American Idol 2007

[Radio Enginerd]

I think Katherine Mcphee deserves honorable mention for her rendition of "Somewhere Over The Rainbow"...

[Sharkie_Fan]

As for Melinda, she is so polished I am not sure she can take it up another notch and get the WOW factor to kick in.

I think you may be right.. in the long run, Melinda may be hurt by the fact that she's SO polished.... It's more than the skill level, it's the "other stuff". She looks like she's been on stage for 10 years in front of crowds, and she knows how to work a crowd and "bring it" as Randy likes to say....

She's already bringing A+ performances....and there aren't many people who can bring out an A++.... When a C student or a B student pulls out an A+, people take notice...

It's too bad, but her reputation as the "pro" may very well be her downfall as far as this competition goes... As for a career, at this point, most, if not all, of the contestants are going to get record deals, and I think Melinda is going to do REALLY well...

[machavez00]

http://media.americanidol.com.edgesuite.net/photos/top6performances/22427.jpg

[Ron Barry]

I think you may be right.. in the long run, Melinda may be hurt by the fact that she's SO polished.... It's more than the skill level, it's the "other stuff". She looks like she's been on stage for 10 years in front of crowds, and she knows how to work a crowd and "bring it" as Randy likes to say....

She's already bringing A+ performances....and there aren't many people who can bring out an A++.... When a C student or a B student pulls out an A+, people take notice...

It's too bad, but her reputation as the "pro" may very well be her downfall as far as this competition goes... As for a career, at this point, most, if not all, of the contestants are going to get record deals, and I think Melinda is going to do REALLY well...

Yep.. well remember Bo.. Personally I think he should have won. I thought he definitely was more unique, could sing anything, had much more stage presence, and was defintely more polished as Carrie. I think the fact that Bo was so polished from beginning to the end played a part in the finally vote... Carrie should improvement and potential. Bo was already there and I think over the weeks if you don't raise the bar from your level you can lose momentum.

Turns out that Carrie has done very well, Melinda reminds me of the same polish as Bo and I hope that does not result in here not winning because of it. Time will tell but if the past is a indication of the future, Melinda is in trouble if Jordan keeps raising here game.

Then again.. 2nd place may not too bad of a place to be with American Idol. Just ask Kathern and Clay.

[machavez00]

All the idols are safe?

[cb7214]

All the idols are safe?

that is the most rediculous thing I have heard

[Richard King]

I just finished watching it and just about had a heart attack. I agree, this is rediculous. I think Jordin about joined me in the heart attack.

[cb7214]

I just finished watching it and just about had a heart attack. I agree, this is rediculous. I think Jordin about joined me in the heart attack.

just the delay of the inevitable

[machavez00]

I don't think Jordin is in any real danger. All hype

[Chris Blount]

Hey, at least the votes are still counted for next weeks show. :rolleyes:

[Phil T]

Extend the series another week, more ratings $$$

[machavez00]

Ryan never said they were the bottom 2. The Bottom 2 will be cut next week

[Radio Enginerd]

Ryan never said they were the bottom 2. The Bottom 2 will be cut next week

Yeah, I agree. They played us like a fiddle.

There's NOT A CHANCE Jordan has the lowest amount of votes. That stunt last night may have guaranteed her a spot in the top 2. How so? Simple... the young and ignorant now think she is in the bottom 2. She will have an explosion of votes next week even IF she has a not so good week.

Don't get me wrong, I love Jordan, I really do, but I think the producers of Idol did a lousy thing last night.

Last nights Idol made owning a DVR worth it's weight in gold. I watched that entire episode in 5 minutes. Had I watched the entire 2 hours to find out everyone was safe, I would have thrown a shoe at my over priced Plasma.

[Sharkie_Fan]

Last nights Idol made owning a DVR worth it's weight in gold. I watched that entire episode in 5 minutes. Had I watched the entire 2 hours to find out everyone was safe, I would have thrown a show at my over priced Plasma.

Glad I opted to take my family out to dinner after work instead of running home to cook something up so we'd be home for IDOL! My wife and I were both so tired that we figured we weren't going to stay up until 10:00 to see the whole episode anyway, so we went out and had dinner and got home and hit the hay early thinking we'd zip through Idol tonight or tomorrow... (probably tomorrow, cause I'm monopolizing the TV tonight for Sharks v. Red Wings game 1!)..

[Ron Barry]

I was not too suprised. about 15 minutes I got feeling that no one was going home. It happend as soon as Phil and Blake were declared safe. I also for some strange reason felt someone from the dead was going to be on the show.. Weird. The other thing I felt short changed on was Bono and how much he was in the show.

Given it was a charity event, I am torn with the votes. For sure they will not get 70 mill next weeks so the charity show will have a higher weighting on both people that get the boot.

