Image Credit: Michael Becker/Fox
Last season, Crystal Bowersox was hands down the clear winner over Lee DeWyze, and yet Lee won. Why? To get wildly, obnoxiously reductive for a second, I think in part it was because Casey James’ fans were more into voting for another cute boy troubadour than a singer-songwriter mama with dreadlocks. Voter migration likely had an even bigger influence on the outcome of season 8, when Danny Gokey’s fans clearly flocked more to Kris Allen’s wholesome song stylings than Adam Lambert’s platform-shoed glam pop. And in season 6, it’s a safe bet that Melinda Doolittle and LaKisha Jones’ fans were more aligned with what Jordin Sparks was offering than beat-boxing Blake Lewis.
You see what I’m getting at here, right? American Idol has never seen contestants more similarly matched in genre and fan base than Lauren Alaina and Scotty McCreery, which means the country music vote could be more evenly split than the Scotty-has-this-in-the-bag bandwagon would have us believe. So the outcome may just come down to who fans of Haley Reinhart and James Durbin decide deserves their votes — if they choose to vote for anyone at all. Will Haley fans call and text for Lauren, who’s got more showy pipes than Scotty? Will James fans lean towards Scotty, who, um, also knows how to play a guitar? Or will Haley and James fans just sit this one out?
Vote in the poll below and then defend your choice in the comments!
Read more on American Idol:
Carrie Underwood passes Kelly Clarkson as most successful ‘Idol’ winner as two country stars square off in finals
Which is the strongest final two in ‘American Idol’ history? Poll!
‘Idol’: Season 10 Trivia Quiz!
I’ll be watching Biggest Loser.
Isnt that tonight’s Idol show?
hahahaha it’s funny because they’re awful
very true!!
lmao! No jive!
a funny joke indeed. hazzah!
HAHA! So true.
As a Haley fan and James supporter, I will not be voting. Heck I didn’t even start voting this year until Top 4 night. Then again on Top 3. Both times all my votes went for Haley.
I won’t be watching tonight’s Idol. I’ll check out the videos on youtube in a few hours.
Vote for Scotty!
I can’t believe Alfred E. Neuman is about to win American Idol.
LOL so true
shut up your the biggest looser
scotty..:)
Agree, I already deleted AI from my DVR.
I might tune in tomorrow night to see Lady Gaga perform, though.
And watch Haley perform her first single….
I deleted the show from my DVR tonight too and will not vote. I’m watching the season finale of Glee and then the season finale of DWTS. I have desire none to watch Hee Haw, thanks.
Seeing those 3 young opera singing guys on Idol 2 weeks ago really put things in perspective as far as how un-talented some of these Idol finalists are. On his best day ever Scotty could not come close to the talent those guys have. That’s why his making it to the top 2 and potentially winning is a joke. Scotty has no vocal range at all. You could walk into any Karyoke bar on any given day and find a better singer. When will Idol wake up and fix this broken process?
@Wizard62 Well if there are better singers out there, they should have auditioned. And ever listen to Scotty sing, “Gone” that has good range…and if those 3 young opera singers were still here, they would have a chance to win. but obviously America Loves Scotty & Lauren…Team Scotty!!!!
COME ON, YALL ARE JUST MAD!! BYE BYE HAILEY SHE HAS NEVER BEEN GREATFUL FOR ANY OF THIS!! SHE IS A BORING SNOT!! HEHE
When I saw the Il Divo performance it really did shine a light on the inadequacy of Scotty, and I mentioned that in my Idol blog davidm617. Even watching Glee and hearing some of those singers belt it out proves the same point. At least Hayley has an original tone to her voice.
@Shannon Honey, kiddies shouldn’t be using Mommy’s computer. Please go back to your dollies. What’s that? You aren’t five? Then learn to spell and lose the all caps. Idjit.
