I've seen the finale show at The American Idol Experience so many times, yet, to quote Queen Elsa, couldn't keep it in, heaven knows I tried. Many tears were shed by many members of the jam packed studio audience inside the Superstar Television Theater due to the wonderful memories we all shared with the truly special show.
When I first trained as a Cast Member at The American Idol Experience, I figured it was the best available next attraction for me to learn. I wasn't a fan of American Idol the TV show, but I did appreciate some of the talented singers who were discovered on the show. However, I cried Saturday night in the finale show. I never cry. That's how much the show meant to me.
I guess it started with the cast. The Operations team at Idol were a family and welcomed me in with open arms. In addition, the ops team had such a close relationship with the entertainment team, which is rare amongst Disney attractions. The entertainment team always invited ops to various activities they set up, which helped everyone in both lines of business feel like one big group. It was awesome to get to know everyone from the techs to the warm up hosts who helped make the attraction happen.
As a Film student, I was fascinated by how the show was produced. As part of my training, I got to watch a show from the tech booth, which was an amazing experience. It took so much for each show to happen and look just right. Camera angles to lighting queues had to be done with split second timing. It was amazing to see just went into each and every show.
The show itself was one of the most impressive on Disney property, but lack of attendance did it in. I posted a Top 5 earlier this year and listed Idol as the #1 Underrated Attraction for being the best show that nobody watched. To be honest, I'm baffled so few people watched it. The show was easy to get into, it was 30 min in the AC and a lot of fun for those who watched it. It really made you feel like you were at a live taping of American Idol.
I am completely aware that the show's waning popularity did it in. Even on the last day, the preliminary shows were not filling. I guess that is part of why that last finale filling up so fast was so satisfying. I was surrounded by current and former Idol Experience cast members and the hardest of hardcore fans. It was the best audience the show had in it's 5 year run and proved the show did have a passionate fanbase.
In the little more than a year I was a cast member at The American Idol Experience, I learned a number of important lessions:
1. Small children always sing "Let It Go" or "The Cups Song" when they audition.
2. I never want to hear "The Climb" ever again.
3. "You Make Me Feel Like a Natural Woman" and "Listen" almost always win finale.
4. "Crazy Little Thing Called Love" and "Suspicious Minds" were only sung by energetic older men.
5. Never heard anyone sing "Kiss From a Rose" or "Bohemian Rhapsody".
6. The Audition Facility was "pretty cool" according to Ryan Seacrest.
7. Audience showered with Bacon almost was the most popular response for the trivia question at the final finale. It lost by 10 votes.
As confetti poured down on the Idol stage one last time, I realized how much the show, the relationships I build working at the show and the memories I made meant. It was an incredible journey that I will always treasure. Finale host Greg Hutson said it best; "It's not goodbye, it's see ya real soon." Thanks for everything Idol!
Here are a few pictures taken during the final finale and after:
The Idol Stage, one last time
The final three guest performers ever
Last confetti drop
Cast and crew on stage one last time
Something few have seen: hidden Dory and Marlin on the Idol Stage
Written by Chris Coburn
9/2/2014