No, I'm with you, Diamond. I think that's exactly what they do. In fact, I would go as far as strongly suspecting that's why they put crap and mediocre acts through too - so they can manipulate who the audience will vote for. I reckon the producers know exactly who is going to be in the final and will manipulate who's on what night, which order they go on, who they are up against, the judges reactions rehearsed and the judges votes at the end are all agreed in advance.
It seems your friend James Stone has thrown a spanner in the works and upset their plans somehow, it sounds like they are either trying to protect him or protect their other chosen ones.
Not cynical at all am I.
I reckon we should all get together and plan to vote for an outsider each night and then again on the final.