A Moment Like This...

Fantasia doing "Summertime", Carrie's "Alone", Kelly Clarkson busting out with "Stuff Like That There", David Archuleta's "Imagine" and David Cook's "Billie Jean". What do all of these have in common? ... They were signature "moments" in their respective American Idol seasons. And tonight, season 9 just had it's "Moment of the Season" with Adam Lambert's incredibly brilliant and beautiful take on "Mad World" that left the judges speechless, heralding him with a standing ovation led by Simon (a first in the show's history), and me, crying, hitting repeat on the TiVo. It was a great finale to an interesting night... But let's not get ahead of ourselves.

 

As Idol sent the contestants down memory lane with baby pictures (and the judge's pics too), we learned the theme of the night was "Songs from the Year they were Born" taking us from 1980 to 1992. Um, I'm feeling old.... Anywho, between those baby pics, shots of the creepy guy from "Fringe" sitting in the audience and a rather lucid and well put together, dare I say pretty, Paula Abdul, Danny opened the show.

 

He did Mickey Gilley's version of "Stand By Me" from 1980 (featured in the movie Urban Cowboy). It was another solid vocal, but it was ultimately boring and ended up sounding like the theme from "Moonlighting". Our favorite smug Idol wannabe was channeling kd lang in his hair and outfit yet again, but lacked her connection to the music. The judges firmly shoved their heads back up his backside and gave him good critiques.

 

Following a fantastic commercial for the new Fox show I'm dying to see, "Glee", Kris did his resident hottie thing on a rather jazzy version of Don Henley's # 9 hit from 1985, "All She Wants to Do is Dance". Very cool and charismatic, Kris showcased good vocals but a questionable song choice. As Kara said, it sounded a bit like "jazz funk homework". I had to agree with the often disagreeable judge. Kris will likely be safe this week, but his upward tragectory just hit a big speed bump.

 

Up next was Angela Bassett, er, um, Lil Rounds doin' her carbon copy of Tina Turner's Grammy winning # 1 smash comeback hit "What's Love Got to Do With It" from 1984. Lil proved yet again that she is completely out of her league. While it was better than her recent performances and she looked great (Paula started her judging with the ominous, "Lil, you look hot"...), Lil faltered a few notes and shouted the ones she hit. The judges called it a copycat performance and wanted her to bring some true artistry to the stage. Lil, holding back the tears, promised to bring it next week.... if she's here.

 

Trying to prove he deserved to be here, Anoop, came galloping back into the Idol horse race with a winning take on Cyndi Lauper's # 1 anthem "True Colors" from 1986. While he's still in need of a makeover, Anoop showed he needs no help in the vocal department with his lovely and restrained performance. The judges all enjoyed it and thought he brought true soul to it (um, Danny take some notes). We also learned Anoop was born on the same day as season 8 winner David Cook. However, it's gonna take a lot more than this good, but not great, performance to get the 'Noop Dawg into the top 5 this season.

 

Clearly not on his way to the top 5 was Scott with his awful, terrible, and horrible butchering of my favorite Survivor hit "The Search is Over" (a # 4 hit in 1985). The search was certainly over for the worst performance of the night. Scott mixed it up playing the guitar instead of the piano, but he still couldnt hit a note if you paid him. It was pitchy and painful. The judges finally all agreed that this was not a good night for Scott.... Hopefully he will not survive in the competition past this week.

 

While she sang "I Cant Make You Love Me", Allison didnt even need to try. How could you NOT love her tender, emotional and still rocking riff of Bonnie Raitt's top 20 comeback hit from 1992. She looked great, sounded great and the judges loved her. Randy even gave her another Kelly Clarkson compliment (the ulitmate Idol compliment) and Kara wants to record with her now. The only minor hitch is that Simon thinks she needs to show more personality. Hello, Simon, it's not American Personality Idol. (thank goodness, or Kellie Pickler might've won a few years ago).

 

Also recovering from a rough prior week, Matt came roaring back with a funky and fantastic version of Stevie Wonder's # 1 hit "Part Time Lover" from 1985. Serving up some serious blue eyed soul and great vocals, Matt got down with his bad self and yes, made the song his own. Paula gave him a standing "O" and the judges raved. Sounds like a great way to end the night, but there was something even better on the horizon...

 

It's a mad world indeed that Adam Lambert hasn't already won this competiton and hit the top of the charts with his amazing version of Tears for Fears' 1982 single "Mad World".  Week after week, we tune in to see just what Adam will do, and we are always handsomely rewarded. No more so than tonight. Adam simply sang straight to the heart of every Idol viewer, and judge, in a haunting and emotional moment of true artistry. It's the MOMENT we've been waiting for all season (no thanks to the overly-pimped Lil and Danny). I am not ashamed to say that I immediately replayed it 3 times and gave him a standing ovation along with the judges. (Yes, I will be rushing to buy it on itunes too).... Oh and Adam was born a blonde who liked to dress up and as his dad said  was "not so much into sports". Do we really care about any of that when he tears the roof off the joint (thanks Randy) every week? Now, the question is: Can anyone compete for the Idol crown with him? Or are they even worthy?

 

Now for the rankings:

1. Adam

2. Matt

3. Allison (Matt and Allison were very close though!)

4. Anoop

5. Kris

6. Danny

7. Lil

8. Scott

 

Bottom 3: Scott, Lil, Anoop (but I hope to see Danny here)

buh bye: Scott (we will finally see his cute brother guide him off the stage for the last time).

 

So, there you have it. A night of ups and downs, just like the roller coaster Kris rode at the beach. We learn such interesting things about those Idols, dont we?

We finally had our "Moment" and Adam further cemented his front runner status. Can anyone catch him? Is the search already over for this year's Idol?

Let us know with your "Idol Thoughts" below...