I predict most of Haley’s voters won’t even bother watching the show–let alone vote. So the voting results for Top 3 will be the same for Top 2 sans Haley. Ryan said that 95 million votes were casted. Nigel said that 25 million votes were for Haley. It was probably close between Haley and Lauren so I think Lauren got 25 million votes too (give or take a few hundred thousand votes). That means Scotty got around 45 million votes. THIS WILL PROBABLY BE A REPEAT FOR TOP 2: Scotty will get 45 million votes and Lauren will be 25 million votes. Scotty will win.
You’re right. Those three singers put the entire Idol lot to shame.
My guess is Scotty will win…I have no idea why though, he’s not that good…he basically is imitating another country singer and has zero range. He cannot sing any other genre either. Overall, as others have said, he’s a “one-trick pony”.
Lee you’re right. I’m watching baseball from 8-9 (yes, BASEBALL!) and then I guess will watch tomorrow. Tonigh’s show lost ALL its zing when “America” booted Haley. If she had been in it, it’d have been a must-watch.
And you’re also right that Scotty will win. He’s been leading this thing the entire time.
@Jason But don’t most singers remain in one genre? Since when do performers have to sing all genres? I have never seen Ruben singing country or Taylor Hicks singing R&B. The “one trick pony” critique is weak.
@Tiffany Ever watched The Voice? That’s where the better singers are and why they didn’t audition for this playground cheer squad show.
Ok. Get over it. Hailey is gone. She deserved to go a long time ago. As for as that being said, if the judges had been smart they would not have used that save on someone who clearly didnt deserve it. Not once have I seen hailey grateful for her opportunity. As for lauren and scotty. I like both. I have seen comments about him being a “one trick pony”. Let me say this, hes a country singer. Thats his genre. The whole point of idol is to sing what you love and make the songs your own. And he has done that. I personally want Scotty to win. However, ill be just as happen if Lauren gets it. All I can say is Im glad Hailey didnt get top 2. She didnt deserve it.
@jacqueline: No clue what you’re talking about. Haley didn’t get a judges’ save.
As a fan of Haley, Naima, Thia and Casey, I will neither be watching nor voting for the finale. I seriously don’t need to watch the All-Country Teen Battle, I don’t enjoy the performances of either the hoedown twins, and I don’t understand why anyone thinks I would vote for either one of them.
haha! Me too!!!
I’ll try to get home early tonight to watch THE VOICE. Won’t be watching or voting IDOL but best wishes to Scotty, regardless.
Good thing this is not Season One or there would never be a Season Two.
will pass on tonight’s show and may watch the star-studded finale (from my dvr, so i can fast forward)
Agreed – they are both just so boring, and predictable. I’m calling the slowest, least “crowd amping” finale ever….and this show had Taylor Hicks, and Kris Allen in finales. Worse than those, even.
wait….does this mean no Raising Hope? That shows kinda funny….I’d have enjoyed that more than the finale. Wait- what time is B**chin Kitchen on?
LOL I never heard that before. Guess I’m out of it.
@Jason: Alas, that crazy birthday episode of “Raising Hope” was the season finale. I may just opt for an “NCIS” rerun.
The Finale of Glee is on after Idol tonight. Yeah, you will not finding me Watching or Voting. While Scotty and Lauren are nice kids, and they sing well enough, they sing country karaoke… and I don’t do country karaoke… and Neither should Idol! But they got what they Pimped for, so they have to Live with it!!
I will watch the Finale show on Wed night to see U2.
I think I’ll watch water freeze into ice. That might be more exciting than this top 2 show.
Joe Strummer: It’ll take a lot longer if the freezer door is open while you watch it.
agreed…I did not spend the whole season of AI intending to watch Country American Idol. All the interesting entertainers are gone from the show…(Casey, Haley, James). I’ll tune in for the results night only to watch the top 11 performances – and hoping for another Casey/Haley duet, but I have no interest in which of these high school kids win.
