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American Idol 17: Top 3/Finale
Air Date: Sunday, May 19, 2019 (8-11pm)
Last season, like every season before it, American Idol aired a two-night finale. This time, they've combined the final performances and the winner announcement into one mega-finale episode--three hours long!
The Top 3 performed, then one was eliminated. They had the usual star-studded performances. Then the Top 2 performed one final time, and the winner was announced.
Here's how it all went down, in my Twitter recap for the season 17 finale...
[More: American Idol 17 Live Twitter Recap: The Top 5 Perform]
I'm live-tweeting tonight's LIVE #AmericanIdol season 17 finale!— Jeff Dodge (@TheJeffDodge) May 20, 2019
Here are my thoughts on all the performances and results...#Idol #IdolFinale #IdolTop3
#LionelRichie is kicking off the #IdolFinale with "Dancing on the Ceiling." (He kicked off last year's finale as well.) And the Top 10 join him at the end (also like last year). #AmericanIdol— Jeff Dodge (@TheJeffDodge) May 20, 2019
So it looks like the Top 3 will perform twice, and one will be eliminated. Then voting will start on who will win. #AmericanIdol #Idol #IdolFinale— Jeff Dodge (@TheJeffDodge) May 20, 2019
Laine Hardy ("Home"): This was a typically solid performance from Laine. As I keep saying, he knows how to stay in his wheelhouse and be consistent. To prove to us that he wants to win, he's gotta step it up more, though. #AmericanIdol #Idol #IdolFinale— Jeff Dodge (@TheJeffDodge) May 20, 2019
Madison Vandenburg ("Shallow"): What a risk to take on this #LadyGaga/#AStarIsBorn hit--I LOVE this song! The first half was a little rough, with some sharp notes at times. But then she really kicked it into high gear & did great in the 2nd half. #AmericanIdol #IdolFinale— Jeff Dodge (@TheJeffDodge) May 20, 2019
— Jeff Dodge (@TheJeffDodge) May 20, 2019
Alejandro Aranda ("Millennial Love"): Ugh...another original. I mean, on any of these shows, I would never discourage original songs, BUT I've never been impressed with Alejandro's originals (or his voice, for that matter). This song was so boring (& really bad). #AmericanIdol— Jeff Dodge (@TheJeffDodge) May 20, 2019
— Jeff Dodge (@TheJeffDodge) May 20, 2019
Laine Hardy ("Jambalaya (on the Bayou)"): Maybe(?) this was a little more memorable than his Round 1, but I'm still not getting a breakout performance from him tonight. I don't know what Round 3 is (winner's song? reprise?), but hopefully that sells it. #AmericanIdol #IdolFinale— Jeff Dodge (@TheJeffDodge) May 20, 2019
Last year's winner, #MaddiePoppe, stops by to talk to #RyanSeacrest about her new album that just dropped two days ago. I haven't listened to it yet, but I'm looking forward to checking it out. #AmericanIdol #Idol #IdolFinale— Jeff Dodge (@TheJeffDodge) May 20, 2019
Madison Vandenburg ("Breakaway"): Like earlier she had some off notes at the start before getting on track (amazing power notes at end). Fitting song for hometown visits (& love that she did #KellyClarkson), but maybe a diff. KC song would have showcased her better? #AmericanIdol— Jeff Dodge (@TheJeffDodge) May 20, 2019
#GameOfThrones is about to start--I wonder how many people will flip the channel in a moment & completely miss Alejandro's second song? Could that affect votes for him? #GameOfThronesFinale #GOTFinale #TheFinalEpisode #AmericanIdol— Jeff Dodge (@TheJeffDodge) May 20, 2019
Goodbye to everyone who is changing the channel right now to #TheFinalEpisode of #GameOfThrones. I'll still be here live-tweeting my way through the #AmericanIdol finale! #GameOfThronesFinale #GOTFinale— Jeff Dodge (@TheJeffDodge) May 20, 2019
Alejandro Aranda ("Tonight"): Oh my god, another effing original! The producers have really unfairly catered to his every whim this season. Where were they in the past when songwriter-contestants were only allowed maybe 1 original? Again, this is so boring. #AmericanIdol #Idol— Jeff Dodge (@TheJeffDodge) May 20, 2019
I don't know if I missed any mention of it, but is there no Round 3 after the 3rd place elimination? If there isn't, I guess I'll just go ahead and say my favorite/least favorite performances... #AmericanIdol #Idol #IdolFinale— Jeff Dodge (@TheJeffDodge) May 20, 2019
My favorites of the night:— Jeff Dodge (@TheJeffDodge) May 20, 2019
None. I don't think any of them had a completely standout moment tonight. If I was forced to choose, maybe I'd go with Madison's 1st song (though it wasn't perfect).
