Tonight is the penultimate “big night” on American Idol, for on stage three talented song stylists will be singing their hearts out to earn two finalist slots. Each contestant will sing three songs and for each, all three songs must be right on the money or the fickle voting public will cut off that contestant’s head with a carving knife. See how they run?
On the other hand, something other than pure singing performance might well govern this elimination. I said “fickle,” didn’t I? “The American People” have proven themselves to be replete with strange voting blocs not only in this year’s competition (viz., Sanjaya) but also in each of the prior years. Someone good always exits early. By the time they reach the cut from three to two, however, the wheat has been separated from the chaff musically, so other factors come to the fore.
That’s why we’ll be saying goodbye to Melinda Doolittle this week. Melinda is the most professionally polished of the remaining singers, but her cool, technical perfection will do her in. Though her songs are everything a vocal coach would want, Melinda does not connect with her audience. Her musical comeuppance was as a backup singer where she let someone else do the connecting while she did what she did best: singing. That’s still what she does best—better than the other two but not yet good enough for prime time.
The two survivors, Blake Lewis and Jordin Sparks, are the perfect duo for the final night of performances on May 22. They appeal to a similar demographic; thus, they will divide the voting public right down the middle. We really haven’t had that sort of a final since the great Bo vs. Carrie war of two years ago. I’ll withhold judgment regarding the eventual winner. Hell, I had picked Bo when Carrie won, so I don’t want to jinx anybody just yet.
Tonight, song selection will be of paramount importance. We have no guest mentor to restrict the choices to a particular genre. Accordingly, contestants can have no excuses if they choose unsuitable material. So, the key to success this week is: Pick good songs and sing the hell out of them!
Share this:
Discover more from The Nittany Turkey
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Good evening, fair Redhead!
Whazzup, babe.
If you ain’t here yet, I’ll start withoutya.
Hey, Turkey!
Yes, Jordin did a nice job.
I’m not convinced Doolittle will go home tonight. I think whether she stays or goes is contingent upon one thing and that is how badly Blake screws up! If he doesn’t embarrass himself, Melinda will get the boot. One thing’s for sure tonight–Jordin is safe.
Jordin looked nervous.
But she got it on, she did the thing, she made it happen…so dog…yo…
Wouldn’t you be?
Once again, Ryan did not introduce Paula. What’s up with that?
Paula is hammered.
Paula has a dancing gig at one of the gentlemen’s clubs over on Sepulveda.
Huh? Paula is dealing with self-esteem issues?
When do we get the beatbox.
Now, this is a cool choice for Blake. He’s even got a Sting kind of timbre to his voice.
I don’t speak Pop Psych. Does that mean the same as, “Is Paula hammered?”
If he would only sing it in tune.
Whoops, he lost his timing there.
Also, looks like he left his beat-boxing at home for now.
Boy, these background singers are terrible.
He’s doing his best Sting imitiation.
Paula is out of it.
I agree with Simon–sorry Paula.
Now I think that song could’ve used Blake’s beatbox.
What I was referring to was Ryan’s comment after the break, that Simon is “already having self-esteem issues.”
?
Please make it your own, Melinda, don’t do an easy Whitney imitation.
So far, she sounds great. Very smooth. Like the pro she is.
We all know that when you do a Whitney song, you get compared directly to Whitney and thus, you don’t do well for yourself. Melinda is delivering another straight rendition (replete with Mariah crap) and it doesn’t save her ass for another week, in my less than humble opinion.
I think she’s doing a great job with this.
We’ll see.
I actually thought it was good, but I am willing my prediction.
I agree with Paula.
And Simon.
Yeah, I forgot how they did this week. There’s one selected by the judges, one by Clive Whosis or whatever the hell his name is, and one by the contestant.
I’m on prednisone and vicodin, so I’m not responsible for any untoward statements I might make about Paula.
She should have done this last year when the aged Donna Summer was one of the guest mentorettes.
She has the right edgy face for this song. She’s into the semantics of it.
Ole!
Paula is taking a break from working hard for the money on Sepulveda.
Seacrest is 5’7″. Jordin is 6’0″.
I missed her! I had to take out the dogs. What song did she sing?????
Jim Carrey? Hahahhahahah 😀
Hey Turkey, why the pain pills? Your back?
She sang She Works Hard for the Money (Donna Summer).
My two-week old stiff neck. Going to get an MRI of it the same day as I get my kidney MRI.
He’s out of tune.
This isn’t working for me.
Well, now he’s doing the beatbox thing…it might save him.
Why the kidney MRI?
Blake’s voice is almost as boring as Phil Collins’. I think I made that comparison before.
Unidentified mass in my right kidney.
OK…Blake is sort of safe, maybe.
Hey, how come we have Mazda instead of Ford commercials?
Math Guy and I want to know when the MRI takes place.
Maybe both have to be–
“fixed or repaired daily.”
When I know when the MRI(s) take place, I’ll let you know. I haven’t scheduled them yet.
Awwww…Melinda’s grandparents are so cuuuuuuuuuuuuuute.
“Sweet Melinda” is trying to portray a Tina Turner edge. Think she can?
I think she’s lost maybe 20 pounds, or that top is really flattering.
Will Paula’s love be enough for Melinda?
A tie between Blake and Melinda?
Did your computer blow up or are you walking the dogs again?
Well, I’m not really with the judges on this one. I thought Melinda’s performance of this raunchy and raucous Tina Turner number was too polished. It needed some rough edges to really get there.
I had to get a snack–rice squares with almonds and cashews, yum 🙂
And what you see is what the viewing audience sees. The judges see it from the stage, and they get a whole different perspective. Paula’s love is the only important thing coming from the judges at this point.
Yeah, Melinda does look thinner?
So what did you think of this performance?
Oh, yeah? I think I’ll get some South Beach Diet chocolate chip cookies.
I thought the same thing you thought. She can’t easily transform herself into Tina.
I Who Have Nothing?
I’m a bit skeptical.
Okay, Jordin–pull off your best Tom Jones.
Hasn’t she done this before? It actually really fits her.
She’s pulling it off well.
Okay, she’s a major contender now.
I wish they’d put an end to that stupid cheering in the middle of a song. It’s friggin’ distracting. Jordin is bordering on screaming.
The judges are going to love it.
I bet Simon doesn’t like it for the screaming.
Paula needs to give some love.
Simon can BITE MY ASS! 😉
I agree with Simon–the song is a bit mature for her…yet she pulled it off.
Hey, young love.
Jordin is big, she’s cute, and she’s gonna win.
Jordin has a lot of passion in her singing. I think that helps her sound more mature.
YES!!! I like this Blake performance.
Just wait until he starts the beatbox crap.
Not bad for a white boy.
He is an original, I’ll say that.
I think this is the song he’s been needing tonight.
Melinda better blow him away,
otherwise,
farewell, sweet Ms. Doolittle…
Well, he saved it for the end.
It was aiiiiiight, man. It was aiiiiiiiiight.
Come on, Randy–
Yay! Simon and I agree.
And now, Sweet Ms. Doolittle.
Yes, Blake ending the night with that performance was very smart.
Melinda’s last blast.
Old Navy!!!!!!!!!!!!
I’m really starting to agree with you, Turkey.
I will be sad to bid Melinda goodbye. She’ll get her recording contract but I’m not sure she’ll sell…then again, she may transfer very well to the groove on the disc (so to speak).
Why is House such a good show?
Here we go…
Oh, I think anyone in the final three will do well. Sometimes, #2 has done better than #1 (like Clay Aiken vs. Ruben Studdard).
Because House is such an obnoxious prick.
Melinda is trying to show a hard edge tonight.
They have done these songs before.
I remember her doing this–I thought it was her best performance..it’s like her signature song.
Peggy Lee can’t be beat on this song.
I like the backup singers better. But this is an old, old song without much current appeal.
What about Maria Muldaur?
She’s got to pull in the voting demographic and that song doesn’t do it.
Paula looks good. She’s got some Botox going on.
Yeah, she’s consistent. But by and large, boringly so.
