Crucial Stage for American Idol and James Durbin

American Idol always comes down to a popularity contest. You've got top talents singing songs in such different styles that it's nearly impossible to compare them.

You've got Randy Jackson blabbering about being "in it to win it," about every contestant, downgrading his "dawg" greeting to the West Coast dated "dude."

But the biggest difference this time out seems to be that two of the singers skew country and two, including Santa Cruz's James Durbin and Illinois native Haley Reinhardt, skew to the more profane rock and urban sounds—the devil's music.

On the other side is Scotty McCreery, from North Carolina, who sang a country song, which if I wasn't hallucinating, had lyrics that said he didn't know Iran from Iraq, but he knew Jesus. I know, it's a song by a very popular country guy, whose name would only make me sick, and it is as red as a red state gets. I'm proud to be stupid about the world, but I love God and Americuh. Don't confuse me with none of your science or ideas, it's all in the Bible, dude.

He cringed when Lady Gaga told him to pretend the microphone was his girlfriend and she wanted his tongue down her throat, and, if I wasn't hallucinating, I think he said he would pray for her. On his side of the political aisle is Lauren Alaina, from—where else?—Georgia. Her favorite quote, according to her bio is, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." She sang great, damn-near perfect as a starched white sheet.

The more secular Haley flamed out on Michael Jackson's "Earth Song," which may well have been God's way of saying she should be looking toward heaven. She came back strong, strong, strong in the second half, after taking the night's only drubbing by the judges, with "I Who Have Nothing." The first half featured inspiring songs; the second was for Jerry Lieber and Mike Stoller tunes. 

James did a strong take on Journey's "Don't Stop Believin'" first and then a cool and confident "Love Potion #9," heavy on the caterwaul, which it may be time to tone down a bit. Oh, hell, maybe not. Steve Perry made a career of it.

The votes will be in Thursday, the show that will be most important to Santa Cruz. If Durbin wins, we get a free concert Saturday. If not, well, then God clearly liked the other singers better.