This magic moment.

Thursday, May 22, 2008. 6:21 A.M. A loud buzz of a sound awakens me from my sleep, but it ain't the alarm clock [I ain't got to be up for another hour or so], it's the phone, a text from a good friend/former college roommate texting me from the future a.k.a. the East Coast:

"Either of you catch the season finale of Idol last night by any chance? Two word: George Michael..."




On Tuesday night’s episode of American Idol, I was surprised to find myself sitting through a David Archuleta performance without grimacing, getting up, or inserting my own colorful commentary or snide ass remark before his singing came to an end. Most of this had to do with the song choice, and tonight Mr. Clive Davis chose wisely, supplying Mr. Archuleta with a classic that will forever hold a special place in my heart for personal reasons, and that song was George Michael and Elton John’s classic duet Don’t Let the Sun Go Down On Me. And you know what, Lil David sang his little heart out and sold it, as I am sure Mr. Davis expected him to do. I was moved and quiet as a mouse, and couldn’t help putting on George’s latest 2 Disc Greatest Hits set and immediately pressing play on he and Elton’s duet. It felt good to revel, once again, in the magical emotional luster of a smoldering George Michael track. My night –and damn near week- was complete.

And then last night’s show happened.

We all had been bracing ourselves for the arrival of one of the "biggest stars in the world" on the Idol stage tonight before all was said and done, but by now it was close to 9:50 PM, and the Top 12 had one more group performance left in them before the big announcement. Okay Ryan, but what about that "big guest"? Sure the hour and forty five minutes prior gave us the likes of Donna Summer, Bryan Adams, Graham Nash and a host of other talents with fame and notoriety behind them, but none of them are operating on this much hyped by Nigel Lythgoe "biggest star in the world" steelo we had all been anxiously anticipating.

And then the Top 6 women came out strutting and "grooving" to George Michael's Faith. Aww sukie sukie now. Is this the start of a George Michael medley? Aww shit. Now that's what I'm talking about! And from there on out, things just kept getting better and better. The fellas chimed in with Father Figure [another personal fave with special events attached to it], Dave Hernandez got the line about being "bold and naked", and all the while my eyes split time between focusing on the contestants, and, of course, the top of the stairs on that stage. Why? Cause any minute now I knew, just knew, that George Michael would grace us with his presence.

And finally, he did. There was no writhing about stage in tight blue jeans with a leather jacket and a guitar. There were no cop costumes, and fun being poked at his misadventures in a Beverly Hills park restroom. And there was no Elton John on stage with him to reprise Don't Let the Sun Go Down On Me from the night before. No. Just George, an empty stage, the image of a setting sun behind him, and that voice, his song, and that message.

Mr. Michael sang his heart out and sold it -cold and all - as I had expected him to do. And I was moved and as quiet as a mouse. Straight up Paula Abdul hands on face, getting choked up and trying to fight back tears while sitting moved. That right there was something special. THAT Mr. Archuleta is how you sing AND emote. THAT is how you move an audience through the power of a song. And that is why I'll always "stan" for George Michael.


And you should too...