Round of 2: "The Coronation Round" - May 23

From over 100,000, the judges chose 24. We whittled it to 12... and now we're down to just two. In 24, America will have a new Idol. But first, Taylor Hicks of Birmingham, AL, and Katharine McPhee have to weather the Coronation Round, live from the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood!

And for no reason at all, the camera shoots Mandy Moore (a big fan) and Ben Stiller (game show connection: he's Jerry and Anne's kid).

Randy says that they have to lay it all on the line. Paula hopes that they're in good voice. Simon wants the contestants to pray that the other guy forgets the words. Yes, they're THAT good.

Now the rules: each contestant will sing three numbers, two of their choosing and one coronation single to be released in June. Person with the most votes wins.

Now for history: there've been two girl-guy finales, 2002 and 2005. Both times, the girl won. Can Taylor break the skid?

First, though, the tale of the tape...

	vs.
22	AGE	29
Los Angeles	HOMETOWN	Birmingham, AL
San Francisco	AUDITION CITY	Las Vegas
Pop ballads	SPECIALTY	Soul
McPheevers	FAN BASE	Soul Patrol
"Somewhere Over the Rainbow"	SIGNATURE PERFORMANCE	"Levon"

As we surf the audience to catch the other 10 finalists as well as family and friends, Katharine starts the final off with her rendition of KT Tunstall's "Black Horse and the Cherry Tree".

What they say: Randy said that she looked like she was finally having fun, and that she sang it better this time. Paula thought it was a fun way to celebrate why she was here tonight. Simon gives it a good with a small "g". "I think the occasion tonight is bigger than the song."

What we say: Good way to start the show, but if I'm being honest, she was better at this the first go around in the "Then and Now" round. I think the off ad-libs at the end took away from it. But still, not a bad start.

Next up, Taylor in purple with Stevie Wonder's "Living for the City"

What they say: Randy loves the fact that Taylor doesn't care who sings what, that he makes it his own. Paula says... something incoherent. Taylor: "This audience hated you. Great way to start the show. Good choice of song. Round one to you."

What we say: Classic Taylor Hicks. Channeling the crowd, getting himself hyped up. He's ready for the big show. Round one to Taylor, indeed.

Next up, the signatures round, with Kat singing "Somewhere Over the Rainbow".

What they say: Randy: "For me, when I saw you doing this, I was like 'anti-climactic'", but you worked it out. Paula calls her talent God-given, and that every father is tearing up. Simon corrects himself... THIS is the performance of the season. "You're back in the game."

What we say: Magic.

Taylor's next with "Levon" by Elton John.

What they say: Randy says it was a nice song, but it was a little pitchy. Paula calls pitchiness the essence of who he is. Simon calls this round for Katharine.

What we say: Good effort, but this one goes to Kat. We're tied at one.

Now to the final round: the coronation single. But first, Kat's parents think that all she heard was singing. "This whole thing was so natural to her. I think it was what she was born to do." So it would make perfect sense that her first single would be titled... "My Destiny."

What they say: Randy: "One, you look amazing. You sounded really good. I did NOT love the song." Paula: "You are brilliant." Simon: "In my opinion, you went from brilliant to quite good in one song. I would say to everyone who votes for Kat, vote and remember the second song."

What we say: Not a fan of the song. I like what Kat did with putting her own style onto it, but it seems that she didn't really sing the song that well. It was sharp at the extremes, and it took away from the essence of what Katharine was during the season. It was a very safe singing of a very safe song. Not a great closing argument. In fact, the Chairman decrees it at best adequate... and at worst... anticlimactic.

And finally... Taylor's dad remembers the first time Taylor picked up a harmonica, playing by ear. A proud moment for him. And a proud moment needs a proud song. Here's "Do I Make You Proud?".

What they say: Randy: "Based on the song, you know what I love about you? You know who Taylor Hicks is, and no matter the song, you can make it into a Taylor Hicks vehicle!" Paula: "You are better than that song, but all the riffs, all the nuances of Taylor Hicks exist in that song. You know who you are." Simon: "Assuming that the show was tied... you have just won American Idol."

What we say: Strong words from a man who passed on Taylor to start with. Again, not a Taylor Hicks song, but that was a Taylor Hicks performance! That's your deal breaker right there! It caps off everything we know to be true about this talent. This is Taylor's competition to lose.

All I have to say is... 150 songs written for the finale, and those are the best two they could come up with? Okay, we have one night left. Let's go around the 'net for should win/will win.

Jason: It came down to the final song. And Katherine chose to sing the worst she ever sang. (Should/will: TAYLOR)
Don: Should/will: Taylor for both.
Gordon: The last song tells you all you need to know. BOTH songs were terrible, but while Katharine let the song take her where the song wanted to go, Taylor took the song to where he wanted it to go. That's a sign of experience and who is the better singer. (Should/will: TAYLOR)
D: Should: Kat ... Will: Taylor

That's my brother for you. We end the show with Daniel Powter and his baby grand taking the stage with this year's anthem, "Bad Day," set to the best moments from the last season. Team coverage continues with the rest of the ... uh.. team... tomorrow.

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