This weekend "The American Idol" finalists were in town rehearsing and filming. There may have even been some fun. Norm reports seeing Bucky Covington and Taylor Hicks at Rain (the hot nightclub at the Palms) on Saturday. Tuesday's Idol is going for a 50's theme. The specifics are hush-hush. But I hear rehearsals were being held on the Hilton's stage over the weekend with Hilton Headliner Barry Manilow probably offering some sage advice (his latest disc features---his first chart topper in decades--- songs of the 50's) to the finalists.

The next night, Wednesday, Manilow will actually be making an official guest appearance on "American Idol." Whoever wins the television show the experience is guaranteed to be priceless for Manilow. While a new hit album is one thing, Barry Manilow's appearance on America's most popular television show is going to mean some serious SoundScan for his entire back catalogue, especially if the contestants try their voices out on his old hits of the 70s on Wednesday. Not only that, it will also be great exposure for The Las Vegas Hilton that has been a major beneficiary of the Barry Manilow---dare I say---comeback.

A couple years ago I had a chance to talk  with Neil Sedaka backstage at the Orleans after he performed .He still seemed overwhelmed and touched by his experience as a guest on season two of the show. Sedaka told me he felt "American Idol" had brought his music to young people and it was the first time his sort of music had had access to the youth market since, well, the British Invasion. In fact, he seemed particularly enraptured with Clay Aiken and wanted to produce a record for him.

(photo by BRANIMIR KVARTUC/AP)