That was EJay Day channeling Janet Jackson onstage at KeyArena Wednesday night, snarling "Black Cat" while gyrating his hips in his torn jeans and long black jacket. You might not have recognized Day on tour with other top finalists from the hit TV show "American Idol" with his new frosted-blond, scarecrow hair.

But the new 'do was among few surprises during the final show of the whirlwind two-month American Idols tour. It took the 10 aspiring superstars to 30 cities around the country, often performing for sold-out crowds, although KeyArena wasn't quite filled to capacity.

Each finalist performed a song recycled from the television series on a purple-ringed replica of the TV stage, ending the first half with crowd favorite Kelly Clarkson, who was voted America's "Idol" this summer by thousands of viewers.

Fans greeted Day, Jim Verraros, A.J. Gil, Ryan Starr, Christina Christian, RJ Helton, Tamyra Gray, Nikki McKibbin, Justin Guarini and Clarkson in that order with screams rising steadily in volume, with an extra-hearty welcome for Tacoma native Gil. Each performer thanked the audience profusely for their support ("You're the reason we're here," "This is my dream come true," etc.) before introducing the next finalist and scampering offstage.

Just when things started getting mind-numbingly predictable, the show stopped for a 20-minute intermission. When the idols returned surprise! they had morphed into actual idols (could they be the idols' idols?), namely, boy-band 'N Sync and sultry R&B group En Vogue. The five male finalists attempted some fancy footwork during an energetic performance of "Pop," followed by the girls' vampy rendition of "Free Your Mind."

Then it was back to business as usual, with some group medleys lifted from the television series and "American Idol's" Las Vegas special. Third- and fourth-place finalists McKibbin and Gray each had two solos, while runner-up Guarini and Clarkson performed three songs each, including Clarkson's current single, "Before Your Love."

Not surprisingly, highlights included Gray's "A House Is Not a Home" and Guarini's "Get Here." McKibbin, the red-haired, token punk-rocker of the group, proved to have a considerably stronger voice live than on TV. Then again, nearly all of the fresh-faced stars have become more polished in performance and appearance in the past few months. (Remember the frumpy Clarkson who showed up to the Dallas auditions wearing no makeup and a stonewashed denim horror of a dress?)

Judging by the screams and the frenzied waving of blue and green glow sticks, "American Idol" fans got their money's worth. Music critics may scoff all they want about the quality of the bill, but these "idols" are just making the most of their 15 minutes of fame. And for the fans who made them famous, it was enough to just be along for the ride.