Who's next?
Austin American-Statesman
Diane Holloway
January 16, 2007

Now appearing in the role of . . .

Based on past casting, here's what to look for when voting time comes in late February:

The Scott Savol - Even if you voted for this tubby, overalls-wearing bumpkin in Season 4, you never thought he would be a star. Every season gives birth to a Savol, a wannabe who gets votes but doesn't have a prayer. Think Kevin Covais, the nerdy Harry Potter look-alike, and carrot-topped Sinatra-like crooner John Stevens. It sounds cruel, but, really, these are joke candidates. Remember William Hung? Case closed.

The Bo Bice - Also known as The Chris Daughtry and The Nadia Turner. To keep 'Idol' from slipping into total middle-of-the-road pop pablum, every season has at least one bona fide rocker. While most of the contestants will belt out country and pop tunes, somebody will fill the edgy rocker slot.

The Mikalah Gordon - Remember the nasal-whine flirt from Season 4? She made semi-lewd cracks at Simon and stayed on the show for weeks, despite several ear-shattering performances. Personality can trump talent in the early going, and people like Mikalah and Kellie Pickler, the hayseed who played dumb but probably wasn't, are part of the carefully crafted Final 12 stew.

The Justin Guarini - Got to have eye candy. Talent is big on 'Idol.' In fact, an argument can be made that none of the five winners (with the possible exception of Carrie Underwood) was particularly gorgeous. But some of the kids who make the cut to sing actual songs on the show have to be pretty. Recall Tamyra Gray, Ace Young, Katharine McPhee and La Toya London. All easy on the eyes, all ogled by millions.

The Jennifer Hudson - Voted off too soon in Season 3, Hudson is getting Oscar buzz for her electric performance in 'Dreamgirls.' She has a huge voice and a big presence, but apparently she was missing the mass-appeal magic 'Idol' requires. Broadway-bound or just better suited for a non-pop music venue, there will be more contenders like Hudson, Paris Bennett and the great Gospel Mama, Mandisa.

The Elliott Yamin - Last season, viewers witnessed an amazing transformation in Yamin, whose hair looked like something out of the 1950s in the beginning. He also had crooked teeth, 90 percent deafness in one ear and near-crippling shyness. But, boy, could he sing. Clay Aiken started out in similar fashion, and look at him now. Casting the next Elliott will be critical to Season 6's success.