At Taylor's first audition, I told my wife that I would love to pay money to see him perform live. (I also predicted that he would win, but I'll say that as an aside, since no one here will believe me anyway. )

Last night's show was indeed the best thing I have seen on network television in about ten years (not counting The Simpsons). It is getting huge. I was rather upset when Carrie won last year, but having heard a number of her singles and after her performance last night, I must concede that America may have gotten it right.

To those of you who are upset with Paris, Mandisa, and Chris losing: They will get recording deals. I repeat, they will get recording deals. IMO Chris sounded better than Ed Kowalczyk singing his own song. The problem is, is that how many solo artists succeed in the alternative arena. Chris will have to have a great band around him and hopefully he has the talent to write his own stuff, because I don't think he is the kind of guy to just get up and sing material that doesn't mean much to him.

Paris will make a lot of money covering the classics, and Mandisa should have her own show on a big stage in Vegas some day.

As for Taylor's voice. It is good. We must remember that all performances by him seen thus far were live. Very few (Stipe, Bono, Dave Matthews) are excellent live performers. Once we get Taylor into the studio, his singles and albums will be as polished as anything else out there. That said, he is a much better performer than the other Idols. That is why he won and the others didn't.

Now, onto that new dance contest. THAT will be entertaining.

Greg