The two original songs were written by Dianne Warren ... she is the songwriter for adult contemporary ballads ... i.e. Aerosmith;s I don;t wanna miss a thing, LeAnne Rimes ' How do I live, Celine, Enrique, Brittany, Christina, Ricky, Elton John, Nsync, Whitney EVERYONE who wants a ballad gets her to do one. There is always a clever (or not) play on words for the title and for her songs.

They are looking to sell millions with the singles and they picked a power songwriter to do so even if the style didn't match the two singers necessarily.

Personally, I didn;t think Justin sang very well. It hurts him that he has sang that one song "Get here" ? 3x in 2 weeks . It sounded the same as before. He sounded better on the third song but really had to push himself to finish.
I think regardless, he has the look of an Idol for all his Sideshow Bobness ... so even if Kelly has the better voice, he will win. You cannot discount the 12 year old screaming girl at the mall vote.

Justin will win.

Well I just finished watching the show, and it all seemed so anti-climactic.

My thoughts may seem to conflict with each other, but as long as you understand that "wonderful, beautiful, powerful voice" (i.e. Kelly) is not the same as interesting/unique voice (i.e. Justin) it all makes sense.

As to image, I think they're both worthy "idols."

As to voice, like I stated above, Kelly has a gorgeous (though extremely taxed at this point) voice. I adore her rendition of "Stuff like that there" and will listen to it happily for many years to come. But she has a typical "diva" way of singing modern songs - and I don't listen to (or like) any of the divas. Not my style of singing or music. I think her talent is wasted on tripe like the new songs tonight. Sure, the melody of "A moment like this" is still in my head, but that's not what I want - I don't want another Whitney/Mariah/Celine type singer that I will hear a zillion times so will know the melodies but ignore the song every time because it's boring/tedious/ordinary/typical. I want more...more... "Stuff like that there."

On the other hand, Justin, while I agree that his voice cannot compare to the power, range, beauty or purity of Kelly's voice, has something very unique in the way he sings. His falsetto is lovely - he just needs the right songs. He also needs to stop shouting - he's never going to have "power" in his voice, and trying to just emphasizes his vocal limitations. And while Kelly's version of the melody within "A moment like this" is the one stuck in my head, it is exactly because she sang it in the "typical diva" way. But Justin's version was ultimately more interesting to my ears - it didn't sound like the typical Warren ballad when he sang it - and that's a good thing! His version (with better mixing) would be one I might (might - it's still a trite song ) listen to again. Do I think he's a bit smarmy? Yeah. But do I think that most performers are a bit smarmy? Yeah. Nothing new there. And if he tones it down, it transforms itself into charisma - especially with the camera on him.

While I've said (and will continue to say) that Kelly is the "better" singer, I have also said that I don't want her to win, as I don't want her singing these types of songs. I certainly don't want her to become just another diva. I hope that regardless of what happens, she finds better songs to sing (and hopefully some more big band ). I think that Justin has done a better job of making songs his own, and not sounding "typical" of any style of singer. He's got a very unique voice, and if used properly, it sounds fantastic.

And finally, I thought that last moment with the judges and Justin realizing that Kelly would probably win and taking it with grace was wonderful. No pouting - he came across as a gentleman, which was nice to see. And it really did seem like Kelly finally realized she would win - and the fact that it was so overwhelming to her and she seemed so genuinely surprised was great to see as well. I truly think they are both nice people - and you can't have enough of that in this world.

I don't really care who wins, but Kelly was definitely better tonight.

@ palebluedot...I thought that Will Young guy sounded like Davy Jones, too!

I also thought the English host reminded me a lot of Brian Dunkleman...I wonder if they picked Dunkleman because of his similar look to the British chap? I caught Dunkleman on a late night show last week (I think)...geez, I hate that guy.

I haven't watched this show since the second episode, until last night.

I've got to say, that girl Kelly is by far the best singer of the two. Justin sounded flat to me at times.

I don't think Justin should win just because Paula has a thing for him, he smiles like an idiot all the time, he prances around like a white guy trying to be hip totally putting his mixed heritage to shame, he wears tight pants, and the girls are ga-ga for him. Did i mention the goofy smile?

