Memorable Moments from the Way Too Long ‘American Idol’ Season 9 Finale

In no particular order, here are some of the best moments of tonight’s finale where Lee DeWyze took the crown of American Idol Season 9.

1.) The top 12 set a cheeseball tone for the finale with a rendition of Alice Cooper’s “School’s Out” (featuring a cameo by the aforementioned rocker and Catholic school uniforms).

2.) The laid-back, oh-no-this-is-not-rehearsed “surprise” shown by Crystal Bowersox and Lee DeWyze when Kris Allen gives them their custom made Ford Fiestas.

3.) Hall & Oates

4.) Images of SNL’s “Barry Gibbs Talk Show” during Siobahn Magnus and Aaron Kelly’s jam session with the Bee Gees.

5.) What would American Idol be without awkward choreography? We got a very generous helping.

6.) Justin Guarini and Taylor Hicks: totally forgot about them. Thanks for the reminder.

7.) Shots of B-list celebrities in the audience. (i.e. David Hasselhoff and Aunt Becky from Full House.)

8.) This tweet from @SueTube: “The Idol finale is apparently channeling a PBS pledge drive show.”

9.) Christina Aguilera uses her bazooka-of-a-voice to make the Idol girls scatter.

10.) Michael McDonald performs. Unfortunately, it was not “Sweet Freedom.” Damn.

11.) Dane Cookmakes an appearance reminding us that we were fine without him there.

12.) Paula Abdul makes an appearance and we realize she was fun to have on the show…then she started talking.

13.) Janet Jackson with short hair. I’m diggin’ it — her “Nasty Boys” performance not so much. It would’ve been soooo cool if Paula jumped in and recreated the video.

14.) Crystal performs with Alanis Morissette. I think Crystal really was trying hard not to sing the real “orally pleasurable” lyrics of “You Oughta Know.”

15.) Simon’s plunging neckline and his genuine graciousness for being on the show.

16.) The moment when the show embarrassed itself and dedicated a segment to the “Pants on the Ground” guy and William Hung.

17.) Bret Michaels and Casey James perform “Every Rose Has its Thorn.” There’s nothing snarky to say here. I like this song no matter how good or bad its performed.

18.) Seeing all the original Idols perform together was really cool — then all these other people in white came out on stage. It was really confusing.