  Brooke White and David Archuleta are favoured to go far in this season's "American Idol." |
Now would be the time to tune in to American Idol. That is, if you're not already hooked.
Season 7 of the FOX karaoke monstrosity has proven fairly amusing so far, considering the dirt on one contestant's stripper past, Simon Scowl's strange new hand gesture and Paula Abdul's continuing penchant for whatever's in her Coke cup.
But with the Top 12 being revealed on Thursday, today marks the start of the finals -- a must-see if you plan on keeping up with the watercooler chat for the next 10 weeks.
Here's a look at who you'll be watching:
Amanda Overmyer
Age: 23
Hometown: Mulberry, Ind.
Tidbits: Is a nurse, rides a motorcycle, allegedly busted for DUI in 2006.
Any chance? Indeed -- just not in this competition. Overmyer's distinct rocker chops even get the Mickey Mouse ear wave from Simon (whatever that is, anyway), but America probably won't dig her badass 'tude long enough to give her the crown.
Carly Smithson
Age: 24
Hometown: San Diego (raised in Dublin)
Tidbits: Works at an Irish pub, runs a tattoo shop.
Any chance? Maybe. But does America really want, as Paula says, a "dependable dog?" The much-hyped $2-million record bomb from Smithson's past will surely come back to haunt her. At least I hope it does.
Kristy Lee Cook
Age: 24
Hometown: Selma, Ore.
Tidbits: Likes horses, apparently had a pre-Idol record deal.
Any chance? Not quite. Unless she takes the judges' advice and goes country. If that doesn't work, at least she'll have a bona fide talent for her hometown's next beauty pageant.
Ramiele Malubay
Age: 20
Hometown: Miramar, Fla. (born in Saudi Arabia)
Tidbits: Worked at a sushi restaurant, has mildly scandalous photos of herself circling the web, certainly doesn't have blocked tear ducts.
Any chance? No. Having strong chops and being cute as a button seem to work in Ramiele's favour, but something is missing. Maybe if she'd stop bawling for a minute, I could figure out what it is.
Syesha Mercado
Age: 21
Hometown: Miami
Tidbits: Has been singing and dancing since age 3, appeared in commercials for Ford.
Any chance? Sure. The girl's got style, and has been fairly consistent to date. Song choice is key though, because we don't want a repeat of "Mr. Jones."
Brooke White
Age: 24
Hometown: Van Nuys, Calif.
Tidbits: Formerly a nanny, currently a music geek.
Any chance? Heck yeah. This modern day Carly Simon is a total sweetheart, and second only to David Archuleta in my books. The ability to effectively play piano or guitar while singing is a plus here.
Chikezie
Age: 22
Hometown: Inglewood, Calif.
Tidbits: Thinks it's OK to wear orange suits (it's not OK), has coolest name in Idol history.
Any chance? Possibly. He emits that feel-good vibe required of soul singers, but the throwback tunes are about to get, well, old. Recent wardrobe improvements are, however, working in Chikezie's favour.
David Cook
Age: 25
Hometown: Tulsa, Okla.
Tidbits: Can play guitar, pulled off a rockin' version of Lionel Richie's Hello, is a rocker (according to his hair).
Any chance? Please, no. One Daughtry is quite enough, thanks.
David Hernandez
Age: 24
Hometown: Glendale, Ariz.
Tidbits: Used to take his clothes off to music for money at a mostly male club (deal with it already, people).
Any chance? Nah. What he did in the past isn't relevant. It's what he's doing now that matters -- and I'm not really digging it. Especially when he did that song that Celine covered. Oh yes, it's all coming back to me now.
Jason Castro
Age: 20
Hometown: Rockwall, Texas
Tidbits: Has ability to grow ultra-long dreadlocks, appeared on MTV reality TV series Cheyenne as the title character's love interest.
Any chance? Uh-huh. This dreamy-eyed charmer could quietly take the prize -- or at least come close. If not, he and Brooke White can forge a happy hippie duo and spread the love.
Michael Johns
Age: 29
Hometown: Los Angeles (born in Perth, Australia)
Tidbits: Used to have a band and a recording contract, is a skilled tennis player, reminds everybody of late INXS frontman Michael Hutchence.
Any chance? Yep. Idol watchers who aren't 12 dig this mature, hunky Aussie. And he knows how to pick a song that will get him votes. But for me, the personality isn't all there.
David Archuleta
Age: 17
Hometown: Miami
Tidbits: Won Star Search in 2003, serenaded Kelly Clarkson in an airport at age 11, is freakin' adorable.
Any chance? Um, yes! Boy Wonder and his shy smirk practically have this one in the bag. But his next tune has to have more pep, so as not to depress his whack of fans. In the shocking case he doesn't win, his mug will continue to hang from Paula's rearview mirror for all eternity.
