Yes, it was too short for me too. It’s the same version he sang back in the semis. In an interview with Nigel Lythgoe (the producer), he said that they asked Jason to sing Hallelujah as a solo for the finale. However, if you look at the lyrics ( http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/jeffbuckley/hallelujah.html ) I don’t know what they could have added and still kept it PG rated, considering that when Jason sings, you hear every word!

I really like Jason’s solo last night, but felt it was somewhat short too. But he completely rocked it, he looked so confident singing it. Where was this Jason throughout his weeks on Idol?

What a fantastic season. I loved the finale and the way the contestants were honoured by giving them moments to sing the duets. Very nice touch. I would have cut the bird man spectacle and inserted clips of the top 2′s best performances…better use of the time.

I loved Syesha and Seal….awesome! Jason was amazing too, and I’m not even a fan of his. I also loved when the 2 Davids sang Hero, loved Apologize and loved ZZ top.

The 2 Davids are awesome and deserved to be in the finale. Both class acts, and when in the “zone” are both magical. I know it defies logic, but it seems that they are best when singing the cheesiest songs imaginable. I am surprised to say that I loved David Cook singing that coronation song….it’s something about his voice mixed with sappy lyrics that’s stunning. He has a huge career ahead of him.

I’m glad that Simon highlighted how nice the final 2 are, especially in light of the “smug/pompous” comments he kept throwing at David C. The smug comments were some of the most hurtful of the season. I know it’s part of the show, but sometimes these kids take such a beating, so it was nice to see some of that retracted.

Cook singing the coronation song and calling the top 12 to join him was the sweetest thing. It was also apparent that he cares a lot about David A, and vice versa.

This was probably my favourite season of American Idol, and it was topped with an awesome finale. For once, Idol got it right in the end!

Best of luck to all of the top 12.

rereader, the problem was that Jason’s solo was too short. I am still trying to figure out those camera angles. Sweet moment for him.

I’ve admired David A’s voice from the audition round (again, his taste in music isn’t mine, but hey, it’s a big world, room for all!), but I don’t think he’ll lose anything, career-wise, by coming in second. If anything, a slightly slower trajectory would benefit him; if he needs any improvement, technically or vocally, I don’t know what it would be, but he appears to be a slower maturer than some, and it would be a good thing for him to have a little time to find out who he is (and, of course, his music would benefit thereby as well).

And MCL–what did you think of Jason’s solo? He really put it all on the stage last night, he was actually shaking during the second verse!

“I thought everyone should know that Adam and Kendra were in the audience last night, along with their children, the medic and the nurse they travel with. They didn’t sit down in the front with David’s mother and Andrew.

They are just the loveliest people you’d ever want to meet, as I knew they would be. We had a conversation before and after the show. I don’t want it to get out in a big way that I flew there (with my own money and got my own ticket for Tuesday through the kindness of a woman in Los Angeles), so I’m not posting about it on the American Idol board for right now, but I thought all of you who worked along with me to help raise money for Adam to be in L.A. deserved to know that even though they weren’t on camera last night, that Adam and Kendra were definitely there.

I’m still looking for tickets for tonight.

I talked to a reporter from People and Access Hollywood briefly over the phone yesterday morning, once I knew it was okay to say that the Cooks were in Los Angeles. There were several voice mail messages on my phone as soon as I got off the plane. It was kinda crazy! Pam Grout from People wanted to know if I had ever been involved in a fundraising effort before, and I said no. She was genuinely surprised I hadn’t done anything like this before.

I told her SEVERAL people contacted them trying to get them to print something to help raise money and got no response. She said unless you can get to someone specific, emailing them at their generic email address doesn’t do anything.

Duh!

All that matters is that Kendra and Adam were there to watch David perform and it was very emotional for everyone!”

I can tell you that, according to the Terre Haute paper, Adam did make it to both night’s shows! http://www.tribstar.com/local/local_story_143000147.html

Anita

I’m curious as to why you think they are told the results beforehand. The things I’ve heard seem to say differently. Clay accidentally saw the results, but he has always said that was an accident. And Bo has stated that he was standing up there hoping he wasn’t the winner before the results were announced.

I don’t know what’s occurred in the last couple of years, though. So maybe I’m off-base.

Anyway, I agree, cersei, that the duet was great! I absolultely loved it. The highlight for me was when Bryan Adams performed…I love this guy!

As for Cook’s brother in the audience, I don’t think that is the brother with cancer. It’s great though that his family was with him tonight!

Adorable Jason had his solo! What an honor that was, and he did such a sweet and moving performance.

I loved the tribute to Gladys Knight. She has always been a friend to AI. It was very funny. Good night overall.

Congratulations David Cook. Not my style of music, but I have the utmost respect and admiration for his talent and musicality. He’s going to be very successful. What a classy guy and I know he will carry the title well.

Now David A. I’m heartbroken. In my mind, he is every bit a winner as David Cook. So much talent at a young age. His performances on the top 2 night moved me to tears, and seeing him so gracious and just as happy to end up the runner up only made it even more heartbreaking. He is special and I can’t wait to buy his album.

Although honestly? I was pretty sure it was Cook as soon as they said the numbers for the results. I didn’t think David A would be able to win by that much — I think if it had been the other way, it would have been much closer.

I hope they put good producers with David A so his voice and style can be honoured. I’ll admit it – I was hoping he’d win. I’ll get to vote with my pocket book from now on and will welcome his first CD with anticipation.

Congratulations to David Cook…truly deserving of the title! Seeing him tonight and being able to have his brother there definitely gave me chills and especially seeing him sing the final song, it was no doubt dedicated to his brother! Did you hear him right after Ryan announced he had won “It’s his fault” (pointing to his brother) WOW!
Kudos to Simon too for apologizing to David Cook!

David Archuleta, though, has only just begun his very very successful musical career as well. I’m looking forward to hearing great things from both of them in the future!

And David Archuleta will have whatever career he desires, with me waiting for however he wishes to entertain me.

David Cook looked mighty nervous and fingering his mike, while David Archuleta looked happy and relieved.

So happy for both of them. I love them both so much. Superb and sensitive artists with stellar careers ahead of them.