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Home > Blogs > Reality Bytes > Archives > 2007 > May > 15 > Entry
3 is a magic number on ‘Idol’ this week
Three is a magic number this week on American Idol. Three finalists, three songs each, and three numbers to call to cast your votes.
But before we get to three, you need to know about one — as in the one reason I, Ben McLaughlin, am writing this blog tonight. Kelle needed a substitute, and I answered the call. She’ll be back for the results blog.
The judges picked the songs for the first round.
Jordin Sparks sang “Wishing on a Star,” courtesy of Simon. She started out a bit rough for me but got better and better throughout, hitting a nice ending. Randy and Paula heaped on praise, but Simon, who picked the song, didn’t like the arrangement. He did like her vocal.
Paula worked with Blake Lewis and picked “Roxanne,” made famous by Sting’s vocals. Blake did well, but will it matter? He’s most likely to be bounced this week heading into the night.
Melinda Doolittle sang Randy’s selection of “I Believe in You and Me,” a Whitney song. If a contestant picked that one, judges might question the decision. I thought Melinda started out a bit rough, and I found myself thinking about Whitney singing it better. Melinda hit her stride later in the song and won me over. The judges liked her even more.
I thought Jordin won round one with Melinda and Blake second and third, respectively, but the judges scored it Melinda, then Jordin and Blake.
Round two is picked by the producers and starts with Jordin singing “She Works Hard for the Money.” Tough song with the pacing and never a favorite of mine, but Jordin always delivers an entertaining effort. All three judges liked her.
Blake is handed “This Love,” a current popular song and probably something better suited for him than Jordin got. I thought Blake nailed the vocal and did his thing with the beat box thrown in. I think it worked here because he had to be a bit different with it, and he pulled it off. The judges really liked him, and so did the audience.
Melinda sings “Nutbush City Limits” from Ike and Tina. I suppose the choice was because the judges repeatedly have compared Melinda to Tina — never to Ike, though. Melinda showed why they do the Tina comparison, nailing the performance and earning praise from all three judges.
Randy, Paula and Simon called round two a tie. I actually scored it Blake, Melinda and Jordin, but I blame the producers for picking a bad song for Jordin. Worst pick of the night so far.
The contestants get to pick their own songs for the third and final round. This is the make or break moment.
Jordin chose “I Who Have Nothing” for her finale. Interesting pick because of how old it is. It allowed her to show her range, her power and her polish as a performer. Her best effort of the night. The judges agreed with me about the vocal, but Simon hated the song choice.
Blake picks another current song, “When I Get You Alone.” His vocal was not good at the beginning and didn’t get much better for me. The beat box at the end added nothing this time, and this might be his swan song. Randy agreed with me, but Simon shocked me by saying he really liked it.
Melinda goes out with “Woman,” which is really suited well for her voice and style. This one didn’t blow me away. Solid but no wow factor for me as one looking for someone who could be a pop star. Judges liked her more than I did this round.
The final round on my scorecard: Jordin, Melinda, Blake.
For the night, however, I think Melinda and Jordin deserve the votes and Blake becomes the odd man — only man? — out.
Enough from me. Let me know what you think and remember to take part in our polls.
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Comments
By ng
May 17, 2007 7:00 AM | Link to this
I don’t care who wins. I just want it to be over!!!
By Heather
May 16, 2007 3:26 PM | Link to this
Jordin and Blake have been my top pics for a very long time. I thought Jordin did great last night - and I personally loved her last performance. It gives me chills every time I hear her sing it. Blake has starting to waiver in my eyes though. Last night he did show a little more versatility though. Melinda is definitely good, but I just don’t see her winning. I think it will be a Jordin/Melinda finale with Jordin taking it.
By musician
May 16, 2007 2:59 PM | Link to this
All of them are good. But, as said in earlier posts, the beat boxing is just getting old week in and week out. The two women just have better voices than Blake. He’ll make it with or without the final now though. Jordin is excellent for her age, and she’ll have a long career with the proper guidence. Melinda is a former pro, but believe me, just because you’re a pro, that doesn’t mean that “you could have made it if you try harder”. The world of professional music is TOUGH, and there are hundreds of background singers that never get out of the back. Melinda needed AI to get out front…. and that’s where she will stay. Simon was right… she has been the most consistent singer throughout the competition, and she is good. She should win.
