by Kylene Hamulak

 

Tonight, the finale of American Idol is about more than just making someone's dream come true. It's about special musical guests. It's about bringing back contestants you totally forgot existed. And, mostly, it's about saying goodbye to Randy Jackson.

 

Glad You Came: Our Top 10 open the show with a performance of "Glad You Came." Did anyone else forget there were boys on this season at one time? Things I noticed: Paul got a cast of some sort on his arm. The girls are having fun. Curtis is still trying to bring us to church.

 

Done: No, it's not just what this season will be in a couple hours - it's also the song Janelle gets to sing with The Band Perry! This is the stuff that makes the Idol Finale so much fun, seeing the Idols perform with some of THEIR Idols. Janelle is charismatic as ever, and I suspect we'll see her return next season with a country hit.

 

Calling Shenanigans: The guys, who were eliminated one by one to start the season, bring a very serious problem to our attention - they were sabotaged! Kree's responsible for Curtis's crazy jacket, Angie encouraged Paul to tell a joke, Amber drugged Devin, Janelle adjusted Lazaro's music, and Candice was bullying Burnell. Who could be behind such a devilish plot? Jordin Sparks!  She tells the guys it was time for a girl to win, and since none of them play guitar, it was pretty easy. "Idol leftovers have been doing really well on The Voice," she assures them.

 

Idol Boys: The guys perform a medley of songs from Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons while the dancers do the choreography from Jersey Boys behind them. The music is arranged to favor the guys, who, as we all know, have had their share of vocal issues this season, so it sounds pretty good. Frankie joins them halfway through and still sounds amazing...I mean, until the guy start singing with him. It's kind of a mess for parts of it, but how can you not have fun with these songs? Keith agrees - he's dancing in his seat - but I guess if we really want to answer that, we could ask Nicki. She's quickly the first to sit down after the crowd gives a standing ovation.

 

Mimi Says Goodbye: Did you really think the finale would go by without a performance from Mariah? It's kind of an awkward medley because it's only like two lines from some of her greatest hits, and she's obviously not singing live, but it reminds me of how awesome she can be. When she's not judging Idols, that is. Randy's playing bass, and he's totally in it to win it.

 

Amber's Solo: Emeli Sande has been everywhere lately with her single "Next to Me" and tonight she's performing with Amber, who looks every bit the star Nicki has wanted her to be this entire season. Keith, again, is absolutely rocking out to this and singing along, so it's great to see at least one of the judges having a good time.

YOU Get a Car! And YOU Get a Car! It's like Oprah around here, as Kree and Candice honor their hometown heroes for their Final Ford Fiesta Mission by inviting them to the Idol Finale. Candice chooses her grandmother while Kree picks her musical partner, and both are presented with brand new cars by Kree and Candice. 

 

Bathroom Break: Psy is takes the stage to perform "Gentleman". If you don't recognize Psy, he's behind that Gangnam Style song/dance, and this is basically that again. Also, if you don't recognize Psy, you should pat yourself on the back for a life well lived. This is as cheesy and stupid as it was the last time he released a single, and the only reason I sat through it was in hopes that someone - ANYONE?! - associated with Idol would come out on stage. Jimmy Iovine maybe? #disappointed

 

He Don't Need Too Much: The third judge is next to perform, and I totally get why people swoon for Keith Urban. He performs his new single "Little Bit of Everything" and I applaud him for doing it live.

 

Candice's Encore: Singing "Inseparable" by Natalie Cole, Candice sounds incredible as always...and then she's joined by Jennifer Hudson. And it just gets taken to another level. You know, I actually prefer the tone of Candice's voice, and I would love to see her emulate Jennifer's post-Idol career. Except for the Weight Watchers commercials. Because those were annoying. Anyway, everyone goes nuts for this duet, and rightfully so.

 

Double Duet: Ryan tells us that Angie's elimination SHOCKED the nation last week, so I guess that's why she gets two duets. She begins - on the piano of course - singing "Titanium", joined by Adam Lambert, but it doesn't stop there. Remember a couple weeks ago when Angie thought her Idol, Jessie J, was there to surprise her? SURPRISE! Tonight she is, to perform "Domino," and Angie gets to strut right next to her, having the time of her life. Apparently, to perform with Jessie J meant Angie wouldn't be able to do her own single (um, fair trade) so Jessie offers to fly her to the UK to perform it WITH her. Um...FAIR TRADE. The tears of last Thursday are looooong gone.

 

Judges Get Judged: The Idols share their thoughts about the judges, and it's a pretty funny segment. Cue the montage of Mariah using the word "daaaahling" over and over again! Keith is roasted for getting TOO into their performances, and Randy is always yelling "IN IT TO WIN IT!" Candice says, "You feel special when he says it to you, but then when he says it to everyone else AFTER you, you feel kinda stupid after that." Lastly, the Idols try out several of the wigs Nicki might wear - they're ridiculous, but it's funny - especially when Devin, in a leopard print bubble butt, walks out of the interview.

 

Kree's Turn: With an all-star band backing her, Kree brings "Where the Blacktop Ends" to the stage with Randy, Keith, AND Travis Barker. I'm not even a country fan, but I love this performance for her. It's like she's finally just let loose and is having a party on stage.

 

Goodbye to Randy: The most fitting tribute Idol could put together was to subtitle the "Dawg Pount Headquarters," where some of his biggest (furry) fans sit around and watch videos from Randy's 12 seasons on the show. It doesn't make me miss Randy, but it does make me miss Idol's heyday.

Live from New York: Aretha Franklin joins the show from New York to sing with the Top 5 girls via video. Like the guys with Frankie Valli, the girls are basically just background singers for her, but they sound great.

 

Season Tribute: It's no surprise to anyone that Kree and Candice are getting their Fords. Ryan announces that fans have chosen the Ford Escape as their prize, then introduces the tribute to Season 12. Set to Phillip Phillip's "Gone Gone Gone", we go back to the most memorable auditions (good and bad) and the moment when some of our Top 10 discovered they had a chance to be the next American Idol.

 

Judge Returns: There's an empty seat at the judges' panel, but the return of Jennifer Lopez is to perform with Pit Bull on their new single "Live It Up." I give her credit for looking great and putting on a show, but it's a little weird that she's 43. Also, her dancers are dressed like slutty Disney princesses.

 

Final Duet: Candice and Kree duet on "One Less Bell to Answer." It's kind of a depressing way to end their journey together, but they sound nice. Ryan joins them with the golden envelope that holds their results. The winner of American Idol Season 12 issssssssss.....

CANDICE GLOVER!!

 

Wait - since when is there an American Idol trophy?! Angie DEFINITELY handed her a trophy.

 

Final Thoughts: It took her three tries, but Candice made it. She sings out with her new single (order it now!) "I Am Beautiful". The first few lines are shaky with emotion, which is sort of fitting for the song, and Candice is clearly overcome. It's a happy ending, but it would've been either way.

 

Congratulations, Candice...but congratulations to Kree and the rest of the Idols too. Welcome to the first day of the rest of your life.

 

American Idol will return in January - stay updated with news on Reality Wanted!

 

(Images courtesy of Fox)

 

Follow Kylene on Twitter @keepingupwithky!