[SirLinksalot]

Some have promise, of course, but there's not a Clarkson-level talent in the crowd.

Too soon to tell IMHO. I heard the same thing being said about last year's contestants.

Carrie Underwood was considered by many to be too stiff, too stepford wife-ish, too narrow in her genre to make it big.

Well what do you know ? Her debut album exceeded triple platinum. That's MORE than Kelly Clarkson's first two albums.

[SirLinksalot]

By the way, can anyone tell me why Ryan Seacrest has totally canned the trademark sign off :

"SEACREST OUT !" ?

[silent_jonny]

(Carrie) Her debut album exceeded triple platinum. That's MORE than Kelly Clarkson's first two albums.

Not to dismiss Carrie's success, but Kelly's second album "Breakaway" has sold over 5 million copies alone.

I think Carrie's debut album has sold more than Kelly's, though.