why i would prefer to finish second

This is it.  The final week of the American Idol competition, and it's ending right where it started, with Diana and Fantasia.  Of course the show will have all of the hoo-haa that has been customary for the finale.  It will be at the much-larger Kodak theatre, so the screaming and applause will be even more deafening (if that's possible).  There will be gazillions of "Tasia is Fantasic" and "DeGarmo is Dianamite" signs, and there might even be another choir dressed in church robes (although, personally, since this is being billed as the "Battle of the Divas" I'm kind of hoping for scads of shirtless male dancers, but that's just me).  On finale night, anything goes! 

I am surprised that the performance show Tuesday night is only one hour.  I fully expected them to stretch it to two hours to accommodate all of the sponsors that undoubtedly want their 30-second spot included in, what should be, a very highly rated show.  But it's not.  Six songs.  One hour.  Hopefully we will not be subjected to the two original numbers that they have tapped for both girls to record.  Six covers is sufficient.

Now if I were Diana or Fantasia, I might just consider holding a bit back on Tuesday.  Being the American Idol is fine if you're into those sorts of labels.  But there is something to be said for not winning.  So, if it were me, I'd almost want to be the American Runner-Up.

Look at Clay Aiken.  (That's not an unpleasant thing to do, but that's just me.)  He finished second in a photo finish last year, and he's arguably the most successful of all of the Idol contestants.  Kelly won the crown, continues to be successful, but is now just coming out from under the thumb of American Idol and 19 Entertainment.  Ruben has been pretty much successful, but still has another year to the two-year committment that is contractual upon winning the competition.  In fact, reports were that Ruben considered quitting early on in his reign over creative differences.  Clay (and the others who fall short of the Idol crown) must honor a six-month committment, and then they're on their own, to record as they wish with whomever they choose.  Kim Locke is with Curb and is enjoying success of her own.   There's a lot to be said for creative freedom.

Problem is, if you win, you don't have it.

* photo from idolonfox.com