aloha jasmine ... see you in a few years

Well, we've hit the end of the road.  Twelve have become two, and next week Kelly and Ruben will have to share the stage with someone new.  It's been an interesting and sometimes painful road, but Diana and Fantasia should put a fitting end to this strange season of American Idol.

Jasmine looked happier than I think I've seen her last night after her elimination.  She knew she was taking someone else's place on that stage at that stage of the competition, and I think she was so thankful to be set free from the pressure and from the crosshairs of the judges and the media.  She was quite fortunate to get to the final three (thanks, Hawaii), considering that she outlasted two superior performers in George and LaToya.  But enough of that.  She's gone, and we're down to two.  Jasmine, you are adored by your state, and that's more than most people can say.  You have a lot of fans.  You have a talent that can only improve with time and practice. Good luck to you.

Now, I know people are going to scream in the next six days that this is the wrong twosome.  Perhaps.  But season one came down to the wrong twosome, and hell did not freeze over, at least not that I'm aware of.  When it all boils down, LaToya and Fantasia were the two superior talents this go-round.  LaToya was the purest vocalist.  I would have considered buying her CD, but I would never spend money to see her in concert.  Maybe on Broadway.  Fantasia is certainly the better performer.  I would sit through a Fantasia concert and buy the CD.  That much is true.  But over the last few weeks, we've seen Diana grow up just a little.  Just a little, mind you.  But grow up nonetheless.  Would I pay to see Diana in concert?  Not in this lifetime.  Would I buy Diana's CD?  Possibly.  Probably.  This is why I was convinced before George was booted that Diana and Fantasia would be right where they are this morning.   LaToya left just one round too early. 

This one has the potential to be a barnburner.  It could be Clay/Ruben redux.  We have two powerhouse performers.  One more relaxed and natural than the other, with a maturity the other just doesn't possess yet.  But it's the youthful exuberance plus the talent of the other that may very well attract the voters who have the tenacityto keep voting for four straight hours.  Even on a school night.

Four hours they're giving people next week!  Gee, they really want to pimp those vote totals, don't they?

This contest really is too close to call.  It looks like Hawaii is out of the mix, so it may very well come down to Florida.  Lord, help us all.

*photo from idolonfox.com