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.