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'American Idol:' oddsmakers giving Lee DeWyze edge over Crystal Bowersox

Who will ultimately win "American Idol" this season? We only have two choices -- Lee DeWyze or Crystal Bowersox -- and the oddsmakers seem to be putting their support behind the former.

As of this writing, the people who do this sort of predicting professionally claim that Lee has a 2-to-1 chance at taking home the grand prize. This is something we certainly wouldn't have dreamed of a few weeks ago, when Crystal was dominating this competition and Lee was just starting to find his footing. However, that all started to change with DeWyze's take of "Treat Her Like a Lady," and came to a head last week when he belted out "Hallelujah" with a choir.

Of course, odds can always change really fast, especially since they're not taking into account how well the two performers do Tuesday night into consideration. If one performer flops, then their odds of winning go straight down the tubes.

Who do you think has this upper hand going into this week's finale? Feel free to share below and stay tuned for more "American Idol" news. To view recent "Idol" photos, follow the link here.

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Matt Carter is a poet, journalist, and screenwriter from Dallas, TX. A former reality and game show contestant, he published his first book, "Storms of Change," in May 2008. He can be reached here.

Comments

  • Paul 2 years ago

    There is no doubt in my mind that Crystal still has the upper hand. Take into account a recent video made available 1 day ago showing Crystal singing at age 13. It's been at the #1 spot on youtube for a while now and is coming up to a half million views and ramping up fast. That shows how big Crystal's fanbase is. Also take into account the number of song views on youtube between the two of them and you'll find Crystal beats Lee 2 to 1. Look at it this way. Lee had 1 week where he was more popular than Crystal. I know Crystal will tear up the stage in the finale and it will be a landslide victory! You heard it hear first.

  • Perrygal8 2 years ago

    Lee is just a "copy" of the mediocre talent of the last two winners. Crystal is raw,natural talent. She has a way of reaching in and touching your soul with her music, a very rare find! I would NOT pay for a Lee DeWyze CD. I WILL pay for a Crystal Bowersox CD and I am willing to pay big bucks to see her perform live. The 3rd graders and teenyboppers that are mad dialing their votes for Lee every Tuesday night just cannot afford CD's and concerts.....Money talks...I hope the record producers are paying attention.......

  • Lori 2 years ago

    They are both very talented!! They each have their own style of music. I think they will each have successful careers. However that being said, I prefer Lee's music and his style. I will be voting for him on Tuesday. Land slide victory, I think not, Lee his breaking records with the sell of his CD slumberland. He is #32 on billboard, the first time this has been done in AI history before the show is over.

  • Lori 2 years ago

    Oh and by the way I am not a teeny bopper, I am a 50 year old grandmother!!

  • Lori 2 years ago

    And I would pay to buy tickets to Lee shows and I have already purchase his cd.

  • Lori 2 years ago

    And yes the records producers are paying attention, you bet they are paying attention!! They see how successful Lee will be!! He is being compared to Bruce Springsteen and Dave Matthews.

  • SoxFan 2 years ago

    Go BOWERSOX GO! I hope she wins it. Great voice and I can't wait to buy her CD and see her in concert! Lee is excellent as well but I like Crystal more.

  • ana 2 years ago

    My sister teaches middle school kids and says the majority of her students are voting for Crystal. I like Lee, but I love Crystal. Kelly C, Carrie, Jason C., David C., and Adam were my favorites from past seasons. I think Crystal is as good-- possibly even better, than any one of the above. I think both Crystal and Lee should be given recording contracts, though, no matter which one wins.

  • Makenzie 2 years ago

    Excuse me Paul but you must be like 100 if you think that Crrystal is better than Lee and it will not be a landslide for Crystal to win. Do you you want to buy you some earplugs becasue no one in America agrees with you. I might be a teen but like all of America will vote for Lee not because of his looks either. America needs someone like Lee and we are going to get it. Me and like 15 of my friends have agreed and we r going to vote non stop for him on Tuesday night just to make sure that he wins and to show all of yall how dumb yall are for thinking that its going 2 be a loandslide for Crystal so dont comment becauase I will come on here and have the last word and Lee is GOING to win so don't get your hopes up for Crystal.

  • Brendah 2 years ago

    wayyy to bad both can't win , they are both talented and Make beautiful music together. I would love to hear more duets from them. Does'nt matter which wins .. both will have contract offers and have a chance to take their music as far as they want. Wishing both all the best of luck !!

