I agree. Elliott deserves to win just as much as any of the other remaining finalists. I don't think he'll win, but do believe almost anything is possible with this year's bunch.
I'm personally not completely sold on any of them although it's late in the competition. I doubt I'm alone in this. In no particular order, this is how I see the final six:
Katharine -- meh. Better than average for what passes as pop singers these days, but not really all that good. Like Carrie Underwood last year, looks are her best asset.Paris -- a lot of potential, but she lacks charisma.
Chris -- nothing unique. Rock wannabes like him are a dime a dozen.
Elliott -- the male counterpart to Paris. A lot of potential, but lacks charisma.
Taylor -- unusual in 2006, and a real musician. The fact that he is unique for this era may be what pulls him through, but I remain unconvinced he'll win the contest.
Kellie -- a candiate for a sit-com and TV talk shows. Jay Leno would love her because of her comedic value. As an AI contestant, she's Carrie Underwood with more personality, but nowhere near as good a voice. She's already seriously typecast as the dumb hick blonde Barbie. She's going to have a tough time breaking away from that if and when she wants to.
I guess I lean slightly toward Taylor only because he can make real music. I want to hear that harmonica again.
I'm with you there. He snuck it on stage once. When it's gets later in the competition and he can sing one song he wants, he needs to pull it out. Damn the consequences.
In these talent competitions do you think sympathy stories should come into play, whether its the constestant themself or others repeating it? Do they adversely affect those that don't have one, but are just average joes trying to get a break? Or do you think hearing them over and over could actually work against them?