Be interesting in seeing how it plays out.

[bigshew]

What happened to Gwen Stefani? Did I blink and miss her? the promos said she was going to be on.

[Richard King]

Goodbye Chris, goodbye Phil in that order. I thought Phil did a good job (but not Chris) and the competition is getting very tough now which is why Phil goes.

[LostBoyinVA]

I hope Jordan has the fan base to carry through to next week. This was not her week and she knew it.

[machavez00]

I hope Jordan has the fan base to carry through to next week. This was not her week and she knew it.
From gambling911.com:
Despite a rave performance this week from Lakisha Jones on American Idol, she might become a victim of last week's vote count, estimated to be twice the number of this week. That's because both weeks will be added into the equation and this week's Bon Jovi themed performances may have little impact...unless there is something we do not know.

More here (http://www.gambling911.com/American-Idol-Lakisha-Jones-050207.html)

Dial Idol predictions (http://www.dialidol.com/asp/predictions/Predictions.asp)

[Sharkie_Fan]

This is a tough one to call, for me. Number one, the closer I get to "old age", the worse my memory gets, so I hardly remember last week's performances!

Jordin this week was downright painful, I thought. I'm not sure if it was a really poor choice of songs or if she was gonna be hosed no matter what song she picked... There isn't a Bon Jovi song that's jumping out at me as something she should have done instead, so it may just be that singing a male rock groups songs was not in the cards for her....

If it was based solely on this week, she'd be toast in a bad way... With Chris Richardson right there next to her... I think it could actually be Chris and Lakisha going home this week though...I really didn't like her Fantasia song last week, and this weeks performance was just "OK" for me....

Personally, I'd put Blake #1 and Melinda #2 for this weeks performances. Phil #3, Lakisha #4, Chris #5, Jordin, sadly, #6....

We actually after the show ended replayed Blake's song... my wife and I both really dug that... And we're not necessarily into that beat box style of stuff, but that was HOT, I thought!

[packfan909]

Lakisha hit a home run last night. But, I am not sure she did enough to dig out of her hole from last week. Everyone, with the exception of Jordin, was very good. I think Chris was good but not enough as well. Lakisha and Chris are gone this week.

A few songs of Bon Jovi's come to mind and may of been better. "Living in Sin" and "You Can't Go Home" may of worked better. The second being the better of the two since it was song as a duet with a female artist in one version.

pf

[Sharkie_Fan]

Lakisha hit a home run last night. But, I am not sure she did enough to dig out of her hole from last week. Everyone, with the exception of Jordin, was very good. I think Chris was good but not enough as well. Lakisha and Chris are gone this week.

A few songs of Bon Jovi's come to mind and may of been better. "Living in Sin" and "You Can't Go Home" may of worked better. The second being the better of the two since it was song as a duet with a female artist in one version.

pf

I hadn't thought of "you can't go home". Jen Nettles was the female he did the duet with (from the country group, Sugerland). I think you're right that probably would have fit Jordin pretty well... Shame on me for not remembering that Bon Jovi song!

Good call, pf...

[Ron Barry]

Well I think Lakisha did bring it last night. Also thing American Idol does not want here going. She seemed to get a bit more airtime. Perhaps I should have voted because she does deserve to day.

My order for last night

Melinda
Lakisha
Blake (Love his mix, but felt his voice cracked a number of times)
Phil
Chris
Jordan

Jorden had a WOW performance last week and this week was a complete dude. Don't see here going though. Melinda I think this week showed why she is the front runner. Vocally nobody could touch her. From the moment here mouth opened you know she nailed it. One thing that happen Last night. Melinda showed that she can sing anything. Jordan showed she can't. I think this will help in the finals if those are the final two.

Blakes was very cool. Originally. Vocals were not the best though and they cracked. I still really enjoyed it.

Phil, It has improved... Still don't see anything unique.

Chris.. Sang it well. but when you compare it to Daughtry in my mind there is no comparison and it shows the difference... Daughtry had passion and drive when he sang songs. He seemed natural. For Chris, the stage does not seem like a natural place and I don't feel the believability when he sings. It just seems to sing the song.. not feel the song. Phil as the same problem. This is what I think separates the gifted from the singers.

Lakisha may go home... I hope she does not and personally my pick for 2 to take a hike is Phil and Chris though I don't it will work out that way.

[Sharkie_Fan]

Well I think Lakisha did bring it last night. Also thing American Idol does not want here going. She seemed to get a bit more airtime. Perhaps I should have voted because she does deserve to day.

My order for last night

Melinda
Lakisha
Blake (Love his mix, but felt his voice cracked a number of times)
Phil
Chris
Jordan

Jorden had a WOW performance last week and this week was a complete dude. Don't see here going though. Melinda I think this week showed why she is the front runner. Vocally nobody could touch her. From the moment here mouth opened you know she nailed it. One thing that happen Last night. Melinda showed that she can sing anything. Jordan showed she can't. I think this will help in the finals if those are the final two.

