Talk about taking a chance and risking meeting your Waterloo.

When I saw that Australian Idol was doing an Abba special on Sunday night, I couldn’t help thinking: “Mamma Mia, here we go again”.

Surely asking a bunch of young wannabe Australian pop stars to sing covers of tracks by one of the best-known and most popular bands of all time would be a recipe for disaster?

Well, unlike many viewers (in my office, at least), I was pleasantly surprised by some of the performances.

Roshani’s caberet-style version of Money, Money, Money was one of my picks of the night and I’m not sure what the show’s fans were thinking by letting her languish in the bottom three on last night’s show. (C’mon Aussies, c’mon … you’d evict a girl in a red corset?)

Thanh also finally hit his straps with a heartfelt take on The Winner Takes it All, and Sophie turned the disco classic Gimme Gimme Gimme into a folksy number.

Sure, there were a few bombs, but it wasn’t the bloodbath this Abba fan was expecting.

I recall panning last year’s Idol for its lack of excitement and the constant bickering between the judges. Well, this year’s series is a different beast all together.

For a start, the focus seems to be more on the contestants than the judging panel – Mark Holden and his “touchdowns” have gone, Dicko appears to have mellowed somewhat, and the eternally aggravating Kyle Sandilands seems to have found a prescription for pleasant pills.

To call Idol 2008 “exciting” would be something of an exaggeration (and it is early days yet), but at least the wannabes are a diverse bunch and certainly can’t be criticised for their lack of talent or willingness to express their own personality and style.

Personally, I think it’s worth tuning in each week just to see sheep shearer Luke Dickens and hear his “I just drank a bottle of Beam and smoked a carton of Winnie Reds” voice.

Dicko’s description of the Queenslander’s rendition of Knowing Me, Knowing You as “like Abba meets Wolf Creek” was spot-on ... but I’ve got a soft spot for the Ocker larrikin no matter what he sings.

Apparently I’m not the only one because he avoided the bottom three once again this week, with Madam (maybe she should have been wearing the red corset) Parker sent home for her unenthusiastic rendition of the gay anthem Dancing Queen.

So who should be the winner and take it all in Idol ’08? Well, heck mate, I’m still cheering for that shearing fella.

- SUZANNE KEEN

What do you think of this season’s Australian Idol and who do you want to win? Do you think the contestants should be allowed to sing what they want each week, rather than being restricted to a certain style?