[kevkrom]

Here's my problem with the finalists as a whole... who among them is going to have both a broad appeal and also bring something to a genre that is currently missing?

Kellie? I doubt it... country has already found its new young female star in Carrie Underwood (who is more attractive and talented than Kellie will ever be), and the tightrope she's walking between "Redneck Barbie" and "Trailer Park Wh*re" is going to cause her to slip up eventually.

Chris? Nope. While Simon may want to get his claws into the alt-rock genre, what does Chris bring that doesn't already exist out there? Besides, it's clear Chris wants to do the harder stuff, whereas his only appeal is in the "cute and fuzzy" face he puts on alt-rock. Horrible mismatch waiting to happen there.

Paris? Who knows... I'm still trying to figure out who or what she is. Until she develops her own style, she's not going to really get any kind of following.

Ace? He's nothing but an overgrown, creepy, boy-band singer.

Taylor? His genre appeal is too limited, and he's mostly a novelty.

Bucky? Not good enough, especially to make it in the already crowded country market.

Katharine? Despite being my personal favorite, I have a hard time seeing her be a huge success. She'd be more of an "adult contemporary" type of singer than a pop singer, which is a large enough market and one that could use some fresh blood, but that's also a real hit-or-miss kind of market -- wild success or dismal failure.

Elliott? Another one who is hard to see as a "pop" singer. I just don't really see a market for a jazzy vocalist these days.

[Wyatt's Torch]

So you are saying the winner will be akin to the World's Tallest Midget?........;-)

[kevkrom]

Just repeating my earlier list of Queen song choices:

• Ace: Play The Game
• Bucky: Another One Bites The Dust
• Chris: Who Wants To Live Forever
• Elliott: Killer Queen
• Katharine: Bohemian Rhapsody Somebody To Love
• Kellie: Crazy Little Thing Called Love
• Paris: Don't Stop Me Now
• Taylor: Under Pressure

[Texas2step]

who among them is going to have both a broad appeal and also bring something to a genre that is currently missing?

I think you're fairly accurate with that statement, with a couple of _possible_ exceptions.

I believe there is room in country music for an edgy, sultry female singer. Kellie, with a little work, could fill that spot.

Chris, with the possible exception of "What If?" has performed as well, if not better, than the originals of the alt-rock groups that he's covered. His version of Walk the Line was excellent (better than Live, IMO), and his Fuel song was better than the original as well. And, the women LOVE him. My wife, who wouldn't listen to alt-rock if you paid her, votes for 2 solid hours for Chris every week.

For the other 6, I'm in complete agreement, especially Bucky. Are you catching any of Nashville Star? Their 5 male finalist are all much, much better than Bucky. It's not even close. Bucky wouldn't have made the top 10 in NS, yet he's still top 8 in AI.

[Netizen]

I think Taylor would fill a niche and have strong sales and be different, while the others are same old stuff. jmo

[bert]

I won't argue with your assesment it is pretty much on target.

The top three will include Kellie and Kathryn.

A dazzleing performance by either will carry the final day.

[grania]

Paris? Who knows... I'm still trying to figure out who or what she is. Until she develops her own style, she's not going to really get any kind of following

She's young, she's got great voice and enthusiasm, and grandma and mom must be helping her with clothing and song selections....she's more than a cut above the rest on both.

There is a place for her, a huge gap that was filled by Tina Turner, Cher, and Stevie Nicks (still worth seeing). She can also do movies about the '50s and '60s. That wonderful performance in the yellow dress was really authentic, a real time-machine experience.