Blakes was very cool. Originally. Vocals were not the best though and they cracked. I still really enjoyed it.

Phil, It has improved... Still don't see anything unique.

Chris.. Sang it well. but when you compare it to Daughtry in my mind there is no comparison and it shows the difference... Daughtry had passion and drive when he sang songs. He seemed natural. For Chris, the stage does not seem like a natural place and I don't feel the believability when he sings. It just seems to sing the song.. not feel the song. Phil as the same problem. This is what I think separates the gifted from the singers.

Lakisha may go home... I hope she does not and personally my pick for 2 to take a hike is Phil and Chris though I don't it will work out that way.

Agree with you 100% that the vocals on Blake were not as good as some of the others... I've said before that I don't think Blake, vocally, can hold a candle to the ladies in this year's competition. Last night, though, is EXACTLY the reason why he's going to do well... His willingness to take a song that alot of people know and don't want messed with and go WAAAY out on a limb with that arrangement! That's what he brings to this competition. Vocally not as strong as the others, but you know his concert would be a TOTAL blast, and the sound guys in the studio can hide alot of vocal deficiencies... Look at Bucky Covington from last year - he's actually having a decent run of it in the country music scene, and I thought he was HORRIBLE last year!!

Phil has vastly improved, but as you said, still nothing to make you go "WOW"...

I think you're probably right that Phil and Chris are the 2 who *should* go home... but, it's just so hard to tell with the 2 weeks worth of votes, and last week being "charity week" brought in ALOT of extra votes, which could possibly skew the results.... And I think Lakisha has a pretty big hole to dig out of from last week!

[Mark Lamutt]

I went "Wow" after Phil sang last night, just like I did during Country night. I thought he was brilliant last night. Blake was brilliant. Melinda was good, Lakisha was OK, Chris did better than I thought he would, but I was still bored to tears by it, and Jordin was terrible.

[Richard King]

This is VERY tough, but my order for last night would be:
1. Melinda. I have to go with her because she showed amazing versatility, right from that first note last night. A great performance for a non "rock star". She was out of her element about as far as she could possibly have been and still pulled it off.
2. Blake. Great originality. He is growing on me on a weekly basis and for me is the biggest surprise of the bunch.
3. Lakisha. Another strong performance showing her versitility out of her element.
4. Phil. Good performance, I just don't think he has the following to pass on.
5. Jordin. Obviously out of her element and unable to have the versitilty that other have had when out of their element, either tonight or in previous weeks. I think she has enough fans to make the cut tonight though.
6. Chris. Not a good performance. He is obviously the weakest of the bunch at this point.

[machavez00]

Bye Chris and Phil!

[bobsupra]

Bee Gees next week? Give me a break. When is the Beatles songbook?

[Sharkie_Fan]

Bee Gees next week? Give me a break. When is the Beatles songbook?

Two weeks ago, I think, was the British Invasion week. Since there were ZERO Beatles songs sung, one can only assume that they were unable to get ANY licensing rights to Beatles songs.

And it's not just Beatles songs.... I know that Kelly Clarkson for a long time wouldn't let her songs be performed on Idol. I don't know if she changed her stance on that or not - I think I might have heard some of her stuff on the audition shows... There are some others as well which elude me (it is, after all, only 5:45 AM here). More than once they've had a theme and thought to myself "Why didn't anyone do X", only to find out after the fact that "X" wouldn't allow their songs on idol...

[Richard King]

Bee Gees next week? Give me a break. When is the Beatles songbook?
I really doubt that they could get Paul or Ringo to show up on the show. That would be interesting though. Talk about a wide ranging songbook.

[Richard King]

Two weeks ago, I think, was the British Invasion week. Since there were ZERO Beatles songs sung, one can only assume that they were unable to get ANY licensing rights to Beatles songs.
If that's the case, blame Michael Jackson. I would think that he needs the money enough that he would do anything now for a buck or two.

[machavez00]

Taylor Hicks did a Beatles song last year("Something"). It was during Billboard week and the Beatles had a re-release on the charts

[Sharkie_Fan]

Taylor Hicks did a Beatles song last year("Something"). It was during Billboard week and the Beatles had a re-release on the charts

Interesting.... I vaguely remember Taylor doing that now that you mention it...

I'm not sure what the deal is then.... No licensing was the best we could come up with... I mean, seriously, how could you do a "british invasion" week and not a single person came up with a Beatles song! They were the biggest of the big! We just figured that they must not have had beatles songs available...???