The weakest of the night:
Alejandro (both songs)#AmericanIdol #Idol #IdolFinale
#CarrieUnderwood performs "Southbound."— Jeff Dodge (@TheJeffDodge) May 20, 2019
I always love to see Carrie return to #AmericanIdol. If you were thinking about getting tickets to her new tour & they're still available, do it! I went to her last tour--and it was fantastic! #Idol #IdolFinale
Time for results!— Jeff Dodge (@TheJeffDodge) May 20, 2019
Eliminated in 3rd place is...Madison Vandenburg.
Which means Laine Hardy & Alejandro Aranda are in the Top 2.
Madison has been my person favorite this season, but this went exactly how we all thought it would.#AmericanIdol #Idol #IdolFinale
Now it's time for me to get my max votes in for Laine. After all, we should all want to see talent triumph at the end of the night. #AmericanIdol #Idol #IdolFinale— Jeff Dodge (@TheJeffDodge) May 20, 2019
— Jeff Dodge (@TheJeffDodge) May 20, 2019
— Jeff Dodge (@TheJeffDodge) May 20, 2019
#MontellJordan performs "This is How We Do It," with help from some of the eliminated contestants from earlier in the season. #AmericanIdol #Idol #IdolFinale— Jeff Dodge (@TheJeffDodge) May 20, 2019
My Votes:— Jeff Dodge (@TheJeffDodge) May 20, 2019
Who I Voted for in the Top 3:
Madison Vandenburg: 10 (app) + 10 (website) + 10 (texting) = 30 (max votes)
Who I Voted for to Win (after Maddie was eliminated):
Laine Hardy: (app) + 10 (website) + 10 (texting) = 30 (max votes)#AmericanIdol #Idol #IdolFinale
Katy Perry & Daddy Yankee perform "Con Calma (Remix)." Are we supposed to see anything on those green screen walls, or are they merely supposed to be green walls? #AmericanIdol #Idol #IdolFinale— Jeff Dodge (@TheJeffDodge) May 20, 2019
Alejandro Aranda performs "10 Years," which is--you guessed it!--an original song. Why are all of his songs so slow and boring? Anyway, he's got a bunch of violin players performing behind him, which is cool. #AmericanIdol #Idol #IdolFinale— Jeff Dodge (@TheJeffDodge) May 20, 2019
#AdamLambert performs his new single "New Eyes." This song has a certain groove to it that's really cool for Adam to try out. #AmericanIdol #Idol #IdolFinale— Jeff Dodge (@TheJeffDodge) May 20, 2019
Dimitrius Graham and #AdamLambert perform "Bohemian Rhapsody." This was a really fun performance! #AmericanIdol #Idol #IdolFinale— Jeff Dodge (@TheJeffDodge) May 20, 2019
Dan + Shay perform "All to Myself." I really like this duo. Most male country singers all sound alike (which is why I generally like female country singers better), so when they came along, I took notice (a very Rascal Flatts-like sound). #AmericanIdol #Idol #IdolFinale— Jeff Dodge (@TheJeffDodge) May 20, 2019
Dan + Shay perform "Speechless" with Madison Vandenburg. I LOVE this song! #AmericanIdol #Idol #IdolFinale— Jeff Dodge (@TheJeffDodge) May 20, 2019
— Jeff Dodge (@TheJeffDodge) May 20, 2019
#LukeBryan performs "Knockin' Boots," which is fun.— Jeff Dodge (@TheJeffDodge) May 20, 2019
Then Luke & Laci Kaye Booth perform "Every Breath You Take." (I never would have expected Luke to sing this song.)#AmericanIdol #Idol #IdolFinale
Laine Hardy & Jon Pardi perform "Dirt on My Boots" and "Night Shift."— Jeff Dodge (@TheJeffDodge) May 20, 2019
(What a weird intro by that crazy guy--who is he? Was he someone who auditioned this season or something?)#AmericanIdol #Idol #IdolFinale
They show a video with #KatyPerry "best of" moments from this season. #AmericanIdol #Idol #IdolFinale— Jeff Dodge (@TheJeffDodge) May 20, 2019
#KatyPerry and Jeremiah Lloyd Harmon perform "Unconditionally"--what a beautiful performance! They should record & release this duet--or at least release this live version. #AmericanIdol #Idol #IdolFinale— Jeff Dodge (@TheJeffDodge) May 20, 2019
Weezer performs "Africa" with Wade Cota.— Jeff Dodge (@TheJeffDodge) May 20, 2019
Then Weezer performs "Everybody Wants to Rule the World."
