There would be a new judge in Kara DioGuardi, a new arbitrary rule with the Judges Save, a new set featuring a giant white staircase for gallant entrances and a newly articulate Paula Abdul. But the seasons biggest surprise was breakout star Adam Lambert, who despite losing the competition to Kris Allen, made a name for himself as a glam-rock sex god ready for prime-time.
And after five months of slavish devotion to Idol in our weekly recaps, weve acquired a few new kernels of wisdom:
Three judges are enough, thank you
Kara DioGuardi ended up contributing little to the show other than an awful coronation song, a trumped-up beef with a girl in a bikini and poor math skills. Plus, all the extra chatter pushed the show overtime, causing viewers to lose performances like Lamberts Mad World.
Paula Abdul is just here for the music!
Quentin Tarantino needs to guest on the show more/can never guest on the show again (split decision)
It wasnt Tarantinos first time at the Idol rodeo, and hopefully it wont be his last: Quentin poked and prodded the singers with extreme enthusiasm and chin thrusts as Movie Week mentor. Bryan Adams Everything I Do, I Do It For You will never be the same for us after hearing Quentin rough it up.
Big-name guests dont guarantee ratings
Despite the appearance of everyone from Kiss to Steve Martin and two acts named Queen (the band and the Latifah), the shows finale pulled in its lowest ratings in its key 18-49 demographic Wednesday night. What would have pulled you people in the cast of Jon & Kate Plus 8? Robert Pattinson?
Covering Michael Jackson is hard
So kudos to Fall Out Boy, whose Beat It doesnt suck. MJ Week was one of the seasons most brutal, as Anoop Desai murdered the tune (not in the good way) and everyone but Lambert and Allison Iraheta flailed.
No TV show is above parading around a girl in a bikini
We never thought wed see the day our Rock of Love recaps found common ground with American Idol.
Danny Gokey killed a cat
But felines got revenge when Gokeys Dream On met Keyboard Cat.
Somebody on staff at Idol likes indie pop
Were not complaining! Those dreadful Ford ads are far more palatable when the finalists are singing Apples in Stereo and Lykke Li.
The finale is a painful reminder of how bad the Top 12 is
Or in this case, the Top 13. While Allen, Iraheta and Lambert looked at home alongside Keith Urban, Cyndi Lauper and Kiss, the rest of the finalists struggled. And this happens every year.
The contestant who tries to change her name mid-show cycle isnt always a winner
Were not sure when Megan Corkrey became Megan Joy. Or when she became a bluejay. But Megan Joy Corkrey had the seasons most memorable exit, caw! caw!ing her way to the door.
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