I agree. I feel like I wasted the past several months now that it has come down to the Country American Idol. These 2 kids might not even be the best of five. James and Pia would have made a great finale and I would put Casey, Haley, and maybe even Stephano ahead of these 2. Can we say boring. I haven’t missed an episode this year but tonight I will boycot this. AI’s voting system s*$ks and this year proves it. The kids vote hundreds of times based on someone that can relate to from an age standpoint. Will AI change the voting system. No, not with the kickbacks they get from AT&T based on the volume of votes. Come on AI, do the right thing and limit the votes per email, per phone number, per person. something!
@Jeff: With fierce competition coming from The Voice–I bet AI will change its voting.
@Lee Agreed! The Voice has some incredible talent on it! Instead of AI LOWERING the singing age, perhaps they should think about RAISING it. The Voice singers are older with more real life experience – makes ALL the difference in the world!
Agreed, but I have no intention of contributing to AI’s ratings at all the last two shows. We’ll see about next year. Producers need to fix judging and voting for me to consider investing any more time in Country Teen Idol.
Chatter on the web – Haley’s fans plan on not voting at all tonight. James’ fans have been invited to join in. They want to see Ryan Seacrest announce a “record number of votes” on Wednesday – hoping it will be a record for the lowest number ever. Could be interesting.
not interested in American Idol Jr, All Country finale. Been a fan since the first episode of season one but won’t watch this year.
agreeagreeagree!!
i concur. Haley was robbed
Haley was not robbed, she threw it away with her diva attitude and sniping at the judges. Sorry attitude kills.
From the looks of things, dee46, Haley sure as hell seems a lot more pleasant to be around than you do.
Haley was bused by judges song pick, it was payback by Randy and to send a message. An anger girl song for one and impossible to master in 2days.
@dee46: You don’t know what you’re talking about. If you go back and watch every performance episode since the Top 13, you will see that Haley has “talked back” to the judges almost EVERY WEEK! Yet she never got eliminated until Top 3. Gee–I wonder why her “diva attitude” never got her booted out sooner? Your theory holds no water just like Randy and J-Blo’s judging.
Agree totally
I agree, but nothing else is on so I’ll probably watch.. Not happily, but I’ll watch..
Don’t Watch ! They should see the numbers go down as a protest against the show’s voting system!
Yeah…good luck with that, Luke!
If anything else–AI will see the total number of votes cast this week will significantly go down compared to last week.
Unlss you are a nielsen family it will not matter, you will be a sand pebble at a beach!
Tune in NCIS or NCIS-LA instead. I am! Anything but AI!!!
@AI Fan- true but I’m sure to find some repeat on cable that will be far more interesting than the two finalists this year.
Why do all these Idol writers/bloggers insist that we keep voting once our favorite is gone? Guess what…once our favorite leaves, we usually (surprise!) STOP VOTING. We may still watch, but that’s it. Hell, David Cook’s my favorite Idol of all and I didn’t vote AT ALL that season!
Exactly. I might not even watch since I have no interest in either contestant left. I *might* what the results show if there’s enough performers on it that I like. Might be worth it for Bono and the Edge.
Not everyone stops voting because their favorite is out. Plus add in the casual vote, who takes it performance by performance or they just happen to watch the performance finale for the first time. Yes a large segment won’t vote. But if they don’t want someone to win; they will vote. Which is why it’s credible to ask where Hayley’s votes will go. I am not sure Hayley voters who decide to vote will go with Scotty; too different style. Lauren has more similarities with the voice. But it all comes down to the performances and the final decision whether they truly want someone they don’t want to win if they don’t vote.
I wonder the same thing. Why would Haley or James fans vote at all now (or even tune in)? These two finalists would have been a better fit on Nashville Star.
Haley’s fans started a movement to NOT vote at all tonight in order to affect the ratings. And your question is a good one – Haley & James fans have no reason left to vote.
I’ve never voted EVER, in any season. I’m watching the results show because the booted contestants will be back and hopefully, we’ll see some good guest performances. I’m watching tonight because David Cook is performing.
