Crystal Bowersox wasn't exaggerating tonight when she told "American Idol" viewers: "Northwestern Ohio has been in a bit of a slump lately."

A big bit. Ohio, Michigan and Illinois have struggled. So it's a pleasure to see a couple of ordinary kids from the North, fighting for the "American Idol" championship.

Crystal is from little towns near Toledo; Lee DeWyze is from Mount Prospect, near Chicago. They are sort of like the people I meet every day in Michigan ... except, of course, that they have more talent.

So it looks like the end of the line -- at last -- for Casey and the Sunshine Bland.

Most weeks on "American Idol," Casey James has chosen some vaguely upbeat tune that goes nowhere and does nothing. In Sinatra week he did "Blue Skies"; in inspiration week he did "Don't Stop."

For the second time, "American Idol" had Chris Daughtry as the guest on a key night -- the one in which someone finishes No. 4.

The message is simple: Daughtry finished fourth his year and became a big star. Others who finished fourth have included Tamyra Gray, LaToya London and LaKisha Jones; Jennifer Hudson didn't even get that far. This year's No. 4 can feel good about himself.

Let's hope so, because this year that's Michael Lynche, an immense talent. Here are a few of my comments; please add yours:

Hollywood makes 200 major movies a year, plus lots of minor ones. Many of them have songs. And it's been making these for more than a century.

With all of this, it really should be possible for four people to each choose one good movie song for tonight's "American Idol." Instead? "There have been some very strange song choices tonight," Simon Cowell said, accurately.

Here are a few of my comments; please add yours:

1) The two duets were well-chosen and well-sung. In particular, Crystal Bowersox and Lee DeWyze were terrific.

When they announced that this would  be Sinatra-song week on "American Idol," I promptly said Michael Lynche and Aaron Kelly would do well. I was ... well, semi-correct.

They sang well, which must have been what I was predicting. Then the viewers plunked them into the bottom two. Viewers rarely consult with me.

Fortunately, Big Mike -- an immense talent -- survived; Aaron, a good singer with a promising future -- was voted out. Here are a few of my comments; please add yours:

The first time I met Ernie Harwell, he was at a forum of sportscasters. I'd asked him about the aftershocks, when he was dropped from the Detroit Tiger sportscasts at 82. "I never imagined he was 82," Al Michaels said afterward. "I had no idea."

Somebody please get a message to Crystal Bowersox, before it's too late: Until now, you've been right every week. But you were dead wrong when you defended a mild-bland song by saying, "Not every song has to be big."

That's true in a 12-song CD. It's true in a one-hour concert. But it's wrong when "American Idol" singers only get one shot a week, then can be voted off.

Last week, Casey James sang the mild-bland "Don't Stop." Simon Cowell called it "lazy"; viewers put him second-to-last.

This part perplexes me: Given an "inspiration music" theme, "American Idol" contestants choose songs that are only borderline inspiring, at best. Most ignore the hugely inspirational world of gospel and religion.

On Tuesday, even Michael Lynche -- who could have done wonders with any gospel powerhouse -- went mild. Casey James went ultra-bland with "Don't Stop" and almost lost.

I really do think "inspirational song" week should include songs that are ... you know, inspiring. I don't know why so many "American Idol" contestants disagree.

Tonight's show started at the low point -- Casey James' "Can' Stop" was simple, sing-song and dispassionate -- and ended with a high point: Crystal Bowersox was even more sensational that usual, with her stirring "People Get Ready."