final 3: david archuleta

Choice adjectives: Saccharine, sappy, teen heartthrob

Why he could win: He's been this season's front-runner since day one. Teen girls love him, and so do the judges. Plus, 17-year-old Archuleta's wholesome image is almost a dream for the AI machine.

Why he couldn't: Predictability is the teen's biggest strength and weakness. Every week, fans know he'll deliver a variation of an inspirational ballad. Perhaps to the point of monotony, though it hasn't yet landed him in the bottom three. Also, there's the awkwardness he displays during on-screen interviews.

Scandal? Of course there's his semi-pro past as a "Star Search" winner who once performed for AI's first-season finalists. But more recently, there's news of Archie's dad being banned from backstage AI access. It's raised questions about the extent to which he's a stage puppet thrust into the industry against his will.

Advice for tonight: Sing "Me So Horny." It'll throw 'em for a loop.