And DAVID COOK was there!!!

Best to Worst:

David Cook!!  We'll never forget about you, because you're amazing.  (And, as a child of the John Hughes generation, I wholeheartedly believe you can never go wrong with an 80's ballad-revamped.)

Lauren's Doctor!!  Dressed up for the occassion in scrubs, and spoke in very technical terms "pulled a vocal chord".  Fantastic performance!



Were there other performances?  I must've slept through them.

Totally predictable.  I could've written the entire show myself:  Scotty deferrs on the coin flip, Lauren wears a Toddlers & Tiaras dress, Scotty dances through the audience and teen girls squeal, Lauren's stage parents get way too much camera time, Randy says "in it to win it", Steven Tyler creeply fawns all over Lauren.

Scotty's 1st two songs were "Gone" and "Check Yes Or No".  He sang fine, did the obligatory eyebrow waggles, danced around a little, and the judges ate it up.

Lauren's 1st two songs were "Flat On The Floor" and "Maybe It Was Memphis".  She sang fine (I couldn't hear anything different with her voice at all), did the obligatory booty shake, danced around a little, and the judges ate it up.  (Especially Steven Tyler who finally admits he wants her to win because she's "pretty" - thanks for that, Steven.)

Now I actually liked the final songs for both Scotty and Lauren.  I wouldn't download them off iTunes or anything, but they were decent.

Scotty's "Love You This Big" had lyrics all about being young and inexperienced.  He wore a cute little suit.  I like the slower side of Scotty - less cheese and more singing.  He actually has a wonderful country voice.  And he will absolutely have an amazing country career, win or lose. 

Lauren's "Like My Mother Does" was the song that JLo thinks will launch her to the win.  I'm a Mom.  I also have a wonderful Mom who I hope to be like when I grow up because she's so amazing.  So, I really should've choked up a bit watching Lauren serenade her mother (Mr. KK did.  And he'll be pissed that I wrote that.)  But I didn't choke up, even though it was a nice song and Lauren will do well with it as her 1st single. 

(Side note:  You may be disappointed to learn that the "best" song of the night was not actually an "original" song just for Lauren.  It's been recycled over and over, and even recorded by the other mediocre, Jesus loving, patriotic, country teenager on AI:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4FbYFJFoDoQ)

Who wins?  I call it for Scotty.  Mostly because he'll make more money for AI.