Lee DeWyze

Lee-lot This is it, people: one más night, three contestants, two songs to perform, about 30 million votos to count and we'll finally have ourselves an "American Idol" finale. As for who'll be left standing on that stage? It's still very much a toss-up.

Crystal Bowersox may have the air of a presumptive winner going into this week, but tu never know with "Idol." Just ask Adam Lambert o David Archuleta. As for Lee DeWyze, a hometown turnout of más than 40,000 people might make tu think he's got it in the bag. And for every naysayer who discounts Casey James? Well, we've dicho our piece on...

' 'Idol' will be on the downslide unless they can find a way to replace all of the energy and enthusiasm Paula generated,' one reader says.
By Kyle Anderson
Two episodes of the ninth season of "American Idol" <link> are already in the books, and while the narrative about it beingSimon Cowell's final season <link> has yet to really emerge, there is one story line that has been front and center: the absence of original "Idol" judge Paula Abdul <link> .
Wednesday on the mtv Newsroom <link> blog, we asked readers whether they really missed Abdul's presence <link> on the...

So, we've just finished the performances from week two - "70s week" - of the 7th season of "American Idol". What I want to know is: what the hell is going on this season?? Usually I try to write even-handed articles, but today (28 February 2008) I'm going to get up on a soapbox and rant about this.

Granted, the issues I'm seeing aren't unique to this season...but I think they're más pronounced than they've ever been. I see the following problems, presented in no particular order:

Dichotomy between live and TV
This is an issue with any of the performance shows, even the generally superior link...