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« American Idol
May 16, 2007: Didn't See That Coming
Homer Simpson opened the show and wanted to know if he could still vote for Fantasia. "Who is heading for glory and who is heading home?" Just the way Ryan said that line made me worried. The problem was I didn’t want to wade through an hour of dreg to hear the final tally. I found it very hard to get through this show.
While waiting (im)patiently to hear the results, we were subjected to the following:
— A plug for the upcoming Idol tour.
— The emotional journeys back home for the final three.
— Haley, Brandon and LaKisha in the audience.
— Why are the challenges so stupid easy?
— Another Ford commercial.
— Elliot Yamin (See below.)
— Maroon 5 (What does that mean, anyway?)
— The continuous, drawn-out torture of the final three as Ryan read the judges' comments from the previous night and refused to tell them how America voted in order to build anticipation. (Which in my case was already so built up, I thought I might have a heart attack – please, get on with it! I can’t take the suspense!)
Elliot Yamin arrived with a lot more hair (a tribute to Sanjaya?). Somewhere between last year and this performance, he grew out his hair and he got his teeth fixed. Was he keeping his eyes closed because his bangs were too long? Or was he just really feeling the music? It looked like he got dressed with his eyes closed, too. (It was a little sloppy, that’s all I’m saying.) However, he has a nice voice and I liked his song.
Maroon 5 performed as well, and what can I say? The lead singer is a cross between David Bowie and Dave Gahan (the lead singer of Depeche Mode). That being said, if they are as huge as they are, Blake’ll go far.
Finally, Ryan gathered the final three to center stage and brought Jordin up front, only to grant her the safety she so rightly deserved. Then it was Melinda’s turn. She had such a look on her face, I was terrified for her. Ryan told her that after the nearly 60 million votes, there had not been enough to keep her in the competition. She didn’t look shocked for the first time in the whole competition.
So, Blake is in the finale. I was sideswiped for an instant, because I really thought Blake would be sent back to Bothell. Frankly, I think it’s the judges' fault: Melinda got way too much kudos from the judges last night. I think sometimes people are turned off by that; or just the opposite, they assume everyone else will vote for the person and they can vote for someone else.
I think I said early on that there was a chance Melinda wouldn’t make it through to the finals, and it wouldn’t be based on her ability — because she’s got that in spades — but because she didn’t quite have the Idol image. I think either Jordin or Blake fits the ideal more easily. At any rate, Melinda will be successful, no matter what: She’s got the chops. I really got behind Simon’s parting remarks, “My commiseration to you, Melinda, because you are one heck of a singer.” Sadness ensues. I’m going to go download Melinda’s rendition of “How Can You Mend a Broken Heart” and cry myself to sleep.
POLL: How shocked are you by Melinda's exit? Vote here.
To watch the kids sing their songs, check our Online Video Guide.
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May 17, 2007 2:39 AM
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I love Blake and am glad he made the finals but even I was shocked. After Jordin went through first I wa positive Blake was going home. I guess people really did think Melinda was safe and so didn't vote as hard for her. I voted repeatedly for Blake and was sure the fac that I only got 2 or 3 busy signals meant he was in trouble.
I admit Melinda is talented. How ever I think Blake has more showmanship and is a better performer. Yes there i a differience between being a good singer and being a good performer. The best acts always do both well. Blake is the perfect blend.
Elliot Yamin was a mess in the looks department but I like his song. I can understand why Ryan said he no longer recognised Elliot.
Was there no group number tonight or did I just FF through it?
Jordin and Blake only got to meet the Mayor but Melinda was greeted by the govenor. I loved when she said it was Melinda Dolittle day so they would do what she wanted LOL that was cute.
Blake you are my boy but pick a hair color and stay with it. Enough highlights an blocks/chanks of color. You are not a skunk or a tiger your hair doesn't need stripes.
Next week should be very interesting and entertaining. I can't wait to see what the producers have in store maybe they each sing 4 songs next week.
