Top 2 – Calebena

Caleb's Voice
My voice is worse. I hope his is better.

Prom
The Prom trashing scene looked like it'd be fun to shoot. Mom and I want to pop balloons and necklaces.

Coin Toss
Jena won, and chose to go first? What the heck?

Idol Top 2 – Calebena... GO!

Round #1 – Picks from Simon Fuller

Jena Irene – "The Dogs Days Are Over" by Florence + The Machine

What a great pick. Jena voice sounds a little strained and shaky, but I notice it's only when she's moving, and it's likely due to nerves. She was also pushing her voice forcefully. (I'm currently experiencing vocal strain, and all her pushing is making me uncomfortable.) All of that is probably just me being extremely picky, though. It was actually a great performance, especially the end when Jena struck a pose on the stage floor. My favorite part of the whole thing was THOSE DRUMS. Love those drums. And Jena's eye makeup. Mom is a big fan of the eye makeup.

Caleb Johnson – "Dream On" by Aerosmith
Awwww! Ed and I have some history with this song. When Draymond Green played for Michigan State, and an announcer would say his name, I would sing, "Draymond! Draymond! DRAYMOND! DRAYMOND!" <sarcasm> Ed loved it. </sarcasm> Caleb started the song a little weakly. It made me nervous for his voice. However, like Jena, I think he was cobwebbed by nerves, because he completely turned around the mojo in the second half. Mom and I were waiting with baited breath for the higher "dream ons," and we were not disappointed. I was so excited that he was hitting those notes... and not just screaming them, vocalizing. It was flat kilt. Round 1 goes to Caleb. STAND UP, Harry, you piece of crap.

Jo's Round #1 Ranking

1. Caleb
2. Jena

Interlude

When Caleb was twerking on Jena, she laughed, and then she looked instantly stressed. It would be hard to have lighthearted, fun moments right before an important performance.

Round #2 – Contestant's Fave

Jena Irene – "I Can't Help Falling In Love" by Elvis Presley
Oh, yay. We loved this one when she sang it two weeks ago for Top 4 week. Here's what I said originally:

I was worried about the slow pace, but it was wonderful and touching and emotional and BEAUTIFULLY sung. Those runs. Those note progressions. Those dynamics. It was phenomenal. Coupled with her piano playing, that performance was some classy musical genius... one of the best of the season, for any contestant.

I feel exactly the same tonight. Even Mom gave a standing ovation, though I'm not sure if her ovation was for Jena's performance or for Jena's eye makeup.

Caleb Johnson – "Maybe I'm Amazed" by Paul McCartney
Caleb's choice is also from Top 4 week. I said:

This song choice was a great way for Caleb to show the "poignancy" for which the judges keep pining, without sacrificing his rock-n-roll style. Caleb took us on a great ride through the range of that song. I told Mom and Ed, "I can't wait until he does the high ooh-ooh's," and he didn't disappoint. This performance was his best of the evening, in my opinion. He needs to attack each performance like this.

This presentation complemented Caleb's Round #1 song very well. I thought tonight's was a little more "all over the place" than it was two weeks ago. Caleb showed more control in Top 4 week. It was still great, though.

Jo's Round #2 Ranking

1. Jena
2. Caleb

Funny, I thought about calling this round a tie, like Keith did, but I feel Jena edged Caleb here. I wouldn't call them tied overall, though, because I think Caleb beat her by a long shot in Round #1.

Round #3 – Single

Jena Irene – "We Are One"
Unless you are Phillip Phillips or Lauren Alaina, I don't like your single. I never like this part (unless it was PP or LA), because I don't know the song. I can't jam. Yes, I know, you have to try new stuff to learn and like new things, blah blah blah, but yuck. That's not the way I take my Idol. "Home" and "Like My Mother Does" are the only singles I've ever liked. I've typed this whole soliloquy while Jena is singing, and I feel like I haven't missed much. It was flat, not in pitch, but in performance. No up. No down. Same beat. No dynamics. A cheesy, "Thank you, America!" thrown in for good measure. I like Jena. I just didn't like this song/performance.

Caleb Johnson – "As Long As You Love Me"
Typical rocked Caleb performance, but like with Jena, this performance was my least favorite of his three. I just didn't connect with the song. It felt like a plateau. As I'm typing, it's still happening, and I'm waiting for him to do something memorable or outrageous. This is your LAST performance, Caleb... the last competition performance of the season, in fact. Man, he's even getting off pitch. This song sucks. DO SOMETHING, Caleb. Oh, well. I was not satiated.

Jo's Round #3 Ranking

Tie. I'm going there. Sorry. They were both just equally eh to me.

Tonight's Show...
...was a typical Finale Eve show. I got some good, I got some eh, I got some great. No surprises. It unfolded just like I thought it would. Where was MK in the final song thingy?

Jo's Overall Ranking

1. Caleb
2. Jena

Jo's Prediction of America's Ranking

1. Caleb
2. Jena

Round #1 went to Caleb, Round #2 to Jena, and Round #3 was a tie, but I think Caleb was WAY better than Jena on Round #1, and that might win it for him.

As I said MONTHS ago, Caleb is the American Idol. Period. Team Caleb. I wouldn't be upset if Jena won, though. I like her, too. I just like Caleb best, which is cool since he's going to win.

What do you think? Comment on the Facebook link!