Idol Chatter & Voice Views

Adam Lambert and Kris Allen square off again Wednesday night.

The venue: The People’s Choice Awards (9 p.m., CBS).

The difference: This time, their biggest challenge might not be one another.

And, if you haven’t already voted, it’s too late to affect the outcome.

Kris and Adam are nominated in the Favorite Breakout Artist category for the awards show. Problem is, two of the other three nominees are Susan Boyle and Lady Gaga.

Boyle’s debut album has been number one on the Billboard 200 since it was released. Lady Gaga’s had two different versions of her “Fame” album on the same chart for most of December. Not to mention singles success pop artists dream about.

Kris? His debut single is stuck in the 30s. His album failed to crack the top 10.

Adam? He’s struggling to get a single to catch on. His album debuted at number three; now it’s number 29 on the Billboard 200.

So let’s just say that based on chart success, Adam and Kris shouldn’t be the favorites to win Wednesday night. Then again, this is the People’s Choice awards. Votes — cast by dedicated fans — count. Not album sales.

Kris and Adam aren’t alone among the Idol nominees. The other nominees include:

* Carrie Underwood as Favorite Female Artist, up against Beyonce, Britney Spears, Taylor Swift and Pink. Prediction: The award will go to Beyonce or Taylor.

* Carrie Underwood as Favorite Country Artist, up against Brad Paisley, Keith Urban, Rascal Flatts and Taylor Swift. Prediction. Brad or Taylor wins. Get used to it. Taylor’s going to win a lot of awards in 2010 that used to go to Carrie.

* Jennifer Hudson as Favorite R&B Artist, up against Alicia Keys, Beyonce, Usher, Mariah Carey. Prediction: Beyonce or Mariah wins.

* Daughtry as Favorite Rock Band, up against Green Day, Kings of Leon, Muse and Paramore. Prediction: Kings of Leon win.

* American Idol as Favorite Competition Show, up against Dancing with the Stars, So You Think You Can Dance, Survivor: Samoa and Project Runway. Prediction: Anyone but Idol, which botched its format for season eight.

Make sure to check back Wednesday night. I’ll be blogging live during the show and posting photos of all the Idols who attend.

Last year, Carrie snagged two awards, for Favorite Female Singer and Favorite Country Song (“Last Name”). And Jordin Sparks won in the Favorite Combined Forces category for her “No Air” duet with Chris Brown.