Going into the “Claim to Fame” season 3 finale, Adam was in a great position.  Because from the edit, he was coming in hot on knowing who his two opponents’ relatives were.  That was “Adkins” for MacKenzie (if he could get the first name correct), and John Cougar Mellencamp for Hud.

It was in the second to the last challenge of the season where Adam was tipped off about Hud’s clue – “cougar.”  Then it was signed, sealed, delivered when Adam spotted the black cowboy hat reveal from the very last challenge when he knew MacKenzie’s celebrity was Trace Adkins.

THE FINAL THREE!

In true “Claim to Fame” fashion, all of the past contestants were brought back to help (or sabotage) the final three contestants.  After Shane’s relative was correctly guessed as Marlon Brando by MacKenzie last week, the finale three were – Adam, MacKenzie and Hud.

When the previous contestants were brought back to the house, hosts Kevin and Franklin Jonas stated that they had been kept off of any computers, and phones.  When we analyze this, they are at the disadvantage of not getting exposed to any more clues once they leave the house, unlike the contestants who keep playing.  

It was funny when Naomi was convinced that Hud’s relative was Cherie from the Runaways.  She didn’t see the melon clues, the “small town” clue, and the “cougar” clue that MacKenzie had taken-in.  

Pictured (l-r): ADAM, MACKENZIE, HUD; Photo: Disney/Chris Willard

THE FINAL CHALLENGE:

Two Were Revealed!

The final challenge was a mini obstacle course of sorts made-up of all of the challenges from the whole season.  The contestants had to obtain clues to one of three of their own billboards which when all of the keys were placed inside, would reveal one large final clue.

The former players were not lending any help to Adam at all.  But, instead, favoring MacKenzie.  Amongst the frantic state that Adam was in, feverishly rushing his way through the course, he flipped and hit his head on the metal pole that was holding red ropes.

Adam’s time in the competition nearly came to an end because his head wound was not closing.  After some time, a gauze wrap was placed around his head and Adam was cleared by the medic to continue the game. 

The end game was that the final three competitors’ billboards would be revealed when all of the keys were placed inside to open another layer that slowly displayed a clear image of each contestant placed in their celebrity relative’s photo.  These billboards also displayed multiple text clues.

Pictured: HUD; Photo: Disney/Chris Willard

Adam continued having the advantage throughout because though the plan was to figure out Adam, MacKenzie and Hud were dead set on cracking each other’s billboards.  Thus, Adam’s was left literally shrouded in secrecy.  Great for Adam, but not so good for Hud and MacKenzie.  And the Final Guess Off proved that!

Because Adam won the challenge that also meant he won the power to select who would be the Guesser at the final Guess-Off.  Before that, Adam was transported to the hospital to get further looked at.

That evening, the house was popping with everyone trying to figure out Adam’s relative, along with Hud’s.  Ironically enough, when Adam got back to the house later that night he told off on himself.  The words coming out of his own mouth while teasing who his celebrity may be, was what tipped-off Bianca to figure it out.  She quickly went and told MacKenzie.

Pictured (l-r): SHANE, BIANCA, DEDRICK; Photo: Disney/Chris Willard

THE FINAL GUESS-OFF:

Talk About an Under-Dog!

By the time the final Guess-Off rolled around, it was a little hard not to root for Adam.  All the past contestants came in hot after him, then when no one was helping him in that last challenge.  That, added with him hitting his head and almost having to forfeit the game AND seeing Adam balling his eyes out.  It was difficult to not somewhat want to see him pull through. 

At the final Guess-Off, Adam selected himself as the Guesser, and MacKenzie as his Target.  After first saying “Tray”…then finally “Trace”  he got it correct by saying “Trace Adkins.”  Adam decided to give it another shot and also guessed Hud’s relative.  He also figured it out as John Mellencamp.  Hud said his actual name is “Hud Money Mellencamp” to which everyone laughed. Hud’s celebrity is his dad.  The same for MacKenzie.  Her relative is also her dad.

Pictured (l-r): ADAM, HUD; Photo: Disney/Chris Willard

A theory that was suspected of Adam from the beginning – was he really just playing dumb throughout the entire competition as his strategy?  He couldn’t even get Molly Ringwald before, and now all of a sudden he’s guessing Trace Adkins and John Mellencamp all on his own?  Something isn’t right.  Adam in fact went home with $100,000 as the “Claim to Fame” season 3 winner!

Adam’s celebrity relative was revealed as his famous uncle, Michael Bolton who sent-in a very sweet note.  Adam explained that Michael had recently had a brain tumor removed.  Even though everyone had focused to take Adam down just hours prior, overall, they were happy for Adam on his win.  Plus, Adam is a father and had talked about missing his kids earlier.   How can anyone be mad about that?