Revealing the final two for next week’s showdown, that’s what tonight was all about. First, however, they took us home with the three remaining American Idols.

Casey James went first to his home state of Texas. The crowds were some of the biggest I’d seen for Idols going home. He has a huge fan base and I wondered if maybe there’d be an upset. I had predicted that Casey would be voted off but after seeing his fan base, perhaps he’d make it to the final two after all.

Travis Garland came on next singing “Believe.” Perez Hilton made an appearance and said that he thought Travis was better than Justin Timberlake.

Then they showed Crystal Bowersox going home to Ohio. I was scanning the crowds for old hippies and I wasn’t the only one who made the connection because they called her concert there “Bowerstock” as a Crystallized version of Woodstock. Crystal cried that she got to sing a song she wrote herself, a song that gave hope to the city of Toledo, Ohio.

Her trip would have done Woodstock proud. Crystal signed her name on some dude’s chest and told him he’d better bathe. He said he was planning on turning her signature into a tattoo (so that it would never wash off when he bathed).

Lee’s trip home to Chicago, Illinois didn’t show quite the hoopla as Casey’s and Crystal’s trips home, making me again second guess my prediction of who would be going home. He broke down during his concert there and cried, he was so moved by the outpouring. He made it very clear during his interview with the judges and at his concert how much he wanted to win. Casey sounded like he was ready to go home and he kissed the ground when he got off the plane. Crystal was ready to go home and see her child. Lee was ready for his career, starting with winning American Idol.

While I was pondering these revelations, thinking that maybe Lee should be the ultimate winner instead of my favorite, Crystal, Justin Bieber came on and sang “U Smile” and “Baby.”

Finally the moment of truth came and Lee was sent to safety. Then Crystal was sent to safety much to her confusion. She asked, “Am I safe? Am I safe?” I don’t know if she couldn’t believe she was in the top two or whether Ryan’s wording confused her.

Casey signed off singing “Daughters” again, finishing the song with a little beribboned girl on his lap to punctuate the song. She wore pink and green ribbons and was either uncomfortable on camera or sad for Casey because she had tears in her eyes. He may not have made it to the top two but I’m not worried about Casey, I have no doubt there’s a nice career in front of him. I hope he goes back to the jam guitar type songs and leaves behind the sappy Kara songs that got him outed.

Tags: american idol, bowersox, casey, casey james, cowell, crystal bowersox, degeneres, dewyze, ellen, ellen degeneres, illinois, justin bieber, justin timberlake, kara dioguardi, lee dewyze, ohio, perez hilton, ryan, ryan seacrest, seacrest, season 9, simon, simon cowell, texas, travis garland

Category: American Idol 2010

Tonight was the battle to be in the finale. All three deserve to win. All three have the talent and I like them all. My top pick starting out the night, however, is Crystal. Ryan announced that each contestant would sing two songs: their own pick and a judge’s pick.

Casey James

Casey’s pick was the Eric Hutchinson song, “OK, It’s Alright With Me.” I couldn’t believe he didn’t pick a Bob Seger song. It was a golden opportunity for him. Instead, he picked a song I’ve never heard. Apparently I’m not the only one because the judges commented on that. All I know is that if the judges didn’t pick a Seger song for him, they don’t want him to win.

Casey said it was the type of song he would write. Randy thought it was just alright and told Casey he shouldn’t have done a safe, easy song. Ellen said this was the live or die moment, the do or die moment, and she wished he’d have brought it. Ellen said that Casey needed to blow us away (but didn’t). Kara brought up the fact that it wasn’t a well known song so he couldn’t do anything special with it except to introduce us to it. Simon called it the most important night of his life and said that if we were having dinner, that song was just the salad. Simon called it a dud song choice. I agree.

Unfortunately for Casey, the judge’s pick was even worse. Apparently Kara picked the song “Daughters” by John Mayer. This song was the kiss of death for Casey. For some reason Kara considered it a brilliant song choice but to me, it was just a sappy song that didn’t do Casey any favors. It sunk him. Kara believes that sappy is the direction Casey should go in. I think she’s an idiot. Yes, a strong opinion here. There was no fire in the song or in Casey’s singing it.

Randy, however, thought the song fit Casey like a glove and hopes that Casey moves in that direction. Ugh. Ellen liked it a lot. Kara thought it showed Casey’s artistic side and of course she thought it was the right choice for Casey since she picked it. Can I say “ugh” yet again? Simon considered it a much better song choice than Casey’s but called it a “lazy arrangement” and blamed it on Kara and Randy for not giving Casey a bigger climax moment. Kara argued that this song wasn’t supposed to have that kind of moment. Simon said the song had no wow factor. I still cannot believe that nobody hears Seger in Casey.

Crystal Bowersox

Crystal’s choice was “Come To My Window” by Melissa Etheridge. She accompanied herself with a harmonica and guitar. I liked Crystal singing it way more than Melissa though I’m not a big fan of Melissa or that song. Randy didn’t love the arrangement but did love her vocal and said it worked in the end. Not exactly a strong yes. Ellen called it a good song choice. It showcased the type of artist that Crystal wants to be and Ellen said that Melissa would be proud. Kara called it a good vocal but said that Crystal was capable of a moment and Kara hoped that Crystal would have that moment tonight. Simon said that from the very first day Crystal did not compromise herself as an artist. Simon said he had a lot of respect for Crystal for that and that she probably made the right song choice, congratulations.

