'American Idol': In the final, it's Adam and -- Kris?

Danny Gokey, an early favorite of the fans and judges, is eliminated as soft-spoken, folky Kris Allen pulls an upset.

Out of the tens of thousands who queued up before dawn last summer for a chance at the golden ring on "American Idol," it will come down to a head-to-head match between San Diego's Adam Lambert and Arkansas native Kris Allen. The two advanced Wednesday night after the elimination of initial favorite Danny Gokey and will vie next week to become the eighth "Idol" champion.

Emerging from the crowd as a judges’ and audience favorite in the very early days of the audition episodes, Gokey was propelled to the front ranks of the competition by his powerhouse rock-blues vocal style and effusive personality. His "Idol" journey was also marked by the shadow of grief: It was revealed in the auditions that Gokey's wife had died just before he tried out.

Gokey spoke of his "American Idol" bid as an homage to her memory; his performances often ended with the singer curling his hands into the shape of a heart, a gesture seen by many observers as a call out to his lost partner.

On stage however, Gokey seemed the most buoyant of spirits. His constantly upbeat, goofy good humor won him legions of admirers, keeping him out of the bottom tier every week this season -- until Wednesday.

For weeks, a Gokey showdown with pop phenomenon Adam Lambert was spoken of as inevitable.

Ultimately, however, that destiny was undone by the surprise emergence of Kris Allen, the soft-spoken, folky singer who has been referred to as a dark horse. Although the low-key Allen never appeared to threaten the season’s two giants, he steadily turned in impressive performances. On Tuesday, with a cliffhanger Top Three in the balance, he gave what might have been the strongest outing of the night with his pared-down, soulful version of Kanye West's "Heartless."

After Wednesday's show, the two finalists flipped a coin to decide position in next Tuesday's performing finale. Allen won the toss and, given the choice, elected to have Lambert lead off in the final battle.

NOTE: Join us Thursday for our post-elimination chat at a special time - 1pm PT/4pm ET at latimes.com/idoltracker

-- Richard Rushfield

Photo: Kris Allen and Adam Lambert perform (separately).  Credit: Fox

Comments

[PhDude]

Adam is AMAZING@! He is so talented and has entertained us all season. He has earned the Idol crown. Vote Adam@! I am also proud of Adam because I work for the VA and while Adam was home he went to Miramar to sing for the troops and their families. He also visited the kids at his high school drama and signing departments and went back to the performing arts center where he started performing. He is truly the most talented and should win American Idol Vote Adam!

[ron]

Kris and Adam are good. Adam and Allison was best. But I'm satisfied anyway. It's been a find ride into the finals.

[Linda32]

Well, looks like Simon got his way. He purposely had the crew bad-mouth Danny and the sheep-like American public were too immature or intelligent to see that they were being manipulated, as usual. Kris isn't that cute, isn't that talented, isn't that personable, and if he beats Adam it would make my heart sing! Really people would you buy Kris's CD, now come on you know you wouldn't. You can hear that voice any where in any garage band in any little town in America. The only original thing he has going for him is he spells his name a little funny. I think Simon should be left with another non-seller like Jordan and that guy that had gray hair ... I cannot remember his name. It might have been Billy Bob or something like that. Danny had a voice like an angel and I WOULD have bought his CD, it seems to me Simon is losing his edge. Adam is good, but sometimes when he hits those high notes it sounds like a 400 pound man is rocking on an old lady's foot with a rocking chair, and she can't stop screaming. Robert Plant knew how to hit those notes, there was nothing shrill about it, it was pure magic. Maybe when he is older Adam will perfect that sound, but whether it is youth or a need for instruction remains to be seen. As for Kris, go on everybody vote for him! Do yourselves proud and stick to your guns and show Simon that he needs to stop trying to stack the game with guys he wishes HE was in high school. Show him who is really boss and vote for the mediocre kid with that little weird name. You know the kind you can't remember next year.

