Bob's Blog

I want Katharine to win. I have wanted Katherine to win for weeks. I think she has one of those rare voices and a chance to become a music star.

But Katharine isn’t going to win. I would guess that Taylor got at least 57 percent of the vote after Wednesday’s competition. The problem with Katharine is that, in the past couple of weeks, she has really nailed only one song _ Somewhere Over the Rainbow.

Taylor, meanwhile, has scored on almost everything. And there is no one who comes close to him as a performer. He’s raw, he’s exciting, he’s out there. He’s not my favorite singer, but when he’s on stage I can’t take my eyes off of him.

So, congratulations Taylor. You deserve to win.

Elliott Yamin, your time has come.

Not that you’re not talented. And you’re obviously a good guy.

But Katharine and Taylor are clearly the two frontrunners. I thought Katharine’s performance of Somewhere Over the Rainbow was the best of the season. But I wish she would just stand up during all of her songs. What’s the sitting down all about? The girl has a great voice and a bright future, but she is badly in need of someone to manage her career.

Taylor is already a full-fledged performer. My problem with him is that I believe he will be difficult to market. He doesn’t really have a style, and the music industry these days is all about having a style. That’s not a good thing, but I don’t think Taylor will find it easy to find a niche.

Next week will be interesting. You couldn’t ask for two more contrasting styles. I think Katharine is the better singer, but Taylor is the better performer. He knows who he is and that’s probably one of the things that will win the competition for him.

Can’t wait for the two hours tonight. What’s your guess? One of the main characters, I have read, is outta here. The obvious candidate is Dr. Burke, who was shot in last night’s episode. The second obvious candidate is Izzy, who seems to be losing all sensibility as she tries to save her lover boy.

My prediction: Izzy saves the guy, gets fired, and they go off to live a happy-ever-after life. I know, that’s pretty lame. And it befits a show like this that somebody is going to die tonight. But I’m sticking with my prediction, halfway hoping I’m wrong.

I just read Rick Reilly’s latest column in Sports Illustrated, about Tiger Woods and his father, Earl, who recently passed away.

Father-son stories always make me cry, and this one was no different. I have written extensively about my own father in the newspaper and the response I always get is fulfilling. My dad was one of the best men I have ever known.

I was really not much like my dad, which I regret sometimes. He was kind, caring and quite skilled at a variety of things. Not that I’m not kind and caring _ I certainly can be. But I’m much more cynical and sarcastic than my dad. Which is OK, I guess.

Anyway, Reilly’s column made me think about my own son, Jeff, who is 23. A part of the column reminded me that I haven’t hugged Jeff in quite a while (he will be so embarrassed when he reads this). We have not quite reached that point in our father-son relationship in which he becomes my friend, as well as my kid. I really look forward to that day, because Jeff is one of the funniest people I know. I have all kinds of pictures of him down in my basement, where I’m writing this, and he smiled in every one of them. He is just a kid who knows how to have a good time.

And sometimes I lose sight of that. I want him to be more intense, more focused, more interested in building his future. But when I really think about it, I don’t want him to lose his playful nature. Now, I’m not saying I don’t want him to be intense, focused and interested in his future, because I do. But I also want Jeff to know that he’s my pride and joy.

In case you’re wondering, I’ll tell him this in person, probably before he reads this. And I’m not in the habit of sharing such personal stuff on a blog. But this time, it’s OK.

I can’t say I’m surprised that Chris Daughtry was eliminated from American Idol on Wednesday. I’m glad Katherine survived because, as I wrote yesterday, it would have been blatantly unfair for her to be booted after a night in which the contestants were required to sing Elvis Presley songs. I can’t think of a artist who would be more difficult to pull off for a female singer.

There are a lot of people who really like Taylor Hicks. And there are many who don’t like him. I’m in the latter camp; I think it would be a shame for him to win. I’m pulling for Katherine and I could accept Elliott. But Taylor? No thanks.