It was interesting to read back through this thread because Kris Allen flew completely under the radar until the final 10. Some early folks didn't even include him in there top 54 and later 36. There was buzz about Adam before he even went to Hollywood. Matt, Anoop, Lil Round and Danny were all mentioned early and often. Nary a peep about Kris- and now he could take it all. My first post on this thread was when the field was narrowed down to three groups of 12. I wrote:

"Just for the fun of it I would like to make a prediction. Because this guy's voice seems to not have a limit, and because he looks like Elvis a little, and because watching him reminds one of a concert instead of an audition (Paula's observation), I will put my money on Adam Lambert. While other contestants are trying to find their "stuff", this guy has so much of it that he has to notch it down".

I think what happened is that Kris grew. He did find his "stuff". I think Allison did to, and she is the one that I would have liked to see on top.

I'll probably stick to my prediction but I want Kris to win.
It is interesting that no one, myself included, could see Kris in the top 10 much less in the finals for so long. He reminded me of a nice college kid who likes to sing at the local campus coffee house on the weekends. It turns out that he has a songwriter's instinct about "message". He may be the most connected to the material he sings. Adam impressed me because he is always so respectful of the musicians and writers. America got it right I think. Stick Allison there in the middle and you have the cream of the crop.

"Imagination is more important than knowledge." - Albert Einstein