Phil Stacey: Made in America ... Plus: Melinda's Conundrum

Mo Rocca has appeared on a bunch of shows, including 'The Daily Show,' 'I Love the 80s,'...

Mo Rocca Feed

Phil Stacey: Made in America ... Plus: Melinda's Conundrum

Posted May 2nd 2007 11:39PM by Mo Rocca
Filed under: Pop Culture, TV, American Idol, Melinda Doolittle, Jordin Sparks, LaKisha Jones, Chris Sligh, Gina Glocksen, Simon Cowell, Blake Lewis, Chris Richardson, Phil Stacey

Before tonight I'd grown weary of the American Idol death ritual: the Video Obit of the "journey" beginning with the contestant looking pallid and pimply (i.e., pre-makeover), singing a capella at the first audition... Simon looking pensive, maybe saying something cryptic before announcing "Welcome to Hollywood" ... then a tedious sequence of celebrity mentor hugs. (J. Lo really put on her best big sister act with all the embracing. Tony Bennett, not surprisingly, came off the most genuinely, with a dignified handshake for the men, hug for the women.)

All set to the overwrought "I'm Going Home." (The cruelest joke that could be played on me posthumously would be playing that song at my funeral. I'm amending my will to stipulate that there will be no Chris Daughtry music at my memorial.)

The group hug at the end of the song that the terminated contestant is forced to reprise is equally cloying, along with the declarations of lifelong friendship among the survivors. Give me a break. After this summer's tour, they'll all be at each other's throats. Chris and Blake will be battling over the same tween groupies. Chris Sligh will reconnect with his Bob Jones fundamentalist past and start relentlessly proselytizing, determined to "save" Sanjaya. A desperate Haley Scarnato will try to sleep with Clive Davis. And the constant crying of LaKisha's baby Brionne on the tour bus will only ratchet up the stress. (Will AI provide an au pair for Brionne? LaKisha should start lobbying now.)

Some AI deaths are better than others, of course. Sanjaya's weeping was a sweet reminder of his youth. The tortured Gina Glocksen, on the other hand, practically had to be dragged from the premises, as if a grave mistake had been made. (I was reminded of Susan Hayward strapped into an electric chair for a crime she didn't commit in "I Want To Live.")

But tonight's first AI passing was special. Phil Stacey went out with more than class.

At a time when America is held in such low esteem around the world, he reminded me of what's right about America. His Video Obit showed his sincerity, his goofy sense of humor and his commitment to family. The shot of him gazing at his newborn daughter McKayla was lovely.

But it was his reprise of "Blaze of Glory" that endeared him to me for good. The excess of the song and his over-the-top performance seemed so right tonight - so unafraid, strong, American. He was in full voice, striding though the crowd shaking the hands of strangers, graciously thanking the judges, then joining with his two Navy buddies. This moment of devotion to friends and country was perhaps the most moving, matched only by the quiet dignity of his reunion with Kendra. Readers of this blog know that Kendra is my favorite AI spouse. She's always reminded me of Donna Reed. (The Donna Reed of "It's A Wonderful Life", not the prostitute in "From Here To Eternity".) Throughout this season, Kendra has been a pillar of strength for Phil but also a reality check. Her gentle smile was constant, regardless of Simon's criticism. The smile said it all: Phil and I have our whole lives ahead of us. This is merely one chapter.

There was nothing weepy, histrionic, mawkish, or self-indulgent about Phil's departure from this AI world. It was Phil Stacey to the end, reporting for duty.

A Parisian would mock Phil for his lack of irony. He would sneer at Phil's straight-arrow notion of manliness. But truth be told, that Parisian would envy Phil's fearlessness.

***

Now that Melinda has dropped her "Who, me?" shy act, we've come to see another side of her: a grown woman with a sense of humor. Her interaction with Jon Bon Jovi (who, it should be noted, wore way too much makeup) was a conversation between equals. She talked shop with him and laughed about her inexperience as a rocker. She is, after all, an accomplished professional with a long history as a backup singer.

