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May 15, 2007: "Do or Die for the Final Three"
As we wind down to the last few shows of Season 6, excitement is in the air. Each of the three final contestants has a shot at stardom, and will have a decent career whether they win this thing or not. This week, the final three each sang three songs — songs picked by the judges, the producers and the contestants themselves, and running the musical gamut from the old to the new. (By the by, I love Paula’s hair!)
The Jordin Show
Simon chose “Wishing on a Star” by Rose Royce, and Jordin did a fine job. The judges thought she “sang it brilliantly,” but Simon didn’t like the “weird jazz arrangement.”
The producers chose “She Works Hard for the Money” by Donna Summer. Jordin sounded great — but there was no "wow" factor for me. “You [are] working it out up there!” shouted Randy. Paula thought Jordin “worked hard for the money,” and Simon found it a “very good performance.”
Jordin chose “I (Who Have Nothing)” by Shirley Bassey. It was phenomenal the first time she did it, so I would say probably a good choice to kick her through to the finale. This is her song. Chills. Randy thought it was her “best performance of the night." Simon “hated the fact she was singing a 60-year-old song.” And once again told this hip young thing she sounded “old fashioned.”
Overall rating: pretty darn good. The finale? Please, come through.
The Blake Show
Paula chose “Roxanne” by The Police. What was up with his dorky sweater vest? This song deserves more than that sweater. He rushed the song and the tempo was too fast. I was thinking, “Please go home, already.” Randy thought it was “hot.” Paula thought he was “fantastic and fresh.” Simon thought it was a good choice of song and emphasized, “It was good, it wasn’t great.”
The producers chose Maroon 5’s “This Love.” (They’re on the show tomorrow.) It was a pretty good showcase for Blake’s particular style. Randy advised that when Blake makes his record, he should cover that song, or at least songs of that ilk. Paula told Blake he was “totally in [his] element." Simon actually liked it!
Blake chose “When I Get You Alone” by Robin Thicke (the guy who just a few short weeks ago was rubbing himself inappropriately on this family show). For me, it was just OK, though I can appreciate that he is entertaining. However, as this is a singing competition — and I’m not letting anyone down here — Blake is not the best singer. I think he would be better suited to make records his own way and not be hampered by the directives of the American Idol conglomerate. Randy and Paula blew some smoke, and Simon really liked it and respected Blake because he didn’t “play it safe," and took risks and had fun.
Prediction: In the words of Peter Gabriel, “My heart going boom, boom boom. Pack your things, I’ve come to take you home."
Drum roll, please, Ms. Melinda’s in the house.
Randy chose “I Believe in You and Me” (and everyone we know) by Whitney Houston — nothing like a really difficult song for our star contestant. Did anyone else hear her call Randy “Randy Johnson.” That was funny. Then I got chills on the first note, and on each successive one. Melinda is a consummate pro, probably the best this show has ever seen. Randy wanted to challenge her with Whitney, “You blew it out the box — very well done." Gushed Paula: “You were fantastic, amazing and [it was] one of your best performances this season.” Simon thought it was her “best [performance] in the last four weeks. Round one goes to Melinda!”
The producers chose Ike and Tina Turner’s “Nutbush City Limits” — great choice!! Much better outfit! Loved it!!! “Stellar performance,” gushed Randy. Paula brought, “We love you, we love you and we love you.” Simon said he loved to see that side of her, adding, “another brilliant performance."
Melinda chose “I'm a Woman.” (What happened with the words in the second line?) It was a perfect song for her — she’s so sassy! Randy loved “seeing the range of Melinda; you could sing the phone book.” Paula admired her “stepping out into the spotlight." Simon, ever the dirty old man, leered: “Melinda, loved the striptease."
Prayers for Melinda? Hopefully Simon sealed her fate when he said, “If I’m going to award a place in the finals [for someone] who’s consistently delivered week after week, it’s you."
It is going to be a very close call. If it were up to me, Melinda and Jordin would be the two in the finale. That said, I'm keeping the ladies and kickin' Blake, (and his sweater vests) to the curb.
While you're waiting for the results show, check out these cool Idol vids on our Online Video Guide!
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May 16, 2007 2:50 AM
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I was really impressed tonight. I would really like to see Melinda and Jordin in the finals also. I thought Blake sounded great with the 2nd song, ok on the 3rd (enough w/the beatboxing already) and did not like the Police cover. I too got chills during Melinda singing Whitney. She's fantastic!
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May 16, 2007 3:01 AM
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I thought it was a very good night for the 3 contestants. All of them did well.
Jordin-Unfortunately I missed her first song. So I don't know how she did there. The other 2 songs were done well. She does have a good voice and a good stage presence. I did like her third song better this time than the last time. Not sure why, but she always cracks me up when she is up there with Ryan. I just laugh when she does the finger numbers and acts like she is texting. She has a good personality and seems grounded for her age.