  • Jen 2 years ago

    Sorry-Crystal has never grown through the season. And who cares how she sounded at 13? There are 13 year old girls who sing at my church that sing better at 13 than Crystal at 24. She is no phenom. Talented, but the same since day one. Janis Joplin's days are long over and that is Crystal's style of music. Lee is not only very talented, he has grown in so many ways and he has such passion for what he does. Crystal has never 'touched' me. Lee has rocked the house. He actually feels his music. He is sincere and humble. Whatever, they are both talented kids and I wish them much success, which they undoubtedly will. Like a comment above - I am not a teenybopper, but prefer Lee's style/music and I believe the majority of voters in American agree. In fact I was out today doing some personal 'polling' and overwhelming the comment about Crystal was - Oh that hippy-girl. But no one said they would vote for her. Comments on Lee on the other hand - 'He is the better of the two and has my vote.'

  • Millie 2 years ago

    I think and hope Lee takes the big prize, he is very appreciative of this oportunity, Crystal is a biatch, she always looks like she is too good for the show, not to mention nobody listen to folk nowadays. Also, there were over 40,000 ppl to see Lee and only 5,000 for Crystal, I know Il is bigger then OH but thats a very big difference!! even if he doesn't win he will be very successful, more then Crystal for sure.

  • Hayley 2 years ago

    Although i think crystal is a really good singer, with todays generation its 100% Lee. Not only is he a great singer but young adults everywhere around know where hes coming from he had a hard time and is finally making ends meet. I would not at all buy a CD that crystal makes. Lee on the other hand has what teenagers and young adults want to hear I give him the crown!

  • Fred G 2 years ago

    I do not understand the Lee surge. He's quite good, but he's like a million different 20-something raspy-voiced semi-rockers, including folks like David Cook and that guy who won last year whose name we've forgotten already. Crystal is what the show needs to have some new life; she's different from any previous winner - a total original; beautiful voice and always sings with passion and conviction. By the way, Lee often sings out of tune, and if you listen to the great Lee/Crystal duet, it's Crystal who's leading the two musically and keeping the song in good harmony and rhythm. The only weak moments were when Lee was supposed to soar to a high-ish note and sang it out of tune!

  • Susan 2 years ago

    I have to say I don't keep up with American Idol becuase I know a lot of artists out there who are better than some people on the show. But this year has been different. Ive been voting and keeping up for the first time since American idol started. I am one doesnt vote, but this season I watched and I voted because I "BeLEEved".

    Lee has no talent? Have you Seen his Candid Karaoke Videos on youtube? Search for Lee DeWyze Sex on Fire karaoke. What a PHENOMINAL Voice in that Video. That is my Favorite Song done by him next to The Boxer. I am hoping that American Idol will let him sing that song on Tour. Yes I'm going to brave the screaming girls to watch Lee Sing. (I'm a grown 28 year old women)
    He is so Humble and has shown the most improvement. When Lee Sings.. he moves me. And he is so down to earth. An Incredible singer and song writer. I know a lot of more male viewers this season becuase of Lee. He appeals to all ages.

    Lee Is my American Idol. <3 Lee

  • Fred G 2 years ago

    By the way, what's with the nonsense about Lee overcoming some major obstacles in life? His life may not have been easy, but Crystal had juvenile onset diabetes, came from a very blue collar home, and her mother walked out on her dad when she was 2. Not that the competition should even be judged on these things, but I am surprised at the comments suggesting that Crystal is somehow the privileged one of the two.

  • Jean Johnson 2 years ago

    Another "Grandma" for LEE DEWYZE, I have all of his music pre-idol and Idol and listen daily to this most unique voice that can go to your heart and through your head days after you listen to him. He believes in every song he sings and gives the audience everything he has to let them relate to the music. He may have been "a rascal" when he was young but he has grown into a sensitive compasionate man who loves to give people music. I vote 700 times for Lee every week and I CHALLENGE everyone else to do the same.
    Grandma Jean, Las Vegas

  • Irena 2 years ago

    Lee will be next American Idol.... He is very talented, he has grown in so many ways and he has such passion for what he does. I sow him when he was in Chicago-he is so emotional , he is very appreciative of this oportunity -and we love him for that.

  • John 2 years ago

    Someone should get their facts straight. Lee has over 1/2 million hits on youtube for "Hallelujah." Youtube numbers don't necessarily correspond to votes but I'm glad Lee is getting the recognition he deserves. As for Lee and Crystal's duet, her voice is not distinctive unless she is screaming. Any good backup singer could have done her part but Lee's voice is recognizable and memorable. Go Lee!

  • John 2 years ago

    Disregard what I said I really know hat I';m talking about.
    John

  • John 2 years ago

    Actually, you should only disregard the previous comment.

  • Ann 2 years ago

    I'm a 60 year old grandma too, and Crystal Bowersox is the only one I would pay to see. I also really like the stories of her kindness to others, even as a child. She has a heart to give back. I like that, along with her amazing talent.

  • Ray J 2 years ago

    What I find interesting is that Simon pimped Bowersox since the beginning and two weeks ago started throwing her under the bus for no reason what so ever.Ego folks,Simon has to be the one to change the course of events . He really doesn't care who wins it's all about Simon showing his power a power we the voters need to take away from him.

