Top 2 - brought to you thanks to Alana.

This is American Idol. And this is my life. My DVR has been freaking out and getting stuck every time I record something on channel 5 which just so happens to be the channel Idol is on. I have spent a ridiculous amount of time trying to watch the show illegally online and today just to be safe I had a back up plan. Idol moved nights this week and I didn't realize this until this weekend. I had planned to see a screening of The Hangover with friends and because even I don't want to seem as obsessed as I am, I decided to go even though Idol was on and watch when I came home. To be safe, I ran home, stuck a tape in the VCR (yes I still have one) and hit record on a 6 hour tape. So DVR or VCR wise, covered. Went to see The Hangover (funny), had a quick bite and came home.

Turned on TV, checked DVR, and yep, show didn't record -- it was listed, but it recorded from 8pm to 8pm. No worries, go to the VCR. Apparently, this faulty DVR triggered the whole channel to stop so all I had was Ryan's face at 8pm paused and stuck. What to do at 11:30pm? My unfortunate friend Alana had offered that if something went wrong I could go watch at her place and my Idol obsessed self took her up on it.

At 11pm, in sweats and a t-shirt, hair in a ponytail, I walked out of my apartment with my iPad to jump in a cab to Alana's. She graciously welcomed me to her couch, her computer (too hard to blog on the iPad) and most importantly, her DVR. So this blog is now officially dedicated to Alana.

Opening sequence that brings tears again about a dream coming true. JLo / STy Fashion Showdown. Look JLo: Emerald green sequin minidress with lots of leg. Look STy: Weird mixed material shirt. But wait, I am totally distracted by Randy -- what was he wearing?


Three rounds, Gaspy is in the audience! This is an ultimate country showdown which should make me happy but actually makes me nervous. Round one, contestants choice, Round two, new addition, their own idol chooses a song for them. Lauren (surprise) picked Carrie Underwood and Scotty picked George Strait. Major choice - George Strait is a country legend. Round three, each sings a new single.


Scotty starts it off with Gone. Fun, but he did not show off his voice at all. Ummm, why did the judges not judge him when he was done? Lauren sings Carrie Underwood's Flat on the Floor. Show opened noting that Lauren did something to her voice at rehearsal, strain that was treated by a doctor. I could hear the strain, she needs to learn how to find her mix in her throat so it doesn't hurt (thank you to my voice teacher). I thought both performed well, may Scotty did a little bit better.


Hero round. Scotty picked George Strait who picks "Check Yes or No," Really old school George Strait song. Come on, he is playing this for Grandma's vote. He seems kind of nervous for the first time. Boring. Corny. I check no. Why didn't he shave his head for JLo? Again, no judges judgement. WHAT?


Carrie picks Maybe it Was Memphis by Pam Tillis. Sweet old school song, but what was Lauren wearing? Come on, no pageant dress. These rounds are so rushed and weird.


Judges on 2 rounds.


Randy -- what is he wearing? He says they are both even. Randy on Scotty -- Gone was brilliant, George Strait song was was really good. Randy on Lauren -- loved Flat on the Floor, loved Pam Tillis. Round 1, slight edge to Scotty. Round 2, slight edge to Lauren.

I think Randy said In it to win It 75 million times -- is he selling a brand with that name?

JLo -- She loves Gone, Lauren attacked Flat on the Floor. Not as dynamic for Scotty on George Strait but clear and strong for Lauren Alaina. Round 1 Scotty, Round 2 Lauren.


Steven -- Round 1 and 2 to Lauren because she is prettier than Scotty. Le me repeat that -- the JUDGE, Steven Tyler said Round 1 and 2 to Lauren because she is PRETTIER than Scotty.


Here is my input to the judges -- you stink right now. Right now I miss Simon Cowell.


Weird, Ryan walk down aisle in audience and gives his whole speech while standing right next to Simon Fuller, creator and exec producer but does not acknowledge him. Weird.

Already last round. Love You This Big is the original song for Scotty. Umm was this written by a 1st grader? "Love You This Big" is a song? Come on Idol, don't patronize country.


Robot pit with waving arms in front of Scotty is terrible. This is the worst song ever. He can't deliver emotion big enough for this moment. He did not sing this big.


Randy -- again, what is he wearing? Randy said he liked the range (what range?). He is (wait for it) in it to win it -- what again?


Note that the judges panel needs to be styled together. Worst looking line-up ever. Right now I miss Cowell and his black suit and white button down opened down to there.


JLo -- Says Scotty is a storyteller and did a really amazing job with this song. Umm, are you speaking on behalf of your 3 year old twins who maybe wrote this song?


Steven -- Says Scotty showed his range, he nailed it.

What are these judges on?


Saw Cowell in that suit in the commercials. Oh boy.


Lauren -- Sings Like My Mother Does. Another stupid song. Who the heck wrote these stupid songs? Why did she walk into the audience to her Mom? Focus on singing, create a moment. Cheese. Then her Mom started crying. This should happen tomorrow, not while she is competing. Go ahead and milk it Lauren, though, get those fingers dialing.


Randy -- Loved the song, loved her voice, Lauren has arrived and he stands up.


JLo -- JLo says it is a tight race and she may have won. Lauren starts crying. She says she sang beautifully, with emotion and heart and beautiful voice.


Steven -- Steven reinforced that he picked her out from the audition and that she is the Idol. Gosh she was so confident in that audition, what happened to that confidence? I know she can get it back outside of this competition, but I do wish she had shimmered with that.

I have been fortunate enough to be in the audience 3 times during the final competition. Bo versus Carrie, Taylor versus Katherine, David versus David. There is nothing like the moment of hearing the voice, feeling the chills, having a moment. I have felt some moments this season and TONS of talent. The most talent ever.

But unfortunately, I will have to go on the record to say this was one of the most disappointing finale competition episodes ever. For a season as full of vocal magic, the rushed performances, the dismissal of the judges comments, the presence of a non singer Scotty, did not bring the magic for me.


After Round 3, Randy gives edge to Lauren, JLo tried to backtrack from already saying Lauren won it, saying it was a tight race. Steven says "Sorry Scotty, Lauren won hands down." Scotty and Lauren do seem like cute friends.

And then the best moment of the episode. David Cook.

Don't be ashamed of your obsessions...if you don't share them, you will have nowhere to turn when the DVR and VCR fail.