The four finalists' performances included a couple of firsts — the first duets performed by contestants during a competition night (Danny Gokey and Kris Allen sang Styx's Renegade, Adam Lambert and Allison Iraheta did Foghat's Slow Ride) and the show's first Led Zeppelin cover (Adam's Whole Lotta Love).

Allison tried to channel Janis Joplin on Cry Baby, and Kris grooved up slowly on The Beatles' Come Together. Danny finished Aerosmith's Dream On with a barely controlled scream that left the judges clearly bewildered.

Adam opened the show for the first time but also got the coveted closing "pimp spot" for his duet with Allison. Judge Simon Cowell thought that performance might have been enough to save Allison, but don't be so sure.