An incredible season of “American Idol” finished with a showdown between two incredible performers. The lovely and talented Miss Katherine McPhee, and the enigmatic Taylor Hicks had their sing off Tuesday night.

Katherine McPhee started the night off with her jazzified rendition of “Black Horse in the Cherry Tree.” She took the stage like a confident star. The judges were impressed, but they seemed to want even more out of her. Taylor came out in true Hicks fashion singing Stevie Wonder’s “Living for the City.” He was effusive as usual, wearing a loud purple crushed velvet sports coat! He looked goofy, sang his heart out, and after the first round the judges believed that he was the front runner.

Katherine McPhee stepped up for the next round with Simon’s pick from last week, “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.” Even though the monitor in her ear that was to give her the pitch for the song was malfunctioning, Katherine sang with a precision and controlled quality that put her in the finale. The judges agreed that she was on fire. Not to be totally undone in round two, Taylor sang the Elton John classic “Levon.” A controlled song for Taylor. Still, after the second round it seemed as if Kat came back to take the lead.

In the final round the finalists had to sing the song that would be put out as their first single. Kat’s song, “My Destiny,” seemed to be in an awkward key for her. Her voice was markedly weaker on this song than in her two earlier performances. Vocal stamina for a show like “American Idol” is so important! After the last four months of singing every day, Kat was having some vocal chord issues! When your chords swell in your throat, a singer loses normal control and power.

Kat had to take a cortisone shot in the throat earlier that day just so she could sing at all. Taylor came out to finish the showdown with his single, “Do I Make You Proud.” With so much spirit, Taylor made the “SOUL PATROL.” After his performance Simon predicted that he had just won “American Idol.”

Nowadays, the “Idol” finale has become this huge moment in entertainment and pop culture. Fans and celebrities alike all want to be a part of the red-carpet event. Season five of “American Idol” will go down as an incredible musical moment in “Idol” history.

It was incredible to see all of the top 12 singing together again. I thought it a little strange, but still delightful to see Kevin Covaius sing “What’s New Pussycat” I laughed so hard! Good times. Chris Daughtry still looked a little stunned that he was not competing in the finale. Mandisa was tearing it up on stage again as was Paris, Bucky, and Kelly Pickler! The finale was better than advertised with Elliot Yamin and Mary J Blige singing U2’s “One.” The performance was truly one of the most magical musical moments that I have witnessed on television in a long while!

There was a handful of incredible star-powered duets and group numbers. Clay Aiken and Carrie Underwood both performed as well as the great Dionne Warwick! The diva still has it. Meat Loaf sang with Kat, and Toni Braxton did it up looking hotter than ever with Taylor.

In the end, the “Soul Patrol” would have their way and Taylor Hicks was crowned this season’s “American Idol.” In a victory for the underdog, the moment left even the stony David Hasselhoff in tears. What a perfect ending to a beautiful season.

“American Idol” snowballed closer this week to the fifth-season showdown.

The final three contestants were required to sing three different selections for America this week. The first selection was picked by the most influential recording executive in the known universe today, Clive Davis. The second selection was the judges’ pick, and the third the contestants chose on their own.
Ryan Seacrest and the judges were in very playful moods this week! I think that the secret romance between Ryan and Simon is starting to shine through a little to obviously, wouldn’t you agree? LAUGH, I SAID! Just jokes, everyone.

Seriously though, the final three have so much talent you could tell that it was gonna be anyone’s game! Clive chose the R. Kelly classic “I Believe I Can Fly” for the lovely Katherine McPhee. She sang the song well but never really honed in on the spirit in the song. The judges were tough on the first one, but the second brought the house down! Simon chose the “Wizard of Oz” classic “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” for Kat. In a dramatic and magical moment, Kat was captivating and ethereal. Simon called it the best performance of the entire season. Katherine obviously loves to sing jazzy blues tunes. She performed “I Ain’t Got Nothing but the Blues” as her final pick. Her last performance seemed a little compulsory and uninspired, but her voice was dead on. Katherine is in the finale, where I predicted that she would end up all along. She has the voice, but does America want another female vocalist to win this year? Three of the four previous seasons have had female winners. If history repeats itself, we could have a hot new blues vixen as our “Idol.”

