Melinda's Demise: Too Classy For America?

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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

(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.

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Reader Comments ( Page 8 of 9)

Previous 15 Comments | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | Most Recent | Next 15 Comments

106. i dont watch american idol so i dont care who wins but my name is jordan so the winner should have the same name as me so i think jordin should win

YAAAAa!!!!

wewr at 10:08PM on May 17th 2007

107. bite me

wewr at 10:09PM on May 17th 2007

108. Melinda should not have gone home. something is seriously wrong. Makes me wonder if these votes aren't rigged. Jordinn can sing, but not like Melinda. American Idol does not just deal with singing alone, it's also a beauty contest. You all should be ashamed of yourselves..

carol at 10:26PM on May 17th 2007

109. I am so dissapointed in last night's show. Melinda was my choice from the very beginning and not once did she sing less than wonderfully. She is clearly vocally superior to any other contestant this season. Jordin had several off nights including Tuesday when she was off pitch on her last song. Blake is not in either girl's league. I seem to remember that this isn't a beat boxing competition.

Concerning the debate on being a professional, plenty of contestants including Hicks and Daughtry had professional bands before their stints with AI. Give the Melinda a break!

Melinda sang the heck out of every style thrown at her, she moved well and pulled in her audience, selling every song. My only lasting image of Jordin is standing at a mic stand and singing several clunkers along the way. And this might be the next AI?

The show just lost me as a viewer. And I can't wait for Melinda's first CD.

Rica at 10:31PM on May 17th 2007

110. This is not just a talent contest. they are 3 great singers. but there are thousands of great singers out there that dont have record deals etc. In order to make it you have to have more then just pure talent. The contest is for an american idol not americas best singer. Melinda is a GREAT singer... but she is lacking in personality and the Xfactor that the judges talk about. It takes more then a great voice to win. You need to have that X factor that draws people to you. I thought Melinda was the best performer on tues but I spent and hour voting for Jordin because I think she is just as good singer and a much better performer. I have liked Jordin from the very begining.. Gina was my favorite but I knew her voice wasnt strong enough to pull her all the way thru. So I based my votes for Jordin on everything, her singing, her performances, her interviews etc. I just think she is the best. Not to put melinda down at all but its just obvious that america "likes" Jordin and Blake better.

Toni at 8:11AM on May 18th 2007

111.
Melinda Dolittle will do a lot! She's going all the way to the top where she belongs, AI or no. As for Blake, he has a range of about three notes, all of which are flat and squeaky, like a squirrel on helium. Jordin's cute with her melodious vocals and girlish innocence, but has nowhere near the vocal chops Melinda has. Clearly, age went before beauty here, even though neither Blake nor Jordin is all that (with a voice like hers, Melinda doesn't need good looks). Sadly, not only is America tone deaf, but it's dumb, blind and prejudiced too.

arylette at 11:33PM on May 17th 2007

112. It is so obvious to me why Melinda didn't pull enough votes to be in the final two. It's because everybody assumed that she would be in the final two, so all of those people voted for the second choice. Knowing that no one could beat Melinda (or assuming that noone could), everyone voted for their favorite, not including Melinda. Everyone was sure that Melinda would get in, but nobody was sure if their "second" choice would. Why waste a vote on someone who is going to win anyway (so we thought), let's get our second best in there.

mathteacher at 4:48PM on May 18th 2007

113. I really will not be watching AI anymore especially Tuesday and Wednesday. Who cares which one of those losers win. They both cannot even wipe the bottom of Melinda's feet much less stand next to her. She is in a league of her own. What BS and what idiots not to vote for the best singer. Is this a singing contest or popularity contest? You idoit people voting for Jordan for 2 hours! Go get a life. How about giving the one person there, Melinda, the best chance to win since she is the best singer. She deserves the title. Blake is boring and I hated his songs and voice. I agree, this is not a beat box contest. Jordan is inconsistent. She really isn't that good.

America, do you really want to listen to Jordan or Blake all year at guest appearances?
Give me a break.

My Opinion at 10:41PM on May 18th 2007

114. Strange that so many with truly great voices get sent home while others.....Am done with American Idol after this travesty. Makes me wonder about thementality of the voters. Are they all twittering pre-teens and early teens???? First the Sanjaya thing andnow this. HELP!

Am sure Melinda will rise and become a true star. Disbelief at the results and again, wndering at the mentality. Now, if Jordin doesnt get it... there is something DEFINITELY wrong. Was sure Blake would go home, Melinda being out was a shock.

Pam VanBrocklin Anderson at 7:53AM on May 18th 2007

115. Melinda is tops should not have been sent home, hope some record company scoops her up soon

Perry at 8:01AM on May 18th 2007

116. Please people! get a grip. Melinda's gone because for the last several weeks she has slipped into the same thing Lakisha, Jennifer Hudson, Fantasia and the rest of the so called Divas. They all started sounding the same no matter what song they sang. I'd like to see Jordin win because Blake just sucks. The two best voices were gone weeks ago, Haley and Chris! And as for Melinda's so called neck or lack thereof. She really looks like she has a lot of dwarf like features and it doesn't help her to be more attractive. Look at the clips of her standing next to Ryan. Her head is huge!

Outlaw Josey Wales at 8:35AM on May 18th 2007

117. Classy? Ah...think not. Now, more conniving, yeah, Melinda to me, seems to be that. Hey, she was the only Idol contestant that had her own entourage from time she set foot on the stage at her try-out's too. Couple of people that picked her clothes and another that did her hair and makeup. And, let's be honest here, compared to Jordan, she wasn't attractive, bottom-line. Why do you think she's been a back-up singer for so long?

Ruth at 8:53AM on May 18th 2007

118. I firmly believe Melinda should have gone on to the finals also. Just as some before my comment stated the entire reason American Idol was Televised for the veiwers to see was to provide us the American Voters a chase to choose our favorite Unknown Singer/Preformer. Not who wares the best outfit/Hairstyle/Teeth. I also find it incredibly Offensive the way Certian individuals have nothing better to do but call Melinda Names such as "NO Neck" and so forth. That is without question Immateral and down right disgraceful. I have absolutely no doubt Melinda is and always will be a Resourceful Devoted Caring Professional. She has proven that many times over throughout this season on American Idol.

Another thing I would like to point out here is simply this. Both Jordin and Blake stood in the bottom 3 position once or maybe twice. Therefore if memory serves me correctly Melinda never did. Now it is possible that I am wrong here but I sereously doubt it. If I am then feel free to correct me.

Little Tigar46 at 9:54AM on May 18th 2007

119. I'm hoping that Jordin wins but for the folks who thought Melinda didn't earn a shot at the finals because she was already a professional then the same can be said about Jordin and Blake should win. Jordin has twice toured with Michael W. Smith, released her own CD and was featured on another, and appeared on America's Most Talented Kid. The point is that AI is about finding an undiscovered talent and Jordin and Melinda both fit.

Nick at 9:49AM on May 18th 2007

120. Face it, looks is very important,but after Fantasia was picked, that went out the window.She was the worst. I dont think fat, black, screaming big mouth, single mothers are what should become an Americal "Idol". It should be real talent

JACKIE at 10:04AM on May 18th 2007

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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.