(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 4 of 9)
46. Idol will live on and remain popular, because it is a show that touches us, but it will suffer a loss in viewers in the future. This will not be because of daylight savings changing like they said this year, but people will see that the best singer will not win in the end, so they will watch, but not every night and religiously like in the past. Taylor Hicks was a performer, could sing, but was not even close to being the best singer or artist, last year. He will not sell CD's like the record company wants him to, not because he is a bad singer, but he does not have the "oomph", and star appeal that others did. Witness Jennifer Hudson. Sanjaya could sing, but was a lousy performer, (probably due to nerves affecting his voice), but he was kept on for the entertainment factor by the viewers. Winning Idol is becoming like the Sports Illustrated Curse, (appearing on the cover). In the future will contestants try to make the top 5 or 10, but do something on purpose to not win it? Jordon is a very good singer, but not great like Melinda. Blake's appeal with his beat box, and repetative dance, (slide), moves will wain after a while. I personally would arrange my schedule to make sure I did not miss Idol, but after last year's results, this year if I missed it it was no big deal. I would just check the results online. It's starting to become like boxing, you watched a fighter obviously win, but the judges came back with a split decision, giving the win to the guy you just watched not doing so well. After last year and this year, Idol has lost it's credibility as a contest for the best singer, one more season like this and they will never get it back.
Maurice at 2:15PM on May 17th 2007
47. Do I think Melinda has the best voice overall? Absolutely. However, it bugged me from the beginning that she was already a professional singer, albeit as a backup. She had an edge from the very beginning. She was used to the stage, to performing in front of large crowds, etc. She's phenomenal, but she's got no oomph. Blake and Jordin...they're fun. They engage with their audience on many levels, and that makes up for not having vocals as good as Melinda's. I'm pulling for Jordin, but wouldn't be disappointed if Blake won. I think the top 4 will do fine. As far as the tour...good luck to them. I wouldn't pay to see the top 10. I have heard better voices on karioke night at the bar. Ryan's slip? I don't think it was a slip. "Melinda will go home." They all went home. Was he implying something more than that? Probably, but I doubt it was a slip. Simon...is rude to the point of boredom. He makes a lot of money from this show, he might want to show a little interest.
Lynne at 2:18PM on May 17th 2007
48. Its simple,the reason she was let go is because she is a black woman.Before anyone gets their panties in a bunch,ask yourself this question and try to be honest.If she was a white woman and could sing that way would she have een voted off?
Derrick at 2:50PM on May 17th 2007
49. I don't watch the show. It sounds very popular. I might check it out next year.
Bill at 2:26PM on May 17th 2007
50. My phone has been jumping off the hook since the show last night. Everyone said they are done with America Idol and will never watch it again. It is just a lot of baloney. How can the best and most consistent singer be booted? Seacrest also made a big slip when he said just before the commercial break that Melinda was going home. After that slip, I refused to watch anymore. I knew what was happening. I know Seacrest doesn't like Simon and now he is smirking because Simon is in shock. But Simon put the jinx on Melinda by saying he would like to see her in the finals. Lots of people don't like him because he speaks the truth. Very outspoken. They probably did not vote for Melinda because of Simon. That was probably the best thing that could have happened to Melinda. She got the exposure now, and she is definitely well on her way. Look at Jennifer Hudson and others. Good luck Melinda and God bless.
Rosslett at 11:15AM on May 18th 2007
51. Jordan is a fresh new young star and isn't that what the show is about, finding new talent not seasoned talent. Melinda needed to go!!
Blake is great, but Jorday is the winner.
Karen
Karen at 2:44PM on May 17th 2007
52. I think that everyone forgets that the whole population votes on what they think is the best singer/performer. The contestant that makes you take notice and say, "I'd buy a CD done by him/her". Each of us has our own taste of what we like. Personally, I think Melinda is a fabulous singer, but I also feel that she comes across as older and sounds more old school like Gladys Knight/Tina Turner era. Frankly, I am 40 years old and enjoy that sound, but most of the viewers that vote and vote for the entire time period are younger viewers. Eventhough I enjoy Melinda, I like Jordin better. She is young and fresh and has the ability to be more versatile and appeal to more people and different genres. Just remember that this is only MY opinion, that everyone's vote matters, and this is all subject to "personal preference". Go Jordin!!
CS at 2:45PM on May 17th 2007
53. I won't be watching AI this coming Tuesday, either. I don't think Blake can send, but I think he has a lot of ego and believes he can. He tries too hard to be different and I don't think he has show-manship at all. Jordin is okay, but Melinda was the BOMB! She may not have shown much personality when she spoke, but she knew how to perform. That's how it is with gifted, talented and creative people. They are not always over bubbly, but soft and quiet. Although Melida has tremendous talent, I think she is kind of shy, humble and honest. She is not a pretend type of person (like some of the others) and she did show emotion, but she didn't boo-hoo-hoo like some people thought she should. It's a shame that people don't vote for talent anymore and don't know what true talent and ability is. That's why there are so many singers out there now that hurts the ears -- like Beyonce.
Sylvia at 3:14PM on May 17th 2007
54. Oh... I just remembered. On the View Rosie stated how much she liked Blake and asked the audience to vote for him. It reminded me of Howard Stern asking his listeners to vote for Sanjaya. This could be the reason why Melinda was voted off. My opinion is stars or well known people that have access to the media should refrain from sharing opinions on who they like; and they should stop asking their viewers/listeners to vote for their favorites. It has proven to be detrimental and unfair and greatly reduces that un-prefered individuals chances for a 'fair' chance. Personally, I can't stand to hear Blake sing and I have always turned away, gone to the ladies room or done something else when he was on. Good singers and music has truly gone by the wayside and people today wouldn't know talent if it came up and kicked them in the ....
Sylvia at 3:26PM on May 17th 2007
55. You were too talented, Melinda. I voted for you too. When you get that music contract and make your own songs. I will go to your concerts. I am done watching American Idol for this session.
lynn at 3:41PM on May 17th 2007
56. I NOW THINK IT WAS THE SIMON KISS!!!! THE VOTING FANS DIDN'T LIKE THAT.AND NOW JORDIN SHOULD WIN. SHE IS YOUNG AND THIS WILL BE A GOOD START FOR HER,RIGHT? OK.
anniecebell2 at 3:55PM on May 17th 2007
57. People's views of talent changes over the years, so that just makes it more controversial for us when we say who is more talented....and, for me, American Idol isn't any less enjoyable when my top picks do not make it in the final two or final three. I love seeing brave and talented people go out on a limb and take a huge chance in their lives. I think that's what this show, and others like it, are all about!
Karen at 3:46PM on May 17th 2007
58. I do not think that Melinda is gone because she is too classy...but that her style appeals more to the older population. I also don't find her very unique.
tdtickle09 at 4:09PM on May 17th 2007
59. I agree with Toni. Jordin is the best choice for all around singing and personality. She has a great range and sings it all well. Melinda has a good voice, but not as strong as Jordin. And being only 17, she can only get better. Melinda's voice is too predictable and gets tiring. Sounds like her throat closes up sometimes. Blakes very likeable but again, his style can get tiring.
cc at 4:00PM on May 17th 2007
60. Amen, Amen, Melinda is too classy for the likes of AI. What a georgous person indside and out, so poised, modest, gentle and kind!! She is the only one who was consistent EVERY week, not one mess up! I don't know if I will watch any more this season as I am sure Jordin will win, as much as I like her, I don't think she will be able to handle the fame and might end up like Fantasia (although Jordin could sing her under the rug), not hearing so much as a peep from her.
jesse at 4:35PM on May 17th 2007