(Don't forget to take my poll on Elliott's new teeth and Kellie's new breasts. Click here!)
Analysts will rush to explain why Melinda's bid to be our next American Idol faltered tonight. But the dust needs to settle before we truly understand what went wrong.
Was it her age?
Was it what many called her fake surprise look from earlier in the season?
Was it her neck - or what some uncharitably called her lack of a neck? (Her purported necklessness was never verified by medical professionals. Her haircut in fact may have been to blame for a simple misperception.)
OR ... Was it her polish? Was Melinda too classy for America?
As evidenced by the videotaped homecoming, Melinda was indeed the most poised - and this may have been a liability in an America that demands that we let it all hang out.
Jordin wept throughout her homecoming as if she'd just returned from a POW camp. (The way she clutched her best friend Bailey, you'd think the two were sisters reunited after, say, the fall of the Berlin Wall.) Blake's homecoming was equally showy. His father, clearly an emotional dependent, cried that he'd lost his own parents as a boy; that Blake's success was some consolation for his own hardship.
Melinda was more self-possessed, dignified. She teared up, yes, but she kept it together, thanking her friends from Belmont. They thanked her for all she'd done. (Charity work? We don't know. Melinda's not the type to boast.) We've known for some time that Melinda's close to her mother. She's never mentioned her father. And yet her dad Steve was included (awkwardly) in several shots, Melinda putting the best face on what is likely a very uncomfortable situation. That's what modest, discreet people do.
And for this the American people punished her.
***
Other things I noticed:
Jordin's high school is Sandra Day O'Connor HS. Ironic since O'Connor was the critical swing vote in the Supreme Court's deliberations on abortion over the last 20 years. Now Jordin is in danger of being engulfed by the issue.
As much as I like Elliott Yamin - I endorsed his AI bid last year - I don't like his new teeth. But I don't mind the whole look. Almost a young Bob Dylan. Elliott is personally unassailable, as far as I'm concerned. Pure goodness.
Mo Rocca has appeared on a bunch of shows, including 'The Daily Show,' 'I Love the 80s,'...
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Melinda's Demise: Too Classy For America?
Posted May 17th 2007 12:09AM by Mo Rocca
Filed under: American Idol, Melinda Doolittle, Jordin Sparks, Blake Lewis, Abortion
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Reader Comments ( Page 2 of 9)
16. I was very disapointed that Melinda lost last night. I know the young girls love Blake but Melinda was the best by far. It not the first time the best was voted off like Clay Aiken lossing to Ruben. I feel the judged should have more say. I'm not sure if I will watch the finals
Marlene Valentin at 10:17AM on May 17th 2007
17.
MELINDA SHOULD HAVE AT LEAST MADE IT TO THE FINALS. THE SHOW CAN IMPROVE BY HAVING THE PANEL HAVE A 50% SHARE OF THE VOTE. SOMETIME I THINK THIS IS A GIANT SCAM BETWEEN AMERICAN IDOL AND THE PHONE COMPANIES, WHY WOULD THEY ALLOW MULTIPLE VOTING?
tony at 10:22AM on May 17th 2007
18. I feel bad Melinda got sent home, out of the 3 finalists she deserved the title. She was a background singer who could never get in the spotlight, and just as she almost made it to the top she got sent home. Hopefully she has a wonderful career ahead of her!
jason at 10:37AM on May 17th 2007
19. I watch AI to enjoy the gifts that God gave these young people. Each & every one of them have given us 100% & NONE deserve the negative feedback shoveled on them week after week. If its not the judges, its the media or BLOGS. Melinda should have never been allowed to participate since she has been performing as a professional back up singer for years. Her voice coach has been in CA with her during this AI Season & thats just wrong. I have changed my favorite a few times during the course of the AI weeks & that proves that there is alot of talent out there! Jordin and Blake have been voted as the #1 & #2 Idols and WE put them there. Quit complaining! I am pulling for Jordin, however, I will not be dissapointed if Blake wins, they both a superior!
cindy baker at 11:01AM on May 17th 2007
20. I'm buying Melinda's CD when it comes out (and we know there will be one!)
Girl can SING!!
Lilly at 5:04PM on May 18th 2007
21. Melinda was the hands-down winner in terms of talent. This result was disgusting. The American people just can't seem to get it right. They vote on superficial, meaningless things, rather than on substance. That is also why we are in such a mess as a nation!
Mary Ann at 11:24AM on May 17th 2007
22. Come on....... Melinda was more sophisticated and "Dignified" Because shes way older!!!! And the thing you said about Jorden hugging her bff. Shes a teenage girl. She missed her bff.Whats wrong with that? Obviously we can so that you are an idot and don't know anything. You can be the next american idot!!!!
rah47421 at 11:32AM on May 17th 2007
23. Am I the only one that's glad she went home? Seriously... SO unoriginal. I hope Blake wins this year so that we can have some music that DOESN'T fade into the MoR "Lite Rock" soundscape of trite, overproduced CRAP.
Bre at 11:50AM on May 17th 2007
24. Don't get me wrong, I think Melinda is a great singer but I don't see her as "star" material in terms of the winner of AI. Fantasia won but where is she now? That is where I put Melinda. A great singer but not one that will grab peoples attention down the road. And Jennifer Hudon made it big on teh big screen but she hasn't pulled off much more than that. So maybe she belongs in the movies and maybe that is where Melinda belongs as well.
Karin at 12:00PM on May 18th 2007
25. Melinda was definitly the best singer but she is not what we think of when you say Amercan idol. Maybe its her look(she looks old) or her surprised look all the time. Kids who vote are going to vote for a younger more pop kind of singer. It will be Jordin.
alison at 11:49AM on May 17th 2007
26. Melinda is a GREAT singer. Do I like her style? Not really - and I still say she's a great singer. Who would I buy a CD from - probably Jordin. And remember, all of the previous contestants who were voted off had people voting for them and then they had to switch who they now liked - so all of Chris's, Lakisha's and Phil's votes had to go somewhere and I guess they didn't go to Melinda. She'll do fine anyway - I think the three finalists were great and they all have a different style. It all depends on whose style your prefer.
Sue at 11:56AM on May 17th 2007
27. Ok here's the deal, Melinda should never have gotten voted off! Clearly Idol is NOT about the best vocalist. Jordin's voice does nothing for me. Her range is minimal,and she is really trying to work this 17 year old angle. I am sure she is closer to 18. Blake has been my favorite male and I am giving all my votes to Blake as are my friends who was pissed at how Melinda was given the ax. I am finished with Idol from this point on and hope it does not come back on. This was a lousy season, especially when Sanjaya was in the top 10 and better singers left. In these cases the judges and producers should have the "Power" to "override or veto" these lousy results. I knew AI was in trouble when the so called funny clips of hopefuls wasn't very funny! Good luck Melinda and Great luck to you Blake!
tajapreshus at 2:53PM on May 17th 2007
28. Melinda has a beautiful voice but little or no personality or charisma. Add that to the fact that Simon blessed her - there was NO way she was going to win. While some keep maintaining American Idol is a singing contest....it ain't!!!! I think people vote for everything BUT the best voice....
sioux at 12:16PM on May 17th 2007
29. Melinda, if you read this, maybe you should have also mentioned Tulsa, OK a few times. They were really pulling for you.
c.l.brown at 2:43PM on May 18th 2007
30. I will not watch American Idol next season. This is supposed to be a singing competition, however the best singers have not made the final for the past three years. Wake up America. I know we can do better. Melinda desrves a good break and is also a great singer, not a background singer.
Charles Sharp at 12:27PM on May 17th 2007