Taylor Hicks Likely To Become The Next American Idol

The upset elimination of Chris Daughtry shocked fans and bettors who believed the North Carolina native was a shoe-in to become the fifth American Idol. Daughtry became the favorite with bettors at BetCRIS Sportsbook, one of the first companies to open wagering on the reality show, after the 24 Idol finalists performed for the first time. Immediately following yesterday evening's elimination show, BetCRIS Sportsbook released updated odds on which of the three remaining contestants will become the next American Idol.
The largest sports betting site on the Internet, BetCRIS Sportsbook has received unprecedented interest in the latest edition of the hit reality show, with wagering already 20 times bigger than on the Oscars and expected to rival this year's NBA Finals. With his manic stage presence and Daughtry's elimination, Taylor Hicks has become the new favorite to win American Idol at 5/8 odds (i.e., win $5 for every $8 bet). Despite two mediocre weeks in a row, including a narrow escape last night, Katharine McPhee remains a solid Idol contender at 5/2 odds. BetCRIS Sportsbook remains skeptical of Elliott Yamin's chances and not only lists him as a 5/1 long shot to win the major recording contract, but has also made him the favorite to be next week's Idol casualty at 5/9.
"While somewhat unexpected, Chris' elimination didn't come as a complete surprise, as we dropped his odds significantly following his lackluster performance Tuesday night," said Simon Noble of Pinnacle Sports. "Meanwhile, Taylor appears to have hit a high note with Idol voters and the soul patrol through his consistently impressive performances and winning stage personality."

Source: http://www.casinotimes.co.uk/casino-news/2006-05/american-idol-120506.htm

This Week in American Idol History: The Final Five

What do Neil Sedaka, Burt Bacharach, Jerry Leiber, and Mike Stoller have in common? All of these songwriters were featured as part of American Idol final five competitions. We’ve also had Big Band, Top 40, and songs from the ‘60s, and there have been some real shockers during this round as well. Read on to find out who sang what, who went home, and what had us buzzin’ the morning after!

Looking back, there have been some great performances in this round of the competition. There have also been some stinkers. Seasons 2, 3, and 4 featured each finalist singing two songs each, and this will be repeated this year. Eliminations have been handled differently each season as well, so there’s no way to predict how they will do it this year. One thing for sure, this is going to be a nailbiter! Here’s how previous seasons’ top five shows have shaken out.

Season 4: This proved to be the most controversial week in Idol history. On the heels of Constantine’s shocking elimination, the Smoking Gun website broke the story of Bo’s arrest record. Fans speculated wildly as to whether or not this would disqualify him. Apparently, the producers were aware of his past and were satisfied that he had put all of this behind him.Idol fans were also dealing with the upcoming ABC exposé that promised to “reveal the truth” about the show.

On performance night, each Idol did two songs; one a Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller classic, and the other something from any of the Billboard Top 40 charts. Anthony sang “Poison Ivy” and “Incomplete,” while Scott did “On Broadway” and “Every Time You Go Away.” Vonzell sang “Treat Me Nice” and the Idol single, “When You Tell Me That You Love Me” (which reminds me… no single this year?). Carrie did “Trouble” and “Bless the Broken Road,” and Bo sang “Stand by Me” and Los Lobos’ “Heaven.” I loved Vonzell’s rendition of the Idol single and thought that Carrie’s “Broken Road” was superb. Of course, by then I was loving everything that Bo did!

On results night, the top five performed “Bridge Over Troubled Water” (it was awesome), and the girls gave flowers to the judges and kissed Paula, who was definitely not having a good week! This was a great show of support for Paula, and felt right somehow. At the same time all of this was going on, ABC’s silly Primetime Live was airing. It turned out to be an hour of Corey Clark’s self-promotional BS and nothing more.

