Top 3 Under The Blather Microscope: A Pre-Show Exclusive

So what is an American Idol, anyway?

Since it began in 2002, American Idol has given the world only one certified superstar, Kelly Clarkson [with two best-selling CDs and two Grammy Awards], one formidable R&B chart star, Fantasia Barrino, and a handful of players from each season who have achieved moderate success in some corner of show business, however dusty. What exactly is going on here? -- what are we looking for in an "American Idol?" That is bound to remain a rhetorical question -- each of us seems to bring his own definition to the table. Last year's season piqued new interest because it held the promise of delivering a 'rocker' Idol rather than a pop star, and ultimately gave us a rather bland country artist, Carrie Underwood -- who knew? A closer look reveals that Season Five's "Top 3" hopefuls are arguably as unlikely a bunch to fulfill the elusive benchmark Idol definition [I know Simon Cowell has one] as any who have come before them. As last week's unforseeable departure of favorite Chris Daughtry demonstrates, each of the remaining three has a real shot at winning. Let's go there, in no particular order:


Elliott Yamin
Profile: 5'2'' 27-year-old Richmond, VA native has no formal training as a singer, and in fact had very little previous experience on stage at all. He officially lists his favorite musical artists as Alicia Keys, Gwen Stefani and Usher. Elliott as some experience and local renown in Richmond as a radio DJ known as E-dub. Infamously, he is a diabetic who is mostly deaf in one ear, and is Jewish. He lists his Mom as his hero. He was once called something like "the best singer in five seasons of American Idol contestants" by Simon Cowell, on the program.

What's working for Elliot:
Elliott is a singer's singer, a versatile vocalist whose musical influences are obviously on the soulful, jazzy end of the spectrum. His performances and uncannily well-suited song choices have been consistently strong throughout the season. He brings the "Everyman" package to the table -- the not-so-tall-and-handsome guy who just happens to be a very talented singer. There is no doubt that he has been and still is the true underdog in this competition, which has and can continue to work in his favor. The crowning of Elliott Yamin as this year's American Idol (against all odds) would effectively challenge (if not destroy) the show's fundemental paradigm -- that the show makes the star -- and revert us to the old school paradigm -- that the cream rises to the top -- that true talent cannot be denied, triumphs over all, and can make a star out of anyone.

What's working against Elliott:
Right or wrong, for better or worse, Elliott is somewhat physically challenged as a pop star. In the world of legitimate music (jazz, for example), musical talent overrules all other considerations, such as the artist's looks. Unfortunately, in the world of "pop," sometimes looks can make or break you. Also, some dislike the vibrato quality in his voice.

Songs:
Wed, Feb. 22 “If You Really Love Me”
Wed, Mar. 1 “Moody's Mood for Love”
Wed, Mar. 8 “Heaven”
Tue, Mar. 14 “Knocks Me Off My Feet”
Tue, Mar. 21 “Teach Me Tonight”
Tue, Mar. 28 “I Don't Want to Be”
Tue, Apr. 4 “If Tomorrow Never Comes”
Tue, Apr. 11 “Somebody to Love”
Tue, Apr. 18 “It Had to Be You”
Tue, Apr. 25 “A Song For You”
Tue, May. 2 “On Broadway”
Tue, May. 2 “Home”
Tue, May. 9 “If I Can Dream”
Tue, May. 9 “Trouble”


Katharine McPhee
Profile: This left-handed, hazel-eyed, suburban Los Angeles native turned 22 on March 25 of this year, and is the daughter of singer and vocal coach Peisha McPhee [who has released her own CD as a singer and has her own web site]. Kat attended the Boston Conservatory for one semester, as a musical theatre major . Notably, Katharine played the lead in an LA production of Annie Get Your Gun, and was nominated for an Ovation Award for "Lead Actress in a Musical" for the role. Favorite singers include Whitney Houston and Brian McKnight. Auditioned for American Idol in San Francisco, singing "God Bless The Child." Her middle name is Hope, and she has a dog named Lily. Notably much younger and more feminine than her two competitors.

What's working for Katharine:
She is (depending on your interpretation) cute, beautiful, and/or sexy; easy on the eyes, all of which contribute to a stage presence which can easily translate to "star quality." She has a seasoned voice and confident singing style, which in her intitial pre-Hollywood audition was described by Simon as "very current sounding." Although she is obviously most comfortable with ballads and jazz standards, she successfully avoids old-fashionedness by dosing her performances liberally with the brand of contemporary vocal runs and phrasings typified by some of her own favorite singers, such as Whitney Houston and Christina Aguilera. This 'whole package' well-roundedness could land her in the approximate vicinity of the Kelly Clarkson pop star camp.