That’s Simon’s nice way of saying, “you’re terrific, but you’re going home tomorrow night.”
Get your cell phone out and start voting for Blake and Jordin.
Aw Turkey, you used to be so high on Melinda. What happened, buddy?
Aren’t you missing the Republican candidates’ debate?
Blake looks like the nerdy white guy that he is.
That’s fully documented in my last few blogs. I shall not repeat it here.
OHHH, what a choice. Mitt Romney or Blake….whom shall I choose???
He looks like a young Taylor Hicks.
I know you wrote about it, I just hoped you would pontificate some more 🙂
Melinda is 28, I think. That’s probably substantially above the median age of the viewing/voting audience.
Simon says…but it’s not gonna happen.
I’ll leave the pontification to Simon.
Well, Turkey, Math Guy is bugging me to walk the dogs with him. Gotta fly!
It’s been fun–see you tomorrow.
And now, back to House.
Be well, and see you tomorrow for Melinda’s denouement.
Homer Simpson does the lead-in.
Yo dog, check in. We have a star-studded show tonight. Melinda has no neck. Elliot Yamin will perform.
Paula ist verhummert.
Next week we get to see the hotties who were eliminated, as all Top 12 come back to perform.
Simon wants to see “[his] girl Melinder [sic]” in the final.
I predict that what they do to screw with our minds is about halfway through the show, Seacrest will announce that one of them is safe. I’m hoping that will be Jordin. Then, we’ll have to wait until the end to see whether she’s joined by neckless Melinda or feckless Blake.
When it comes time for Melinda’s day at home to be featured, we’ll see her presiding over the First Annual Human Fireplug convention.
Blake’s visit home is being conducted to a Keane soundtrack.
Oh, that’s Blake doing a Keane song.
(I get the feeling that I’m talking to myself here.)
(Not a bad feeling, mind you.)
But I miss my Redhead.
Hey, Turkey!!!! I’m so glad you’re still here. We’ve got company. I thought I’d be free by now but I snuck up here to say “hi.” Sorry to miss blogging with you!
What has happened? Looks like not much but promotional stuff.
I’ll check back to read the results!!!
Elliot was never one of my favorites, but the new hair improves his formerly horsey look.
Yo, Red…I’ll keep up the onanistic commentary so you’ll have a full dynamic recap when you eventually get here.
I think Elliot got his teeth veneered, too.
And straightened.
They couldn’t do much with his jut-jaw, but the curly hair sort of takes the edge off of it.
Elliot said he likes Porsches. He got a dirty look from Seacrest, who said, “That’s a no-no on this show.” Ford’s got them in the stranglehold.
Then Seacrest said (reading from the TelePrompter), “Coming up after the break, we have more emotional results and…Melinda goes home….” He got a weird look on his face, like “Did I really say she was going home?” He meant, of course, that they would be featuring Melinda’s visit home.
Melinda’s got the gum exposure thing going on. Gwen did, too, but Gwen has a neck.
Melinda’s singing for the home crowd, doing the Mariah shit.
We’ll have to sit through Maroon Five before we get the results, as we move inexorably toward the grand finale next week. Who will be the odd man out? Ahhh, there will be tears. 😮
You’re missing the Wet ‘n’ Wild commercial.
OK…here we go… Jordin is first to get her results.
60 million votes, and Jordin is safe!
And who will join her?
Melinda is called upon first. She’s going home.
And we once again called it! There is much booing going on in the audience. Melinda is smiling, but Jordin is crying.
Jordin and Blake in the big finale.
Randy says Melinda has nothing to be ashamed of.
Paula said she’s already made it.
Simon congratulated the two finalists and then congratulated Melinda, who he said was one great singer.
And Melinda is doing “I’m a Woman” for her swan song.
So we get to see Haley next week, but will we see Antonella Barba?
Finally! Thanks for your great play-by-play, Turkey. I have to admit, I’m a bit disappointed that it’s not a Melinda/Jordin contest 🙁
Next week they all come back? You get to see Haley!
I’m off to crash for the evening. Look forward to meeting next week as we move toward the big finale.
Take care!