Well, after 18 weeks and 37 episodes, we finally know which two season 8 singers will be competing for the right to inherit the American Idol crown and sash from David Cook. [If you're in close proximity to the Pacific, there are SPOILERS ahead!] And all I can say is, America, you got it right. The most thrilling, crazy, outrageous, polarizing, noisy contestant in recent Idol history will be going head-to-head with an Idol oddity: A low-key, acoustic-strumming crooner who owes more to Jason Mraz and Jack Johnson than typical Idol idols like Celine Dion or Mariah Carey or Meatloaf. I’m not sure which singer — Adam Lambert or Kris Allen — will get my votes next week, and I find that oddly invigorating. My speed-dialing loyalties (and perhaps the entire season) will probably come down to which one is more innovative/daring/successful next Tuesday night. Let’s hope it’s a corker! In the interim: Rocker saved. Order restored. Simon schooled. And Kara, beware…I know next week is more about "This Is My Now" than "Home Sweet Home," but there’s still six days to start a movement, lady!
What did you think of tonight’s results? Who will you be rooting for next week — or did Danny Gokey’s elimination end the season for you? Post your thoughts in the comments section below, and I’ll be back in the early a.m. with my full TV Watch recap.
More on ‘American Idol’
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‘American Idol’ recap: It’s Reigning Men!
‘American Idol’: Season 8’s Greatest Hits!
Allison Iraheta Q&A: ‘It’s Been Such a Great Ride’
EW Cover Story: Adam Lambert: Shaking Up ‘Idol’
‘American Idol’ recap: Crime-Scream Investigation
‘American Idol’ recap: Go Fourth and Prosper!
‘American Idol’: On the scene for Top 4 performance night…and chaos
Paula Abdul remakes, improves on Kylie’s ‘Here for the Music’
‘American Idol’: 15 Theme Nights We’d Kill to See!
EW.com’s ‘American Idol’ HQ
EW.com’s Idol Prediction Challenge: Who’s going home this week?









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Well, Danny Gokey will have lots of time to mediate and scream on. COWELL SCHOOLED. It feels like Kris already won.
WAHOO!!! KRIS IS IN THE FINALS!!! WAHOO!!!!
As I just posted over on the earlier article’s comments board…
At the start of the season, I didn’t think Danny was half-bad, and I thought Kristen Baldwin was being a bit overly critical.
As time wore on, I realized on my own that she was right from the start.
So, I am sorry to have doubted you, Kristen, you were right.
Plus, doesn’t this mean that Michael won’t be going “Iraheta Red” now? That’s got to be a relief.
Oh, and I almost forgot: thank you, America, for voting again and giving me Hope for the second time in almost a year….
Congrats. You got the finale you wanted. If we couldn’t have Anoop or Allison in the finale, this will do.
All I can say is…..WOOHOO!!!!!!! At last, we put the Go in Gokey. I can’t wait for next week.
Thrilled.
BEST RESULTS NIGHT EVER! I am thrilled for Kris and happy that we put the Go in Gokey!
Slezak- How relieved are you that you won’t have to dye your hair. Way to go guys- putting the Go in Gokey. Hey AI- this is what happens when you try to dictate how we should vote. I feel bad for Danny, I think he drank the Kool Aid.
Well, Danny Gokey will have lots of time to mediate and scream on. COWELL SCHOOLED. It feels like Kris already won.
It’s a Christmas miracle!!! I have been rooting for Kris since his Top 36 performance, and he managed to get through to the Top 2 without backing from judges, producers, or any part of the Idol machine. I’m glad America can spot true talent and not just cheesy vocals. Go Kris and Adam!
I am so excited. I’ll be powervoting for Adam, but I love Kris too. Perfect finale.
So happy Tender Dawg (which is the only time you’ll ever see me quoting Randy Jackson) made it this far, against all odds.
Slezak, you know Kris is going to kill it next week, in the best way possible. I’ll be voting for him. Have been since the beginning. I can’t wait to see what he pulls together next week.
Kris and Adam are definitely one of the best final pairings in the history of the show. This wasn’t a great season, but Adam and Kris are a great duo. If only Allison could be there as well…But, seriously. Thank goodness Hokey Gokey got the boot.
Thank God Kris Allen is in the finals! He deserves to be, and it’s a giant middle finger to the IDOL judges and producers for pushing Gokey so shamelessly. Kris actually stands a strong chance of winning. I see more Gokey votes going in his direction than Adam’s. It’s not a lock for Lambert.
ADAM wins!! He can sing any style of music unlike a lot of other winners! Although win or lose he will be a HUGE star! I like Kris as well. But again have liked Adam from the start.
KRIS!!!!!!!!!!!
Like many others before me in the other thread, this is the first time I’d be happy with either of the final two winning.
This is fantastic. They’re both such polar opposites yet so many people/fans love them both. Because they’re both themselves and endearing. And fun. I love Kris’s constant shock each week his name is announced.
And I love Adam for Adam and that insane voice of his. I screamed so loud I scared my kids when they were both announced.
Best final two announcement ever. And the looks on the judges faces was the best. America did the right thing finally!!
Woooooohoooo!!!! We put the go in Gokey people!
go Kris!!!
We were completely giddy at the look on the judges faces! Perfect!!
thank goodness. i think i jumped 10 feet off of my couch when if found out kris was in the top 2. thanks america, you got it right.
yay!!! i’m actually excited! i sure hope the finale is as good as i anticipate it to be
To quote Kristen: “I don’t know if I could live in a world where Gokey wins.” Thank God you won’t have to – the Ghoulish Widower is gone!
Yay!Yay!Yay!Yay!Yay!Yay!Yay!Yay!Yay!Yay!Yay!Yay!Yay!Yay!Yay!Yay!Yay!Yay!Yay!Yay!Yay!Yay!Yay!Yay!Yay!Yay!Yay!Yay!Yay!Yay!Yay!Yay!Yay!Yay!Yay!Yay!Yay!Yay!Yay!Yay!Yay!Yay!Yay!Yay!Yay!
i love them both….adam is awesome in a loud, knockout way and Kris is awesome in a subdued but powerful way. both have great careers ahead.
they are both winners…wish there could be tie.
Yadaa!!!
Anoop got his redemption.
Donkey is gone.
America got it right and put the GO into Danny GOkey! Adam is the best contestent ever to appear on AI and although Chris is a nice, competent singer, he cannot compare to Adam.
honestly, i dont care which one wins next week. i love them both, and they are both emotionally generous, it will be a great finale.
No clue who I want to win on this one. What I do know is the finale will now be eminently more watchable without the “Master Class” (NOT!) of Gokey. I just hope we get 6 great performances out of the final two (c’mon, 4 is not enough!).