American Idol 5 Finale: The Return of Clayton

It is reported that there was serious glitterati at the 2-hour extravaganza that is the AI5 Finale. Al Jarreau, Mary J Blige and the less-creepy royal one, Prince, were said to have taken the stage. Observers noted that Carrie Underwood put in an appearance, and all the top 12 from this season sang. And oh, apparently Taylor Hicks is the new American Idol.

Yeah, yeah, yeah. I don't know, I wasn't paying attention because .... CLAY!!

Clay Aiken turned up! And he sang "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me"!

It was as if time rolled back three and a half years to the Wild Card show from Season 2. This freckled-face lanky kid opened his mouth and out came a clarion-like voice that hit me straight in the solar plexus. He took an Elton John song which I have never particularly liked and just smashed the sucker all over the park. I have been a fan since that day.

I did not even mind the lame jokey set-up for his appearance tonight, with the annoying FauxClay Michael Sendecki receiving an "award" for Best Imitator. Sendecki's awed reaction when he saw Clay was priceless, a truly human moment in the increasingly grotesque circus that is AI. The entire segment was also a darn sight funnier than most of the skits that we have suffered through during result shows.

There is some commotion over Clay's new hair-do, apparently. I don't know; he certainly looks very different from the Clay we saw in AI2 but I don't have an opinion one way or the other. The boy can go all Ace-Constantine greasy-haired if he wants, as long as he continues to sing and target that solar plexus. I was just happy to see him on TV again and to hear his voice in such great shape. The distinctive phrasing, the wonderful bell-like clarity, the mellow lower notes - all back and better than ever. It got me all nostalgic for Season 2, still the best, most enjoyable, most exciting and most competitive season ever. After this season of largely decent but unmemorable contestants, it was nice to have someone showing them how is SHOULD be done.

Now, Clay, just get that 2nd album out, will ya?