Shock reigned Wednesday night as Melinda Doolittle, without a doubt the most consistent and most capable singer on American Idol this season, was voted off, leaving egotistical beatboxer Blake Lewis and bubbly 17-year-old Jordin Sparks with the towering voice in the finals.
Perhaps the only one not stunned in her unwarranted departure was Melinda who took it gracefully and resignedly, with a big smile and a thank you.
Many viewers have labeled this sixth season one of the most disappointing with the best singers voted off ahead of the less talented. Has American Idol become a popularity contest or is it the talent contest it was designed to be?
At least one newspaper columnist, obviously disgusted at the departure of Doolittle, said he wouldn’t be watching the final episode. Somehow we doubt that and suspect he’ll be among what’s sure to be the largest viewing audience ever for American Idol, the most popular show on TV today.
But one has to wonder what’s ahead for American Idol.
When Ryan Seacrest asked the judges Tuesday who they thought would be in the finals, Randy Jackson boldly and truthfully said, “if it’s on the singing, it’ll be the girls”. And Simon Cowell wanted “my Melinda” in the finals. And it should have been.
According to a poll being conducted by Road Runner, Jordin will be the next American Idol. The poll began May 18 and as of Saturday night, one day later, more than two thirds or 69% of the more than 37,000 voting have chosen Jordin.
Melinda never hit a bad note, whatever the music genre, she turned in a solid performance but perhaps that was Melinda’s downfall, not flashy enough, too humble, too dependable, not enough appeal for the teeny boopers, those with the cell phones and text messaging who could vote up to 10 times.
Nearly 60 million people voted last week. Regardless of what happens next week, Melinda Doolittle is a winner. She took defeat gracefully and belted out “I’m A Woman” in her “Going Home” swan song. She showed the kind of person she is, why Simon Cowell calls her “My Melinda”, why she is destined for a great career. She said she didn’t feel cheated at all by placing third and showed her ‘true colors” by calling Jordin and Blake her “babies”, although at 29, she’s not much older than they are. http://youtube.com/watch?v=DHDCITa7RyA
“I think that two amazing people are in the finale right now and I couldn’t be more proud of them. Those are still my babies, I’m still their mama”, she said in an interview Thursday on Ryan Seacrest’s radio show.
Melinda is a winner and left on a high note with undoubtedly a fantastic career ahead.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment