I hadn't seen the show since the initial audition episodes and was genuinely surprised how good the three finalists were Tuesday. Simon's management company is feeling really good about this year's crop, as his sunny demeanor last night confirmed.  Any of the three could win at this point and it would be fine by me. Despite my earlier notions, this trio rises far above mediocrity—they're surprisingly good, in different ways.

Bo is a good singer and a natural performer. He'll probably win. I agree with Randy though, he's no rocker. Good singer—yes, and a showman, but there's no edge, none of the desperation that ensures the Stones' 2005 tour is going to sell out stadiums just as they did FORTY YEARS AGO. But, Michael Bolton had a big career too, and that's more who Bo's like. A vocal stylist. I know it will be impossible for most people to accept, but that's hardly an insult. He could be huge. Bo should also cut his horrible locks. He'll look about ten years younger with short hair. He holds back a bit emotionally too, despite the swagger and leering winks at the audience.

Carrie can really sing, although she needs to stay in her vocal range--the lower register was shaky. She could be a big star, I think, IF she wants to be. Her will seems to be unclear. She hasn't learned to sell onstage the way Bo does so effortlessly. You can see this in her face: Okay, now sing, okay, now emote, okay, now dance—sort of—I really don't approve of dancin' but, okay, well, here goes. So you think for a split second, nah, she ain't got it--then she belts and your hair is blown back. It's all up to her at this point.

Vonzell, like Carrie is a powerful singer who really grabs the song and claims it. But, also like Carrie, she hasn't quite figured out that this is a sales job, the singing is incidental. And in cruel, Simon like fashion, she's not as pretty as a Beyonce or a Whitney--she's closer to someone like Celine Dione (although no one is as equine looking as Celine by any means). But Celine can definitely sing. Vonzell's challenge, in the long term, is to cultivate intimacy. If you're not knock-out pretty, be more accessible, more loveable in some way. Then when the power of her voice hits, you're defenceless. 

In other news, it was hilarious to see Clive Davis last night as the guest judge. Who's this guy that looks like my granddad? What could he possibly know about pop music? Who? Huh? Oh. I see.  Never mind.