When James left I quit voting. He should have been in the finals. He even sang country with Scotty…therefore not a one trick metal performer.
You shouldn’t watch because the only way this show will change it’s ridiculous voting that is skewered towards only kids’ choices – is if they notice the numbers going down tonight.
Not watching now that all the real talent is gone. This is nothing more than a popularity contest for teenagers so who cares?
Honestly I’m kind of sad Lauren made it all the way through.. I feel like she did just based on Steven picking her as the favorite in the beginning. Her voice is NOTHING special, and her outfits are atrocious.
Scotty is really good though. I would’ve liked to see Pia go farther and Haley in the finals.
Pia will go farther in life.
You need to go have your ears checked. Scotty sounds just like all the other twangy male singers!!
With Haley out of the picture, have no interest in who wins it now. Will maybe watch the finale to see other contestants, but could care less who wins. How those two are in the finale baffles me. Both are karaoke level country wannabees. Scotty is a one trick poney that can sing low notes and has very annoying facial expressions when he sings, and Lauren does have a decent voice, but has no confidence and her technique is actually still quite flawed(breathing problems, etc), but the judges never bothered to give any criticism to both of them , so that they could improve. Lauren is worse than when she started, and Scotty is the same old, same old and hasn’t chnged one way or the other
agreeagreeagreeagain!!!
Totally agree Ronhep…broke up with AI two weeks ago when i just couldn’t stand the discrimination and how they praised Scotty to high heaven every time he opened his mouth. He will win,there’s no way in heck i will watch or even bother to waste space on my DVR and I can’t think of one person I know, tween or otherwise, who would pay money for his CD.
I would (and I’m not a tween). His facial expressions are weird, but I think his voice is fantastic, and he’s a nice throwback–for those of us who are country fans–to the old-school country of George Strait and Alan Jackson. I like Lauren too, but not as much. Couldn’t stand Haley, but now that she’s gone I might watch the finale.
Jill can’t stand Haley because she is great and better than either of the 2 finalists. Let’s not only turn the lights down low on Scotty but turn them off on the entire show. Anybody who thinks these two are the best must be tone deaf.
Couldn’t have said it better, Ronhep!
This will be the 1st year I don’t watch the finale… I really don’t care who wins between dull and duller! Will probably watch the results show so I can see my favorites again, but tonight…ZZZzzzzzzz
This will be the first episode I ever skip.
Isn’t it a shame? There was some really unique talent on stage this year—all gone!!!
I’m not even watching it. I’ll keep up via the recaps. First time since Kelly I haven’t seen the final, but I so totally don’t care.
vote for lauren plzzzz scotty sucks
The only reason I am watching is because I want to watch all of Glee and I wouldn’t put it past Fox to bleed one show into the other.
I had to see all of Glee to because A Kris Allen song is going to be sung by Matt Morrison on it
This Haley fan will be tossing out a vote at Lauren, and that literally means one, not the hundred or so I gave Haley last week. I think even if a lot of us vote for Lauren or Scotty, it won’t be with nearly the same fervor, so it will barely make a difference. I call uncle, country people. You can have whatever you want for your Idol winner, and I’ll be buying Haley and Casey’s CDs as soon as they come out.
go back to school and get an education.
There are only two minor things wrong with Bridett’s comment (whatever instead of whomever, although, to be fair, it’s kinda true when referring to Scotty and Lauren), and the interjection in the first sentence that is actually fine because it is separated with commas.) You, on the other hand, can’t capitalize a sentence, and may want to take your own advice, you tw*t (and I don’t mean twit).
Yeah, what the f*ck was that about, Ms. Pickens? Brigette’s post was literate and conversational at the same time. You’re really calling out *that* post out of the hundreds that are practically unreadable on here every day?
I don’t live in a double wide, drive a pick up truck, chew snuff, believe in the Fairy-Godfather in the sky, and I didn’t marry my cousin who now weighs 250 lbs. So….I will not be watching Hee Haw tonight. What a boring couple of nobodies!
