A Playful Misconception, A Childhood's Dream

I have just finished watching American Idol’s finale and I just feel that the result this year was rigged. I’m not saying it is, but it just feels that way. Perhaps because Simon Cowell is leaving and maybe they gave him the final say? Absurd assumption I know, but hey, nothing’s impossible.

Here’s why I’m making this assumption.

1) Lee DeWyze had 3 lackluster performances. Crystal Bowersox had only 1, the other two songs soared. Lee throughout the whole performance night was in a daze while Crystal really went for it.

2) For her final song, she had what the judges like to call “a moment”. Sure it was a slow and sleepy song but with her vocals she, like Simon said, nailed it. Even though I admit that Lee has a strong following because there were a few weeks I thought he would be gone earlier in the season but he stuck around, but I believe there are more people who would fall in love with Crystal by now.

3) Fox and 19 Entertainment may have some issue promoting Crystal’s “winning” song. It isn’t radio friendly, not for the purpose of promoting a new American Idol anyway. Lee’s rendition of a newly arranged Beautiful Day clearly is an instant radio hit.  (And I have to admit, I loved Lee’s vocals on it more than Bono. Then again, I’m not a big fan of U2 anyway. But this is definitely just me.)

4) Crystal is just better than Lee, from the start of the competition to the finish. She knows who she is, she is aware of what she can do and cannot, she has never had an awful or off night – even when she was ill. She already is a star. (And maybe that’s why she didn’t win.)

5) Crystal has been a true professional and cool right until the end of voting night (albeit she did start the night off a wee bit whimsical amidst all the confusion). Publicly thanking Simon for all his years  of contribution right after her “moment”, how can anyone not pick up the phone for  her?

6) Simon said it time and again, more so towards the end of the season, that Lee is “what the competition is all about” – struggling talent stuck in a dead end job who needs a big break.

7) Crystal continuously lighted up the stage and the TV with her personality while Lee almost never did.

So whose career will be more successful? Will they be another Carrie Underwood- Bo Bice or Adam Lambert-Kris Allen combo in terms of album sales? Only time will tell.

Here’s Crystal’s beautiful final performance, Up To The Mountain, that should have sealed the deal:

And the only song in the whole season that made me curse at the TV screen – Lee and Crystal’s duet, Falling Slowly: