(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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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.
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Reader Comments ( Page 9 of 9)
121. Hey, what's the surprise about Melinda leaving? The votes were cast by the same America that kept Sanjaya on week after week. American Idol is less about talent and more about popularity. As proven by Jennifer Hudson, and noted by Martine, you do not need to be voted number one by the show's fans to strike it big by being on American Idol. Talent will prevail in the long run. I predict that Melinda Dolittle will Do Much more than what's-his-name and what's-her-name.
TajLV at 10:07AM on May 18th 2007
122. I think Jordin winning it all will be good for her, even though I do like Blake better. She's raw talent and the AI "powers that be" will be able to help her find her niche and coaching that will help her develop as an entertainer. I just hope that she stays grounded and doesn't become like "certain other" popular female performers who got too big for their britches!
Blake already has his style and stage persona pretty much developed, and now that he's got his foot in the door - he's on his way. Go B-b-b-lake!
As to my gal Mindy Doo - I can't wait until she releases her first CD. She's been my favorite all along. What a talent she is!
Actually I'll probably get some of the other finalists' CDs as well.
I agree with the bloggers who say AI needs to revamp the voting system. Hopefully, they can come up with a fair system that works. (Ya listening Simon???)
Joanie at 1:06PM on May 18th 2007
123. Give it up on Jennifer Hudson. She won an "ACTING" award, not a singing award. That has nothing to do with American Idol. She went as far on "Idol" as she should have, she by no means was good enough to win it her year.
So give it a rest. She's talented and I'm glad she's doing well but she wasn't the Idol, period.
gretasue2 at 3:40PM on May 19th 2007
124. once again, america gets it wrong!!!!why does this continue to surprise people??? because we forget that the voting audience is very young, very impressionable, very fickle and in no way qualified to judge real talent. simon's obvious choice was melinda...and this may have been the kiss of death for her. many people don't really like simon. he's become mean. you can be honest in your judgement, without going for the jugular.
but america has been wrong before...in season 2,3, and 5....especially season 5. the final two should have been chris and elliott....not taylor and katharine.....so this year is par for the course...no surprises here!!!!
evie taylor at 2:36AM on May 20th 2007
125. I've gotten past the shock. Now that I can think clearly, it just doesn't seem to matter. Jordin or Blake will win idol, but who cares. I do like Jordin, but I wouldn't buy the record. Melinda just appeals to grown people who don't have time to sit on a phone for 2 hours. This isn't the worst thing since we are the ones who have jobs and can actually buy her record anyway.
Jeri at 2:00AM on May 20th 2007
126. Melinda, while being an exceptional singer had one thing going against her in my opinion. If you were to listen to her carefully she reminded me of so many other black women singers that came from the gospel background. Not to take anything away from her because she is very good technically but I feel like I have heard her so many times before.
Darold at 6:23PM on May 20th 2007
127. First of all Wanda, black men do not all have large appendages, they just all believe they do.
Second, Elliot's teeth are too big and white, he should go back to the dentist who did it to have them toned down.
Third, Melinda lost for "all of the above". The "gee whiz I can really sing?" thing got old really fast, especially considering she was a professional singer and knew very well she was a great singer. Also, whether it's right or wrong, she is a little too old and a little to matronly for vast public consumption. I think she will have a wonderful career, just not as a pop star (and with that talent you don't need to be a pop star)
Jordin is what the show is all about. Good for her.
Davidg at 10:06AM on May 22nd 2007
128. I'm sitting here laughing my ass off at all you people who will "never watch" AI again. I'll bet you still throw temper tantrums if you don't get your way.
I've got the snacks and champagne ready for the finale Wednesday! I can't wait to see what surprises the producers have in store for us. I hope Taylor will do a number - I will be up dancin' and groovin' with him!
I'm already looking forward to next year and Season 7. I hope they show more of the better singer auditions rather than the goofy ones. If I want goofy, stupid and ridiculous, all I need to do is read these posts.
Joanie at 11:26AM on May 22nd 2007
129. This was my first year of watching Idol. And now its my last. Until they put the vote in the final hands of some judges or other singers. It doesn't matter how you sing anymore (just look at Sanjaya! He sings as bad as I do), it's just a popularity contest. It shouldn't matter if you like a person or if they are nice looking. Judge them on their talent. Melinda was a terrific singer. There are lots of singers out there that I can't stand but love their music & voice. And yes I buy their cds. And just because she was a backup singer doesn't mean she had training & she isn't considered a professional. Jordin is a good singer who needs more time to polish her voice. Blake is a great beatboxer but his singing is not that good. Melinda & LaKisha had more talent in their little fingers than all the others put together. I'm sure both of them will do really well in their singing careers, but they still shouldn't have been voted off.
Laurel at 10:55PM on May 22nd 2007
130. I keep hearing that Melinda was too old.Or she looked too old. How old did Taylor Hicks look with that gray hair? I'm kind of through with American Idol. It's not about who sings the best.It's all about popularity. Melinda should have never been voted off. She was the best singer on the show.
shirley at 11:44PM on May 22nd 2007
131. You folks are sooooo sick... Melinda should have been a finalist. She was the best singer and she is not ancient and it does not matter about her looks. We would not have an Aretha Franklin and so many amazing performers today if we based things on looks. Jordin is talented and Blake is talented; however Melinda was the best.
Jane at 10:37AM on May 23rd 2007
132. There's an old adage that says, "the cream always rises to the top," and that's precisely what will happen with Melinda Doolittle. In my opinion she was by far the most talented in the bunch, and she will prevail with or without an AI recording contract.
Both Blake Lewis and Jordin Sparks are talented and have worked extremely hard to get where they are, and I will be thrilled for whoever wins the Big Prize. As we know from AIs history the rest will be just fine. My best wishes to all!
Donna at 12:12PM on May 23rd 2007