[E.R.]

I have been rooting for an ADAM LAMBERT-KRIS ALLEN from TOP 13 and I am so glad that my taste for great music is much more accurate than the judges and critics' choice.
And with the final two next week, I would be hypocrite if I say that Adam will not win it all!
Best wishes and good luck to both of them!

[bryan]

@ Linda23

Allison is my personal choice. By calling Kris Allen "mediocre" is a little unfair. I think his performance last night and some other nights were memorable.

I will definitely remember him, he rocks the song "Heartless" better than the auto-tune Kanye!

And as for Danny- I just dont like the guy period,he reminds me of Taylor hicks "America-what-are-you-thinking??" he pimps his wife for votes. After tonight, may his wife rest in peace.

[kevin kyle]

whine all you want LINDA32......KRIS is in. it's all about MUSIC and ARTISTRY

...a relative unknown - ignored by AI producrers and judges 'til the very end - yet AMERICA embraces his innate musical genius - and AMERICA knows better......BRAVO!!!!!!

[PhDude]

Adam is AMAzing@ Vote Adam

[Loftboy]

The tweens have spoken and they liked Kris better... yeah, BIG SURPRISE. They will turn on him, though. Yes, Kris will feel the withering burn of their indifference as they find themselves, beyond their will and much to their parents horrified chagrin, dialing for Adam next week. They will finally come to their senses and realize that this is no contest at all and that Keith Partridge and Bobby Sherman (ask your folks, tweens) are dead and have been replaced by Marilyn Manson... only the FAAAAABULOUSSSS version.

Watch out! The Boy from the Decadent Blue State that Kisses the Sea is poised to win it all ... avert your eyes!

Or vote for Kris ... whatever.

[thunder]

I am an Adam fan and I hope he wins the title because he deserves it. But I also won't mind if Kris gets the title (better than Danny). Kris might win because Danny's fans are Adam haters and would rather have anyone win other than Adam. Anyway, Adam had already stole the hearts of so many people not only in America but around the world. He is a superstar in the making. I am just glad that I get to see him one more night. Thank you AI for finding Adam.

[Jose]

Let's see Adam play a guitar or piano and tell me who is more talented. Adam himself admitted on the show that he has been specially groomed since childhood to be star. Adam went to a special school when his was as young as 8 years old. Adam was in musical and plays as child in front of paying audiences. He has been in musical theater all his life. After high school Adam has worked in stage and theater for years and years. That is Adams PAID PROFESSION. Adam appeared in DVD musicals with Val Kilmar, the famous actor, and now compare that to the other contestants especially Danny and Kris and you have an UNFAIR competition.

[Benjamin]

That cupped "heart" symbol is LensCrafters ad/commercial. Maybe they gave him free glasses.

[Chris]

Kris is amazing. He deserves to be in the Top 2. Danny screeches.

[RG]

Kris is genuine, Adam a phony- simple as that.
Kris Allen the real deal.

[JUDIE HAMILTON]

Adam rules!! He should be voted the Idol!! He is the bet they had this year.!!!

Judie Hamilton
Aurora, Illinois

[SugarKube]

I'm shocked.. nope, not Kris.. he has a talent yes, but nothing about the guy stands out.. he is another garage singer for sure!.. I have voted on every show since Amer Idol has begun, and for the first time I never could get thru on the lines this week.. I continued to try thru to the next day and still Danny's line was not working... the others we tried and got thru.. So my vote never got cast!.. I bet this happened to alot of people this time so who knows what the outcome would of been!.. Too bad we can't see who the people really would of chosen!.. I really believe there was a glitch in the phone lines.. Hmmmm?.. could that of been rigged?.. never know!.. I hope to see Danny out there, he has a true talent and Adam.. Kris, I could hear him next door! Sorry!..

