is way overrated. He's set up to fizzle.

I have to disagree with that. The first time I heard him in the auditions all I could think is: "He would make a kick-ass front man to a band like Creed or Nickleback". He's got that sound that is needed for that genre of music, and he also knows how to perform.

just john

on May 24, 2006

He's got that sound that is needed for that genre of music, and he also knows how to perform.

Have you heard him with Absent Element? He is a front man but he is far above Creed and Nickleback. Link

Last nights show was a bust. I don't think either of them deserve the win after that. It just seemed so unoriginal (I know that 2/3 of the show wasn't 'original')

Nancy

on May 24, 2006

Was Carrie Underwood on American Idol? I saw her sing a little last night on the Country Awards show and her name seemed really familiar. I don't listen to country music so I was surprised that I recognized a name. Anyway, if she was on American Idol it seems that she might be having a nice career. I agree that Kelly is the only one who has really gone very far.

Taylor's first song was AWESOME! The other 5 songs I heard last night were pretty boring.

I agree with JillUser and her comments about the judges and Ryan. I love Simon. He can say things a little too bluntly but his critiques are usually spot on. I don't like how Paula hits him all the time.

Jamie (the author of this blog

on May 24, 2006

Lots of people get down on Ryan. I really like him, even if he blurts out the occasional inappropriate comment.

He's the Howard Cosell of our generation. (More handsome though.)

AndyT

on May 24, 2006

This year has been flat, with very few exciting moments and amazing performances. I don't think any of the idols this year will do incredibly well because each of them has flaws in some way. I agree they do sound generic in their genres.

Ryan and Simon are great friends and like to annoy each other as guys do, even on national TV. Just as much as girls like to hit guys.

Remember, Kelly has around 5 years of experience now. I still think Carrie's voice is amazing even if she only does country songs. Second albums are always much better so we shall see.

JillUser

on May 24, 2006

Remember, Kelly has around 5 years of experience now.

I liked Kelly from the beginning of her career so that remark has no baring on anything I said. I was not a Fantasia fan and Carrie's okay but none of them have "wowed" me.

Ryan and Simon are great friends and like to annoy each other as guys do, even on national TV. Just as much as girls like to hit guys.

I find Ryan and Simon as jeuvenile and annoying with their jibes as I do girls hitting guys. Grow up!

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