KiKi’s departure expected, but ‘Idol’ outcome a mystery from here
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- May
- 10
LaKisha Jones’ elimination from “American Idol” last night was relatively easy to predict, despite a relatively strong showing. Her problem? Melinda Doolittle was more talented and polished; Blake Lewis was more fun to watch; and Jordin Sparks was more in tune with the show’s primary voting demographic. Any of those obstacles is tough to overcome. Her inability to conquer them all practically punched Kisha’s ticket home before the week even started. But she did a solid job, so kudos to KiKi.
It’ll be interesting to see how it unfolds from here on out. Of all of this year’s Top 24 contestants (let alone the Top 3), Melinda’s technical element is almost universally praised as superior. I don’t think she’s flubbed a note yet. But her personality, fashion style and song choices could best be described as “effective,” rather than provocative. (The closest thing to a water-cooler moment? Her surprisingly gritty “Have A Nice Day” on Bon Jovi night. Super cool.) To an extent, I’m surprised she’s made it this far on sheer talent on a show whose voters (and producers) so often favor style over substance. She’s never been in the bottom three, voting-wise. That said, after last year’s Soul Patrol appeared to put an end to a streak of platinum records for American Idol champs, producers and voters might be thirsty for a more marketable winner.
Enter Jordin Sparks, the most likely to thrive in a radio market hungry for pop/R&B confections. (I’ve just said “thirsty” and “hungry” in consecutive sentences. Can you tell I haven’t had lunch yet today?) About halfway through the Top 12, judges seemed to be bestowing outlandish praise on Jordin, as if poked by a cattle prod underneath the judges’ table. I’m happy to see Jordin Sparks do well, but I think she needs more time to develop into the diva she’s bound to become. I just don’t think she’s there yet. But that does not so much matter to the producers, considering I’m a guy who’s never voted for an “American Idol” contestant in his life. She’s the favorite to win it all, according to this gambling Web site and many other odds-makers.
And then there’s Blake Lewis, the most polarizing of the remaining contestants. He’s the musical risk-taker, the fashion plate, the pop-and-lock beatboxer. He’s the must-watch contestant, even if you hate him, if for no other reason to properly explain why you hate him. With an attitude that would come across as smarm with phony contestants, instead resonates as charm with Lewis. While he appears to be the most accomplished musician of the remaining three, his voice is the weakest of the trio for what’s allegedly a singing competition. But I think he’s the most innovative contestant the show’s ever seen, and that could go a long way.
Before the Top 24 started, I predicted Doolittle would defeat Lewis in the finale, with Sparks finishing sixth. Now, I’m not so sure who will compete in the finale. I’ll wait until Tuesday’s show before I predict who will be cut the next day.
(Photo by Frank Micelotta / FOX)
This entry was posted
on Thursday, May 10th, 2007 at 12:43 pm by Chris Serico.
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Re: Blake Lewis being “polarizing”....”innovative”.....”fashion plate”???? Something else must be coming thru my tv channel !! He is so OFF, it’s kind of sad. (Meanwhile he’s probably laughing all the way to the bank and I’m still working…..HA!!) And the beat-boxing….if he’s going to TRY doing the beat-box thing, maybe he should select an appropriate song…...not a BeeGees tune….I mean really!! Blake should have been kicked off instead of KiKi..at least she can sing a song that’s recognizable!!
My vote still goes to Melinda!!!!
I agree!!! Especialy on the KiKi comment. I think she could out sing all of the remaining three. As far a winner I think it will be Jordan. Because as we’ve seen it’s not really about just the singing although Melinda and Jordan are very talented singers I think Jordan has the image.
I won’t contest your Melinda vote, Nancy. I think I’m rooting for her to win, too, actually, not just because she’s the most talented, but also because she’s the one who most needs the title and mandatory record deal of the remaining three.
In addition, I’ll happily acknowledge that I’m in the minority of fans over the age of 25 who like what Blake Lewis is doing.
But I stand by the adjectives you cited in my post. For starters, if he weren’t polarizing, you wouldn’t have been quick to lash out against him. He’s innovative in his unorthodox arrangements, whether or not they succeed. And from his argyle sweater vests to his tuxedo T-shirts, he’s the most fashion-forward, compared to Melinda’s dowdy, mundane selections and Jordin’s pageant-like tendencies.
I love your comments, Nancy. They force me to think. Thinking good. Thinking very good.
Happy to let you know that Melinda already has record deals in the wings….can’t do anything about it yet since A/I is still “on”. Let’s face it….no matter who wins, the remaining three will all have careers. I hope Blake gets some help buying/picking out new threads and ditches those silly looking plaid pants and comical tuxedo-t-shirt….I mean pleeeeeeeze…...get a grip!!!!!!!
I agree that Melinda and Jordin need a little shaking up too…..but at least they look neat and clean!!!
Anyway…let’s see what happens next week…..I’ll “tune in” to A/I AND your blog. It’s fun!!