Idol Chatter & Voice Views

After Tuesday night, it should by crystal clear.

Crystal Bowersox and Lee DeWyze belong in the American Idol finals — the very matchup viewers of the show and experts who follow the show have predicted for weeks.

And if any other scenario develops after tonight’s results show … well, blame the judges.

When Crystal and Lee took the stage Tuesday night, they delivered intensity, determined to show off their vocal prowess.

Crystal played harmonica and guitar on her opening number, “Come To My Window,” then went without either on “Maybe I’m Amazed,” bending a seemingly ill-suited song to fit her vocal style.

Lee was dead-on with his vocal on Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Simple Man,” then turned in the performance of the night on Leonard Cohen’s
“Hallelujah.” It was probably his best vocal all season.

Then there was Casey James, who probably delivered the most laid-back performances from a final three contestant in Idol history.

I mean, I know he comes from Cool, Texas, but did he have to play it that cool?

Or was that the best he could muster?

Either way, the judges didn’t call him on it.

At least not when it mattered, after he completed an earnest but totally unremarkable rendition of John Mayer’s “Daughters.”

Kara DioGuardi and Randy Jackson were too busy defending their song choice for Casey, a song selected so he could show his sensitive side.

Simon Cowell was too busy criticizing them for not giving Casey a song he could do more with.

Ellen DeGeneres … well, she was busy being Ellen, which means offering very little real critique other than telling Casey he sounded pretty
good.

What they should have told Casey is: Pack your bags, because unless the majority of Idol voters are deaf or dazzled by your smile, you should be going home.

I mean, Casey did nothing with “Daughters.”

“Jealous Guy,” from several weeks back — that was a sensitive performance from Casey done very well.

His rendition of “Daughters?” I think I’ll record the song for future use in case I’m suffering from insomnia.

The thing is, Casey’s been in this position before.

He clearly turned in the worst performance on Sinatra Week, but didn’t even land in the bottom two. Aaron Kely went home.

He was clearly the weakest vocalist last week, when he and Michael Lynche stood side by side on a duet of “Have You Ever Loved a Woman.” Yet Michael went home; Casey advanced to the final three.

If he dodges the third strike tonight … well, blame the Idol judges.