The Final countdown

The Kodak theatre has hosted the worlds biggest names, Christina Aguilera, Céline Dion, Mariah Carey, Beyoncé Knowles, Prince and Vanilla Ice, OK forget I mentioned Vanilla Ice. Next week 3,401 people pack the venue to witness the birth of a new star for the future.

I learned a couple of things about Kara DioGuardi today, she made sense of the fact that it's not the end of the world or their dreams for those who don't make it through to the final and it actually isn't such a big deal. I think it's only perceived that way because most talent shows on TV are now seen as the easy, fast track way to fame and fortune. Angela Martin heard the dreaded no for the 3rd time on American Idol, her first attempt was overshadowed by the death of her father, the 2nd time she had the chance of going through she was in jail for 6 days and 3rd time was unlucky also, but Kara made it all sound so clear and simple, it was like a Eureka moment! Yes Kara, you are right, "This is only one way to get there". I truly believe Angela will make it one day, just not the Idol route. One of the greatest sayings you will hear from many successful people is this, "It took me many years to be an over night success". Sometimes the hard way is the best way in the long term. Ellen summed the Idol format succinctly describing it as a "Crash course".

The second thing I learned about Kara today was her marital status, wow, newly married in July 2009! From the way she acts when Casey James is around I can't see it lasting very long. Did you see it? She did the leg raised lady thing. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5aGoqL9J_Cw

If anyone needed a bit of Kara's calming it was Jessica Furney, she ranted, she screamed, this girl was not gonna go quietly, "You have no idea what I can do, I can do this, I have it", well guess what Jessica, you don't. If you want to see begging at it's lowest, take a look http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RlVnXg6v_bE&feature=related

Alex lambert, Michael Lynche, Todric hall and Thaddeus Johnson all did excellent versions of the Jason moraz tune 'I'm yours' and although Thaddeus never made the final cut he did get to go back home with his Mummy, did anyone notice her striking resemblance to Oprah? OK just me then.

I don't often derive pleasure from others failures, however, sometimes I do enjoy a little poetic justice. Mary Powers was so confident she was going through, she really believed she was better than anyone else there. During the group round she destroyed others confidence and sent others off on the wrong road to stardom with her bad advice. She knew the best way to do everything, so I wont bother giving her directions back to Burbank then.

Ellen is going from strength to strength, I adore her eyes, they mesmerize and I think she brings a lot to the usually same old same old routine of the yes no parts. She does mix it up a bit and I really can't tell what she is going to say, come to think of it, sometimes I still don't know after she's said it. Who do you think could do Simon's job when he leaves at the end of this series? One name being banded about is Howard Stern, is he our man? Maybe you have some suggestions, I liked seeing Victoria Beckham on there, seems very honest and very down to earth and in touch with what these singers are going through. Just one example of Ellens little mind games http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bPQzOcXxbuY

From the guys that went through I think Andrew Garcia, Todrick Hall and Aaron Kelly have a genuine chance of being there towards the end, my favourite girl has to be ex wine salesperson Janell Wheeler, she has the look and the voice, pure pop star potential, very cute also. Crystal Bowersox is a strange one, I think she could make it on her own without Idol, I think it was Simon that said she doesn't belong here and I can see what he means, she is more of a hippy type, travelling around folk festivals with her baby strapped to her back, strumming her guitar and blowing into her mouth organ, stopping only to breast feed the baby.

Others that never made it through included the brilliant Shelby Dressel, Simon told her he didn't agree with the decision to send her home and I thought he was right, she was a very interesting person that I had huge hopes for, she also had an amazing mouth which sang beautifully, looked sexy and spoke some very wise words, "It wasn't my time, this is just the beginning", this is Hollywood and in the words of Arnold Schwarzenegger, she will be back. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-qRY00C8uZo

Others to look out for when the 12 girls take the stage next week are Michelle Delamor and Lily Scott, the girl with the silver hair, silver tongue and determination I haven't seen in any other finalist.

The real business gets underway on Tuesday 23 February in front of that capacity live audience with the 12 girls, then Wednesday is the turn of the guys.

Here is a full list of all the finalists, Ladies first; Crystal Bowersox, Lacey Brown, Michelle Delamor, Katelyn Epperly, Siobhan Magnus, Paige Miles, Ashley Rodriguez, Lilly Scott, Katie Stevens, Haeley Vaughn and Janell Wheeler.

And the guys, Lee Dewyze, Andrew Garcia, Tyler Grady, Todrick Hall, Casey James, Aaron Kelly, Alex Lambert, Michael Lynche, Joe Muñoz, John Park, Jermaine Sellers and Tim Urban.

Watch the latest American Idol episodes here http://american.idol-2010.com/season-9-shows/american-idol-2010-episode-11-hollywood-week-part-3/