Ellen chose the song “Maybe I’m Amazed” by Paul McCartney for Crystal. A very smart choice with such a well known, well loved song. Someone flashed a sign “Bow down to Bowersox.” Was it a prediction of success to come? This song definitely put her in the finals. She totally nailed it.

Randy called it a great song with great vocals. He added that “We’ve got somebody else in it to win it” referring to Lee as the other. Ellen couldn’t have asked for more. Kara noted that Crystal was out of her comfort zone with no instrument and that she really pulled it off. Simon hadn’t understood the song choice but once he heard Crystal sing it, he got it. Simon said it proved Crystal had soul. He said that she might be thanking Ellen for the song choice next week for putting her into the finals.

Lee Dewyze

Lee chose a very surprising song, “Simple Man” by Lynyrd Skynyrd. I wouldn’t have expected him to pick from this type of artist but it was the most perfect song choice for him. Unlike Casey’s error, Lee chose a well known, popular song.

Randy called it a brilliant song choice for Lee and said that he could see Lee making a record like this. Funny they still use the term “record” over CD. Randy said, “Someone here is feeling like he could win this.” and added, “You are ready.” Ellen said he started the competition as a baby lamb and was now more like a gazelle or impala, springy. Kara said that Lee did what every contestant needed to do and said that round one goes to Lee. I agree. She said he gave it everything he had. Simon called it absolutely on the money and that the other two contestants were just okay. For the first round, Simon said Lee crushed the other two. Yup.

For the judge’s pick it was Simon doing the picking. He chose the song “Hallelujah” by Leonard Cohen. Simon said we’d heard this song before but that nobody had sung it the way Lee would sing it and he wanted Lee to have his moment. It was truly awesome. Lee does have such a beautiful voice and he’s perfectly suited for the storyteller type songs.

Randy said he’d been waiting all season to see who was going to throw down the gauntlet to win this whole thing and called it “unbelievable”. Randy said Lee should be thanking Simon. Ellen called it “stunning.” Kara said that Lee is what this show is all about. She called it an incredible, epic moment and said that Lee owned the entire night. Simon said he was “very very very” proud of Lee, that he proved he was a fantastic singer, and added that he hoped Lee made it into the finals next week.

Of the self picks, Lee was my favorite. Of the judge’s picks, Lee was my favorite even though I’m rooting for Crystal to win it. I absolutely predict Lee and Crystal as the final two and with Casey’s many bad song picks through the weeks, much as I love listening to him, he just blew it too many times. Next week is the biggie. The final showdown at the Nokia Theatre in LA. Who are YOU hoping will be there?

Tags: american idol, bob seger, bowersox, casey, casey james, cowell, crystal bowersox, degeneres, dewyze, ellen, ellen degeneres, kara dioguardi, lee dewyze, lynyrd skynyrd, melissa etheridge, paul mccartney, ryan, ryan seacrest, seacrest, season 9, simon, simon cowell

Category: American Idol 2010

Ryan came on announcing that last night had the highest votes of the season. This will give us our top three, who get to go home for a visit. I’m not sure why that’s such a big deal because the one voted off also gets to go home, although with much less fanfare. They showed photos of past Idols going home to crowds of adoring fans and Lee Dewyze said, “I want that to be ME!” He got his wish because he made it into the top three.

Fantasia, winner of Season 3, performed her song “Bittersweet”. That was the first season we ever watched American Idol. I remember who my favorites were that season: Diana DeGarmo, Fantasia Barrino, George Huff and John Stevens. George was a particular favorite for his joy and happiness. You couldn’t help but smile when George sang. I thought John would do well as a Vegas performer as he sang the old Rat Pack songs. That was the year that Jennifer Hudson got voted off causing a big hooha. I wasn’t a fan of Jennifer, not liking that style of music or voice.

All of the Idols were asked what they most looked forward to during a visit home. Mike looked forward to seeing his puppy. Crystal wanted to play a gig with her bass player and Casey was missing the southern term of “y’all”. Crystal was dressed to the nines in a hot, slinky black rocker chick outfit. The look actually suited her and she looked incredible. Casey got the news that y’all better be ready for him in Texas because he was in the top three and heading home for a visit.

That left Mike and Crystal waiting for the axe while Chris Daughtry of Season 5 sang “September”. Chris has been one of the most successful American Idols ever and he didn’t even win. Hours after he was voted off American Idol he was offered a chance to be lead singer for the group Fuel. He turned it down hoping to forge his own path. His success far exceeds that of many Idol winners. I saw him in concert opening for Bon Jovi and here they were together again as Bon Jovi came on shortly after singing “Superman Tonight”. Jon Bon Jovi has weathered the years well, his career spanning several generations of fans.

The moment of truth arrived and it was Big Mike to be sent home without the fanfare while Crystal Bowersox rounded out the top three. Crystal hugged her boyfriend in joy while Mike’s wife cried in sadness. So Crystal, Lee and Casey will be battling for top dog. They are three very talented singers.

Tags: american idol, Bon Jovi, bowersox, casey, casey james, chris daughtry, cowell, crystal bowersox, daughtry, degeneres, dewyze, ellen, ellen degeneres, fantasia, fantasia barrino, jon bon jovi, kara dioguardi, lee dewyze, lynche, michael lynche, ryan, ryan seacrest, seacrest, season 9, simon, simon cowell

Category: American Idol 2010