What is going on with the song contest. weren't they supposed to annouce the top 5 this week. Also what happened to America booking the show by selecting our 5 favorite acts/songs from the billboard top 100?
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May 17, 2007 3:12 AM
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I'm stunned. How did this happen?
Blake is my personal favorite and I didn't think he had a snowball's chance what with all of the people bad mouthing his beat boxing. I'm sure next week, the same people will praise him for his originality.
Now I actually hope he doesn't win because he would need the strength of Superman to fend off the American Idol producers and imagemakers from turning him into a bland commercial product.
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May 17, 2007 3:21 AM
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Now I don't know who to vote for in the final! I need some commiseration time with Melinda. When's her CD coming out because I'm buying it?!
(I also loved Ryan reviewing last night's judges' comments and looking at Simon with a tisk-tisk stare everytime one of Simon's "bad arrangements" "not doing it for me" remarks was read back.)
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May 17, 2007 3:26 AM
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Well, I lied...not on purpose of course. Yesterday I said I would be happy no matter what the outcome as all three contestants have great talent. Truth is, I am beyond disappointed. In my opinion, Melinda belonged in the final and deserved to be the next American Idol. I could not disagree more about her performance style. She is almost as good a performer as a singer and certainly on par with the other two finalists (as a performer.) Granted, she does come across as more mature, which to some may be a negative. I am not going to sit here and irritate fans of the other two performers however. They both are very talented in different ways. I am not sure who I believe should have gone home, just not Melinda. Tirade over...maybe.
I need to stop watching Idol when it gets to the final 3. I thought Elliot was the best of the final 3 last year and was completely disinterested in the final show, though I did watch it as I had already invested time. Deja vu this year! Speaking of Elliot, I thought he looked and sounded pretty good; except maybe the disheveled clothing.
I will not be one of those people who will boycott the final because I did not get my way. I probably will not vote, but think either way, we will end up with a good AI. My guess is that Jordin wins it.
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May 17, 2007 3:41 AM
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I don't know why but Melinda to me doesn't have the it factor. She can sing for sure but she desn't capture my attention the way Blake does. Melinda has the pipes of a lead singer but even though she has grown leaps and bounds she still seems to have the stage presence of a back ground singer. I listen to her while mutlitasking but I watch Blake. Atleast this year one of my favs made the final 2.
I think Jordin and Blake are pretty evenly matched. I think it will really boil down to song choice and connectin with the audience. Anyone remember way back to season 1 when Kelly and Justin had to sing the same 2 songs along with their choice of previous song they had song during the season. The contestants these days have way more freedom and chances to wow the audiance during the finale(heck Justin and kelly didn't even get a live band they sang to tracks).
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May 17, 2007 3:51 AM
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I was worried last week that this would happen. Then I thought Melinda was going to pull through because of her performances on Tuesday and Simon's nod of approval. But it wasn't to be. I am certainly not going to boycott next week like a sniveling little child. Some of those comments if Blake left always cracked me up.
I think Melinda was hurt by several factors. Her fan base seemed to be older. The older AI fans don't vote as much as the younger ones. Like Phil, some people were turned off by her looks. That certainly played a factor. And she also seemed a bit old fashioned at times with the songs she sang and her dress. It really is too bad though. She can sing circles around either of the final 2. I didn't think she was going to win anyway, but I did think she was going to be in the finale.
Right now I believe it is Jordin who is in the driver's seat. She has the youthful fan base. She has a nice voice and a good personality. Jordin is the person that AI looks for every year. It is amazing that she isn't even old enough to vote. She does have a lot of poise for her age and likes to have some fun along the way. If she doesn't stumble badly, I feel she will come out on top.