And therein lies her problem. Her surprised act was never that convincing but it was a crafty (and necessary?) ploy to appeal to younger voters. (Jordin, on the other hand, is truly young and fresh. This experience really is new to her.)

I happen to like the real Melinda. But what about the rest of America?

Permalink
Email this
Linking Blogs
Comments [33]
Share this
- Add this post to...
- Netscape
- Digg
- Del.icio.us

Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 3)

| 1 | 2 | 3 | Most Recent | Next 15 Comments

1. Melinda Doolittle news I tune song will be release on February 12,2008

Louise at 7:48AM on Feb 9th 2008

2. neHello. I found Britney Spears Nude video :) Enjoy..
..
http://sexy-tube-world.net/view.php?Britney_Spears_Nude
..
..

jmifudymnr at 10:22AM on Jan 24th 2009

3. yeah I like Melinda now that she dropped the act. I liked her "Have a nice day" performance. Well, I'll also say I like who the final four are. Blake? I dont know but maybe it'll come down to Melinda and Jordin.(im voting for Jordin) but I was just saying. Either way their going on tour and getting a record deal. Is winning the title everything? Look at Chris and Katharine. Kellie Pickler is doing alright for herself, even Bucky is starting out. Really its about making it to the top 12 and everything after that is just exposure.

MrsMoRocca at 1:38AM on May 3rd 2007

4. Mo, as much as I enjoy you on Countdown with Keith, I think you need to know that Phil Stacey's "glorious" leaving should not be overshadowed by his family bonding photos. You must not have seen the MySpace photos Kendra posted of his children drinking alcohol. Just ask Keith...he has known for quite some time now and so has Maria, the Idol Princess. I'm afraid that may have cost Mr. American Idol Daddy a place on the stage with that backstory. He isn't the goody two shoes he leads you all to believe. Goodbye, Phil and Good Riddence. You fooled the public long enough about your parenting skills.

Anonymous at 6:01AM on May 3rd 2007

5. Well to Anonymous, you should really look up your facts befor you start posting things up about people and their families!!!!
If you look at her Myspace page it very clearly says that they were drinking NONALCOHOLIC cider.
I don't know whay anyone would want to post negative things up about people and their children. What you should do is grow up and get a life of your own!!!!!!!

Tiff at 8:52AM on May 3rd 2007

6. I feel like Phil has a better chance of going forward when all the dust settles from this season. He's made alot of fans and I agree with the Judges that he's got BIG promise in the Country market.

He was the first I was sorry to see go. I never watched the show until this season and after a while he was the guy I looked forward to seeing. I don't care if he's this ultra nice guy all I care about is that he performs well while conducting himself with class and grace.

Jerry at 9:25PM on May 3rd 2007

7. Melinda's "little ol' me?" act was truly painful to watch - and it was made even more painful by her really very good performance of "Have A Nice Day" this week. In her meeting with Bon Jovi (who took himself WAAAAYYY too seriously)she again pretended that this whole music business-thing is so scary and new to the extent that she even needed clarification on "how does that rocker-devil-sign go?" only to come out and give the best performance of the night - complete with stage moves that were much better than anything Jon Bon Jovi has ever pulled off - and its HIS song! Melinda, you've got a great voice and stage presence, please stop insulting the intelligence of the viewing public and just shine as the great peformer you are.

forcedtowatchidol at 10:32AM on May 3rd 2007

8. What's said in this article about Melinda and Jordin is just plain silly-willers. Melinda has been a truly humble person throughout the competition. Even if she has had experience in the industry, or if she was seen comfortably talking shop with Bon Jovi, it doesn't mean that she was putting on some "Who me?!" act. Don't forget also, Jordin has plenty of industry experience - she recently toured with Michael W. Smith, who is a nationally renown Christian artist. Oh yes, Jordin has had her share of playing packed out arenas. Is Jordin's humility an act also? Sheesh-o-rama. What is up with sensationalist journalists nowadays? It's like they try to paint the worst in people.