As nicey nice as the evening was, however, someone had to go home. Ryan got real tricky and sent Anthony and Scott to the couch. Scott pumped his arm triumphantly as Bo, Carrie, and Vonzell stood nervously onstage. Then Ryan announced that they were, in fact, the top three, and asked Anthony (whose birthday it was) and Scott to perform. In the end, Anthony got a nice birthday present when Ryan cleverly said, “Anthony, it’s bad news, buddy. We forgot to get you a birthday card, but we do have a gift… you are safe!” Scott Savol, who had survived the Smoking Gun and Vote for the Worst, was sent home.

After the Idol tour ended in September, Scott recorded nine songs in his home studio. He wasn’t satisfied with the results, though, and put the project on hold to try and find someone he could work with who understood his vision. He kept himself in the public eye by performing at various local events and selling karaoke machines on QVC. Now he’s returning to the studio to finish his album. Scott is also planning a summer wedding to his “long-time friend” Rochelle. He made this announcement on his website, and says, “We are planning a summer wedding and hope to be able to share some small part of our happy day with all of you.”

Season 3: Idol fans had an extra night of the show this season, with the “final five special” airing on Monday. Ryan did a sit-down interview with each finalist, and then they had a chance to sing their favorite song from the season to date. It was great. The week’s theme was Big Band. This was ironic considering that John Stevens was booted the week before, and would certainly have shone with this genre.

Fantasia and LaToya both had spectacular performances this night (Fantasia’s “Crazy Little Thing Called Love” and “What Are You Doing the Rest of Your Life,” and LaToya’s “Too Close for Comfort” and “Don’t Rain on My Parade”). George sang “Cheek to Cheek” and “What a Wonderful World,” and was also fabulous. Jasmine did “The Way You Look Tonight” and “It’s Almost Like Being in Love,” and Diana took on “Someone to Watch Over Me” and “Come On, Get Happy.”

RNO recapper Sting7 wrote about Fantasia, “I sit here in front of you, a puddle of goo! ‘What Are You Doing’ was another star-making performance.” He was equally complimentary about LaToya, writing, “LaToya is just amazing! She was so classy, so comfortable, so sassy, so masterful. You could not take your eyes off her, and your ears were treated, too. LaToya has taken that bar and raised it again!”

Source: http://www.foxesonidol.com/cgi-bin/ae.pl?mode=1&article=article1886.art&page=1

American Idol: Say goodbye to Paris Bennett

Around about this time, the realization starts to set in for most people - ONE winner, four LOSERS. It’s not that this one is bad, it’s just that they all can’t win. And with that said, say goodbye to Paris Bennett.

With vastly more talent than Chicken Little, it was a given that she’d sail into this rarified air; but when we’re up here with the finalists, it’s pretty much inevitable that the low-hanging fruit is the cute little adolescent with the excellent voice but limited expertise.

In three years, perhaps, Paris could rule this contest without getting up in the morning. But right now, there’s simply no way she fits the mold of American Idol, so she’s gone eventually as a stone cold fact. Why this week? Because, it’s either the low-hanging fruit of the obvious or somebody who pretty much fills the bill.

Sure - somebody could screw up monumentally. I don’t claim to be psychic. But, seems to me we’ve got a few archetypes that’ll have to knock-down drag out between niches, and that leaves Paris out in the cold.

Chris - Has the rocker vote, and (with the exit of Keith Partridge) most of the women vote as well.

Taylor - Has the indie vote along with the remainder of the women.

Katharine - Has the horney man-boy vote.

Elliott - Has the old folks who tune in from reruns of “The Lawrence Welk Show” to hear the nice boy sing a pretty tune.

Paris, on the other hand, simply doesn’t have an identity beyond “that cute little kid.” “Oooh - look - she dressed up all country for country day!” “Look at that dress - it’s like she’s going to the junior prom..” The kid has to rack some years up before she can really do what she needs to in order to win this kind of public crapshoot - she has to be able to hammer in a perception of herself.

At the moment, she’s the zebra away from the herd - the easy target. And as the contest ramps up to hard decisions, the easy target is always going to go first.

Source: http://www.phillyburbs.com/pb-dyn/news/81-05012006-649883.html