First off, I never said a word about sweating - I don't give a crap about that. Everyone sweats. Not an issue. As for lack of breath (breath, of course, being the life force of one's voice)... Scott Weiland isn't a candidate for a heart attack on stage. He can handle it, and power through it. I don't think Ruben can handle it, but, I guess we'll see.

I'm about done here, with this. I'll just add it really doesn't matter. OF COURSE it should be about the music. But it's not. I've been in and around the music business for many years. Trust me on this one: it's not about the music. At least for radio/charts. That is, where the money is. Of course there's a lot of great music out there. But you also must notice the great music isn't anywhere on the charts, or on the radio, and it's not making the major labels the money they greedily want.

Sure, I like a lot of popular music - it's pure entertainment. It's not necessarily the best "music" out there, cuz the "best" music is usually underground or indie, and is never heard by all the schmucks who voted in this competition.

But this competition wasn't about "music" - it was about -- again -- finding a Pop Idol. Period. End of story.

So yeah... we differ in opinion, which is fine. That makes the world more interesting.

And if you want to give me $50 next year, that's fine with me Set a date I should check Billboard magazine and other sources to determine "success"...