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Casey James bids farewell, Bieber sings and Idol has two left

By April MacIntyre May 20, 2010, 5:13 GMT

Casey James, Los Angeles, CA USA © Salpi Bezdjian / PR Photos

Texas hunk Casey James is a pleaser; he cries when his momma cries and his effortless charm and blond good looks ensure the Lone Star looker will have a career in music post Idol.

Now the contest is Crystal Bowersox and Lee DeWyze's to battle over.

The two will be singing in the finale next week.

Mama Bowersox has had medical drama and Dewyze has broken through his shyness.  The pair are matched nicely: Bowersox is an indie artist, along with the soulful paint-store kid DeWyze who has a whopper voice; it's what makes this long in the tooth reality series so watchable after all the moaning over what Ellen said, or Ryan and Simon's awkward male posturing this season, or the excessive use of the term "dog" by Jackson.

Casey James tried to sling a bit of Texan sass back at the judges: “I was thinking, ‘Not every single comment was usable,’ ” he said after they asked him how their comments helped.

It was James music selections that seemed his undoing; too predictable, no wow moments and ultimately not delivering the star wattage when he needed to.

DeWyze had the juice and the arrangements beat, and his use of background singers and excellent song choices sealed the deal; he knew when to jam on the gas.

The night was punctuated by the b-roll of the three contestants' homecomings as James thanks the hospital staff where he was treated for his injuries after an accident six years ago; Bowersox was emotional when she got the key to the city and heard her original song “Holy Toledo” get some airtime. It was great to see the American Flag flying on her dad's sweet yellow house. Then, DeWyze’s gutting performance of “The Boxer” in his hometown made everyone cry. Myself included.

No secret, I am pulling for DeWyze, but the two singers are remarkable stories and talents who make all of us proud and the whole point of American Idol valid, tangible and worthwhile.