Past the insanity of auditions, past the sleep deprived temper tantrums of Hollywood week, it's time to sharpen our pencils and do a little subtraction. We're down to the final 24, and they're a talented group-some of the best talent ever, we're told, though until this week we've seen little of some of these folks.

Nevertheless, by now we should all be up to the challenge, likewise, we shouldn't have to dwell on the obvious. Let's cut to the quick. This season's Sanjaya is Danny Noriega. He seems like a nice enough kid, but he's not the Idol, so America should send him home. But they won't. They just won't be able to help themselves, so Danny is likely to stick around. Rather than tell you who should go home, let me offer my pick for who-from what we have seen so far-should be in the final 6 boys.

First, David Cook: Smokey rock voice with confidence and a measure of presence. I'll be interested to see how he translates across song genres.

Second: Robbie: Another rocker, called "authentic". He needs to "kick it up a notch" if he wants to be part of the final 5 guys.

Third, Garrett: Very nice, he's got a lock on the "tween" vote. He has the same pre-maturity Clay Aiken had. You gotta wonder what he'll be like after a few weeks of molding. I hope we get to see.

Fourth, Jason: Oh, Paula, she called his performance effortless and joyful. He was definitely mixing it up and making it his own, and mostly it worked. Simon said he "got it" and Jason looked like he was in his own happy "daydream".

Fifth, Michael: The Aussie who wowed us in Hollywood week with Bohemian Rhapsody (that took guts-and it was good!). Singing Light My Fire, he was no Jim Morrison, but Simon called him the most consistent, and perhaps he is.

Sixth, and for my money (if I were a gambler) the most likely member of the Idol boys to win: David A. You don't have to "Shop Around" to find a more confident, natural contestant. He's comfortable with his own ability and likable too, reminding me of the character of Guy Patterson, the drummer who gets the girl in That Thing You Do. You can't help but to like the kid, and he is a kid at 17, but he seems born to sing.

FYI: there seems to be some speculation that there was lip-syncing going on and I gotta say, there were times I thought the same thing. Word is it's related to providing I-Tunes, but really, isn't that sorta, kinda, like.... authorized cheating? It just doesn't seem....well, American.

Tonight, I'll be looking for 6 girls-let's hope the choices are so obvious!