Blake has a slight chance. He has the same fan base as Jordin. His biggest problem will be who Melinda's fans will go to. Judging by this board alone, I think it is safe to say they will go to Jordin. I wonder how he is going to approach next week. It is almost a certainty that he will beat box at one point during one or more of his songs. I would advise him to not overdo it. He did well this week because of that fact. If he throws caution to the wind and does extended beat boxing, he will lose. I have a very sneaky suspicion that he wouldn't mind losing. He has bitched and moaned about the restrictions of this show. He must know that it won't be any easier if he wins. It will be worse. He will be tugged every which way. If he loses, he might then have more freedom to do an album that he wants to do rather than an album dictated to him. Something to think about.
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May 17, 2007 3:52 AM
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Im alittle disappointed that Melinda isnt going to the finales. But I had a feeling awhile go that she wouldnt go to the finales. All of the good ones are voted off way to soon. Just like Tamara, Jennifer, Latoya, Mandisa, and Chris D. I feel that Melinda doesnt need to win this competition. She will do the same thing that Chris D is doing, out sale the winner of AI. I feel it in my bones that this is going to happen.
Just as the rest of you...I put the blame onto the judges. Espcially Simon. He made it known from day one that he wanted Melinda to win. He should of known better. And that is why he was in a bad mood. He knew that Melinda was going to be voted off.
Anyway I hope that Jordin wins. Even though Blake is from the same area that Im from I still want Jordin to win. Blake just turns me off for some strange reason. Plus when they showed clips of Blake's mom, did she resembled Rosanne alittle? Or was that just me.
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May 17, 2007 4:06 AM
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I loved Blake's dad, Dallas. but not enough to make me vote for Blake.
loved Simon's reaction to Elliot's song- he hated it. then he quickly said- just kidding, it was great! Simon is pretty much always right and Elliot's song was boring as hell. longer hair and new teeth still haven't done much for his looks, either.
I felt bad for Melinda but she may have a better career for not winning AI. I'll buy her album for sure.
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May 17, 2007 4:31 AM
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I honestly couldn't tell you what Blake's mom looks like they focused so much on dad and his tears.
Personally I prefer Blake to Jordin and this is from some one raised on country music who will be 31 next month and lives in IL in a town of 5000 people.
I think if Jordin sticks wih the older songs next week that Blae will win by a landslide. Jordin will bore the audiance while Blake will shock and awe the audience with his orgionality and versatality.
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May 17, 2007 4:36 AM
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Um...Am I the only one who caught Ryan saying that Melinda was going home went they went to commercial after Elliot Yamin sang? No wonder Melinda didn't look shocked at the end of the episode, she'd known for half an hour!
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May 17, 2007 6:16 AM
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Yesmydog - My son and I heard it too and both jumped up at the same time yelling, "What???!!!" I think the contestants heard it and also reacted. I didn't tape it, so I can't look back to see their reactions. After we calmed down we told ourselves that what he meant was that they would be showing Melinda's day at home. Never thought that Melinda would be going home last night, I think she's the most talented contestant I've ever seen on the show (but I admit I haven't watched from season 1 like so many).
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May 17, 2007 6:29 AM
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I knew Melinda was in trouble the moment I saw the review of Blake's day back home. All those sniveling, pre-teen girls beside themselves just to be in his presence. There's nothing so powerful as a little girl with a cell phone and parent who don't control the text messaging bill.
Melinda is too sophisticated of a performer for America to really appreciate. Here range of ability is amazing and the American Idol audience for the most part isn't capable of appreciating what she does or can do.
I'm surprised she made it as far as she did.
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May 17, 2007 6:41 AM
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I was shocked by Melinda getting the boot. She was by far the best singer and by far the most consistant overall.
I loved that Jordan sang "I who have nothing" again as it was my favorite performance of hers, it literally gave me the chills when she sang it.
I only really liked Blake's second song from Tuesday, the others where just ok. Blake has been very inconsistant but I think he is the best performer of the three that were left. "Time of the season" and "You give love.." were by far his best performances and probably my two favorite songs of the season, but he had a ton of other songs I didn't care for.
I hope Jordin wins, but no matter what they should all do well after the show.
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May 17, 2007 7:02 AM
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....'orry, y aw i ill lying on the living oom loor....
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May 17, 2007 7:12 AM
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