Hang on to your remote, it's coming!

WE are about 24 hours away from one of the biggest showdowns in the music industry. The opposing parties are two young guys who are relatively small fry in the big league. They are David Archuleta and David Cook.

Maybe they may change their names later on when they hit big time but I seriously doubt. it.

It has been a long amd arduous journey to the top but it was worth it if Cook and Archuleta have anything to say about it. Even if victory is denied to one of them, and it will be so, fame has already laid claim to both these boys.

So what if you are not the champ in the end? Some champs don't make it in the real world as much as the No. 2 guy.

Just ask Clay Aiken, because he knows all about it. But it's always fun at this time of the year and at the final stages of the American Idol contest, whichever season it is.

It seemed like only yesterday when stadiumfuls of hopefuls pitted their vocals against thousands others and went home crying.

We all shed some tears for the good ones who just missed the boat. But that's life. You win some and then you lose the big one!

But then, there's always next year. Of course, the three judges will still be there. If you are lucky or unlucky, they may just remember you.

After this week, the Idol Tour will begin, specifically from July 1 to September 13. The tour begins in Glendale, Arizona and ends in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

The producers of the show are of course advertising heavily, urging everybody and anybody to join in the post Idol celebration and the massive roadshow in the making.

In case, you have forgotten the names of the various Top 10 contestants are: Jason Castro, Brooke White, Syesha Mercado, Michael Johns, David Archuleta, Chikezie, Carly Smithson, Ramiele Malubay, David Cook and Kristy Lee Cook.

I understand that hardcore fans can buy to their hearts' content by looking into the official American Idol Store. They have just about everything and anything you can think of.
Nobody has sent me a box of Idol tissues yet. Mainly it's because I haven't beg. Not that I ever will!

So keep aside one hour on Wednesday and two hours on Thursday for the finale special to cap Season 7 of the American Idol.

As usual, when the results are announced and the winner bask in the limelight, there will be tears of joy and tears of disappointment. That's very much part of showbusiness.

But remember, this is reality TV. It's not about fair and what if, and what should have been. It just is.

The important thing is you have great moments of fun, laughter and hours of listening pleasure. Afterall, it is not often that the ordinary Joe-in-the-street or Jane Doe is given an opportunity to make it to the big time.

This is their hour, as much as it is yours in front of the telly, cheering them on. Happy watching.

After all that is said and done, please get back to work or back to your study room, whichever applies.