<p>True about the maturity level of Scotty…he’s been a rock all season except for the “I didn’t stand up for JaCee” moment.</p>
<p>Well, I think they got the finale they wanted - the two country singers. Soon we’ll know whether their efforts to tell America that Lauren is their choice will work.</p>
<p>I do not agree that everyone was treated equally - they clearly made non-subtle efforts to eliminate a couple of the idols.</p>
<p>Itunes downloads show Haley with the top three songs. You can look up the article which says that James and Haley have 13 of the Top 25 most popular iTunes singles. Scotty has number 4. Lauren tops out at number 19.</p>
<p>James and Haley were favorites by far in our house, but that may be our style of music. I think they will be successful, maybe moreso not being owned by Idol right out of the gate.</p>
<p>I’m wondering if Lauren’s vocal chord injury got the sympathy vote last night? I suspect it did. Scotty didn’t look or act too sympathetic did he? Either way, she’ll keep the fashion stylists very busy…</p>
<p>I can’t believe the doctor said what he did. I hope he meant she “strained” not “sprained” a cord. He also made it sound as though it is normal to push so hard that you damage the cords. Singers with good technique don’t do that. She shouldn’t have to “push” to get the sound out. If her cords were swollen and inflamed, she needed to be on vocal rest. Instead, they probably gave her steroids. Christine Aguilera screams and has had to take time off to nurse her voice back to health too.</p>
<p>^blue, I read somewhere a while back that the top 10 finalists are “owned” for 3 years, paying half their earnings to Idol. Can anyone confirm that?</p>
<p>Thus far, tonight’s show is pathetic.</p>
<p>I have been switching the channels back & forth, mostly AWAY from Idol. Liked seeing Tim McGraw & Carrie Underwood. Lady Gaga was good and Beyonce is always fun to watch. Nothing good the first hour.</p>
<p>Yes, Lady Gaga and Beyonce are more than their flash. It is good to be reminded that they can both sing.</p>
<p>Yea!!!</p>
<p>YES! Scotty wins!!!</p>
<p>Most predictable winner ever. Won’t say who for you left coasters. Some interesting performances tonight. Tony Bennett doing pretty well for 85. Can you imagine Tom Jones cringing backstage as the boys butchered his songs? To be fair, most of them probably never heard them before. I thought for sure that Pia would get a solo - oh well. The Jack Black - Casey duet was pretty entertaining.</p>
<p>^“Most predictable winner ever.”</p>
<p>Then you must read Tarot Cards or palms up on Beacon Hill.:)</p>
<p>I knew it was Scotty pretty much from the top 20.</p>
<p>I disagree with the “most predictable winner ever” claim. From the start, it really seemed as though James and Casey were popular, and then JLo’s comment last night about Lauren really worried me as well.</p>
<p>Grr…I was waiting for the show to air here on the westcoast about now. I deliberately don’t read this thread each week until my version of the show is over…</p>
<p>So while I wait, I start to read the NYTimes and viola, a headline that reads “Scotty Wins”. Oy…why not simply “Idol Winner!” and you have to OPEN the article to know. You’d think such a big paper would be a bit less provincial. Sigh…not so much fun to watch when you know the final score.</p>
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<p>Well, they said he won the coin flip and “deferred to Lauren” so she chose to go second. I think that is a nice advantage. Not sure what else you wanted the poor kid to do.</p>
<p>I liked Scotty though I’m not a country music fan. He’s got some annoying mannerism that need to be dropped, but for 17 I think he’s pretty amazing. I thought Pia & James were more talented, but Scotty was very consistent. He listened to the judges and implemented their suggestions. </p>
<p>I thought J Lo’s husband was awful. I loved Beyonce. I liked Tim McGraw’s song, but it bugged me that his hat covered up his eyes. I liked Carrie Underwood too…hmmm…maybe the country thing is rubbing off on me!</p>
<p>I know it’s about the voices…but…can they get Lauren a new stylist? I was also a channel flipper tonight, but her last dress…that yellow Pagent dress…??? And the long black tight hip shirt she was wearing earlier didn’t flatter her at all.</p>
<p>Keep her in long, flowing dresses. </p>
<p>They may need to have a Country Idol and a Pop Idol…so that there are some Pop singers on next year who make it to the finals…</p>
<p>West Coaster here, but I cared so little that I didn’t mind opening this thread, expecting the spoiler. Usually I don’t want that.</p>
<p>And I agree, starbright. A pox on NYT for that kind of spoiler… sheesh, many of us have NYT right on our Google home page.</p>
<p>Anyway, I think the right one won (of these two) and will happily ffwd through a ton of tonight’s show, picking my own highlights :D.</p>
<p>I thought Beyonce’s song was fabulous … not thrilled with the lyrics, as they are a bit boring while trying to be edgy, but thought it suited her voice so well. She sounded wonderful. Yes, ladies, it is possible to sound amazing WITHOUT yelling at the top of your lungs. (Please let that trend end soon!)</p>