'American Idol's' bigger message

"Adam Lambert belongs to the more theatrical strand, with the black nail polish and the black hair, the darker expression of emo," said Karen Tongson, an assistant professor of English and gender studies at USC. "Kris Allen comes from the folkier, more acoustic, clean-cut element of emo. The connection between Christian rock and emo has always been there in the folkier strains."

That the "Idol" finale has come down to these seeming polar opposites who share so much is particularly notable, given the seemingly constant presence of sexual politics in the news. The California Supreme Court might soon confirm or overturn the state's voter-mandated ban on gay marriage. Miss California USA Carrie Prejean made waves by stating her personal opposition to same-sex unions when she was questioned at a pageant.

In this complicated climate, one painted thumbnail means a lot. Allen began decorating one of his black -- one of Lambert's favorite colors -- late in the season, apparently to dispel rumors that the pair, who were roommates in the show-sponsored mansion where the finalists reside, were feuding. Lambert reportedly later removed the paint from one of his thumbs in his own gesture of support.

The friendship between the two finalists suggests that tolerance can trump ideology, a powerful sentiment that echoes President Obama's suggestion that bridging differences could be more effective than trying to eradicate them.

"This is part of the spirit and ethos of an America after Obama. His whole rhetoric fits into the desires of our political culture after such a divisive period. And that's also playing itself out on 'Idol,' " said Tongson.

Each singer has fans who should be rooting for the other one, according to the usual patterns linked to the culture wars. Some commentators have tried to make a stir over Lambert's sexuality -- Bill O'Reilly questioned Lambert's appropriateness as a singing role model on his Fox News program. But he seems to have many Christian admirers.

"My husband and I are Baby Boomer Christians and we LOVE Adam Lambert! After 8 seasons, we finally have the contestant who defines the title," wrote one reader in the comments section of Newsweek magazine's Pop Vox blog.

Allen has definitely benefited from the Christian vote, but he also has a sizable fan base among gay men. He's been featured on plenty of gay-oriented blogs, admired for his looks and low-key personality.

"It seems like he's a very giving, warm, vulnerable, good person, and he has musical intellect way beyond his age," said filmmaker and producer Marc Huestis, a prominent presence in San Francisco's gay community. "The problem with Adam is he's invulnerable. Kris is always working really hard. He feels like an artist to me."

Like many viewers, Huestis has put his support behind both Lambert and Allen, depending on the musical performances.

Lambert might dye his hair black and wear tight, shiny clothes, but he's been careful to "change up" his performances, alternating hard rock turns that feature his trademark high wail and restrained, subtle readings of ballads like "The Tracks of My $#+!#" by Smokey Robinson.

Considering that the current Top 40 is ruled by edgy figures like the self-styled disco dominatrix Lady GaGa and hip-hop "Martian" Lil Wayne, Lambert's style is almost traditional -- by leather-clad rocker standards.

Allen, who possesses a mellow tenor, seems at first like a much safer artist, but he's also developed a flair for taking chances. His song choices have been among the season's most surprising: He opted for a song written by Bob Dylan during country week, and the Oscar-winning but still relatively obscure "Falling Slowly," from the indie sleeper "Once," when asked to choose a song from a film.

His fairly highbrow taste relates to a strategy used by nondenominational churches like the one Allen attends in Arkansas: Draw in younger believers by offering really good music and a general aura of hipness. Allen, though devout, never comes off as pompous or overly proper.

Lambert and Allen might be the most unlikely pair on television this year, but their bond has helped make this singing competition more than just entertainment, no matter which man wins.

"It is fantasy," said Ross. "Out there in the real world people aren't getting along so comfortably. The guy who sings musical theater and dresses flamboyantly isn't necessarily going to be bonding with the jock types in high school.

But sometimes a mirror image has the power of pointing toward a future reality. It's not sufficient in itself but it adjoins to another bunch of things that seem to be happening in our society, old prejudices falling away."

-- Ann Powers