Randy Jackson predicts "Jordin is Gonna Take It"

As soon as I get there, I knew my suspicions were correct when the theater owner at the venue had no idea about the Idols. I was told that Randy Jackson would be the only one coming, no Idols, and he would not even be doing a recording session. It was simply Randy giving a sort of "master class" to the kids from the film festival. I hate to say "I told you so" but.. wait who am I kidding?... I love to say "I told you so." This, my friends, is something that happens in the entertainment news world all the time. You just have to roll with the punches. I'm a big Randy fan and always happy to chat with him. Plus, it was a great opportunity for these young kids aged from 8 - 17 to learn about the entertainment business. So, we stuck around to catch his "class."

Kids from around the world were in attendance from places like Dubai, Armenia, Italy, Chicago, Houston and right here in LA. The dawg got a rousing applause and cheers when he entered the stage to speak at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts where legends like Robert Redford and Lauren Bacall were taught. He began telling the kids about his career and how he got into the music business. It only took about four minutes before talk turned to "American Idol" Randy told me he didn't mind though, "Well yeah. It's a great pastime."

During the q & a session the kids asked some pretty insightful questions. One girl wanted to know if Randy was ever pressured to say something as a judge he didn't want to. He told her that sometimes you just don't have a lot to say and that normally during an audition all you are saying is "next." So, sometimes the things he says seems forced.

Another smart gal asked how he felt about celebrities and the paparazzi. Apparently, he and I have the same thought, telling stars like Paris Hilton and Britney Spears that paparazzi and public interest in your personal life is all part of entertainment. If you don't like it, "Give the money back. Tell them you are sorry. I don't want to be famous."

Randy then gauged the kids reaction to each of the remaining Idols via cheers and applause. A young boy came up on stage and asked him the question I know he hates. Who is gonna win? I was surprised though by his reaction. He didn't give his normal joking reaction about either a girl or guy is gonna win. Instead he spoke truthfully, "I think judging by your reaction here Jordin is gonna take it."

Later during our interview he qualified it just a bit, "Jordin was the winner in here. They reacted more to that name, I think there's three front runners. I think it's Jordin, Melinda and Blake. I think one of them will win. But I think it's going to be a girl, it's going to be a girl. "

I try to get him to talk about the surprise duet between Elvis and Celine Dion on tonight's "Idol Gives Back" show (that I spoiled last week) but he wouldn't. This morning it was revealed by Nigel Lythgoe on Ryan Seacrest's radio show that Madonna would take part in the show. I've found out that it will be a taped video message, not a performance. Nigel also revealed that Bono comes in to surprise the kids while they are singing U2's song "American Prayer" which has also already been taped. Even though ratings were down by about 4 million viewers from last week, the number of votes from the performance show is expected to be huge. Nigel claims that by 10pm they had received over 65 million votes which means News Corp (who donated 10 cents per call up to 50 million) will shell out 5 million bucks. Tonight's show is expected to be like a telethon with a phone number given throughout the show to donate. Looks like "Idol Gives Back" may actually be a fundraising success.