And yet your redneck reply Dave, suggests you dropped out of high school.
Aww…did I hurt your feelings Melissa? Time to milk the cows now?
hey dave watch gay i mean glee you idiot
Man, if you made these remarks about anyone other than two white kids from the south, you might be accused of being a bigot.
I am amazed that many of you continue to bad-mouth, put down, and bully those who do not agree with YOU. Your opinion is just that–YOUR OPINION. There’s an old saying, “—-, everybody has one.” Some of you “are” one.
I am voting for scotty only because Lauren does not deserve to win, she doesnt even deserve to be in the finale..it should have been james and haley! This finale is going to be so boring! American Idol just lost so many fans. They should have a better voting system. All the talent is gone! Honestly after 10 years, american idol should close the curtain, its a popularity contest more than ever now. How I dont know, Lauren is so obnoxious and stupid and I dont even think her voice is as “amazing” as people say. I think its fixed. Steven Tyler & J-Lo have LOVED lauren since her audution. How the hell did she beat Pia, Stefano, James, Casey, Haley? I mean come on pure talent, shes a carrie underwood wannabe..I can see scotty because he is great at his genre of music and hes so humble and cute i hate this show, never watching again.
You sound very mean-spirited. Lauren appears to be a lovely girl with a beautiful voice, who may lack some confidence, but for such a young girl, Lauren does an amazing job under all the pressure. I think Haley is incredible, and am disappointed she is not in the finals. But AI creates the situation by allowing unlimited voting per text/phone/internet. Just so they can claim gigantic numbers. Best of luck to all the contestants. AI at least got them in front of the public.
You said it yourself, Lind: “for such a young girl.” She’s too young and immature for this contest, let alone the music biz. In the Top 5 week, she broke down just because she was in the Bottom Two. She should have auditioned in a few more years, so at least she would have a chance to grow up a bit and figure out who she wants to be as an artist. Lauren is in the finale only because of her ditzy Southern belle personality and because the producers pimped her beyond belief.
Wow, jealous much! Where have you haters all come from? Lauren never did anything to you! She is more mature and more of a lady then any of you bullies on here. I hope she wins and gets a trillion dollar seller number one hit first time out. Haley is a diva wanna be. People didnt like her. Get over it.
Will watch the last 15 minutes on Wed. night just to see who wins. With James gone, lost interest.
Since when was Crystal Bowersox the clear & hands down winner over Lee DeWyze?
I agree — lee Dewyze deserved to win and I was very happy when he did win. this final 2 has got to be the most boring i’ve ever seen.
It was widely acknowledged Lee had one stinky night – all 3 songs, while Crystal had one absolutely excellent performance, a good one, and a fair one. Apparantly Lee had a huge lead before the Finale and his suckitude did make it close.
Full disclosure though. I didn’t watch. I stopped watching in disgust after Siobhan was made Kara’s whipping girl and was tossed too soon. With Crystal in her Joplin/Raitt/Etheridge Lilith Fair rut – all 5 left were just too low energy, too predictable.
No, I just listened to discussions after the Winner was announced, couldn’t believe Lee sucked that bad…but he really did once I watched the U-Tube clips..
And Crystal did get off the Lilith Fair stuff for two of her songs.
She definitely was. Who listens to Lee Dewyze? No one, that’s who. Talk about boring. Crystal’s a true artist but you might be too young and non-intelligent to understand this.
An everybody is buying Crystal’s CD.—-NOT.
Since always!
In retrospect, I do think Crystal should’ve won, but I never minded that Lee won. That was definitely the right top 2, but I wasn’t nearly as invested in either of them as I have been for other contestants (e.g. for this year, James). It was kinda hard to really dislike Lee, so when he won, I mostly felt “good for him”. Also, I never raved about Crystal the way others did; she was good but they were both just the best in a mediocre, bland season.