IDOL CHATTER- FINAL FIVE

Idol only has two weeks left as the top 5 was picked last night. Here are my thoughts...

-  The big news was awkward Catie Turner finally getting the ax. Simon's cardinal sin was always "Never forget the words." Forget the words and your'e dead. No excuses, You've got all week to learn the friggin' song. Maybe nerves or pressure got to her? She seemed relieved to go home. Or was she still stunned by Nick Jonas?

Catie was an OK singer and different, but in the end, she was a geeky girl who would do well in high school musicals but not ready for prime-time.Idol is more than just a singing competition. Maddie has openly said she gets nerves all the time yet she sings great and guts it out. Catie proved to be an awkward fraud.

- Speaking of Maddie, her voice, along with Gabby,  is the best remaining in the competition. Cade won't win but he will have a nice career in rock music, ala David Cook or Daughtry. He didn't have his best night on Sunday.

- Caleb had the most interesting performance of the night, singing Prince's "When Doves Fly." He seems kinda clumsy on stage, but will grow into a stage presence, as Caleb should have a nice career in country music,

- Michael is the wild card. Again, he didn't have his best night. He can do show tunes, jazz, you name it. He may be the type of singer you want to see rather than hear on the radio.  I picked him to win the whole thing last week but that prediction is shaky. He is the male version of Ada, the drag queen in that they both love big, splashy performances.

- Idol has been renewed for another season. The judges are coming back as well. Hopefully they aren't so nice, especially Lionel Ritchie, who doesn't really criticize. I liked Simon Cowell because he was honest, entertaining and you never knew what he was going to say. These current judges are pretty predictable.

I also hope they extend the season a little more, as things seem rushed and accelerated this year. Apparently ABC  wasn't sure of the ratings and wanted to condense the season more. ill they lose 2 or 3 next week to set up the final?

- I wasn't surprised that Jurnee left as well. She had a good voice but didn't seem to relate with America.

- Idol goes on tour this summer. Although collectively this group is strong, not sure if I would buy a ticket to their concert, as there isn't one spectacular singer or personality I would pay to see.

- I can see Maddie  as a silky-smooth, coffee-house-type folksie singer. Both Caleb and Gabhy will  find success in Country music, the latter similar to Kellie Pickler, the former another Scottie McCreery. Cade will make a mark in the Rock world, like David Cook or Daughtry. Michael can do show tunes and Broadway songs, and maybe that will be his niche.

- Finally, Katy Perry returned to her black hair last night. She was still funny with her passion for Cade. The other two judges, Lionel and Luke, are pretty dry. A panel consisting of Simon, Katy and Randy would just about be perfect.