Idolwatch: Thursday Morning Quarterbacking

Agree with most of what you say, but while you explain how Melinda got voted off, you don't address how Blake got voted in. What exactly is the story Blake is telling? Sure he's more pleasing to the demo, but that can't account for it all. I'm genuinely curious.

Once moere I wonder if the people who watch American Idol,now somthing about vocals and music? I am sure they like the music by their eyes and not by they ears,I never belive that Melinda will　no be in the finals,I am sure most of the people who apreciate music and now whta is a great singer are desaponted and sadned ,but she has a brillant future,fro Japan I want to express to Melinda my support ,but this will not be the end will　begining her good days ahead.

I agree also with most of your comments, but there are many singers who have had long successful careers who don't "tell a story". I think Idol is more about the packaging than the performance. And yes, Melinda did not show the enthusiasm of a Jordan or the quirkiness of a Blake.. which appeals to the "teens" and "tweeners" so maybe she's not the "idol" as defined by voters, but she was the best performer/singer on that show and should have made it to the finals.. oh.. wait.. I forgot.. it's not a talent contest.. it's a popularity contest.

@GusGus: "telling a story" is kind of broad shorthand for saying that Idol is as much an acting contest, or at least a performing contest, as a singing contest. You have to convey feeling more than just hit the notes, and Blake conveys enthusiasm and excitement for being on stage. You wonder what he'll do next, and he really seems to enjoy himself. (It's no accident that Idol performers always tell Ryan, "I just tried to have fun up there"--the audience wants to see that.) He's different, so he collects the "none of the above" vote. He interprets and changes songs, so he gets the creativity vote, inasmuch as there is one on AI.

And he makes people laugh. People can disagree with the choice--I, personally, was probably not going to buy an album by any of these three--but I don't see the scandal that voters, in a contest to pick an entertainer, should pick the guy they find most entertaining.

@ Jean: "It's a popularity contest." Yup. They call it pop music for a reason.

Thanks Jim. Now... Lostwatch!!

Go Blake! I think that this was the right top 3. All 3 will get to put out an album, all 3 will do fine. I think that Blake should win, and for me it was a toss-up between Melinda and Jordin for second. So I'm happy, I think that Blake is creative, original, and unique. I will buy all the music he creates, and I have never bought any other American Idol person's music before. So Blake is my American Idol.

Here's some thoughts...

First of all, and Melinda should be disappointed that she landed in third place out of thousands who attempted to be the AI this year??? An American fau paux - if you're not first, you're no good! Making it to third place is a great success!!!

Second - text messaging. I too suspect Blake and Jordin have more of a younger following - text messaging, text messaging, text messaging. If Melinda's fans were the "older" crowd (make that be what you want)they are more likely relying on the landlines - the dinosaur of votes. Very difficult to get through this way...

Third - No doubt Melinda has a great voice - from day one on Idol till last night. But did we see her grow? Her level was so high from the start that besides some style changes we didn't see much "new" to get excited about each week. Being consistent may have been a downfall.

By the way, the look on Simon's face was priceless. At least that showed me that the judges truly don't know who's going ahead of time.

Reality check..I will never watch this show again. I've been a dedicated fan for every season. First, Sanjaya, now this! Don't get me wrong, I knew the top three would be Jordan, Melinda and Blake and I think that he will win. He reminds me alot of Taylor Hicks as far as being an entertainer, just doing what he loves no matter what anyone says. But Melinda was wayyy too talented to go out like this! Welcome to America..I guess.

@Sherice

I don't know that I will never watch the show again, but I won't watch it any more this season. I simply do not care who wins between Blake and Jordin..

i think the biggest blessing that could be bestowed upon Melinda's career is NOT getting the crappy initial contract that she would via winning idol. She has a MUCH better chance for a more lucrative deal that way! Is it a mixed blessing, of course! But I think in the end, all is well.

Jordan and Blake had no tangible music career prior to this. the winner will have a great start, and fall much more firmly into the "pop" segment that the show is designed to discover a star for! Taylor Hicks, while entertaining...did not meet that pop expectation, and likewise his first album flopped!

I'm hoping for Blake..he is original, creative, and he appeals to a broad fan base...from 311 to Sublime to Maroon 5. He'll go far IMO.

Melinda is the "Jennifer Hudson" of this year. We'll hear a lot from her in the future -- and it will be something bigger than American Idol Pop-Stardom.

I really don't understand why America thinks Blake's beatboxing is "art" or "creative", as I have read in other articles. His voice is, at best, weak. I see someone trying to sing who needs extensive voice lessons. While Blake's beatboxing may be flattering now, at 25 years OLD, the rapping won't sustain his career much must another three to four years. What happens when Blake reaches 30 and people finally realize...wow, he CAN'T sing!

I like Jordin, but I think she has a lot of work to go, too. With the right management company, record deal and agent, Jordin can be shaped into a very popular singer. I do hope she wins next week. If not, "American Idol" will go down in history as the biggest "fluff" show in the history of television.

Melinda will go on to a wonderful career. She is a damn good singer and America knows it.

