Yes I AM

...an American Idol fan. This might be the best final 12/13 I've seen. Well let me remove the Minnesota hedge. This is the best final group I've seen. The two weak ones are probably Anoop and the quirky Blond chick Megan.

I did like her tonight though. It's funny because I didn't like her before and the judges raved and I was dumbfounded. This week not so much for the judges and I saw something for the first time. I think it's just too bad she has so little experience and training. She has a very alive voice that will need a lot of harnessing. there is just not enough time.

I'm wondering if the panel will pull a quick one and disqualify Adam. Not because he should be but because he's way better and it could make the rest of the competition a bit ridiculous. In exchange he gets all the perks of winning plus features throughout the rest of the season. having such a clear favorite could hurt the season and more importantly the phone lines that generate nice profit for the show.

One of the things that the judges talk about, mostly Simon is that a performance has to be more than good it has to be memorable. At the end of the show I had almost forgotten many of the performances. Outside of Adam the two most memorable for me was Megan and Allison. Interestingly enough I'd also rank them in the bottom four vocally.

My run down.

Adam. WTF is he doing still searching for a gig. Better as a front man than solo, does he know that?

Alexis. In the end may have the biggest commercial appeal, not sure she's found a contemporary voice yet. Interesting that she pulls the short stick on the phone numbers. Do they think she could withstand the hit, or do they want her out?

Allison. I love her. America loves her. She shows her age though which will help her now and hurt her later.

Anoop. I was a bit miffed he made it last week. There were about a dozen with better talent. A few with very good talent. I can see pulling along some flavor but if all it means is you leave out some borderline talent that doesn't have a shot. But this year unlike others there were some left out with potential. We'll see if the panel's instincts were right if he makes this weeks cut. If he truly is grandmas fave like i think they thought he'll make it through...ugh.

Danny. a better cleaner version of Hicks...and he won.

Jasmine. Can you say smile for the camera, absolutely gorgeous and immensely talented...who was i talking about again. Oh yeah, and forgettable.

Jorge. all about song choices for this guy. Beautiful quality to his voice, Latin, and likeable. How strong is the latino vote?

Kris. right now there are about a million gay guys getting off to his performance. And I say that in the nicest way. But again great commercial possibilities. But singing what?

Lil. I'm not sure it matters how good she is. Limited appeal doesn't hurt you against weak competition. it will against this group. I expect her to go deep though just because she is very good. And I wouldn't be surprised if she builds one of the better careers out of this group.

Matt. now he's got a beautiful voice. Very timberlakian. I'm afraid that ship has sailed though. Sometimes a little bit of baby goes out with the bath water. Here's hoping he finds relevance. I'm afraid a generic soulfulness isn't going to win in this crowd. I'd clearly put him top three talent wise with Adam and Lil.

Megan. Undefinable. That may sneak her though a round or two, but she better find a voice she can actually nail a song with or she'll go from darling to joke butt in the blink of an eye. And we've seen it before.

Michael. I'm not sure if it matters if he can really sing. How far can you take the male country demographic if you don't actually sing country. I'd say buy a cowboy hat and a horse.

Scott. I like him, you like him, we all like him. he makes us feel good. He's weak. Other years that woul be enough to get to the final six. He already seems to be getting swallowed by this group. Only a matter of time.

Providing the panel doesn't pull a fast one and remove Adam the two cuts I predict will be Anoop and Michael although I 'm thinking the voting will be pretty close and I'd only put Adam and Lil as untouchable.