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Good morning. I started a new job on Monday, so have not been online all week. But I wanted to get online at home today before going to work to catch up with your Idol comments.

Ken, thanks for the links to the interesting articles, and jonny, thanks for the ping. While Kelly is not quite there yet, she certainly seems on her way to superstardom.

Speaking of superstars, I think we may have witnessed the beginnings of one last night on AI. I don't know what got into Bo these last few weeks, but he has far, far surpassed Carrie and Vonzell.

Remember a few weeks ago when Bo had only a so-so night, and Paula asked him if he wanted it? He said yes, and ever since then, he's been performing at a totally different level than anyone else. I think he may have won the competition last night. It takes more than a technically great voice to be a successful singer/performer. The history of pop/rock music is crammed with big stars whose singing voices were only so-so.

To use an old vaudville term, you've got to be able to sell -- to put over -- a song. Rule #1 is that you have to be an entertainer. Bo's voice is good, but not spectacular. However, he is a true world-class entertainer.

Carrie is beautiful, very talented, and I really like her. But she's just the opposite of Bo. She has a fabulous voice, but just doesn't "put over" most of her songs. In the end, I think that will defeat her.

I expect Vonzell to go tonight -- unless U.S. Postal workers push her past Carrie. I saw a clip on the local news in L.A. last night that showed area postal workers all geared up to vote for Vonzell. As we know from the political arena, unions can be a powerful get-out-the-vote force.

Vonzell is a very pretty girl with better-than-average talent. But anyone who's being honest would have to admit she's definitely a cut below Carrie, let alone the levels Bo has reached at this point in the competition.

If America gets it right, it will be a Bo-Carrie final. At this point, I just don't see Carrie finding that extra something she needs to outperform Bo. If he does another masterful performance next week, I make it 90% certain he wins.

A final word re Carrie: I watched most of last nights Country Music awards. The hottest sound right now is "country rock," or "southern rock." Montgomery Gentry's "Gone" is a great example of this sound. It actually has much in common early rock-and-roll. Pop-rock is also making a strong comeback, perhaps as an antidote to the mostly ugly urban type of music. Bubblegum pop seems to be dying, if not dead. Carrie could do well with the country rock sound.