All 3 semi-finalists are wonderful entertainers, but I think only Jordin and Blake have the potential star soloist quality in the mold of Kelly Clarkson or Carrie Underwood. Watching Blake sing Maroon 5 made it all so obvious - it could have been him in the lead instead of Adam. As much as I'd love to see her perform in a nice caberet lounge, you cannot make the same comparison with Melinda singing Nutbush City Limits.

I kept saying that TOO! It's an IDOL contest. Not just a singing contest. I loved Melinda but Blake is the one that fascinates me the most.

YOU KNOW MELINDA WILL GO FAR, SHE GOT ALL SHE NEEDED FROM "AI" AND THAT WAS EXPOSURE YOU CAN BET THAT GIRLFRIENDS PHONE HAS BEEN RINGING OFF THE HOOK WITH OFFERS. EVERYTHING HAPPENS FOR A REASON AS MUCH AS I WANTED MELINDA TO WIN "AI" I HAVE TO SAY THAT NOT GOING ON TO THE FINALS WAS THE BEST THING THAT COULD HAVE HAPPEN. MELINDA WAS WAY TOO GOOD FOR "AI" ANYWAY, REALLY THE GIRL IS PRO STATUS RIGHT NOW! AS WAS FANTASIA . I CANT WAIT FOR THE CD THEIR ARE ALOT OF SINGERS OUT HERE BUT LET ME TELL YOU... MELINDA? THAT GIRL CAN SANG! YOU HEAR ME!!!

Pop music hasn't been about singing since the advent of music videos.

Melinda was ROBBED! I grew up listening to beatboxing... Doug E. Fresh, The Fat Boys, etc. Now THAT is beatboxing talent! Blake's beatboxing, while original for AI, sucked as bad as his singing, his poor choice in shirts and sweater vests, and his face.

Nah, I'm not bitter at all. LOL

I WANT LIKISHA BACK, I LOST ALL INTEREST IN THE SHOW. I DO NOT LIKE MELINDAS REPORE,, HER DRESS STYLE. SEE CAN SING BACK UP,OR IN GROUP, SEE NEEDS REFINING, I THINK IT IS UNFARE TO EVERYONE ELSE THAT SHE HAS SANG PROFESSIONAL. BUT ALOT OF THEM HAD BETTER STAGE REPORE THAN SHE DID. SHE EVEN ACTED SCARED TO SAY MUCH WHEN INTERVIEWED. I ALSO WANTED TO SEE RUBIN AND LIKISHA TO SING TOGETHER. I THINK THE FINALS SHOULD HAVE BEEN LIKISHA AND JORDIN. SANJ WAS A FARCE FROM THE START. THIS WAS NOT A FASHION SHOW HE HAD NO INTEREST IN SINGING. HE USED AMERICAN IDOL AS A TOOL TO DO WHAT HE IS DOING I HAVE NO INTEREST IN HIM AT ALL HE MAKES ME SICK. WHEN I PLAN TO WATCH MUSIC I WANT SOME ONE I CAN ENJOY LIKE RUBIN, TAYLOR, LAKISHA, CARRIE, CLAY, KELLY C.,THE FIRST THREE PREFERABLELY I WILL END NOW I COULD SAY ALOT MORE. LAST BUT NOT LEAST I WILL BE FOLLOWING LAKISHAS CAREER.

I guess the argument that it is not a singing contest would carry more credence if we didn't have to hear them sing every week. I think that is the weakest argument as to why the best singers do not win.

Americans like underdogs. Therefore, if you come into the show already at a high level, you are destined to lose because Americans just don't like it if you are too good or consistent. They like to see growth. This is more in line that it is a popularity contest. If you are already a 10, for some reason, you are not worthy. The show is not made for someone who is outstanding...this is why it is a falsehood when Ryan claims the winner is the best in America.

What has the show done for the industry? Well, it has reached the point where you merely need exposure through it to get an opportunity. The artists produced, however, have done nothing to move music forward and that is the saddest thing. We have yet to find the next Elton John, or Bob Dylan or Jim Croce with this method.

I guess the argument that it is not a singing contest would carry more credence if we didn't have to hear them sing every week. I think that is the weakest argument as to why the best singers do not win.

Americans like underdogs. Therefore, if you come into the show already at a high level, you are destined to lose because Americans just don't like it if you are too good or consistent. They like to see growth. This is more in line that it is a popularity contest. If you are already a 10, for some reason, you are not worthy. The show is not made for someone who is outstanding...this is why it is a falsehood when Ryan claims the winner is the best in America.

What has the show done for the industry? Well, it has reached the point where you merely need exposure through it to get an opportunity. The artists produced, however, have done nothing to move music forward and that is the saddest thing. We have yet to find the next Elton John, or Bob Dylan or Jim Croce with this method.

As for who is left? Neither is particularly earth-shattering. While beatboxing occasionally is interesting, having to sit through an entire CD would be difficult, particularly from a so-so singer. Jordin will need to get some voice lessons because her voice is not mature yet, and as a personality, she is rather grating and goofy. Neither of them fit what I would define as an American Idol. Lakisha and Melinda were better choices for the title. Mature, great personalities, and talent to match.