Main 'Idol' challenge is preserving the suspense

"American Idol" would like to make this year's competition into a real horse race. But Adam Lambert, already crowned on the cover of the current Entertainment Weekly, is the front-runner by what seems a mile. Yet Simon Cowell reminded "Idol" watchers on Tuesday that viewers favoring Lambert should vote for him and not take anything for granted.

Lambert merited those votes Tuesday by unleashing his emotional scream on theatrical readings of U2's "One" (Cowell's pick for him) and Aerosmith's "Cryin'," two songs suited to him. But dark horse Kris Allen came rushing into the final turn with a so-so "Apologize" by OneRepublic (chosen by Randy Jackson and Kara DioGuardi) and a remarkably reimagined "Heartless" by Kanye West, two songs totally familiar to teenage females, the key "Idol" voting demographic.

Danny Gokey, who had been running second into the final turn, stuck to oldies, the obscure "Dance Little Sister" by 1980s soul man Terrence Trent D'Arby (chosen by Paula Abdul) and "You Are So Beautiful," the classic ballad made famous by Joe Cocker. His D'Arby was competent at best, but his "Beautiful" was gorgeous, breathtakingly soulful with a hint of gospel fervor.

"I'd call that a vocal master class," Cowell said of Gokey's "Beautiful."

The most influential and honest of all the judges, Cowell explained that he had counted out Allen until "Heartless."

All the judges gushed over Lambert. Jackson called him "one of the best we've ever had. You should be a rock star." Cowell said Lambert earned his way into the finals. DioGuardi and Abdul said they'd see Lambert next week in the finals.

Of course, it's up to the voters to decide. Tonight at 8, "Idol" fans will find out if it's Lambert in the finals or if the two dark horses pass him in the home stretch.