Aiken Takes Water Cooler Prize

Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me
Clay Aiken Surprises AI5 Finale Audience

Best Water Cooler Moment Ever!

AI5 Finale Buzz Centers on Clay

Whether Sunday's ABC telecast of the American Music Awards qualifies for the "water cooler hall of fame," from what I have seen online and in the media, I doubt the show -- and especially the final act -- will come close to the most discussed Idol moment of all times.

If you are a Clay Aiken fan, you know what's coming. Of course, the opening video provides a healthy hint. The singer's surprise appearance on the AI5 Finale catapulted his own showdown with Ruben Studdard three years earlier.

Throughout most of AI5 Finale Week, television, radio, and print media focused not on the possible winners but the ever-emerging rumors and debates about whether Clay Aiken, AI2 runner-up, would perform.

Despite the crowning of new Idol Taylor Hicks on May 24, 2006, the postscript media blitz centered around a new, "hipper" Clay Aiken's victorious return to the AI stage. This is a portion of the AP story appearing on MSNBC, CNN, and countless other news sites:

Second-season runner-up Clay Aiken, with a slick new look, performed a “duet” on “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me” with his alter ego, a wannabe “American Idol” contestant who evoked the originally geeky Aiken.

While in general the comedy skits on American Idol 5 lacked in comparison to American Idol 4’s roast of Corey Clark, there was one shining moment that will likely go down as one of the funniest moments in American Idol history.

In a re-occurring segment called the Golden Idol Awards, Ryan Seacrest presented candidates for “Best Impersonation.” The nominees were Kenneth Maccarone as Cher, Seth Strickland as Michael Jackson, and Michael Sandecki as Clay Aiken.

As Michael warbled through “Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me,” the stage doors opened up to reveal Clay Aiken. Surprised by the sudden loud cheering, Michael turned to see Aiken and appeared to nearly go into shock on the stage.

As Clay joined his impersonator in song, Michael excitedly jumped around the stage. Seacrest eventually reappeared and sat Michael down, while asking him if he was OK.

It was the same incredible voice, but the maturity and difference in Singer Man's appearance was so striking that the panel of judges didn't even recognize him.

The theater audience and television viewers, however, went wild; and the event became the next day's most discussed water cooler topic, even topping the buzz about the newly-crowned Idol.

The AI5 Finale montage by BKFORCLAYANDMK features audio from the next morning's "ACE & TJ Show" on Charlotte's WNKS-FM radio station during which the DJ's and listeners discussed "the greatest moment of the night."

AI5 Finale montage by BKFORCLAYANDMK

Lythgoe Reveals Secrecy Plan

In an interview on KTLA-TV's Morning News Show later that week, Idol executive producer Nigel Lythgoe revealed that details of Clay's appearance and performance were kept secret from almost everyone, the judges and Ryan included. Clay arrived at an obscure entrance in an SUV with tinted windows.

Sporting a new look and attracting no attention whatsoever, he walked in unnoticed with wardrobe personnel and the garments they were transporting, secretly watching the show in a nearby building before being escorted to the stage just in time for his grand entrance.

Images from the AI5 Finale are featured in these clickable graphics by cindilu2, AmazingCA, and Sally.

To say these few minutes headlined conversation in Clay Cyberspace would be putting it mildly. But it didn't stop there. The Carolina crooner's surprise appearance was the main topic at office water coolers around the world.

In one fell swoop, Clay Aiken was the conquering hero returning to accept the accolades that thousands thought should have been his at the end of the second season. In doing so, he finally received his confetti moment.

Have an awesome week, Clay Nation!

Caro