X Factor wraps up
Here we are, about to crown the winner of The X Factor’s 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 night’s final two-hour performance episode followed by Thursday’s similarly lengthy grand finale featuring performances by boy band One Direction and rapper Pitbull.
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.
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 Stetson as if it were attached at birth. A winning formula when it comes to the cowpoke vote.
Fifth Harmony: Team, Simon Cowell; Age, 15-19. Predicted finish: third. This cutesy girl group slipped through last week, shockingly landing a spot in the finals over boy band Emblem3 (Fox, CTV — 9 p.m.)
We can’t think of a better event to send off the year of Honey Boo Boo than the 61st annual Miss Universe competition. (NBC — 9 p.m.)
Katie Couric has her own take on all things 2012 in The Year With Katie Couric. From celebrity scandals to Buckingham Palace baby news, Couric tackles it all in this 90-minute special. (ABC — 10:30 p.m.)
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 Derren Brown: Apocalypse. (Space — 7 p.m.)