`American Idol': Jordin or Blake?

Call it "American Idol" redux.

One minimally talented finalist that everybody loved to hate? (Sanjaya. Check.) A clear front-runner who gets voted off before the finals? (Melinda Doolittle in the Chris Daughtry role.) A final twosome whose success seems more based on personality than skill? (Well, that could be a bit harsh in the case of Jordin Sparks.)

It may seem like a flashback, but here we are again with America on the verge of anointing a new "Idol." The last performances will be tonight (8 p.m., Chs. 2, 35), with the winner to be announced in a bloated-to-two-hours finale Wednesday, also at 8. And even though "Idol" has seen a notable viewership drop-off in recent weeks - since about the time Sanjaya got dumped - there's still every reason to believe one of the largest TV audiences of the year will show up to watch.

The difference from last year: It looks like it could be a pretty tight vote between Sparks, the unbelievably poised teenager, and beatbox boy Blake Lewis.

Blake Lewis

Age: 25

Hometown: Bothell, Wash.

STRENGTHS: Blake doesn't just plan to sing a song each week. He plans an entire performance - from musical arrangement to choreography. He takes chances and is creative, different and can beatbox with the best of them.

WEAKNESSES: His voice is pleasant, but not strong. He tends to overdo the beatboxing and does this annoying thing where he turns his head to the
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right and glances over his shoulder at the band. And he wears plaid pants.

`IDOL' HIGHLIGHT: When he arranged a Blake-ized version of Bon Jovi's "You Give Love a Bad Name" during Week 11.

TO WIN: He'll need to stick to the mainstream and get away from those mid-tempo songs he loves. Maybe find a touching ballad that brings tears to the eyes of the "tweener" girls and moms who seem to love him; and something fun and energetic where he breaks loose and loses himself in the
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song.

Jordin Sparks

Age: 17

Hometown: Glendale, Ariz.

STRENGTHS: An old-school voice along the lines of Shirley Bassey and Christina Aguilera's recent work. Though she's young, Sparks can make you believe she's lived the lyrics she sings and can make you lose track of time while she's singing, which is a good thing.

WEAKNESSES: Has excelled mostly with "older" songs and has a tendency to get "pitchy," as judge Randy Jackson says; clothes choices have been questionable - wore a prom dress one week.

`IDOL' HIGHLIGHT: When she sang Bassey's "I (Who Have Nothing)" during Week 5 (and again last week).

TO WIN: Jordin will need to stay away from fast, nondescript songs that don't exploit her talent, which is standing in front of a mike singing - in a black dress. But when she does that, she must fight the urge to over-sing. Aguilera's "Beautiful" would be a showstopper.