For Blake Lewis, "American Idol" came as one of life's pleasant detours.

He had never really seen the show, he says. Now he's in the finale, a two-parter that started last night and continues tonight.

And for Jordin Sparks? "It's something I've always wanted to do," she says.

These two people are opposite in almost every way except one: They're the finalists on TV's top-rated show; tonight, one will become the "Idol" champion.

Sparks has had her moments of joy and despair. The extreme came during "Idol Gives Back" week, when the show got too tricky, making it appear she had been voted out. "For that split second, my heart just sank down," she says.

Then there are the rare times when judge Simon Cowell criticizes her. "Simon's comments always stick with you," she says.

Lewis' reaction to Cowell? "I don't think I have ever really listened to the judges," he says. "I just nod and smile."

These two are sharply different in age and experience. Sparks is 17, a high school junior; Lewis is 25, a veteran of the Seattle music scene.

Still, at times the ages seem flip-flopped.

Lewis is the one who seems hip and cutting-edge. Even when doing an old song, he says, he nudges it toward 2007. "When I did like a song, I wanted to do a remix."

And Sparks? She has elements of an old soul. "I love to read," she says. "Which I guess is pretty weird for a teenager."

At times, her song choices reflect that old-soul taste. Two of her successes have been with the 1963 "I (Who Have Nothing)" and the 1945 "You'll Never Walk Alone."

For the sing-off, however, she'll try not to get too old. "I have a more youthful song in my repertoire that I'm going to pull out," she says.

Last night, each sang three songs, then viewers voted; tonight, after a two-hour build-up, one will be the "Idol" champion.

Along the way, some other contrasts are apparent: One finalist is a huge sports fan; the other pays careful attention to fashion and hair color.

And the gender stereotypes here are flip-flopped.

She's the sports buff, describing herself as a "football and basketball freak." Her dad, Phillippi Sparks, was a pro football player for nine seasons, playing cornerback for the New York Giants and Dallas Cowboys.

Jordin Sparks did play softball and basketball in school, then decided she couldn't simultaneously do sports and music. "It's either-or."

For Lewis, the focus has long been music and on the hip-type look that goes with it.

The clothes have assorted layers, none involving jeans. The hair color keeps changing.

"I've had red, blue — green for Halloween," Lewis says.

He had frosted tips, then switched to jet black the week he sang a serious Bon Jovi song. "I just have fun," he says.