By Danielle
May 16, 2007 1:32 PM | Link to this
I just hope Blake can make it another night, he really has talent
By Danielle
May 16, 2007 1:31 PM | Link to this
I just hope Blake can make it another night, he really has talent
By Charlie
May 16, 2007 1:29 PM | Link to this
I voted for the first time last night for Blake. He is original and modern. I thought he had a great night. Melinda is BORING and I would not buy her CD. Jordin needs some more time to mature - she is pitchy ALOT.
By big mike
May 16, 2007 1:09 PM | Link to this
I think melinda nailed every song last night and hands down will be the american idol next week. jordin had a bad song choice at the end,and blake has done a good job to get to this point but he has limits on his vocals and that beat boxing is wearing thin….
By big mike
May 16, 2007 1:08 PM | Link to this
I think melinda nailed every song last night and hands down will be the american idol next week. jordin had a bad song choice at the end,and blake has done a good job to get to this point but he has limits on his vocals and that beat boxing is wearing thin….
By big mike
May 16, 2007 1:08 PM | Link to this
I think melinda nailed every song last night and hands down will be the american idol next week. jordin had a bad song choice at the end,and blake has done a good job to get to this point but he has limits on his vocals and that beat boxing is wearing thin….
By Joe
May 16, 2007 10:24 AM | Link to this
I think some of the comments above are on the money, Melinda has the best voice, but generates no heat with it. And, heat is the key. With voters allowed to call in over and over, will Melinda, who looks and sings older than her 29 years, generate the repeat voters needed to advance? Look for a Jordin-Blake final.
By vic
May 16, 2007 9:46 AM | Link to this
I like Melinda and Blake the most, and I think that they will be in the finals, with Melinda most likely winning. Jordin didn’t have the kind of spark she needed to offset Blake’s originality, and the sheer number of votes he’ll get simply because he’s the last guy left. Melinda is just too good a singer not to make it to the finals of a singing competition.
By AP
May 16, 2007 9:24 AM | Link to this
I think the final three are the best of the season and all deserve to be there. Melinda is great but I just don’t see her as an American Idol. Besides, she was a professional backup singer before this…she could have made it on her own if she tried. Jordin and Blake have really grown throughout the competition and I could see either of them on MTV. I love Melinda but it’s her time to go!
By Billy
May 16, 2007 9:03 AM | Link to this
I agree with you 100% Mandy. I don’t know what genre of music Melinda could make an album for that would be a hit, but just becuase I would not buy the album doesn’t mean much - I’m sure there are plenty of people who will. She can sing boring songs until the cows come home, but that does nothing for me. I had to laugh when they showed the contestants back in their home towns. Jordin and Blake were basically having parties with stages in the middle of town and they show Melinda in a boring setting with the governor. That was classic! Blake threw down some beats with Sir-Mix-A-Lot. Hilarious! I haven’t seen him since the 90’s. Blake will probably be gone, but I would like to see Jordin and Blake in the finale.
By anita
May 16, 2007 8:53 AM | Link to this
I think that the final two will be Jordin and Melinda. I am getting really tired of the beat boxing from Blake. Many good songs have been runied by that annoying addition. Jordin is just plain great and always amazes me! Melinda has always been consistant. Go JORDIN!
By Mandy
May 16, 2007 8:36 AM | Link to this
I agree I think Jordin should win and Blake in second. Lets face it Melinda is a Great singer but she is boring. Can you realy see her with a video on MTV? No! Can you see her in movies? No! She doesnt have the look or the attitude. Lets not have a repeat of last season. A winner that will go no where.
By shelly
May 15, 2007 10:16 PM | Link to this
Jordin should win and have Blake as the runner up melidna should be going because she had some off notes and she does not have the wow factor