AMERICA, TAKE A BOW

America Gets It Right By Choosing Kris Allen Over Adam Lambert

I'M SITTING ON THE COUCH WAITING TO HEAR ADAM LAMBERT'S NAME CALLED.

The glam rocker with the powerful stage presence has always been the judges' favorite, yet he never did anything for me as a singer. He could yowl with the best rock stars, but his voice lacked range and emotional depth.

Sure he was the ultimate showman; eyeshadow and liner, leather gloves and boots one week, slicked back and tailored suit the next.

And he oozed boy energy, even if all those screaming girls would be forever wanting. He frequently stole the show with stage dramatics that sometimes spilled over into camp. But he seemed to be Simon's pet Idol wannabe, and as usual, where the powerful goes so goes the press.

But there lurking in the pack was Kris Allen, the underdog, the dark horse. He was more boyish, more innocent, less threatening.

He showed up every week wearing a crooked smile, sneakers, just barely-there face fuzz and his aw-shucks charm.

He did not command the spotlight in the same way Adam did. But his performances had more vocal range, and every one was more soulful, more emotionally honest.

Over 100 million votes poured in since Tuesday night's face-off, and I nearly fell off the couch when it was Kris Allen's name -- not Adam's -- announced as 2009's American Idol winner.

Thank you America, you got it right!

The two-hour finale was a star-studded musical festival in its own right with performances by 13 former top Idols, David Cooke, Queen Latifah, Jason Mraz, Keith Urban, Fergie and the Black Eyed Peas, Cyndi Lauper, Lionel Richie, KISS, Carlos Santana, Steve Martin and Rod Stewart. But Kris Allen delivered last night's best performance when he sang No Boundaries at the show's end.

It's been a great season and I can't wait to see what horrible auditions and talented singers the next season brings us in January!