Standing "Idol"-ly By

Okay, friends and fellow "Idol" fans, with just 20 days left until the finale, I figure it's as good a time as any for me to look into my crystal ball and tell you how I see the rest of the current season of "American Idol" shaping up, and why. Okay, so we're not exactly talking a Sudoku puzzle here as far as the order of elimination goes, seeing as how there are only four contestants left in the competition, but we've gotten to the point where literally anything could happen.

On May 6, Allison will be eliminated. Why? Undoubtedly the "girl power" factor has played some part in keeping her in the competition this long, although that's definitely not to say she hasn't deserved to stay in. The 16 (now 17) year old girl with the big rock chick's voice has won over many fans both male and female (myself included), but the fact remains that there are better singers in the lot ... and, as Simon postulated, she's probably the least confident and least defined of the group -- all the more unfortunate, as it's a consequence of her age, something that's out of her control.

On May 13, Kris will be eliminated. Why? While Allison may have "girl power" in her favor, being an aw-shucks hottie wins out every time. Kris may be married, but that won't diminish his female fan base ... and he's at just the right age to appeal to everyone from teenage girls to soccer-moms. That said, however ... his cuteness is the biggest thing he's got going for him -- he's basically David Archuleta, five years older and with a day's growth of scruff. Beyond that, there's nothing that sets him apart as unique, at least not when compared to Adam or Danny.

On May 20, Adam will be declared the runner-up, and Danny will be crowned American Idol. Why? While we'd be compelled to peg Adam as walking away with the title because he can put his own bold and brassy stamp on most any song, can really work the crowd into a frenzy, and has great command of the stage, I have a feeling that's exactly why he'll fall short in the final round: he's a bit too polished a performer, having had professional stage experience. There are a handful of "Idol" fans out there who, as much as they love the show, have never cared for the fact that it is open to more than just amateurs, so that's sure to take a few votes away from him.

Not only is Danny more relatable because he's the "guy next door" (as opposed to Kris, who's the "boy next door") and has never had any professional showbiz experience, but he's also got America by the heartstrings because of his personal tragedy: the death of his wife, who was a fan of "Idol" and convinced him to audition. Danny's had a core group of fans by his side from day one, and it's only grown since. If the voters rally around him (which I suspect they will) and he wins, there won't be a dry eye in the house, including my own. You just couldn't write a chick-flick screenplay better than that.