Kelly, i would buy a record from, Justin i would not. If this show is truly about the talent Kelly should win.

• Quoth chowderhead •<HR SIZE=1>The two original songs were written by Dianne Warren <HR SIZE=1>

Was there any doubt? Those unmistakebly hollow lyrics could come from none other than her. I don't know the technical jargon, but you'd be hard pressed to find a Diane Warren song that doesn't slow down towards the end before bursting out into one loud final chorus. So whenever I hear that combined with absurdly vague and trite lyrics that make grand sweeping statements without actually saying anything, I know it's the Warren Hellbeast working her dark powers.

das

Stereotype much?

Let's see, because he has African-American blood he should be able to move better than he does?

Oh, I see....

P.S. If you think it should be all about talent, why are you focusing your derision on Justin's looks, clothes and style?

Next time try to read it with my intended sarcasm.

As for deriding his look, it's his looks that could make him the winner not his talent.

what was will young singing when he said "sweeeeee teh"??? tho i dont think there was a t in there, i just cant figure it out.

I think the song was called "The Sweetest Feeling".

I think you need your testicles in a vice-grip to sing that song like Will did.

What made my wife and i snicker about Will was the look on his face when those dorks said something about queens in the audience. Considering Will came out of the closet after he won i wonder if he thought maybe they were taking a jab at him. You could see Will wince when they said that.

See, I did not know that. Maybe they were alluding to the fact that his fan base might include a significant gay contingent.

I thought it was just PeaBrain and Dunderhead making idiots of themselves, again.

Well, I guess it was either way.

Although i like Will's singing i think he is the biggest dork that walks this earth (ok maybe a little too harsh) He did sing the sweetest feeling which he sang in the UK. Not a great choice seeing as he has released the likes of Ain't No Sunshine (and i have to admit it was far better than Christina's very poor effort) Light My Fire and Night Fever. After watching Will peform last night i see why Americans don't like him and why he wouldn't make it over here.
To sum it up he's a Nancy Boy that has orginal and unique talent.

So whos watching the full 2 hours tonight? I hate it when they put it on the same time as big brother because i have to keep switching channels to see whats going on.
I'm thinking now that Justin is gonna win only because of his looks. I think he should have gone long ago and it should have been Tamyra and Kelly in the final.
For me Justin is just a big head who IMO is 4th best in the competition.
Christina ranks 3rd.

So lets see what happens tonight
Damn all you Justin voters

Edit: I forgot to add that the hosts are quite simply crap. I absolutely hate that Dunkleman, can't stand the guy. Especially after watching him on Jay Leno when he thought he was a good comedian. Give me a break

I also thought that will did a fantastic performance in front of the queen

Yeah, I hope Kelly definetly does win, the only thing that can make Sideshow win is if all the teenie boppers called up and voted for him.

Oh yea, good performance by Davy Jones last night. Where were the other Monkeys???? (he does sound like Davy )

Also, does Paula Abdul make any sense @ all??? Make grown men cry, and make young boys want to be grown men?????
Even Kelly seemed confused by that one....

[The "American Idol" winner has been tapped to sing the national anthem at the Lincoln Memorial on Sept. 11, the Washington Post reported. ]

Anyone else think this is so wrong.

In other news, Simon has signed on for AI2 reportedly getting a $1,000,000 salary.

Simon deserves it. His remarks, although extremely harsh at times, were right on the money most of the time. I love Paula but she can be replaced although we need to have a "nice" and pretty judge. Randy, Randy, Randy...doesn't matter if he returns or not but the fact that he has worked with so many artists speaks for his credentials as a judge.

Actually, considering that Kelly won, I think it is fine. She has a gorgeous voice, and really seems like a wonderful, sweet person - exactly the kind of person who should be the voice of America.

I'll grant you that there are a ton of more established artists who would be just as good of a choice to sing the national anthem on 9/11/02, but somehow a "nobody" who is now living her dream seems completely appropriate as well. That's a big part of what the U.S. is all about - hope, dreams, and reaching your goals.