An unpolished evening

While American Idol finalists Fantasia Barrino and Diana DeGarmo showed off their ample talent and enthusiasm during Tuesday's final performances, there were some stumbles.

After American Idol's last hourlong performance show concluded Tuesday, there was little doubt who the judges thought would win this year's edition of Fox's blockbuster talent competition.

"Fantasia, that was your acceptance speech," judge Simon Cowell told 19-year-old Fantasia Barrino, moments after she completed a spirited version of I Believe, a soaring, gospel-tinged ballad co-written by first season Idol castoff Tamyra Gray.

Judging by the standing ovation that followed, the saucy R&B diva's victory over bubbly 16-year-old belter Diana DeGarmo seemed assured.

But this critic isn't so sure.

That's because DeGarmo pulled out every stop to keep herself in the game, choosing songs that fit her penchant for big choruses and cheeky lyrics. Fans will learn the outcome soon enough, during a two-hour show unveiling the audience vote, at 8 tonight on WTVT-Ch. 13.

Both ladies sang three songs Tuesday; two of their own choosing and I Believe. DeGarmo went first, turning I Believe into a soul-tinged power ballad, complete with a soaring gospel choir.

Later, the Barbra Streisand/Donna Summer duet No More Tears (Enough is Enough) gave DeGarmo another chance to squeeze out those Star Search-style big endings. Nevermind that the teen was trying so hard, she kept pushing her voice out of key; she was striking the right poses and nailing the big notes. So far.

Barrino did herself no favors with her first song, All My Life - an unusual ballad that left her backup choir singing more than she did.

But she redeemed herself with a song fans have heard before; her soulful, back-to-church take on Summertime, a ballad that shows off her two biggest advantages: a mesmerizing stage presence and a highly personal vocal style.

As usual, Idol judges Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson proved increasingly useless as the contest draws to a close, often failing to note obvious flaws in each finalist's performance amid tremendous pressure from a frenetic in-studio crowd to be positive.

Jackson blamed the band for Barrino's first song problems, unable or unwilling to note that she just picked a tune that didn't show off her voice well. Later, he redeemed himself by noticing, finally, that DeGarmo tends to lose her pitch when she pushes herself too hard (a common mistake for novice talents).

Ever perceptive, Cowell best summed up the pitch problems that curdled the middle of DeGarmo's signature tune, Melissa Manchester's Don't Cry Out Loud: "You heard Fantasia sing Summertime, (and) it was a sensational performance," he told the Georgia native, who seemed on the verge of tears. "You had one last chance to come and nail this competition, and I don't think you did."

There were some absurdist touches, too: a brief shot of stone-faced Idol reject Jennifer Hudson in the crowd, who seemed to be thinking she could dust either of the finalists. And who exhumed Paul Anka to sing an Idol-themed version of his 35-year old hit, My Way? (To the show's teenybopper audience, it must have felt like watching your crazy drunk uncle take over the karaoke machine at the family barbecue.)

More than anything, Tuesday's performances highlighted two very young talents who probably should have had a little more time to mature.

Here's hoping that, regardless of tonight's outcome, both ladies get the chance to develop vocal talents to match their boundless spirit.

ON TV: The two-hour American Idol season finale airs tonight at 8 on WTVT-Ch. 13.

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