Idol Winner

Well, the idol finale is approaching fast and we're left with 2 contestants to choose from. Lee DeWyze and Crystal Bowersox have edged out in front of the pack and stand win a lucrative recording contract - win or loose.

Personally I think Cyrstal is a better singer overall, but I suspect that Lee DeWyze will actually win the contest. As in previous years, the candidate most likely to win has taken second place but still ended up doing better in the music charts than the actual winner. Last years Adam Lambert is a prime example of this phenomenon.

I have already seen the judges using their considerable influence to prop up Lee prior to voting and also have toned down their reviews of Cyrstal in turn. They did the same thing to Casey. You could tell that they didn't want Casey to win with the song selection chosen for him by the judges. "Daughters" was not a bad song, but it didn't have any moments for the singer to shine with. It had moving lyrics but didn't have anything that the singer could really use to showcase his voice with. In comparison, "Maybe I'm Amazed" and "Hallelujah" had plenty of room for the singers to get creative with, and as a result they both had those "stand out" moments. This in turn allowed the judges to heap praise on Cyrstal and Lee but only a so/so positive critique for Casey, and we all know what happened to Casey on the next episode.

Now that voting has closed, idol judge - Simon Cowell - has been very vocal with his prediction of Lee DeWyze as the victor. I strongly suspect that his prophecy will be proven true and we'll have 2 great singers with new albums to pick from after the competition is closed.

A great singer like Cyrstal, who has an incredible fan base already, will do well on her own merrits and will not likely need the marketing machine that they put behind the winner. If Lee were to take second place, that is likely the last we'll hear of the guy unless he's really self motivated to run with his opportunity. If he takes first place, then the publicity he will get from his win will naturally carry him up the charts and the idol producers will have not one, but two big money makers from this season.

I won't go so far as to say the vote is fixed at this point, but the judges weild an enormous amount of power when it comes to voter influence. Using it as they do may have some negative consequences for the show in the future, especially if viewers start to believe they've been 'managed' when it comes to picking their winner. If that happens, I'm sure interest in the show will wane considerably. Afterall who wants to watch a show where the "fix is in" ??

Still, it may not matter a single bit. After Simon leaves the show it may just fade off into obscurity anyway. Idol just isn't the same without Paula and Simon in my opinion. ;o)