Idol Finale Diary: From Seat 502

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Idol Finale Diary: From Seat 502

Thursday, May 22, 2008

Momlogic's Jill: This once-in-a-lifetime experience was a night full of surprises.

My teen daughters and I have been gathering with a few friends every Tuesday to watch American Idol in my living room. Together we've perfected the art of dissecting and criticizing each song choice, performance, fashion ensemble, and crazy Paula antic as it unfolded before us. So when the opportunity to attend the Season 7 finale arose, of course, we jumped at the chance. None of us were prepared for such an unforgettable night...

Our seats were decent. Good, in fact. Behind us was Jason Castro's family--including the congenial woman in head-to-toe hot pink who introduced herself to us as his mama; a younger tween overly made up in an uncomfortable beauty pageant way, complete with tiara; and one attractive, but seemingly bitter, younger brother. Surprisingly NOT how we had pictured his family portrait at all.

Seated across the aisle from us was season 5 fave Constantine Maroulis and his pretty platinum-blonde date. I was surprised that my 14-year-old got up the nerve to get his autograph during the commercial break. Constantine remarked that she looked like "a younger version of Kristy Lee Cook," proving to us that, sadly, the smoldering singer can only reference other Idols during conversation.

Click here to see the Idol Finale
Red Carpet Gallery

We also sat by Cruella de Ville's (a.k.a. Amanda Overmyer) fiance...he told us she was doing well since getting the boot and has been selling out at the Whiskey in Hollywood. But we couldn't help but notice how totally uncoordinated, apathetic and uncomfortable she was on the stage. I mean, great Janis Joplin impression, but c'mon, Amanda, this is the finale--can't you muster up a tiny bit of fake enthusiasm?

Then, there was the litany of surprises on stage...Mike Myers, Donna Summer (who looked more like a man on TV than she did in the theater--promise!), Seal, Bryan Adams, the Jonas Brothers (did you know Nick got a new haircut?), Graham Nash, George-"who's he, Mom?"-Michael...and the performance that both mothers and daughters could appreciate...One Republic performing "Apologize" with sweet David Archuleta. Wow.

The two-hour live taping flew by. When the time came to announce the winner, we all thought we knew which David would be named. But it was clear that David Cook was more shocked than anyone to be the next American Idol. His emotional reaction moved all of us to tears.

There was one last surprise on the way out...an autograph from a supermodel-turned-train-wreck, who signed my daughter's book "THE Janice Dickinson." What a perfect ending to a night this mom will never forget.

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Wow, that is awesome that you got to go! It sounds like you had a blast. I really enjoyed the finale.. and glad David C. won!

- Paige

Posted 05/22/08 01:13 PM

What else did you think Constantine would discuss in less than one minute with a total stranger? Sounds like he gave your daughter a very nice compliment. One that SHE would appreciate and understand. Too bad he didn’t just tell her to get lost, huh? What he said, and the fact that he signed his autograph proves he is a kind, caring man who appreciates his fans. Just saying.

- gbfan

Posted 05/22/08 01:19 PM

I am so jealous of you! I would have loved to be there. Living vicariously through you right now. You are one lucky mama. Thanks for sharing your experience! (and gbfan - I thought her Constantine line was LOL funny.)

- Anonymous

Posted 05/22/08 02:00 PM

Wow. Felt like I was right there with you! Always wondered what it would be like to go to something like that and experience it from the seats. Did COnstantine give you that poser look he does so well? Poor guy. He’ll be showing up to American Idol Season 20 with his gray hair and will still be mugging for any camera nearby.

- Janice C

Posted 05/22/08 02:27 PM

Constantine was the co-host of American Idol Extra. He was paid to be there.

- conniefan

Posted 05/22/08 03:12 PM

Wow! How did you get tickets? I want some! My 10-year-old daughter would love to go! She’s a huge Idol fan!

- Emma

Posted 05/22/08 07:27 PM

Sounds to me like Constantine was very sweet to your daughter; your daughter must be very pretty. I’m sure she was thrilled he was nice to her… why weren’t you?

- LovemesomeGreekBoy

Posted 05/23/08 12:55 AM

That was my favorite performance of the night too! I think Archie totally should have won…it breaks my heart…his poor mama!

- jjstar

Posted 05/23/08 01:30 AM

tickets - ocatv.com

- Anonymous

Posted 05/23/08 02:43 PM

not a con fan, but if you are at ai, and working for ai, what else do you talk about to people asking for your autographs? The election?

- peg

Posted 05/23/08 04:12 PM

Step off the Castro family, woman. If you spent 5 seconds learning about Jason’s family, you’d know that his mom and dad are sweet, kind-hearted people. His sister LOVES American Idol and this was an experience of a lifetime for her. She’s 12, let her live it up the way she wants to! His brother is NOT bitter, he has never wanted to be on AI. He’s a reserved guy, cut him some slack. Good for you that you got to go. Too bad someone like me didn’t have the honor of sitting near the Castros.

- Yeah

Posted 05/23/08 08:14 PM

Momlogic Jill- Wow, for someone who enjoyed themselves, you wrote a lot of critical comments about others. Hope your jaded attitude and rudeness don’t rub on on your daughters.

- Mom in the OC

Posted 05/23/08 08:42 PM

Momlogic Jill- Wow, for someone who enjoyed themselves, you wrote a lot of critical comments about others. Hope your jaded attitude and rudeness don’t rub off on your daughters.

- Mom in the OC

Posted 05/23/08 08:42 PM

Momlogic Jill- Wow, for someone who enjoyed themselves, you wrote a lot of critical comments about others. Hope your jaded attitude and rudeness don’t rub off on your daughters.

- Mom in the OC

Posted 05/23/08 08:44 PM

Does it really make you feel better about yourself to criticize a 12 year old girl? Apparently, criticizing others is all you have to feel good about. I feel sorry for your daughters.

- Mom in Illinois

Posted 05/23/08 11:52 PM

you have a kid in american idol as a finale? you have a 12 year old girl with a brother she loves who is a top 4 finalist and wants to celebrate? You have a brother who is 20 years old and also proud of his brother but has some creep of a woman saying he’s bitter because of some 1 second impression. go bake some cookies for your daughters and try to be a better role model for them. too bad they didn’t give u tickets in the nosebleed section. if you think you’re funny you are not.

- kim

Posted 05/24/08 12:01 AM

You entitle your blog Momlogic. What kind of logic allows you to go around sneering at other people? Is this how you raise your children? “Hey kids lets go to this super special event and rather than focus on having a good time, we can badmouth the people in the audience.” Good job mom.

- D in Georgia

Posted 05/24/08 11:23 AM

Well…for someone who was fortunate and lucky enough to get a great seat at the Idol Finale…there seems to be an abundance of “bitterness” in you. I’m not sure what you expected Constantine to say to your daughter, but I doubt he’d talk to her which political persona deserved the Nobel Peace Price. And I’m not sure…unless you are a psychic how you know their brother is “bitter”. Probably because you don’t PAY ATTENTION to anything he said. You may want to take a chill pill next time you attend an Idol Finale.

- M.

Posted 05/24/08 02:22 PM

- M.

Posted 05/24/08 02:23 PM

What kind of a dumb blog is this anyway? You say “Together we’ve perfected the art of dissecting and criticizing each song choice, performance, fashion ensemble, and crazy Paula antic as it unfolded before us.” So, together (old ladies and little girls) you’ve perfected the art of being pretentious, negative she-puppies? As if that’s something anyone would want to know more about?

- Mrs R

Posted 05/24/08 11:12 PM

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