(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,'...
Mo's Blog Roll
Resources
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
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. ...
Most Popular Stories
- Don't Like Goodbyes...
- Pittsburgh Steelers: Is it Time to get some Cheerleaders?
- How NOT to give an Oscar Acceptance Speech
- Could Jim Belushi Win the Nobel Peace Prize?
- Spring Break Sexy T-Shirt Removal Training!
- Quest for the Crown 5: Plastic Wrap to Make you Less Fat!
- Quest for the Crown 4: Work Those Heels!
Most Commented On
-
Coming Soon
Recent Comments
- Roert Dean on General Clark is Absolutely Right!
- Edward Baker on Catholic Church Releases Pedophile Coloring Book
- andreawalker419 on Breastfeeding an Eight-Year-Old?
- Mokele Mbembe on Did 'Sesame Street' Ruin Generation X, or Save It?
- Lisa on Meet Thomas Beatie, The First Pregnant Man
- Vikki on Did 'Sesame Street' Ruin Generation X, or Save It?
- Darin on Are Father-Daughter Purity Balls Really Christian?
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.
Top News Headlines
Political Machine Blog
- At Fort Hood, America Needed a Hero, Quickly
- Justice Scalia: "I Have Religious Views...They Have Nothing to Do with My Job"
- Michelle Obama Skips Abortion Reference In Latest Health Care Sales Pitch
- Michelle Obama Taking Mentoring Act On The Road
- Ex-Congressman William Jefferson Sentenced To 13 Years In Prison
- Kay Bailey Hutchison Will Keep Senate Seat While Running for Governor
- End of the World as We Know It: Will We Feel Fine?
Reader Comments ( Page 5 of 9)
61. I believe Idol would be much better if , like Rock Star, America would vote for the bottom three and the panel would send someone packing. At least the best of Americas bottom three would be saved. And I trust The panel to at keast choose someone with talent...but then there was
Senjaya. If things don't change somehow AI is losing this 55 yr. old
KAC at 4:18PM on May 17th 2007
62. I like Elliot, and I think he looks better with his teeth and hair fixed.
jessica at 2:25PM on May 28th 2007
63. This is my first year of watching American Idol and it will most likely be my last. Melinda Doolittle was an exceptional singer and performer. What was America thinking? I really thought she would be the next Ameican Idol. I don't have anything against Blake, but I thought he would have gone off last night and Jordin and Melinda would battle it out for the American Idol of 2007. I can see that people are not voting on talent, they are voting more on looks. This is a talent competition and the winner should be someone with just that TALENT.
southgal08 at 4:27PM on May 17th 2007
64. I loved all three finalists. This is the first time that I really don't care which one wins. It could go either way. I hated when Taylor won because I didn't like his sound or his cheesy showmanship. I thought Melinda was great but maybe came off as a little to old fashioned. I think that the younger audience tend to vote more than the older group although Taylor won so what do I know. Either way, good luck to both Jordan and Blake. You both have bright futures.
CK at 4:28PM on May 17th 2007
65. I am not watching American Idol next week, since Melinda went home. THAT IS SO UNFAIR!!!! I now would like to see Jordin win, now but I think she is too young. Blake is beatboxing in every song! I'm getting tired of his bee-bopping! I do not think Blake should win. Ever Since Melinda was in the top 12, I said, "She's going to win" and guess what...american voted, and guess what...she went home!!! Kinda' like Sanjaya... Why the heck did people keep voting for him? Don't listen to Howard Stern...PUH-LEEZE! Like he doesn't have anything better to do?!
jessica at 4:34PM on May 17th 2007
66. This is my first year to watch American Idol and it will most likely be my last. What was America thinking voting off Melinda Doolittle? She is a remarkable singer and performer. I don't have anything against Blake, but he should have gone home last night and Jordin and Melinda should be battling it out next week for the American Idol of 2007. This is a talent contest and the next American Idol should have just that - TALENT.
Carol at 4:41PM on May 17th 2007
67. She left because she was boring, and why are you even bringing up their homecoming videos? They hardly showed any of the footage from that on Tuesday when we were voting. The fact that she looked poised in a video they showed AFTER we had already voted doesn't even make sense as to why she went home.
John at 5:51PM on May 17th 2007
68. Given the decision to send home the BEST for the season, Obviously there is no need for the comments of the judges, particularly Simon who does a much more truthful though bitter analogy. The judges based on their experience thought Melinda was the best, obviously American is into to favouritism rather than professionalism
heaven at 4:49PM on May 17th 2007
69. Jordin was boring...she sung comfortable if you know what I mean. She took no risks. All of her songs where the same melody, making it boring. So I agree with Simon. And I also caught Ryan give the shocking news away. When he told Melinda that it was a shocking night with the results. Dumb, or maybe he was just fed up as others with these dumb voters. Come on I had no favorite but I was aware of who should have been the last two standing....the 2 most talented vocals. And in my opinion that was not Jordan. Sorry! Try buying her CD and see how fast it will put you to sleep.
suzette at 4:50PM on May 17th 2007
70. Melinda has too much class and dignity for the show.
heaven at 4:50PM on May 17th 2007
71. As I was watching AI last night and thinking about the three contestants, I felt that the voters that put a bid on Blake, actually took Melinda out of the finals. When there are 3 people, anyone of them good or bad can go. It seems to split votes in two.
Melinda deserved to win. She is a true talent. I would really feel the music she was singing. Jordin has the age thing and she's a great beauty. People vote on more than just talent, however, they should not. Appearance took Lakisha away also...she was good. As for the winner, I think we all know that Jordin will be successful. Blake is a great arranger and different and interesting but to just a certain age group also. Melinda had it all over both of them put together. I'm disappointed with the voters mostly. Melinda will be "HUGE"......Jordin won't last too long....and Blake will have plenty of work! This is my opinion and I hope some of you agree with me...
Becky at 5:11PM on May 17th 2007
72. I agree that Melinda had the best voice, but Jordin and Blake have more personality. When deciding who to vote for I would ask myself who's CD would I buy or who would I go see in concert? Blake by far. He is contemporary, different, has more versatility and would put on a better show than the girls. Blake appeals to a younger crowd. Jordin is ok and Melinda got boring. I'm a "forty-something" and still like Blake the best.
Jean at 7:27PM on May 17th 2007
73. Personally, I did not find Melinda unique like Blake and Jordin. :/ Jordin can SING! Blake can sing, too, and I think that the fact that he beatboxes is just awesome. XD
Melinda will make it into show business--don't worry! =) She deserves it--she is talented, but she just didn't appeal to me.
Now I don't care who wins--all three of them will get record deals. No doubt about it. All of them *ahem* Except Sanjaya, Chris, and Haley, will GET A RECORD DEAL. At least, they better.
Nicxan at 5:13PM on May 17th 2007
74. I too was very surprised when they announced that Melinda would be going home. I knew it was going to be a very hard decision. But I had no idea it would go that way. My opinion: Once it starts becoming americas turn to vote, I don't think the judges should say anything because sometimes, what they say has a very big impact on how they vote.
By the way I think Bo Bice should have won that season.
nikki at 5:22PM on May 17th 2007
75. So much for this show being all about singing...
I for one hope that Blake wins. Jordin is not "untrained" and has had almost as much experience as Melinda. Google her and find out. Her voice teacher also trained Kristin Chenoweth--not exactly a slacker.
Plus she is just annoying with her mannerisms. I can just see her as a Plastic.
So go Blake, who really is a true unknown and doesn't have a famous father who can help him either.
Karen at 5:22PM on May 17th 2007