'Idol' Finale Preview

Around 9am, I walked back to the Kodak Theatre to speak to Ashton Michaels, an up and coming designer who will be dressing Blake this week. Ashton has a store in Hollywood but is relatively unknown in the fashion world so this is a huge opportunity for him. Blake met him on the set of one of the Ford commercials where Ashton was serving as an assistant stylist and the two hit it off after Blake complimented Ashton on his sweatshirt. Ashton told him it was one of his own designs and a partnership was born. He told me we'll see suits, denim, t-shirts and maybe even a fedora or two.

At 9:25am, just outside the theatre doors, in marched several of the finalists for rehearsal one by one.. Chris Richardson, LaKisha Jones, Haley Scarnato, Brandon Rogers. No signs of Sanjaya though. Darn.

At 9:30am I spoke to executive producer, Nigel Lythgoe who played ambiguously coy about rumors that Britney Spears would perform on the Finale, "She's going through a hard time and we certainly would like to be part of bringing her around."

I get the sense Nigel was just playing into the rumors because it gives the show more publicity. I seriously doubt Britney Spears will be performing. My guess is she just is not ready to go in front of 25 million plus viewers. Plus, could someone really come out and lip-synch though on a singing competition,? Nigel said it's not out of the question, "If they have lost their voice or were having a hard time. Lip-synching doesn't bother me as long as they have sung it in the first place but we don't lip synch normally on American Idol."

Nigel wouldn't give me any scoop about what performers will take part, just to say that "there is something for every age group." I can confirm that Gladys Knight will perform with LaKisha Jones and Melinda Doolittle and last year's winner, Taylor Hicks will perform. It's also been reported that Chris Daughtry will sing his goodbye video song, "Home." That's all I know. However, wouldn't it be so incredible if say Barbra Streisand made a surprise appearance. Just my own personal opinion. I'm not starting any rumors. I'm also going to guess that Kenneth and Jonathan from the auditions will be around as will Sherman Pore.

As for my girl Melinda Doolittle not making the finals, Nigel put her demise in perspective, "I'm not sure that she would have been the next American Idol. I think she is slightly old fashioned so I am delighted with Blake being there and with Jordin being there."

Tonight I will be inside the Kodak Theatre to watch the show and then I have a backstage pass to talk to the finalists just after they perform. Check back for that tomorrow.