American Idol Judges Obviously Want Lee DeWyze to Win

I wrote two weeks ago speculating the American Idol judges wereexercising undue influence in the competition. As of last night, I am sure of it.

When I wrote the post linked above, I said the judges were separating Lee DeWyze from the other contestants to put it in viewers’ mind he should be considered above the rest. He is the Cinderella story of the season: a paint store employee who lacked the confidence to pursue a big break finally got one. He was definitely a mouse when he started out, but has blossomed into a Bon Jovi type.

It makes for good television and presumably good album sales because he is being pimped like nobodies business. Watch him perform Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah,” then stick around for the judges’ comments; A couple points:

They have not praised anyone like that all season long, including Crystal Bowersox, who had been the definite frontrunner before the judges started propping DeWyzze up. Bowersox is kind of a hippie chick. Very talented, but probably not as commercial as DeWyze. I could see her as a success on the level of Nanci Griffith or the Indigo Girls. If she were to win, she would probably fall off the map like the similar sounding Tayler hicks from four years ago.

DeWyze probably has more commercial appeal, but that oddly does not translate to AI votes without some boost on the judges part. These wannabes are competing for a record contract. I guess the business end does not want to leave the winner up to the unwashed masses, lest record sales suffer.

Simon Cowell assigned DeWyze “Hallelujah” to sing. It is a beautiful, inspirational song that frankly you only have to not screw up for people to enjoy. Add in the back up singers and the suspicion Cowell helped with the arrangement, too, and I think you have a case for manipulation.

Never mind that the judges beat down the other two contestants and for at least one song, Bowersox did not get to play the guitar she often uses as a security blanket. The suspense has definitely being taken out of the competition this season. DeWyze is going to win if Cowell has to drag him across the finish line.