Final 3 face off on The X Factor
We can check The Voice off our list. Now, who’s got The X Factor?
It seems like not long ago ex-American Idol judge Simon Cowell’s “new show” was so full of promise. And here we are, about to crown the winner of a second season that’s already seen a ratings dip (down from an average of about 11 million U.S. viewers per week to about eight million). But the show will go on; X Factor is already scouting talent for its third season.
In the meantime, there’s still Wednesday’s final twohour performance episode followed by Thursday’s similarly lengthy grand finale.
As far as the Top 3 competing for the ginormous $5 million recording contract with Epic Records goes, it seems there is a true front-runner this year. Here’s a look at who’s left — and who’s likely to take it all: Carly Rose Sonenclar Team: Britney Spears Age: 13 Hometown: Westchester, N.Y. Predicted finish: Second. There’s no denying Sonenclar is a prodigious little wonder. But Carly Rose is a little bit too young, and, like most young competitors, she tends to over-sing. A lot. Tate Stevens Team: L.A. Reid Age: 37 Hometown: Raymore, Mo. Predicted finish: First. His collar is blue. His roots lie in Missouri. He wears a cowboy hat as if it were attached at birth. A winning formula when it comes to rounding up the cowpoke vote. Fifth Harmony Team: Simon Cowell Age: 15-19 Hometown: San Antonio (Ally Brooke); Houston (Normani Hamilton); Miami (Camila Cabello and Lauren Jauregui); Santa Ana, Calif. (Dinah Jane Hansen). Predicted finish: Third. After barely getting by each week with their iffy vocals, this cutesy girl group slipped through yet again last week.
The chances they’ll sneak into the winning spot? Highly unlikely. (CTV, Fox)
• We can’t think of a better event to send off the year of Honey Boo Boo than the world’s biggest beauty pageant. Angola’s Leila Lopes will crown her successor when 61st annual Miss Universe competition takes place Wednesday at Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas, with Calgary’s Adwoa Yamoah, 24, representing for Canada. (NBC)
• What a year! And in case Baba Wawa didn’t sum it up well enough for you in her Fascinating People special last week, Katie Couric has her own take on all things 2012 in The Year With Katie Couric.
From celebrity scandals
(how dare you, KStew!) to Buckingham Palace baby news, Superstorm Sandy, and Olympic (as well as everyday) heroes, Couric tackles it all with a humorous spin in this 90-minute special. (ABC)
• Whether we’ll survive the impending Mayan doomsday remains to be seen, but in the meantime, British illusionist Derren Brown will convince at least one person that the world is about to end in his two-parter, Derren Brown: Apocalypse. File this must-watch under Train Wreck. (Space)