The best thing about this "American Idol" season is the way two everyday people -- each 24, from Northern roots -- soared.
Earlier (see previous blog) I sent papers a story on Crystal Bowersox, the runner-up. Here's my story on Lee DeWyze, the winner:
Everything in Crystal Bowersox's life seems to be changing at a blurring pace. Here's the story I just aent to papers. I'll be back in an hour with a separate one on Lee DeWyze:
By MIKE HUGHES
This is sort of like politician double-speak: I was right about "American Idol" before I was wrong.
I had predicted (see an earlier blog) that Lee DeWyze would win. Then -- after Crystal Bowersox's sensational work Tuesday (ignore the previous blog) -- I switched to her.
Consider that wishful thinking. Instead, viewers have taken the same route for two straight years -- choose the likable guy with a pleasant voice (Kris Allen, Lee) over the fresh and stunning talent (Adam Lambert, Crystal).
Some elections have an "October surprise," some baseball games have a 9th-inning rally, some football games have a Hail Mary pass. And on "Amerian Idol," it's not over until the pleasantly pudgy lady sing.
That's Crystal Bowersox; her final performance -- a rousing, gospel-style version of "Up to the Mountain" -- wrapped things up. I think she'll be the surprise winner on Wednesday.
For TV viewers, this is a great and awful stretch.
The good news includes key shows every night -- the "Lost" finale tonight, the "24" and "Law & Order" finales Monday, the "American Idol" finale Tuesday and Wednesday, plus the season-openers of two of the key summer shows, "The Bachelorette" (Monday) and "So You Think You Can Dance" (Thursday). The bad news is ... well, no more "Lost" and "24." Ever.
Crystal Bowersox wasn't exaggerating tonight when she told "American Idol" viewers: "Northwestern Ohio has been in a bit of a slump lately."
A big bit. Ohio, Michigan and Illinois have struggled. So it's a pleasure to see a couple of ordinary kids from the North, fighting for the "American Idol" championship.
Crystal is from little towns near Toledo; Lee DeWyze is from Mount Prospect, near Chicago. They are sort of like the people I meet every day in Michigan ... except, of course, that they have more talent.
So it looks like the end of the line -- at last -- for Casey and the Sunshine Bland.
Most weeks on "American Idol," Casey James has chosen some vaguely upbeat tune that goes nowhere and does nothing. In Sinatra week he did "Blue Skies"; in inspiration week he did "Don't Stop."
Each week, "American Idol" viewers have marveled at the talent of Michael Lynche -- and have suspected there's a lot more under the surface.
There is. This guy ranges from rock to Broadway, from classical to love songs. I hated to see him go Wednesday (see previous blog), finishing No. 4. Here's the story I sent to papers today:
Hollywood makes 200 major movies a year, plus lots of minor ones. Many of them have songs. And it's been making these for more than a century.
With all of this, it really should be possible for four people to each choose one good movie song for tonight's "American Idol." Instead? "There have been some very strange song choices tonight," Simon Cowell said, accurately.
Here are a few of my comments; please add yours:
1) The two duets were well-chosen and well-sung. In particular, Crystal Bowersox and Lee DeWyze were terrific.
