idol notes...

In seasons past, predicting the final 12 has been somewhat simple. It's easy to figure out who the anointed ones are, considering they're generally given tons of profile time and little in the way of critical judging. But there always seems to be a surprise, somebody who comes out of nowhere, either because that person is being intentionally hidden or takes the producers by surprise.

This year's final group is really tough. Of course, we know who some of them will be, but the battle for votes for the few open slots should be fun to watch this week.

Of course, I always hope for one of those "shocking" eliminations, the ones where Ryan looks at us sternly and admonishes us for being lazy and not picking up the phone, as long as the shocking exitee is not one of my favorites. I'm selfish that way.

If there is to be a "shocker" this week, on the girls' side, I would pick Lisa, but only if Melissa whips out an unexpected masterpiece that even the judges can't pick apart without revealing their biases. Jessica Sierra did it last year, ousting Amanda Avila, who I think was the preferred finalist. Melissa has the pipes to pull it off, but the question lingers if she has the fan support. Lisa, on the other hand, has the problem of competing with Paris for the all-important teen/tween vote, and she's just not seemingly pulling them in.

I don't see Kinnik surviving another trip to the stage.

On the guys' side, we know Chris, Ace and Taylor are locks, so it comes down to a battle for the last three spots. The one I'm most concerned with is Elliott, who absolutely deserves a place in the finals, but may be lagging in much of the popularity polls. If there's a shocker to be had Thursday, it could very well be him.

Online polls and message boards are split on the Will v. Bucky v. Gedeon v. Kevin debate. Should Elliott advance, it's going to come down to two of these four. Which two, however, is anyone's guess. I think Will probably has the advantage, and Kevin's getting the Vote for the Worst support for what it's worth (as is Kellie), but for once, it could really come down to sudden death on Wednesday.

Gee, I hope they don't do Stevie Wonder.

But I do hope that somebody has a little talk with Paula. I know the crazy Paula is much more entertaining than the non-crazy Paula, but there's a place for laughter, and Thursday night wasn't it. I still see with sadness Heather Cox's face, a combination of fear and confusion as the judges, on live television, decided it was time for Romper Room. After five seasons of eliminating kids, I know it's just another elimination show to them, and I know it's an entertainment show, but it's important to those who are going to get the boot to, at least, have the illusion that their disappointment and tenure on the show mattered. At least a little.

But on a much, much lighter note, Bo Bice will be performing on Thursday's results show. Now we're talking!