It’s down to the final four. Elvis Week plays to Taylor Hicks’ strength. So he’ll probably survive despite his hokey stage moves (falling on his back to sing — puh-leez!).

Last week, Kat McPhee finally showed some versatility, displaying sassy authority on KT Tunstall’s tune. But she clearly is the most nervous performer among the finalists.

Elliott Yamin’s continued success has frankly befuddled me. He’s the Teflon finalist. He’s never been really good (despite what Paula Abdul gushes) or really bad; in terms of vocals, stage craft and poise, he’s not in the same league as Paris Bennett. But voting on “American Idol” is never fair.

My rankings:
1. Chris Daughtry
2. Kat McPhee
3. Taylor Hicks
4. Elliott Yamin

What do you think? Please post your rankings of the “Idol” finalists.

This is Randy Salas again, and my rankings posted before this week’s shows have changed little now that they’re over.

I had Kellie Pickler in last place, and she was voted off.

Paris Bennett should be next. Her rendition of “The Way We Huh-Were” this week hasn’t changed my opinion of her.

I’m going to switch Taylor Hicks’ and Elliott Yamin’s positions, even though Hicks is the only contestant who has never finished among the bottom vote-getters. Hicks has been making poor song choices and failing to deliver in his performances, while Yamin has finally ramped things up in recent weeks.

It’s still a toss-up between Chris Daughtry and Katharine McPhee for the top spot, but I’ll keep them as I had them for now. Daughtry was clearly the best performer last week, but McPhee was still excellent (no matter what the judges thought). Besides, she looks much better in a low-cut yellow dress.

1) Katharine McPhee
2) Chris Daughtry
3) Elliott Yamin
4) Taylor Hicks
5) Paris Bennett

After Tuesday’s love songs, here are Star Tribune music Jon Bream’s rankings of the “American Idol” finalists

1. Chris Daughtry. He’s still at the top. He had the most prudent song choice because Bryan Adams’ “Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman” allowed him to stay within his range and play to his strengths — his sincerity. Voters have trouble resisting his sincere eyes, his sincere voice and his sincere stage demeanor.
2. Katharine McPhee. She showed off her voice and her cleavage but as all the judges said, You can’t top Whitney Houston so why try? Nonetheless, it was refreshing to see Kat sing more aggressively on “I Have Nothing.” But Kat, who looks like Valerie Bertinelli’s taller sister, still has to learn not to smile when the lyrics are sad.
3. (tie) Elliott Yamin and Paris Bennett. Elliott really does have a likable voice but his attempt to do Donny Hathaway’s version of the oft-covered “A Song for You” was too busy. Similarly, Paris’ voice always shines but Streisand’s “The Way We Were” just wasn’t a winning choice for her. Nonetheless, her consistent confidence onstage has been one of the highlight’s of this season.
5. Taylor Hicks. Just once, he needs to show some range. He didn’t do that with James Ingram’s “Just Once,” which was part cabaret, part karaoke and totally forgettable.
6. Kellie Pickler. Give the girl a sitcom or resurrect “Hee Haw” around her. But after two consecutive misguided performances (”Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered” and “Unchained Melody”), I’ve soured on Pickler. She’s in over her head.

Post your comments and let us know what you think.

Jon Bream has asked me to join him in ranking the remaining “American Idol” finalists as a guest contributor to the PopLife blog. I’ve been writing the weekly previews of the show in the Star Tribune for the past few years.

Here’s how I’d rank ‘em:

1) Katharine McPhee: It’s funny how people keep mentioning Broadway when it comes to McPhee, because I hear a jazz-vocal background more than anything. She has the looks, charisma and chops to go all the way. My only problem with her is that I have no idea what kind of album she would produce–something along the lines of Christina Aguilera, Celine Dion or Norah Jones? She could do any of them, but I hope for something more sophisticated like the latter.

2) Chris Daughtry: It’s really a toss-up between this refreshing rocker and McPhee. He has a very “now” sound and has shown an intriguing softer side in recent weeks. It would be cool to see a guy win again. The only caveat is whether he’d have any cred (as an “Idol” winner) with the hard-rockin’ audience he seems to be courting.

3) Taylor Hicks: I pegged the “silver fox,” as female fans call him, as a dark horse when the competition started, and that’s where he remains. He has an incredible stage presence, but still might be too “old school” to be commercially viable–although it’s all in the marketing.

4)Elliott Yamin: Yamin has an incredible voice; he just lacks charisma. That’s a major caveat, although he’s been coming on strong lately. His “Somebody to Love” was absolutely astonishing.

5)Paris Bennett: I’m not a fan. Her overly stylized vocals seem out of step with today’s market, although her talent is undeniable. I also have no idea what she is; she has a new look and style every week. I do know that she doesn’t want viewers to know she hails originally from Minnesota–banking on that Southern thing that Jon mentioned. I get the impression that there’s this huge, unseen marketing machine behind her.

6)Kellie Pickler: The country girl has overstayed her welcome, with a simpleton act that’s more grating than ingratiating. Her rendition of “Bohemian Rhapsody” was passable, but “Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered” was so incredibly bad that she doesn’t deserve to stay much longer.

Post your comments to let us know what you think.

How would you rank the “American Idol” finalists?

1. Chris Daughtry. He rocks and his ballads are believable. Plus the camera — and the voters — love his sincere eyes.

2. Katharine McPhee. She’s got a boffo Broadway voice (helps when your mom is a vocal coach) but she’s yet to prove her versatility. Plus, will voters elect a Californian? (Note: All the other finalists are Southerners. Surprise! Surprise!)

3. Paris Bennett. She has consistently shown the best stage presence but her versatility and chameleon-like nature (new ‘do and look every week) have made her personality somewhat invisible.

4. Kellie Pickler. Her adorable personality has carried her farther than anyone imagined, but, at 19, she’s a better singer than even she realizes. Her “Bohemian Rhapsody” was a big moment but can she succeed outside of her comfort zone?

5. Taylor Hicks. Nice voice, hammy albeit likable stage presence, but he’s limited. This is a competition for “American Idol,” not to find the next Michael Buble.

6. Elliott Yasmin. Nice voice but everything else about him is so above-average at best.

Click on the Comments link to post your rankings.