What's working against Katharine:
Katharine is clearly not in her comfort zone when she is singing anything resembling a "rock" song -- and some people find ballads a little less compelling. Some find her almost dorky perkiness a poor substitute for a 'real personality' [but hey, last year's winner couldn't even conjure 'perky']. It could be argued that Kat's particular brand of talent may be better suited for Broadway than for radio hit success, which if true, would be counter to the best interests of the show's producers (who stand to make a lot of money from the winner's future record sales).

Songs:
Tue, Feb. 21 “Since I Fell For You”
Tue, Feb. 28 “All in Love is Fair”
Tue, Mar. 7 “Think”
Tue, Mar. 14 “Until You Come Back to Me”
Tue, Mar. 21 “Come Rain or Come Shine”
Tue, Mar. 28 “The Voice Within”
Tue, Apr. 4 “Bringing Out the Elvis”
Tue, Apr. 11 “Who Wants to Live Forever”
Tue, Apr. 18 “Someone to Watch Over Me”
Tue, Apr. 25 “I Have Nothing”
Tue, May. 2 “Against All Odds”
Tue, May. 2 “Black Horse and Cherry Tree”
Tue, May. 9 “Hound Dog/All Shook Up”
Tue, May. 9 “Can't Help Falling in Love”


Taylor Hicks
Profile: 29-year old Birmingham, Alabama son of a dentist entered the competition at the top of the official age threshold (28), and claims to have been singing almost since birth. He lists Ray Charles, Sam Cooke, Otis Redding, Van Morrison, Bob Seger and Cyndi Lauper as some of his favorite musical artists. Formed the Passing Through Band during the short time he studied at Auburn University as a Business, Communications & Marketing major. Taylor plays guitar & harmonica and write songs.

What's working for Taylor:
As a performer, Taylor has the ability to engage an audience with the sheer passion he brings to the stage. Audiences generally react favorably to performers who are clearly enjoying themselves (are you listening, recently departed?), and Taylor fills that particular bill. If nothing else, his musical heart is clearly in the right place, as he channels his R&B heroes and brings a generally unprecedented roots-rock sensibility to American Idol. Most notably, Taylor never suffered an appearance in the "bottom 3" this season, and seems to have a prodigious and manically loyal fan base.

What's working against Taylor:
Although he is able to put a personal spin on songs he performs, his musical schtick exists within a narrow window of material that he can successfully "Taylorize," that is to say, he is not so versatile. To boot, frequent off-pitchness is one of his more noticable liabilities as a vocalist -- you could argue that Taylor's equal (or better) could be found in any number of blues clubs across the country in less time than you can say "Soul Patrol." He may be aware of that himself, which would account for the fact that he always seems to be working just a little too hard. What some people find "engaging" about him others might call "annoying" -- some feel that his onstage moves are awkward or just plain embarrassing. His look and style may recall Michael McDonald, but (a) that's not necessarily a good thing; and (b) Michael McDonald is an infinitely better singer, by anyone's standards.

Songs:
Wed, Feb. 22 “Levon”
Wed, Mar. 1 “Easy”
Wed, Mar. 8 “Taking it to the Streets”
Tue, Mar. 14 “Living for the City”
Tue, Mar. 21 “Not Fade Away”
Tue, Mar. 28 “Trouble”
Tue, Apr. 4 “Take Me Home, Country Roads”
Tue, Apr. 11 “Crazy Little Thing Called Love”
Tue, Apr. 18 “You Send Me”
Tue, Apr. 25 “Just Once”
Tue, May. 2 “Play That Funky Music”
Tue, May. 2 “Something”
Tue, May. 9 “Jailhouse Rock”
Tue, May. 9 “In The Ghetto”


Institutional Tidbits:

• Simon Cowell is the [officially noted] favorite judge of all three remaining contestants
• American Idol was created by three Simons: Cowell, Fuller, and Jones.
• The parent company of American Idol's production company Fremantle North America owns half of Sony BMG, which in turn owns many recording labels.
• Among other accomplishments, the show's 3 directors are known for directing (respectively), Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody video, the TV series Survivor, and Gladiators.
• It is likely not a coincidence that the American Idol logo closely resembles the Ford logo