    A vote Lee is a vote for Simon.My dog in this show was voted off long a go but I will be voting my butt of for Bowersox

  • Daphne 2 years ago

    Lee is a paint sniffer ,no personality , no charisma and sings out of tune(pitchy).American's as stupid as they are will vote for Lee because the press is telling them that he is the favorite with no proof to back it up.

  • Sherri 2 years ago

    Crystal and Lee both deserve to win, however, Lee really has a more unique voice. I also think Lee's style is a bit more modern and I could easily see him having a number 1 hit a bit more than I could see Crystal having one. For that reason I have favored Lee all season and hope he wins.

  • Sherri 2 years ago

    Crystal and Lee both deserve to win, however, Crystal really has a more unique voice. I also think Crystals style is a bit more modern and I could easily see her having a number 1 hit a bit more than I could see Lee having one. For that reason I have favored Crystal all season and hope she wins.

  • Kitty 2 years ago

    Every year Mr. Cowell goes to America and manipulates you. How long will it take for you to figure it out ?

  • lda 2 years ago

    Every year it's the same judge manipulation at the end. The front runner (who is generally the best singer from the very get-go) suddenly gets rumors, bad songs, and dropped while some "dark horse" is promoted to victory. This is why we end up with winners who don't win in concert/ticket sales. Lee is one of a million rockers following Daughtry, Cook, Lamert, etc. etc. Crystal will sell.

  • elsa 2 years ago

    I am voting for Lee. Nothing against Crystal, they are both my favorites, but voting for Lee.
    Simon manipulating? Is that why Daughtry lost and Hicks won? Then if American voted off Daughtry because he is clearly Simon's favorite, then we are the fools!

  • James 2 years ago

    Yo elsa if you are voting for Lee then you are a fool.

  • Mary J 2 years ago

    Lee really screwed up Take me out to the ball game but what's new,boy can't sing .

  • Steve Leong 2 years ago

    I would buy Lee's CD, but probably not Crystals. I do think they are both GREAT SINGERS, and deserve to be the top 2.

  • Debbie 2 years ago

    Both Lee and Crystal have talent. I see Lee as the American Idol just because I happen to like his voice more. He has also had so much growth on the show showing at all times humility. I feel both will be successful. Its not up to the judges, but the voters to get in who you want to win. Voters have picked the best for the finals! Good luck and God bless you both!

  • aaron 2 years ago

    Crystal has a fabulous voice.
    Lee can't sing a song entirely in tune to save his life.
    Crystal is a better musician with Lee being primarily a strummer.
    Both have equally dull personalities.
    Lee will win!
    Idol realizes he'll be more easily manipulated and molded into their idea of a pop singer and readily sing the lame songs they'll want him to sing. They've blatantly pimped him to the audience while calling out others on being "pitchy" and lack of showing personality.
    It'll work out as planned and if it doesn't I have no doubt they'll get what they want by further last minute manipulation of voting.
    No doubt Lee will win! Won't sell many more albums than Taylor Hicks but who cares. Crystal will do fine. I suspect the one who'll do the best in the long run with a career will be Casey James.

  • hawk 2 years ago

    Crystal should win but America is tone deaf! It's from listening to many crappy pop singers and grunge wannabes...

  • Lightspeed Dialer 2 years ago

    Lets set the record straight,Lee's Hallelujah was a very easy song choice for him, especially with 8 backup singers powering over him. Tim Urban got 1/2 mill hits on youtube for his performance of Hallelujah. The judges critiques are a sham. Drink the kool-aid if you want but it's better to think for yourself. Lee's song writting ability? Just read the lyrics and you will get the idea that they are LACKING.....

  • Marge Lawson 2 years ago

    Another grandmother, another vote for LEE. How could some of these people possibly think he has no talent, can't sing, etc. He has steadily improved each week. And he definitely doesn't sing words that one can't understand. I guess when you get to my age, you've heard a lot of singers in your life and I think this kid, who appears to be humble, thankful and definitely talented, could go the way of someone like Eric Clapton and I like Eric Clapton, too. VOTE FOR LEE SEVERAL TIMES OVER. Can't wait to hear him again tomorrow night.

  • Marge Lawson 2 years ago

    Lee's Hallelujah brought tears to my eyes and today I had my husband watch it on youtube because he doesn't watch American Idol. He loved it and said the kid sure puts a lot into it and thought it was GREAT. This from an 83 year old man who still is "with the program". AMEN !! That is what you call TALENT !!

  • blond 2 years ago

    Crystal has my vote. She's the best talent of the bunch. Simon had to pimp and produce the "Lee moment" I like him but Crystal is the best.. IMO

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