So Long Simon! See You On X-Factor

Before I get into my final recap of Season 9 here is some Idol news:

Ellen launches new record label


Future pop stars of the world: You need to be on YouTube.
Greyson Chance, the kid with a viral YouTube video of his “Paparazzi" cover, has gotten a record deal with none other than Ellen DeGeneres, as she'll announce on her show today.
For all of those who wondered if Chance was Justin Bieber 2.0, it looks like he might be. And yes, you read that correctly: DeGeneres has created her own record label, all because of Chance.
“Greyson … inspired me to start a record label called eleveneleven,” DeGeneres says on her show. “He is my first artist and we are making a record together.”
The 6th grader appeared on DeGeneres’ show about two weeks ago, and since then, the views of his video have skyrocketed to more than 30 million. Chance will be back on her show today to perform his original song, "Broken Hearts," and to talk about what it’s like to become suddenly famous and also land a record deal before exiting puberty. In a word, as Chance tells DeGeneres, “It’s awesome.”
DeGeneres added in the statement that she plans to continue using her show to find new talent to add to the label, as she did with Chance. (Like we said earlier, get on YouTube!) 

If you missed his performance, here it is:


Confirmed performers on tonights Finale Show are:
Christina Aguilera, Carrie Underwood, Kris Allen and Enrique Iglesias.

Rumored to perform:
Janet Jackson, Joe Cocker, Hall & Oats, Chicago, The Bee Gees and Melissa Etheridge.

Other rumors:
Paula Abdul returns?  Normound Gentile will perform?  Madonna is the leading candidate to replace Simon?

Recap:
Last night was the final performance show of Season 9 and the final chance for Simon to rip someone to pieces on National Television until his new show, the X-Factor debuts in the fall.  Considering the garbage songs selections for the final showdown I was surprised that he didn't go out with guns a blazin.  Let's take a look at those song selections:

Lee will sing "The Boxer," "Everybody Hurts," and "Beautiful Day."
Crystal will sing "Me and Bobby McGee," "Black Velvet," and "Up To The Mountain."

In what can only be described as a blatent attempt to throw Lee under the bus Simon Fuller selected a terrible song for Lee's vocal range and abilities.  "Everybody Hurts" made everybody hurt.  Even Lee seemed to know that his chances of winning were slipping away after struggling through the REM anti-suicide anthem.  Then, in an even more suspect move, U2's power ballad, "Beautiful Day" was choosen as the song he will record if he wins.  WTF?  This makes no sense.  Did the show own Bono some money or something?  And lastly, Lee, what were you thinking dude?  "The Boxer?"  Really?  A song the exposes your flaws as a vocalist and is somewhat of a downer of a finale song?  Dude!  Come on?  I thought you were in it to win it?

Crystal on the other hand was back in the Judges good graces and it was all just a love-fest for her 3 performances.  Personally I hate the Janis song and am with Simon that "Black Velvet" should be banned from all future Idol shows and auditions.  Crystal did sing better last night than she has in weeks and  clearly out-performed Lee who was just so overwhelmed on the Nokia stage in front of 7000 screaming fans.  Crystal was relaxed and seemed right at home which was a far cry from her rehearsal when she kept forgetting the lyrics to her songs.  About the only downside of Crystal's performances last night was the hideous gown she was stuffed into and her near tumble down the stairs because she can barely walk in high heels.  Crystal saved her best for last though as her rendition of the Patty Griffin contemporary folk song, "Up To The Mountian" stole the show.  This song has been getting a lot of play, what with Susan Boyle covering it on her album as well as Kelly Clarkson and Reba McEntire.  Kelly actually performed it on Idol Gives Back a few years ago.  But Crystal's version trumps them all and swept her into the voting hours as the apparent favorite to win.

This being Idol, anything can happen.  Just look at last season or season 5 if you think this one is in the bag.

So who's it going to be Lee or Crystal?  Crystal or Lee?

It's up the the voting public.