COURTESY OF FOX
Clay Aiken, left, and Ruben Studdard were named the final "American Idol" contestants on Wednesday. More than 19 million votes were cast Tuesday night.
"American Idol" prognosticators
are down to three for the top prize
When Trenyce went down, she took the majority of our "American Idol" prognosticators with her. A total of 142 people voted in our "Idol Pursuits" contest, laying out their Top 3 choices in Fox TV's search for the nation's best amateur crooner. Well, more than half -- 98 -- thought first-name-only Trenyce would finish at or near the top. Ten thought she'd be No. 1.
Wrong.
Trenyce was eliminated three weeks ago, followed by Josh the Marine the following week and Kimberly Locke last week.
When to watch
KHON/Fox will air three hourlong shows in the countdown to No. 1. All shows are at 7 p.m.:Tonight: "American Idol: The Final Two," features interviews with finalists Clay Aiken and Ruben Studdard
Tomorrow: The sing-off at the Universal Amphitheatre in Los Angeles
Wednesday: Performances by all 11 finalists and naming of The Idol
Still left singing are Clay Aiken and Ruben Studdard. Among our entrants, 114 correctly predicted that Studdard and Aiken would finish at the top, but only three picked Locke for third place, narrowing the field considerably.
Elsie Hirayama, Ellie Kusakabe and Joanne Kong remain in the running for our top prize. All correctly placed Locke. As for the No. 1 spot, Elsie and Ellie think it will be Aiken; Kong has chosen Studdard.
Also worth recognizing is Thomas R. Chi, who picked Aiken-Locke-Suddard, in that order, giving him firm possession of fourth place. Sorry, no prize, but it's worth some small measure of glory.
Our few Locke pickers (she made only 12 ballots overall) said they liked her from the start. Hirayama said she could detect a fondness for Locke among the judges, going by their early comments. Kusakabe said she was impressed by the singer's personality, "and she has the voice."
Kong owes her prescience to her 7-year-old daughter. They shared their ballot, with Kong choosing Aiken and her daughter picking Locke. They agreed on Studdard for No. 1.
Trenyce's popularity in the beginning was clear. All "Idol Pursuits" entries had to be filed early in the competition -- when 10 singers remained.
A total of 79 thought Trenyce, Studdard and Aiken would make the final trio, in some order.
"Things do change ... stress and all," said Terry Sasamura, one of those 79.
A loyal viewer of the show -- "It's pure entertainment, a way for me to escape, I guess" -- Sasamura was an early Trenyce fan, but is not at all disappointed that Locke advanced instead.
"I could see how Kimberly was progressing and I'm very happy for her."
Come Wednesday, America will have its idol and we'll have our winner(s). First prize is a CD collection in the winner's choice of musical genres. If Aiken should win, Elsie and Ellie will share the prize.
Final numbers: All ballots considered, our voters picked Clay over Ruben to finish on top, 93 to 26.
The day after tomorrow will tell.
Kusakabe, for one, is sure of her choice: "I like Clay. He's so cute."
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