We Have a Winner: It's Kate (but runner-up is up for grabs!)

It's not too likely that Casey will wind up the next American Idol, but for purposes of this fantasy league Kate rode that blond-haired Texas hippie to the title. Ride that cowboy!

So congratulations to Kate for being one of only two people to pick Casey in her entry. She had considered Katie in that spot as well, but fortunately she changed her mind in the end -- and wound up having all of the final three.

Meanwhile, we have a three-way battle for second place. If Casey upsets Lee in the next round, then Matt-Vicki's entry would cruise into second place and Megan and Allie would tie for third. If Casey or Crystal goes, then Megan and Allie tie for second.

Here are the up-to-date standings:
1. Kate 53
2. Allie 50
2. Matt/Vicki 50
2. Megan 50
5. Nate 48
6. Kelly 45
7. Nicole 43
8. Andrew 42
8. Vicki 42
10. Lori 41
11. Tim 39

Updated Standings: Upset equals mathematical eliminations

Hi all --

Siobahn's somewhat shocking dismissal last night (and the subsequent advancement of Aaron, Casey and Michael) means that Lori, Andrew, Tim, Vicki and Nicole have all been mathematically eliminated from winning the title or even finishing in the money.

That leaves Allie, Kate, Kelly, Matt/Vicki, Megan and Nate chasing the championship.

Here are the latest odds the rest of the way.

Vote for the Worst has adopted Michael for this week; however they had Siobahn last week so their impact is obviously ebbing post-Tim Urban.

Here are some scenarios the rest of the way:

• If Aaron is next out, then Nate and Kelly would be eliminated from finishing in the money
• If Casey goes out next, then Kate's and Matt/Vicki's entry would be eliminated
• If Michael is bounced this week, then Nate and Kate would be guaranteed a Top 2 Finish -- with whoever gets farther determining this season's champ!

Vote Aaron! I know this girl will.

Things are getting interesting:Updated standings

Hi everybody --

It probably hasn't been the greatest Idol season ever, but it looks like we are in the heart of the race where this league's title will be decided.

The dismissal of Andrew dealt blows to Andrew's, Tim's and Vicki's entries. Meanwhile, Katie took a step back from the momentum she was building which may have derailed Nicole's shot of finishing in the money.

According to the latest odds, Kate's entry makes her the favorite this year. However, we will have to see if Michael or Aaron can keep it going despite being on the brink of elimination.

Enjoy everyone!

Accumulated points:
1. Allie - 24
1. Kate - 24
1. Kelly - 24
1. Matt/Vicki - 24
1. Megan - 24
1. Nate - 24
7. Andrew - 22
7. Nicole - 22
7. Tim -22
7. Vicki - 22
11. Lori - 21

Points Possible:
1. Allie - 77
1. Kate - 77
1. Kelly -77
1. Matt/Vicki - 77
1. Megan - 77
1. Nate - 77
7. Andrew - 69
7. Nicole - 69
7. Tim -69
7. Vicki - 69
11. Lori - 68

TheTop 10: Saved!

Well, just about everyone had a close call last night as the bottom three featured Aaron, Casey and Michael -- with Michael being bailed out by the judges.

The save means two people go home next week. Will it be Aaron and Casey? For scoring purposes, the two people who go out will get the same score. Doesn't matter in what order.

I'll be rooting for Aaron!

Nate

Final 10 Update: Sorry, Lori

Well, Didi's elimination last week means that Lori was mathematically eliminated from finishing in the money. That also clinches someone from the Crook household finishing in the fantasy league basement. Don't feel too bad for them though, they still live in a pretty nice household and have a famous dog.

If you haven't heard, this week our Idol contestants will be singing the Beatles.

Good luck! Check in next week for more info.

Nate

2010 Fantasy Idol Kickoff Tomorrow

Hi everyone, picks are due by 8 p.m. Eastern tomorrow. I finalized my strategy, including a little Vote For the Worst factor. I've got four people's final picks in. I have to work on Tuesday until a little past 11 p.m. but I will post everyone's picks when I get home so you can all follow along.

Thanks and looking forward to another fine season,
Nate

Final standings: Read 'em, and in my case, weep

Well, here it is: Tuesday and no American Idol. I have to say I preferred last season, I wonder if my hero Syesha has gone on to the Broadway stardom that all the judges pigeon-holed her into.

This year, in the end, my favorite was probably Matt. He was like the Final Four George Mason basketball team of American Idol — few thought he should have been there to begin with (he got in as a wild card and he was one of only two contestants not picked by any of us) and in round after ensuing round fans said he would reach the end of the liine. Yet he kept defying the odds, even earning the judges' saved, and finished in the top five before he could no longer make it purely on grit.

Despite that save, our eloquent team of Idol judges pigeon-holed him early on as a blues singer or something like that. Not that I was a fan of his fabled Coldplay performance, but I felt bad for him when the judges chided him for trying and he whimpered in reply: "But this is the kind of music I want to sing."

He apparently also wanted to win, at least more than to sing Coldplay, because he went back to doing as told by the judges. But I still cheers you, Matt, for putting on what I would say was the best all-around run in Idol.

I guess Kris had a pretty good run too, seeing as how he came from almost nowhere a month ago to winning it, I think pretty much on the strength his performance of Heartless.

The performer who was most ripped-off goes to Alexis. Her early-round defeat derailed several of our entries. I still wonder if she had to pay the price so the produces could say, "see, it's not rigged," after this story leaked. (They later added, "no, we won't publicly release results for a reason that has nothing to do with the showing being rigged. Oops.)

The biggest choke goes to Lil Rounds, who went from early front-runner to one of the blandest performers in mere weeks. Maybe she couldn't take living with the rest of the Idols.

Anyway, that's my take. The site will stay here, and we'll back and running again in January (although it sounds like Kara, a.k.a. Poochie the unwanted character, won't be). Final standings are below:

1. Vicki 77
2. Megan 64
3. Caroline 53
4. Angie 46
5. Allie 43
5. Johnny 43
7. Kelly 42
8. Andrew 40
9. Kate 36
10. Nicole 36
11. Lori #1 35
12. Lori #2 27
13. Jason 26
13. Nate 26