The final 'American Idol' countdown
Now there are six. ''American Idol" voters have dispensed with half of the final 12, and Vegas is crazy with oddsmaking, so we've compiled a ranking of our own. It's mostly wish fulfillment, sprinkled with some guesswork about what ''Idol" viewers might have been thinking as they speed-dialed after last night's show.
CHRIS DAUGHTRY
Reminds us of: Ed Kowalczyk of Live. Down to the hair follicles.
Why this rank: It’s time, at long last, for ‘‘American Idol’’ to rock. Not pop rock, but rock.
TAYLOR HICKS
Reminds us of: Joe Cocker with Tourette’s, if he got drunk at your pool party.
Why this rank: We love the way he throws himself into a song. But, honestly, the man wasn’t meant for arena shows.
KATHARINE MCPHEER
Reminds us of: Norah Jones, if she slathered on lip gloss and made kissy faces at the camera.
Why this rank: A strong singer, but that sultry act puts us to sleep. She’d shine in what Simon might call a ‘‘heedeeous cabaret.’’
ELLIOTT YAMIN
Reminds us of: Harry Connick Jr., if he’d appeared in "Revenge of the Nerds."
Why this rank: We admire his chutzpah for picking hard songs. But, as Simon hinted, he might lack the personality to hook the public.
PARIS BENNETT
Reminds us of: Minnie Mouse, with Aretha’s voice.
Why this rank: There’s something a little scary about her junior-diva routine. When she covered Beyonce, she looked like a fourth-grader who had watched too much MTV2.
KELLIE PICKLER
Reminds us of: Reba McEntire, if she swapped brains with Jessica Simpson.
Why this rank: Because we really, truly want this week to be her last. The "Ah’m jest a dumb country girl" shtick has run its course.
JOANNA WEISS 