Emotions ran high tonight as two stayed and two left. Once again the competition showed it's ironic side as the two Veronique's left the final four, and both exploded into tears of disappointment and happiness.

The cocktail of emotions was still being shaken long after the cameras stopped rolling. Everyone was hugging everyone, for different reasons at times, supporters were mopping up the tears although in five weeks time they'll probably be looking back at the events of tonight and thinking: "What was that all about?"

Over 1.7 million votes were cast, and I am sure the same amount of Kleenex were used last night. In the press conference one could feel the anticipation of Sunday's result as many wait to hear who this year's Idol will be.

After being asked about the talent now coming from the two Western Cape contenders, Gift responded by saying that "talent comes from everywhere, it depends how hard you look for it".

I asked Karin about her future, should she win, and the future of her son should the competition go either way. She replied: "It's not about winning, it's about living my dream."

She said that all she does now, and in the future will be in the interest of her son. He is only three and although he has no idea what his mom is achieving, he can say 'Idols'.

As for the two outvoted Idols, Nicky plans to move to Johannesburg and V is planning to give judge Dave Thompson from BMG/Sony a call today!

V commented that she couldn't have asked for a better person to go out with. Both Veronique's were asked who they would be vouching for this Sunday — and they said Gift.

ALEX LEIBNER

spends his time as an independent creative, producing 'Believe It Or Not' on Talk Radio 702/567 Cape Talk, working as a creative director for 'Vicious Delicious' on Channel Go, acting, being a self confessed brand junkie, writing for various media and, in his spare time, selling soap. Email Alex.

This coming Sunday will see the two finalists singing one of their chosen best songs, one of the judges favourites and both will be performing their individual winning songs — all original and both different.

Furthermore Anke and Heinz, past 'Idols' winners, will be performing as well. Voting for the Final had already opened, and will close "approximately an hour into the show on Sunday" — the exact closing time to be confirmed later this week.

As many might have picked up in the papers this weekend, 'Idols' judge Mara Louw will not return to the panel for another season. According to the official 'Idols' website, "news comes in the wake of the controversy she kick-started last week with her comments to V, an incident she says a friend refers to as 'Aikonagate'".

"The mass of complaints from irate fans — including accusations of racism — made it from this website's forums all the way to the Broadcasting Complaints Commission, who investigated and cleared her of any charges."

I think this shows the power of the Internet more than ever. Furthermore, the site seals Mara's future, "as the weight of criticism has caused Mama Mara to want to throw in the towel, and she has apparently informed M-Net bosses that she will fulfil her contract for this season but will not take part in Idols again".

"Despite an apology saying that she meant no offence and pleas from M-Net's Head of Local Programming, Carl Fischer, Mara says that nothing will convince her to return.

"Idols has been a pleasant journey," she told the paper. "But the past week has made the whole journey ugly. It’s so horrible. I feel sick about it."

Honestly, I never really got what Mara's contribution really was. She had no real value on the panel (much like some of the other judges) and I think a healthy change will be great for the show, should another season be on the cards.

Dave has a valued interest as he is the man who has to spend millions to make the chosen Idol a success, Randall as head of various public radio stations understands music on many different levels and knows that one of his stations might end up playing the winner's music.

However the rest have pretty much the same seat as many of us on our sofa's at home. The one plays music from a "pre-formatted" music list and the other one is a singer herself. I think you get my point in regards to true value.

This is it. The last week of Idols and then it's all over. The powers that be are not saying anything about another Idols happening next year. Will there be a silence before the storm? Keep singing in the shower, the car and the lounge. You never know when someone might say "the winner of Idols 4 is...!"