American Idol judge Randy Jackson last night called Jordin Sparks' performance of You'll Never Walk Alone "one of the best vocals by any contestant ever on the show ever in six seasons."
But forget Whitney, Celine, Mariah or Fantasia-- how does the rendition by Coca Cola's anointed Idol winner stack up against Jerry Lewis? After all, even though Idol used the song to kick off tonight's Idol Gives Back charity telethon-Idol elimination show, it's been Jerry's closing number for something like forty years.
Meanwhile... there's more news... and more video... after the jump...
...Bono from U2 has written a special theme song for tonight's show. "American Prayer" (cowritten by handyman Dave Stewart) will debut tonight, preferably without Blake Lewis' beatbox accompaniment.
And an abbreviated version of the Live 8 ad for his sponsoring charity group One.org was another highlight of last night's Idol. Especially Benicio del Toro.