And there you go.
An “all-country” American Idol finale, to be served up nice and fresh on a California stage next Tuesday evening. (Yes … you heard right — next Tuesday evening. Miss it and you’ll be overloading the internet to get your fix. The winner will be announced Wednesday.)
The two darlings of the last few months — Scotty “The Hotty Body” McCreery and Lauren Alaina — will be dueling for the Season 10 crown. A couple of teens who haven’t even seen a generation of life, thrust in the national spotlight for all of us to ooh and aah over.
I mean, can you imagine? They’re kids, for Pete’s sake! And there they are, in the national spotlight greeting a football field of fans and hugging a boy who saved his brother from one of the devastating hurricanes that blew through Tennessee recently. Truly amazing.
But … not so much for Haley Reinhart. Her truly amazing moment came with the realization she wasn’t in the finale. The look on her face held a thousand words and phrases describing “shock.” It was plain as the nose on your face; she was flabbergasted at Lauren’s advancement.
Why didn’t she win out over Lauren Aliana? Mayhap she couldn’t hit those notes without screaming. Perhaps people didn’t like being yelled at when they listened to her music. Was it the overtly swoopy swaying? The growling? I thought her “trippy” Zeppelin tune this week was magnificent, but her disposition really showed during her swan song … and not in a good way. As much as she grew on me over the last few weeks, I have to admit I was glad she didn’t win given that final elimination performance. I’m sure I’ll get over it, but in the meantime it wasn’t a good look for her to throw it back at the camera like her stuff didn’t stink.
The shock was understandable. The attitude was not.
Side Notes: I can’t tell you why I always get teary-eyed over this particular episode of the season. It’s a thrill watching the Idols head back home to all their fans waiting in the wings. How can you not get choked up a bit?
The Italian Boys? Il Volo? They were a kick. Loved’em.
Clacked by Michael Noble 
on May 20, 2011 @ 02:52 EST5EDT
Um…..Lauren Alaina was in Georgia and it was a tornado…..not a hurricane.
Lauren was also shown in TN:
https://www.wdef.com/news/plans_for_lauren_alainas_homecoming_in_chattanooga_ft_oglethorpe/05/2011
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Thank you, Rachel.
I thought I was completely daft there for a moment.
(No comments from the monkey house, thank you.)
Now … if I can only remember the difference ‘tween a torpedo and her cane …
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You are correct, chacha36.
I’m obviously still upset Casey is gone. Please excuse me temporary brain malfunction.
It’s American Rednecks’ Idol!
I think this just confirms that US Americans are all country fans, or everyone who has taste in music stopped watching the show and the only people voting are rednecks. Would explain the hispanic woman going home “early”.
Considering Scotty is from about an hour from where my parents live, I’ll go out of the way not to take that as an insult, Oreo.
I said you can be country fans and not be red necks….
I just don’t think that is the case with AI…. ;)
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I like to think I have taste in music, Oreo. Plus … I still watch the show.
Maybe I’m fooling myself.
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Nope. Thought about it. I’m not fooling myself.
I don’t really like country music, but come on, Oreo. Someone with taste in music would never dismiss an entire genre or its fans. Imagine if an R&B singer won, and you said, “Well I guess only the blacks are voting, and all the people with taste stopped watching the show.” Sound bigoted to you? I know, I know, you were joking.
BTW – the Hispanic woman went home because she was boring and so forgettable that we still only know her as “the Hispanic woman.”
I’m Hispanic and I was turned off by her.
Yep, you pegged it with the look on Haley’s face. Could have knocked her over with a feather. Loved Il Viola….of course I am partial to Sicilians…**nod to my last name**
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“Loved Il Viola….of course I am partial to Sicilian”
Why does this not surprise me, Mikki … ???
*chuckles*
Actually, I think Haley’s failure to make it to the top 2 had a lot to do with the attitude you saw in the swan song … and we saw in the backtalk to the judges several times before voting. It is not JUST a singing competition. It is an Idol competition, and America wants to Idolize sweet young things, not attitude.
Bottom line, Haley failed to win the hearts of America. And, after the going home visits, Lauren may get extra votes for that hugging the 11 yr. old … and a very [I believe] honest emotional response to the devastation. “I cheered my last basketball game at that high school. *sniff*” Golden dialogue that might let her win it all.
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Her success and her downfall had to do with that attitude, Nyela.
And you’re truth speakin’ about Lauren’s heartfelt basketball reference.
Some may say it will be a boring country affair come next week … but I have an idea it will be anything but …
Oh my. This certainly is an emotional blog. The home visits really do bring out the bi-polar in us. And me as well. I was blubbering with Scottie And elated. Will this rollercoaster ever end? Stay tuned….
I kinda like Haley’s “tude”. I couldn’t resist saying that. I simply must get into the fray.
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“Bi-polar” … ?!??!?
My daughter and I were shocked also that Lauren got in over Haley. Yes, she was shocked and had an attitude but she was still way better than Lauren. If it had been a finale between Haley and Scotty I would say we had a competition but now I thinking “Scotty won”. JMO, I am sorry but I think this whole competition has been a popularity contest and not a singing contest. If it was a singing contest, people like Casey, James and Pia would still be there. It’s all the teens texting their votes in. ….just had to get that off my chest.
As I’ve ranted at you personally Michael, I couldn’t wait for Haley to go. She reminded me of one of those snarky snitty high school girls back in The Day.
I think Scotty’s gonna have no trouble with Lauren. A James/Scotty finale would have been kind of interesting. I don’t know. This season has been the least exciting for me. I’m on pins waiting for X Factor now.
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You “rant” … ??? Really … ?!??
And I’m sorry … I reject your “on pins” note. We have no idea what that show is going to let on as. It could very well be a America’s Got Talent … just with Simon and for $5M …
Last season was by far a bigger sleeper in my opinion. This year there are people who get the importance of staging and flaming pianos … playing to the audience … tripping up stairs.
Last year I paid my son to poke me with a stick every now and again.
The final 2 may be hum drum to many-a-folk. Remember who the rabid voters are with their unlimited texting: Tweens. They have nothing better to do than send in 912 votes for that cutie patootie country boy or the girl they wish was their bestie.
Haley gave me anxiety. For me, her style didn’t translate as a passionate rocker. As I once said, Haley’s vocals are equivalent to a germy stripper pole.
No way will the finale be a sleeper! I’ve been waiting breathlessly for Pia, Casey, and James to be back … and for the celebs they will be partnered with. Will Steven really get up there to rock out with James? Randy & Casey with dueling stand-ups? Ice Princess Pia as a singing Joan of Arc tied to a stake with JLo in spankled red leading a horde of dancing demons around the fire at Pia’s feet? The possibilities boggle the mind!
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Somebody’s looking forward to the finale … !!!
“Ice Princess Pia”. That’s rich.
………. Agree on the ‘tude and agree it was purdy unattractive but I was kind of pulling for her over Lauren. The song with her Dad was the best and the prat fall was delicious. Oh heck….. they were all so dang good Wednesday night it was a toss-up. Always love the trips home. Fun to watch. Their young lives will never be the same. I find that part rather sad. :o(
A Country-Music duel for the finale? …….. *If Simon were dead, he’d be rolling over in his grave* ~snort~