Entertainment

When it comes to the top 10 finalists of American Idol, we suffer from selective amnesia.

"Who's Scott Savol?" we ask. "I don't know anybody named Scott Savol."

Then someone will remind us that he was the round, shifty-eyed crooner we once spent hours debating and voting for or against. Yes, Scott Savol once was a huge factor in our lives. Then, one day, poof! All memories of him were erased.

So it's inevitable that a few of the stars from Season 5 will suffer the same fate. But before they drift into obscurity, they're in town for the big American Idols Live! tour, which hits Nokia Theatre at Grand Prairie tonight and Friday.

What will become of them afterward? No one can predict the future, but we may as well give it a shot.

While on the Idol tour, he's been known to moonlight with his old band, the Little Memphis Blues Orchestra, at small venues across the country. That's a relief; too many renditions of cover tunes could rob him of his soul. His new CD, which comes out later this year, will be the true test of his staying power.

Prediction: After the hype settles, his career levels off to become one that wins critical acclaim but little tabloid attention. And don't miss the duel of the century: Soul Patrol vs. Claymates, spring 2009!

Although she's working on a pop album, touring hasn't treated her too well; she's had a fractured foot, bronchitis and laryngitis. (But there are no reports of high McFever.) Sure, she sings great, but Katharine may fancy herself more of a movie star. She's reportedly being considered for a big-screen role as Wonder Woman, and she's told MTV.com that "I would have loved to have played Pretty Woman ."

Prediction: Look for her to play some type of Woman. After a decent film career, she succeeds Paula Abdul at the Idol judges' table.

The popular rocker seems destined for either superstardom or bigheaded burnout. He’s betting on the former; according to The Associated Press, he moved his family from their modest home to a $690,000 pad near Greensboro, N.C. Then there’s the star trip; TMZ.com recently called Chris “the diva of the evening,” after he brought extra security and star-tripping demands to a signing for fans. His debut album is to be released Nov. 21; plenty of time to get the ego in check before then.

Prediction: Bankruptcy, followed by a comeback of epic proportions. We love the underdog.

Imagining the young Princess P’s future is like imagining your 6-year-old daughter’s career path. She’s got nothing but time! Expect approximately 15 reinventions before she settles on one image. Meanwhile, look for her Christmas album this year.

Prediction: Look out, Beyoncé, here she comes! But not for several years.

After seeing her co-host The View this summer, Rosie O’Donnell raved about America ’s Little Bumpkin on her blog. Her country album comes out in November, but she seems better suited for the talk-show circuit. Think about it: It’s much easier to remember her discussing the mysterious calamari than it is to recall one single note she sang. Look out, Rosie and company.

Prediction: All of the talk-show giants will readjust their schedules so as not to go up against the great and powerful Pickler.

Constantine 2.0 is busy writing and working on an album (you can hear a single, “Scattered,” on http://myspace.com/aceyoung), but the future is cloudier than it should have been. What went wrong? Four words: He showed his scar. That cheesy moment on Idol cost him much-needed votes and even-more-needed respect. It’s hard to come back from a stunt like that. But not impossible.

Prediction: After a bar brawl (which may have been set up by his publicist in an effort to toughen his image), Ace has a Top 40 hit and marries…oh, we’ll say Jessica Simpson. They record a duet but turn down offers for an MTV reality show.

If you like the show, you'll probably like the concert.

The American Idols Live! tour features the same singers and many of the same songs heard throughout Season 5 of the television program. Mandisa opens the show with "I'm Every Woman," Katharine McPhee belts out "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" and Taylor Hicks boogies through "Takin' It to the Streets."

But the concert's not a complete rerun; in previous cities, Paris Bennett's dancing has won raves, as has Lisa Tucker's piano playing. The jury's still out on Kellie Pickler and Bucky Covington's "You're the One That I Want" duet.

Limited seats are still available at Ticketmaster.com for $62.50.

But for something completely different, here's a tip: Taylor's pre- Idol band, the Little Memphis Blues Orchestra (LiMBO), is to play at 9 tonight at the Galaxy Club, 2808 Commerce St. in Dallas. Taylor has shown up to jam with the band during previous stops on the tour, bringing along pals Elliott Yamin and Ace Young.

The Galaxy coyly notes on its Web site that Taylor will be in the area: "Could it be he just might drop in for a set with LiMBO? Stay tuned!"

Darla Atlas