The TV Zone

(Becker/Getty)

Last week I mused about Lambert getting the boot - sort of a fraught "what if" post about the crazy possibility that people might actually not vote for Lambert because they think he's so good that he doesn't need their vote, so why bother.

Consider the fear allayed. He's in. He's won. Game over.

I mean, really. The U2 was not exactly an interpretation I'd embrace, but "Cryin'?" Just unbeatable. The best of the night. One of the best of the season (and if anything HAS been better, he's sung it), and one of the best performances in "Idol" history.

Plus, it was sage of Simon to close with a real insistence that people actually get off their duffs to vote for him. So, I'm thinking that in some small corner of his mind he too is afraid Lambert could be in trouble. After all, Simon's gone on every talk show from "Oprah" to local access cable predicting Lambert's ultimate victory; Sico doesn't want to look silly; Dr. Evil doesn't want Sico to look silly either. So he made a valiant effort to seal the deal for the leader last night.

Maybe what's most amazing about Lambert is to have watched the guy grow over the season; did anyone really truly expect, based on his audition, that he'd be the next "AI?"

Meanwhile, my other prediction: Danny's gone tonight.