[Marsha]

I have watched every show of every season. This is the first time I have ever seen such a bias opinion of the judges. They have campaigned for Adam throughout this season. As far as talent is concerned. Is screaming and sticking out your tongue a talent? Adam is a Rock singer and that's the extent of it. Kris and Danny are versatile and have a talent to arrange their music. That is talent. The finale should have been Danny and Kris. Now that's talent. I think this will be my last season to watch the show.

[teeandjeanz]

Brilliant, Kris. Boffo. Gutsy. Wonderful. They didn't even feature you in the audition previews. I pulled for you all the way. From the very first time you pulled out your guitar. Go get 'em. Can't wait to buy your album. Congrats, Danny. That rendition of YOU ARE SO BEAUTIFUL will be your first single. And it will top the charts. :) Adam is brilliant, too.

[POFL]

All those Danny voters who still care are going to break for Kris. If it was as close as Seacrest claimed last night - then Kris wins this by a landslide.

[Mimi]

GO ADAM!!! I only reason Kris made it so far is because of all the tween girls texting! Voting should be limited to one vote per phone number. At least hokey Gokey is gone. GO ADAM!!

[Bruce]

Who cares who wins!?! It's more fun watching Simon and Paula go at it!!
Check out “Hey Paula (American Idol Mix)” at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7Opl3TCK0o

See more parodies at http://parodyandson.blogspot.com

[sandy]

I think the best finale would have been Adam vs. Allison, but, Adam vs. Kris is fine. Kris is ok. He's a little dull. To me, he represents what's missing in music today, with tuneless boring mediocre
songs that are not memorable in any way. Kris has a ton of talent. I just don't like his style of music. Adam, on the other hand, represents a savior of music, after a sea of boredom for the past decade. He's the most exciting thing to happen to modern music this decade. His talent is incomparable.

[Rob]

Kris Allen can sing.

Adam can sing, but insists on screeching in EVERY song.
Couldn't even get through "One" without doing it.

Allen deserves the win because he "gets" the contest is about selling albums and has consistently made songs his own, while keeping in tone.

Adam stole arrangements from other artists left and right (ie: muse's take on "Feelin' Good") and his need to show off his pipes rather than just singing will hurt him.

Sorry Linda32, Kris will outsell Adam, even if Kris loses - unless it's because Adam is on some Cast Recording of Hair somewhere.

[scootmandubious]

Linda32, get over your hatred of Kris.

To answer your question, this person bought 4 of his singles on Itunes. And I rarely buy Idol performances from the show.

Not every singer has to have a big booming voice. John Mayer, Jason Mraz and James Taylor are a few that come to mind, right off the bat. Some of us prefer the Kris' style of music. Within his genre, he is as brilliant as Adam is within his.

Why do people feel they have to badmouth the other contestants to justify their love for the

[Blondie]

I guess there were going to be sour grapes this morning. Sorry to the Danny fans, but congrats to Adam and Kris. All of these guys deserved to be here for one reason or the other. I do not think it is Danny's fault that his wife came up in this competition. It is something he could not ignore - his wife inspired him to go on, so she deserved his mentioning of her for heavens sake. In this same sentiment, Adam does not deserve the hate he gets on these boards just because the judges love him. He has nothing to do with that. He is a kind and gracious person, and also deserving of his spot. Do not displace your anger. Adam just sings his heart out every week and goes out of his way to entertain as many people as he can. I personally adore him. He reminds me of Michael Jackson - some hate him and most love him.

[Lori]

MY PICK IS ADAM LAMBERT!! HE HAS DID NOTHING BUT ENTERTAIN US ALL SEASON, HE CAN SING ANYTHING AND MAKE IT HIS OWN. I HAVE WATCHED AMERICAN IDOL FOR YEARS AND ADAM IS ONE OF THE BEST PERFORMERS I HAVE EVER SEEN, ONE HELL OF A VOICE!!! DANNY FANS VOTE FOR ADAM!!! HE IS A TRUE ENTERTAINER!!!!!!!