Blake-Nice night for him. I understand what Simon was talking about when he did the Police song. It did seem like he was trying to sing it a bit like Sting. Even Sting can't sing the song like that as evidence by the Grammy performance. Still a nice job. I am in total agreement with Randy on the Maroon 5 song. I thought it was his best performance of the competition. He should go in that direction when he releases his new album. And it was his best use of the beat boxing. Not too much, but added a little something to the song. He also did well with the R. Thicke song. Not as good as the 2nd song, but still stellar. Nice reference of Peter Gabriel Paula. That song takes me back.
Melinda-First of all, the Tenn. governor was the one who said "Randy Johnson" mistakenly and then corrected himself. Melinda I think was having a little fun with the governor by saying it again. She was great again tonight. Best singer in the competition. Simon is correct in saying she has been the most consistent week after week. She did the Whitney Houston song proud. I loved the Ike and Tina Turner song. She does have a lot of Tina Turner in her with her mannerisms on stage and singing voice. And she ended the night well with her third song.
I thought Melinda might be in danger this week. I don't feel that way now. Especially with the Simon endorsement. So I agree with Randy and Paula the blogger in predicting a all woman final. Blake did well tonight, but the other 2 are just better singers.
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May 16, 2007 3:23 AM
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Blake is my personal favorite - I like his style of music best. Having said that, I understand that as pure singers, Jordin and Melinda are better and deserve to be the final two.
If Melinda trots out her inner Tina Turner/Gladys Knight in the finals, she will win it all.
I don't think Jordin has found her best style yet - she's all talent and personality at this point.
Blake, like Chris Daughtry, will do better with producers other than the American Idol team. He will win by not winning AI. He won't be as big as Melinda or Jordin, but he'll do well in his niche.
I love how he mixes rap, beat boxing, pop, and sound effects all together. I loved the clip in Seattle with Sir Mix-a-lot and would have enjoyed watching them do the entire song together.
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May 16, 2007 3:56 AM
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I thought Jordin and Melinda were fantastic. I didnt know or remember that the last song that Jordin sung she performed before. But either way, she did fantastic on it this time around. Melinda Melinda....I have a feeling that she is going to be voted off tonight. And if she does....she would do fantastic without winning ai. Just as Clay, Jennifer, and Chris d.
I agree with you speedy1383 about his beatboxing it wasnt over done, but it was just enough. But I am still getting sick and tired of it. I wasnt thrilled with his performances in the first place. And Im ready for him to go.
Bottom line I would love to have another top 2 all girl finale(the last one was with Fantasia and Diana s3)...but like I said before I have a feeling that Melinda would be voted off.
Paula I did hear Melinda call Randy, Randy Johnson. At first I thought I heard wrong...but im glad that I didnt. Plus I thought music mogul Clive Davis was going to be on tonight. He has been on for the past 3 seasons.
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May 16, 2007 4:33 AM
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I agree with other posters that Melinda and Jordin are the better singers. I had hoped Blake would have been gone before LaKisha. That being said, I'm more than ready for him to be gone. I frankly can't see many risks he's taken. I would love for him to sing anything that he can't butcher with beat/box. He has one style and most everything sounds alike, thereby making him one-dimensional. I had a real problem with Simon's assessment of Jordin's performances, especially centered around his comment about her being 17 and singing a 60-year-old song. Why then did he choose a 30-year old song by Rose Royce for her to sing? By his comments, was he in some way trying to sabotage her chances, by steering voters away from her, thereby leading to a Melinda/Blake finale? It's no secret all three judges want Melinda to win, so it would stand to reason that they would want the weaker singer in the finale, which indeed would be Blake. Seventeen or 27, Jordin is the most marketable singer in the competetion and best personifies the type person you think of winning American Idol. I am usually in full agreement with Simon, but I thought his remarks left no doubt he doesn't want Jordin in the finals with his beloved Melinda.
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May 16, 2007 5:01 AM
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I thought Jordin did great on her first and last songs, but Donna Summer was meh. Blake was meh on his first song, outstanding with the Maroon 5 song, and pretty good on the last song. He's the most "contemporary" and probably best performer of the three, but the weakest voice. Melinda sounded good on the first two songs, but the last song she seemed lost at the beginning, but got better. At the end of the day, Blake will most likely go home. I hate that there are "insiders" reporting that Blake had already been "chosen" by the producers to go home...even before they actually sang last night. Probably 85% of people discussing AI had predicted that he would be the next to go, even before last night, and none of us are "insiders." I think it's just rabble rousers trying to discredit the show.
Anyway, I think Blake is more marketable than Melinda and will probably do ok outside the show. I still think Jordin will win as she also seems more marketable than Melinda, but we'll see. ~ÐL
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May 16, 2007 6:37 AM
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I don't think all of you are giving Blake enough credit. While Melinda and Jordin sang songs that they have already sung (for their choice) Blake learned a completely new song and actaully sang it better than Robin Thicke. His Maroon 5 song was by far one of the best songs that he has done and he a minimal beatboxing to it. I am not sure who I want in the final 2. I will be happy with any combo actually but based on the fact that Blake took bigger risks and learned 3 songs instead of 2...my votes went to Blake last night.
I still love Melinda but Jordin is starting to wear thin on me. I am getting tired of the cutesy faces and her cockiness is starting to show through. She almost reminds me of Katherine McPhee from last year.