Taylor Hicks and the rest of the Soul Patrol were on fire Tuesday night! Clive Davis chose the Springsteen hit “Dancing in the Dark” for Taylor. Taylor infused the performance with so much raw fun and energy that he had inspired the dancing diva herself, Paula, to stop being a wallflower and put on her dancing shoes! What a lucky man to dance with her! Taylor had one of his strongest nights ever and he needed it. His performance of “You Are So Beautiful” was vulnerable and controlled. Simon thought it was his best of the competition. Taylor Hicks is his own person on stage and that is what makes him fun to watch. Also, the man can sing! My girl, Polly Bressie, has been a Taylor fan from the beginning and she says if she was going to a dive to be entertained, Taylor is the only one that she would be happy to see! Will Taylor prove that you do it better if you do it with soul? Can he really be the next American Idol?



I am a sucker for the underdog, so I hated to see that it is over for good old Elliott Yamin. Elliott started off strong if a little bit tight! Simon told him to relax after he sang Clive’s pick from Journey, “Open Arms.” Elliott seemed a bit nervous for the first selection, but he still sang it cleaner than the other two sang their first selection. Paula chose a Bobby Caldwell hit, “What You Won’t Do For Love,” for Elliott. He came out relaxed and powerful but didn’t seem to know how to end the song. Elliott chose Donny Hathoway’s “I Believe To My Soul” as his own pick. The performance was not his best but I still voted for Elliott! YA’ MEAN? If only I would’ve voted 2,000 more times! Elliott should be so proud of himself. In Hollywood in January with all the talent and beauty all around us, I never would have guessed Elliott to make the top three! Now I just can’t wait to hear that voice again on CD!

Next week, it is for all the marbles! The finale! Do you have the McPheever or are you feeling the fire of the Soul Patrol?

The top four “Idol” finalists got a chance to sing the songs of The King this week.

After an inspiring week where they took a tour of the legendary Graceland given by Priscilla Presley herself, they also got to meet Elvis’ little girl, Lisa Marie. Coached by music industry star maker and mogul Tommy Mattolla, the final four were prepared in “American Idol” style to shake up the Kodak Theatre this week!

Taylor Hicks and let his personality shine through in his performance of “Jailhouse Rock.” His spastic dancing seemed to work with this song. “In the Ghetto” was a solid performance for him as well. He is stepping up as the competition gets tighter. In the top two this week, Taylor is safe to sing again.

Elliott Yamin was not about to go home without a fight this week. Predicted by all the polls to be the next one to be cast out, Elliott sang a moving version of “If I Can Dream.” His second performance of “Trouble” was one that Paula called his best so far. Elliott moves into the top three and it looks like this underdog may have a more realistic shot at being the “American Idol.”

Katherine McPhee is starting to tighten up on stage in a way that has made her performances suffer. She needs to regain some confidence and be smarter with her vocal arrangements of songs. Kat has been the girl to beat from the beginning and she is proving that she is beatable. Simon thought she seemed desperate and manic with her performance of “Hound Dog/All Shook Up.” I enjoyed her first one, but her version of “Can’t Help Falling in Love” was the worst song of the evening. Katherine has the goods to be the winner of “American Idol,” but she has to get past these uninspired and boring performances. In the bottom two this week it could end up being an all-guys final if she doesn’t raise her game.

In a shocking results show on Wednesday night, Chris Daughtry is no longer in the running to be the Season 5 “American Idol.” He shaved his chest and put on some Elton John specs and America decided to vote for the other guys. Chris was rightfully in shock as they announced that he would be going home. I think his song selection this week was dead on. His performance of “Suspicious Minds” was strong, and his performance of “A Little Less Conversation” was even stronger. He looked a little ridiculous with the glasses, but it is a singing competition.



The look on his face at the end of Wednesday night’s show said it all. The rocker is officially out of the running. It’s down to three.

The final five “American Idols” met with their past and present this week. Their first song came from the year they were born. The second came from any of today’s current charts.

With only five finalists remaining, the competition is heating up to the inevitable vocal dogfight! Each contestant needs to know their strengths and weaknesses and come out of every performance as if it was effortless magic. This week’s performances were a little inconsistent. There wasn’t a guest evaluator or vocal coach to inspire the Idols this week.

Taylor Hicks showmanship was on display during his performance of “Play that Funky Music.” His voice was strong, although it sounded pushed. The vocal stamina needed to make it to the finale is incredible. Simon hated Taylor’s first performance while Paula and Randy seemed satisfied. Taylor came back at the end of the show with the Beatles’ “Something in the Way.” It was a nice, controlled performance. I felt both performances lacked some of the magic that I have witnessed from Taylor in performances past. He seems to step up just enough to stay poised for the next performance. Taylor will be singing some Elvis next week!

Chris Daughtry gave a completely powerful and controlled version of Styxx “The Long Arm of the Law.” The first song suited him perfectly! Chris gave us a screamin’ rock vocal on “I Dare You To.” He received high praise for his first selection and a little less on the second. If Chris stays vocally healthy he is all but a shoe-in to be in the finale.

Katherine McPhee started the night out very rough for her. Her version of Genesis’ “Take a Look at Me Now” was out of pitch and out of control. Again, I will stress FOR HER! She is so amazing that a weak performance from her really stands out. She knew it was far from her best performance and the judges called her on it. She remained on her knees for the bluesy “Black Horse in the Cherry Tree.” This performance was engaging and vocally solid. Katherine needs to take control of the stage with total confidence to be the next American Idol.

Elliot Yamin started the night off with the classic “On Broadway” and he sang it with an quiet power. His second song was “Home” by Michael Buble. Simon warned him not to sing a song that says he wants to go home. I agree. In the bottom two again this week and in real danger of being cast out in the weeks to come, Elliot needs to be picking songs to win the competition. I can’t wait to hear Elliot tackle some Elvis next week!

Farewell, Princess P! Young Paris Bennet fought to the very end. Her performance of Prince’s “Kiss” was fun. Simon’s comments almost pushed Paris to tears. She came back to sing Mary J’s “Too Strong for Too Long” that I am sure made Miss Blige proud. If it came down to just this show, I think that Paris wouldn’t be the right one to send home, but America votes and Paris is gone. I will miss the fresh unpredictable fun that Paris brought to Season 5. With a voice like her’s we will be able to hear Paris belting out tunes for years to come.



Next week, it’ll be songs made famous by The King. It’s still anybody’s game.

Aphrodite and Cupid were watching over the Kodak Theatre this week as Final Six Idol Contestants sang love songs this week. Being a closet romance freak, I was hoping to find some moving performances from our stellar six. Coached by the incredible Andrea Bocelli and his "buddy" Dave, the idols were truly prepared for this week’s vocal battle.

Katherine McPhee tackled Whitney Houston’s "I Have Nothing" with the poise of a champion songstress. She lost focus on a few notes here and there, but the overall performance was far beyond solid. Finally, Randy and Paula had some good constructive criticism to hand out to Katherine this week. The judges were all quite harsh, but America didn't seem to agree. Katerine was in the top two this week and seems all but assured of a spot in the finale. If Katherine can just keep pumping out the star quality, she will be this season’s winner. Katherine does have the competition nipping at her heals.

Chris Daughtry sang a vocally clean and powerful performance of "Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman". I was disappointed that the judges had no real criticism of him this week. I know he sang the song powerfully, but his interpretation seemed askew to me. Maybe his love just is not as tender as I imagine. He sang the song with an intensity that made him seem almost angry. The instrumentation didn't seem to fit with his delivery. Still, it is easy to appreciate Chris as a vocalist and uncompromising rocker. He was also put in the top two by America.

Taylor Hicks sang a vulnerable and moving version of James Ingram’s "Just Once". Not his most vocally stunning performance, still Taylor proves that if you pick a great song and sing it with a little emotion, listeners will appreciate it. He was safe to sing again.

Elliot Yamin is the kind of guy that you want to see win the competition. After his rendition of Donny Hathoway's "Singing this Song to You", Simon Cowell proclaimed his performance to be a vocal master class. As a vocal performance major in college, I would have to whole heartedly agree. Elliot came through in a big way this week. If he can deliver this kind of performance with more recognizable songs, he really could be looking at shot in the finals. If you watch the show to see true vocal genius, you can't help but see it in Elliot! His performance brought Paula to tears! What more does he have to do? I would like to see someone make Simon cry! Elliot is now in the top 5.

Paris Bennet took a slight step back this week. She was in the bottom two for the first time this week. Singing Barbara Streisand's, "Memories" seemed like such a foolish move on her part. Whoever helped her picked this song this week must want her to be the next cast out. I am a Paris fan. She didn't have vocal problems with the song. It was just a foolish song for her to sing. It made her seem like a little old lady. Not the image of a 21st century American Idol. She got lucky this week that there was one other foolish performance. She will sing again next week!

We must say sayonara to one of the bright spots of American Idol season 5. The lovely Kelly Pickler naively tried to pull off a rendition of "Unchained Melody". Her performance was far from her best. She has to be proud of her "Idol Journey". She has far less experience than the rest of the final 6 and she still holds her own. Pickler reminds me so much of these generations Dolly Parton. She is sincere country. I will miss her southern fried diatribes every week. I will remain a Kelly fan.

It's getting closer to the finale and it looks like this season is turning out to be the most competitive season ever! The only thing that could have made it better was having a little Timmy C in the mix! Ah well! Maybe in an alternate universe. At least Timmy keeps watching with wonder and a little personal pride.