fork608 at 11:48AM on May 3rd 2007

9. I am so BORRRRREEEEED BY MELINDA>
Sure, she can sing, but what a boring boring boring personality.
Hope they get rid of her soon.

really cannot abide melinda at 1:02PM on May 3rd 2007

10. I like Melinda alot.I have to vote for my hometown girl Lakisha. She has some pipes on her.

redd2302 at 2:29PM on May 3rd 2007

11. Melinda is the winner hands down, the best out of all of them. Jordin isn't really that talanted. Randy is blind to her performances recently. I think it is a move to have a Latino/minority win Idol. Look at last year and who won. I see he is doing soo well..not! He was pathetically untalented.

juicey at 2:36PM on May 3rd 2007

12. oh my god!!!! melinda is the winner, and the person who is bored by her you probably couldnt sing for the life of you!!!!!!!!! I HATED THIS ARTICLE!!!!!!! IT SAID COMPLETELY UMTRUE THINGS ABOUT ALL THE CONTESTANTS!!!!!!!!!!

Kim at 4:19PM on May 3rd 2007

13. I think it's terrible that people assume that Melinda is "pretending" to be humble just to do well. Last year, Kathryn almost won and she didn't try to act all bashful at all the compliments she received. It is actually possible that there are people left in the world who do not believe in behaving as though they know they are the best in the world. Melinda is incredible and her talent is shown when she performs. Her personality is sweet. Whether that's who she truly is (and I believe it is, 150%) she's the best singer of the season and it would be terrible to see her not win just because people who don't know her decide that they think she's acting.
This was my top 4 pick the day the top 12 were announced. All 4 of them have careers. So I'm happy.

corky at 4:25PM on May 3rd 2007

14. I LIKE MELINDA, COME ON NOW THE GIRL CAN SING BUT MY VOTE IS FOR JORDON. SHE IS YOUNG AND A GREAT TALENT FOR SOMEONE JUST STARTING OUT WITH NO EXPERIENCE. CAN YOU IMAGINE HER AFTER A FEW YEARS. SHE WILL BLOW THEM ALL AWAY

mary_audette at 4:29PM on May 3rd 2007

15. Dude, mary_audette, you forget your casp lock was or something? Well, personally, I love Blake, think he's the best and hope for a Blake-Jordin finale two. As for Melinda, I think she /was/ genuinly surprised, but yeah, it got old. She's a goos singer but not my style. Ain't rock enough, though I was jealous when Bon Jovie told she she 'just joined the band'. Still, Blake all the way, baby! Rock On.

Kelsey at 4:52PM on May 3rd 2007

| 1 | 2 | 3 | Most Recent | Next 15 Comments

Add your comments

Please keep your comments relevant to this blog entry. Email addresses are never displayed, but they are required to confirm your comments.

When you enter your name and email address, you'll be sent a link to confirm your comment, and a password. To leave another comment, just use that password.

To create a live link, simply type the URL (including http://) or email address and we will make it a live link for you. You can put up to 3 URLs in your comments. Line breaks and paragraphs are automatically converted — no need to use <p> or <br> tags.

Mo's Video

The Sound of a Smoke-Free Barack...
Almost two years ago we speculated on how Barack Obama's voice would change if he stopped smoking. ...

Coming Soon

Most Commented On

Coming Soon

Mo's Bio

Mo Rocca appears on a bunch of shows, including CBS News Sunday Morning (with the indescribably wonderful Charles Osgood), The Tonight Show on NBC, and NPR's Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me! He's a sometime judge on Iron Chef and was featured on Telemundo's Amore Descarado. Last year he starred on Broadway in the 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. His expose "All the President's Pets" was published by Crown in 2004.