Finally, Weezer performs "Take on Me" with Walker Burroughs (& Wade in the back).#AmericanIdol #Idol #IdolFinale
Welcome back to everyone who changed the channel to #TheFinalEpisode of #GameOfThrones! The #GameOfThronesFinale is over. Now let's all focus on crowning the next #AmericanIdol in about half an hour or so. #GOTFinale— Jeff Dodge (@TheJeffDodge) May 20, 2019
#KaneBrown performs "Good as You."— Jeff Dodge (@TheJeffDodge) May 20, 2019
Then Kane and Alyssa Raghu perform "Lost in the Middle of Nowhere."#AmericanIdol #Idol #IdolFinale
The Top 2--Laine & Alejandro--have each won a trip to the Bahamas, courtesy of Disney. #AmericanIdol #Idol #IdolFinale— Jeff Dodge (@TheJeffDodge) May 20, 2019
— Jeff Dodge (@TheJeffDodge) May 20, 2019
Shayy and #AndraDay performs "Rise Up." This is one of my favorite songs! And they did a great job. #AmericanIdol #Idol #IdolFinale— Jeff Dodge (@TheJeffDodge) May 20, 2019
Kool and the Gang perform "Hollywood Swinging" with Uche.— Jeff Dodge (@TheJeffDodge) May 20, 2019
Then it's "Ladies Night" with Alyssa, Madison & Laci.
And finally, "Celebration" with the finalists.#AmericanIdol #Idol #IdolFinale
— Jeff Dodge (@TheJeffDodge) May 20, 2019
Laine Hardy ("Bring It on Home to Me"): This was probably his best competition performance out of all three tonight. Between these two, I really hope he wins. Talent should come out on top here. #AmericanIdol #Idol #IdolFinale— Jeff Dodge (@TheJeffDodge) May 20, 2019
Alejandro Aranda ("Out Loud"): An original song--what a surprise! Not. I'll say it again--all of his songs are soooo boring! I mean, does he have anything that commands a stage? Cause we haven't heard one yet that does. He may win--but shouldn't. #AmericanIdol #Idol #IdolFinale— Jeff Dodge (@TheJeffDodge) May 20, 2019
[Updated with Round 3]— Jeff Dodge (@TheJeffDodge) May 20, 2019
My favorite of the night:
Laine Hardy (3rd song)
The weakest of the night:
Alejandro Aranda (all 3 songs)#AmericanIdol #Idol #IdolFinale
The winner of #AmericanIdol season 17 is...— Jeff Dodge (@TheJeffDodge) May 20, 2019
Laine Hardy!!!
He performs his winner's single "Flame," and the rest of the finalists join him on stage to celebrate. This is our first time hearing this song--I think I like it!
Runner-Up: Alejandro Aranda#AmericanIdol #IdolFinale
I am so happy right now!— Jeff Dodge (@TheJeffDodge) May 20, 2019
As the night wore on, any excitement I had at the start quickly drained--for one very simple reason: it seemed like the producers were trying to tip the scales towards Alejandro.
I'm so glad that didn't happen.#AmericanIdol #Idol #IdolFinale
And what an amazing comeback story for Laine Hardy! He tried out last year, and was cut right before the Top 24, which I was disappointed by. I was so glad he was back in the competition this season--and he won! #AmericanIdol #Idol #IdolFinale— Jeff Dodge (@TheJeffDodge) May 20, 2019
Another season of #AmericanIdol is over! Like with every season, we all feel various emotions over the course of these weeks and months as we root for our favorites, sit stunned if/when they go home, and hopefully feel satisfied by who ends up winning. #AmericanIdol #IdolFinale— Jeff Dodge (@TheJeffDodge) May 20, 2019
Another American Idol winner has been crowned! I look forward to seeing what Laine Hardy does with his album. And I hope Madison Vandenburg continues to pursue music post-Idol. As for Alejandro Aranda...well, I'm done commenting on him; you're welcome!
American Idol is returning for its 18th season next year. We don't know what the judging panel will look like. Katy Perry, Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie have all reportedly received offers. They're probably in the negotiation stage right now. And ABC is looking to cut costs, so these three (especially Katy) will likely have to take a pay decrease if they want to stick around. I do hope they come back. So while that's not locked down yet, what we do know at the very least is that the show is coming back in 2020. See ya then...
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