Their last time

Taylor vs. Katharine, at the big Kodak theater in Hollywood. As if the show wasn't already giant enough, now they're singing in front of a live audience of 3,000. Everybody's a bit more dolled up; Simon looks odd in a sport jacket. Three songs each, three numbers each, four numbers to vote.

They show their intro videos, from the beginning on. Simon's prediction that Paula and Randy and America wouldn't put Tyler in the final group turned out pretty wrong. Girl vs. boy, West vs. the South Ryan intones. How about fake vs. real?

Taylor won the toss, going second. Wow, short commercial breaks tonight. Chris hanging out, Kellie too? Katharine doing Black Horse and the Cherry Tree... that song she did when she sat on the floor, this time she's standing. Does that mean she's gonna finish with Somewhere Over the Rainbow? It's not interesting the second time around, something's lacking, maybe she's just a bit restrained or something. Not a very melodic song, odd first choice. Randy says it looked like you were having fun, but not sure it was that super-exciting the second time around. Paula says fun way to open, but expects more and better. Simon says good with a small 'g', occasion is bigger than that song, it's a warm-up. She says after she liked doing it before, liked it; belly on display. Apparently people from her fan club sent her a bunchof roses.

Living for the City by Taylor, in this crazy purple outfit, starts in the audience--perfect choice, totally shows off his tone of voice. Shot of all the past competitors in the audience. High energy, he's rocking right from the start. And some crazy dancing too. I think he'll win, and pretty easily, his fans are crazy and will vote a million times. Randy's like yo, the audience keeps cheering; he says he was worried about a Stevie Wonder song, but you made it your own as always, it's a hot one. Paula loves his dancing, and says they match. Simon says it was a great way to start the show, a smart choice of song--arguably the worst jacket I've ever seen in my life... round one, to Taylor. He's totally comfortable in front of the camera, cool guy. Although you can tell he's no pushover.

Sheesh, and she's doing Somewhere Over the Rainbow again. Why?! Sitting again too. It's good, again; and I think she does change it up a bit toward the end. But still, why not end with this, and do something new for your second song? Her dad's crying, audience cheers a lot. Randy's like it was hot, even if a repeat. Paula says you have a lot of talent. Simon says this was again your best performance of the competition. She says afterwards her equipment didn't work, that's so Katharine; why mention it at all?

Taylor's doing Leave On, again--although I think he last performed it before the top 12 round. It's slow and he's in control, audience totally caught up in it. It's a very professional performance, a bit restrained but vocally quite good. Randy says nice song, but a bit pitchy. Paula says good, great. Simon says what you just said makes no sense, Paula; Katharine won the second round, all up to the last song. Jeez, funny how neatly that works out.

Back, Katharine's parents say she's always been singing. Doing My Destiny, which will be her first single, nice to get a commercial in. Funny, it's like a Broadwayish song, chance for her to ham it up. She looks like Sandra Bullock; it's a good performance, bit lacking in energy, also not a great dress choice; as usual her movements are unnatural. Bit sedate as well; not sure who's gonna buy this, apart from the die-hards--pitch problems too. Worst of the night so far for me. Choir comes out on stage near the end; song feels forever long, it's almost like she's tired and is just howling to finish it out, really not good. Ovation not that great. Randy's like you look amazing, you sounded really good, but didn't love the song. Paula says it's not your fault, you're brilliant; Randy says the song is average. Simon says I'm sorry, it's quite good, but... basically remember the second song, not this one.

Hmm, they still have 15 minutes to kill, so besides Taylor they say they have a special guest. Can't be a past Idol, that'd overshadow them. Some celebrity who won't sing? Odd. Or a past Idol who's not as good? Taylor's dad says Taylor taught himself how to play the harmonica. Do I Make You Proud. Too bad he doesn't play harmonica. They song is actually pretty bad--he delivers it as best as he can, but so weird, the song doesn't fit at all. Who's picking these songs? I think he drops a lyric. Choir comes out again. He's sedate, not a classic Taylor performance, some pitch problems and the pacing is totally messed up. He brings some energy at the end, but too late. Crowd cheers, he's just jumping up and down yelling Soul Patrol, has look in his eyes, he knows it wasn't his best. Randy says slightly better song, you make it your own, yeah! Paula says you were better than the song. Simon says you've just won American Idol. Crowd goes crazy; Randy and Paula are dogging him for saying that. Randy and Paula are on the Taylor bandwagon, they say Simon was the one who didn't want him outof Vegas.

So I'd vote for Taylor, based on his body of work. Looks like he'll win, too; he's got the big mo. But it's all kindof anti-climatic; songs weren't great tonight. If Katharine had finished singing Somewhere Over the Rainbow for the first time tonight, she'd have won in a walk.

Wow, Daniel Powter sings So You Had a Bad Day, live. That's cool. Some technical problems, he's not sure when to start, so he actually is outof synch with the video. Heck, it's the best thing we've seen--he'd have won.

Katharine II
Taylor II
Taylor I
Katharine I
Taylor III
Katharine III