THE AMERICAN IDOL---THE FINAL 3

I haven't invested in a tivo yet. I haven't mastered the DVD/ video tape machine yet. At least not the DVD part. I've had at least 3 tvs with PIP, but never have programmed them satisfactorily to make use of that technology either. But I'll be taping the Idol tonight while I watching the Diamondback/Padres games at The Chase.

In fact when I leave the game early to catch at least some of the Suns game, I'll still defer my Idol watching. But let's examine the three finalists.

Katharine has a great voice. She better use it tonight or lose it. She's allowed one bad night--see Pickler and Daughtery, but not two. Forgetting lyrics in her first song last week and completely running out of air in her second song, somehow didn't get her voted off. But this is it. And I hate to see her go. She, like Mandesa, is a great example of a celebrity who's not afraid to share her faith. Man, do we need more of those kinds.

Eliot has probably come along farther than any other contestant in the show's history. He actually looks presentable now as a celeb. He's really overcome a lot of hardships in his young life. And he can sing. I still think he lacks any kind of stage presence, and I can't figure out why they can't fit him in a sportscoat. By selecting lesser known Elvis songs last week, he proved insightful. He's a great story and I hate to see him go. But I think tonight will be his swan song.

Taylor. What do you say about him and his Soul Patrol? Probably hello to the winner of this year's competition. Great voice, great guy. Funny moves. Not haha. He looks so disconnected sometimes. Voice and body don't mesh. It's kinda like Roberto Clemente's swing. It looked so bad the way he stepped in the bucket when he swung. On every pitch. But when he made contact, which was often, the ball flew off his bat. Taylor Hicks is that way when he dances. So unless the voters get it wrong, he's the one.

This group all the way back to Mandesa and even Lisa were outstanding. It's a good show, especially if you can fast forward or tivo the many, many commercials. And I can do that. Well, at least with my remote control. I can even pause the action and listen to the real Elvis on my 8-track if I want.