Can LI's Robbie Rosen get to 'Idol' finals

THE PROS

He's clearly talented. Judge Jennifer Lopez called him "one of the best singers we have" and judge Randy Jackson called him "a genius" for the way he combines pop and R&B and for the control he displays over his soulful voice.

He's young. Veteran "Idol" watchers have long pointed to how tween girls skew the show's voting until the finale, when a broader audience checks in. Rosen, the youngest guy left in the competition, fits nicely into the tween-beloved mold of "imaginary boyfriend" material that took David Archuleta and Kris Allen far.

He's versatile. From his YouTube videos, Rosen shows a mastery of all kinds of material, from rock to R&B, which will serve him well through "Idol" theme weeks.

THE CONS

He's a guy. It's no secret "Idol" producers would like a girl to win this year, since female artists currently do better on the pop charts. (Don't be surprised if all three wild cards end up being women.)

He's not from the South. Birmingham, Ala., has had two "Idol" winners - Ruben Studdard and Taylor Hicks - and New York (and all of the Northeast actually) has none. There are numerous theories on why that is, but regardless of which one you buy, the fact is Southerners have done way better on "Idol."

He's from New York. While other cities and regions will unite behind a single finalist, Rosen is one of four finalists from the area - with Karen Rodriguez, Pia Toscano and Rachel Zevita all looking to move ahead.