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May 16, 2007 6:57 AM
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Since Melinda has been anointed by Simon ("my girl"), it would be interesting to see the impact on the voting. But what is up with her stylist? Most of her outfits look like stuff I bought from Zayre in the 60s and then decided they were too ugly to wear. Anyway, she is my pick to win. She has been consistently strong, she has range and personality, and it would be nice to have an Idol who is just a regular person. My spouse commented when Melinda was standing next to Ryan, "Man, her head is, like, twice the size of his."
Total agreement with the last poster who said Jordin is mostly looks and personality at this point and has yet to find her style. I think she has a bright future, but she is young and I think she peaked a couple of weeks ago.
Blake was good last night, as good as he's ever been, but he has a more defined style, and thus more limited appeal, than the girls. (Although my husband liked the Maroon 5 song, and they don't play Maroon 5 on the XM Radio 60's station.) Blake too has a bright future. Like Bo Bice and Chris Daughtry, it would not be the best thing for Blake's career to win American Idol. So buh-bye.
What is Bo Bice doing these days anyway? He has had a lot of freakish health problems.
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May 16, 2007 7:41 AM
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I guess I'm the only one, but I was a little disappointed in Melinda's first number. "I Beleive In You and Me" isn't a difficult song - as long as you don't try to out-Whitney Whitney. On paper (sheet music) it's actually a very simply melody, and I would have rather Melinda had sung it in a higher key (that was much to low for her in the beginning) and not do so many vocal "tricks". Jordin had just the opposite problem - she definitely should have kicked it up a notch on the Donna Summer tune. I don't know how much leeway the contestants have with the band arrangements, but I would have preferred a less dated sound. She and Melinda both nailed their other numbers. Blake was really good and I thought he had just enough of the beat box to remind us of his originality without overkill. But nothing about him really just makes me go "wow." He has a great voice - but to me he sounds like half a dozen acts already getting airplay. I agree with the posters who said that he will blossom out from under the wing of some mainstream producer and do his own thing.
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May 16, 2007 7:45 AM
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I'm a huge Blake fan. I tune in every week just to watch him sing. I can honestly say, without hesitation, that I won't bother to watch it next week if he's not on. Not out of protest, just because I'd be bored out of my mind. I know Melinda and Jordin can really sing but for some reason, no matter how much I want to, I just can't get excited by them. Blake brings something totally different to the show and I look foward to seeing what he's going to do every week.
That being said, I want him in the bottom two so that I get one more change to watch him do his thing next week but I absolutely don't want him to win this competition. I think he will make a much better album and have a much better career if he's able to stay true to his own style.
Someone earlier posted that they didn't think he'd be as big as Melinda or Jordin but he'd still be successful. I understand what they're saying, but I'm not sure I agree with it. I think he'll be much bigger. I definately think he's more marketable. After all, has anyone heard a hit single from Fantasia lately?
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May 16, 2007 8:40 AM
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Regardless of whether or not Melinda and Jordin are "better singers", I would never buy an album from either of them, but I will buy Blake's no matter what. I don't think Melinda and Jordin's styles appeal to most people.
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May 16, 2007 8:51 AM
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So, was Paula drunk last night? Her eyes (well, and the rest of her face) looked odd last night and she just didn't make a lot of sense. I know she and Simon were goofing off a lot, but she just seemed weirder than normal.
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May 16, 2007 8:51 AM
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I just want to add that I thought Jordin was doing great with Simon. But when Simon made a comment about a seventeen year old singing a sixty year old song and that bothered him, you could see she was ready with a retort and interrupted Ryan to say that Rose Royce was a thirty year old song. Simon does not seem to care for that type of disrespect.
Jordin used to stand there in the beginning of the season and say thank you no matter what the criticism would be, and I admired that about her and Molina ... now Jordin attempts to engage in banter, too comfortable.
Just my humble opinion, any more thoughts along this line?
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May 16, 2007 8:53 AM
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Aww Rushmore...you said Zayres! haha
But I also noticed Melinda's clothing...
and I am not impressed.
For me an American Idol should not only be able to sing, but also have stage presence, have style that reflects TODAYS society or a style that becomes a trend setter, and charisma that attracts all.
All 3 contestants can sing wonderfully, we all know this. We hear it every week. Debating it would be like comparing apples and oranges. They each have their own style, each a little different, but each has excelled.
I like all 3. No question.
So now, I am looking at the all around package. Not just the voice.
Who ever said something about Blakes sweater was right on. Although this type of dress fits in with some genres, he has to show some versatility. And he has not done this. Always off the beaten track just slightly. Not that it is a bad thing....but for American as a whole. Just a little too much.
Melinda is seriously like an old lady in a younger body. Evertime I see her, I think of my Grandma...and I AM a grandma.She sang "I'm A Woman" and her backup singers dressed for the part but she was washed out in the gray color. Wasn't she supposed to be in the spotlight? She sang TINA...she could have added just a little bit of sexy to it....
Jordin, she seems to have the whole package. A sense of style, a presence that commands the attention of everyone.
She is young, and with the right people, just like Carrie Underwood, she will succeed.
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May 16, 2007 8:55 AM
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