[Richard King]

If I recall correctly, "Something" was written by George Harrison, not Lennon/McCartney. I wonder if George's songs were not part of Northern Songs Ltd, Lennon/McCartney's publishing arm which is controlled by MJ now.

[guzmania]

'To Love Somebody" (Please let it be Jordin.)

If I was one of those kids that would be the song I'd choose. The ONLY Beegees song AFAIC.

When does the "women don't vote for women" vote kick in? This week I think, and next week too.

[bobsupra]

Well, the wonders of the net...

"American Idol received permission to use The Beatles' famed songbook as the basis for one of its sixth season music-genre theme weeks, but due to an inability to find a proper mentor, the show's sixth reason finalists won't be performing any songs from the best-selling and most critically acclaimed band of the 20th century.
...
"We were in dialogue with them this year as part of one of the genres. The problem we found -- or the problem we've had, obviously -- is that we need a mentor who's up to the job," Idol executive producer Ken Warwick explained Warwick during a Wednesday conference call with reporters. "We were after [Beatles producer] George Martin, and his schedule unfortunately... we tried every which way. We had permission from the record company, we just couldn't get George."
...
"[McCartney's] a nice guy. He doesn't like Simon saying, 'You're horrible. You're the worst I ever heard. You shouldn't be singing,'" said Warwick. "So the chances of Paul coming on the show were pretty slim."
...
http://www.realitytvworld.com/news/american-idol-producer-explains-why-beatles-week-didnt-happen-5042.php

[guzmania]

Also his X was performing in the next studio which shares a hallway. DWTS and Idol are neighbors on Tuesdays. Maybe next year???

[Sharkie_Fan]

Also his X was performing in the next studio which shares a hallway. DWTS and Idol are neighbors on Tuesdays. Maybe next year???

THe article there is saying that maybe next year they'll have a Beatles week with George Martin as the mentor.... We can hope! :)

[Richard King]

'To Love Somebody" (Please let it be Jordin.)

If I was one of those kids that would be the song I'd choose. The ONLY Beegees song AFAIC.

When does the "women don't vote for women" vote kick in? This week I think, and next week too.
So, is that a guest pass or a work pass or is that the "entrance ticket" for the audience?

[guzmania]

Work pass for last week. They change it for every show. Finishing my 6th season in 2 weeks when the strike out for the Kodak.

[Richard King]

Good deal. What do you do? I may have a former customer/friend that you may know who has put in some time out there doing sound for many of the awards shows.

[guzmania]

I am what people think of as the chief engineer. Technical Maintenance Supervisor for the building. I work for CBS at Television City, where we do the Idol show (when it is in a TV Studio). We also do DWTS. Studio 36 for Idol, Studio 46 for DWTS.

Who's your friend?

[Richard King]

Rob "Cubby" Colby. I haven't seen him in years, but he is quite an active sound engineer for internationally known bands and for awards shows both here and internationally. Here's his rarely updated website. http://members.aol.com/cubtones/

[Radio Enginerd]

If I recall correctly, "Something" was written by George Harrison, not Lennon/McCartney. I wonder if George's songs were not part of Northern Songs Ltd, Lennon/McCartney's publishing arm which is controlled by MJ now.

I think you're on to something with this...

[Ron Barry]

Well I was glad to see Chris and Phil to be the ones to go. Bit surprised, but I think it was the best choice. Good final 4 and it should be interesting who becomes the final 2. Dolittle and who else. My guess is Jorden with Blake dark horse. Lakisha is a long shot but personally I think this is the correct final 4 and I have not seen that happen in a while.

[bobsupra]

You're right, Ron. I agree with the final four, and for once, actually care about the outcome. My only hope is for some flexibility and allowances for style in song intrepretation. The Bee Gees still bother me for tomorrow, and sometimes I get the feeling the producers are stuck in the '70's to '80's timewarp...there was music before and after. But the final four are good....just let them sing.

[Richard King]

I have a feeling the final two will be Melinda (obviously) and Blake. I really wouldn't have given him much of a chance at the start of the contest, but he has improved with each week from the top 12. He's been able to work his "style" into songs better than any of the others and certainly has a unique style.

[machavez00]

I have a feeling the final two will be Melinda (obviously) and Blake. I really wouldn't have given him much of a chance at the start of the contest, but he has improved with each week from the top 12. He's been able to work his "style" into songs better than any of the others and certainly has a unique style.

I think the the Final Two will be Melinda and Jordin. Jordin will be getting a lot of votes because she has more of the over all "package". Melinda can sing, no doubt about it. If both perform at their best Jordin will win unless she drops another bomb and I don't think she will make another bad song choice again(I hope).
http://www.americanidol.com/media/contestants/season6/f/jordin_sparks.jpghttp://www.americanidol.com/media/contestants/season6/f/melinda_doolittle.jpg

[bobsupra]

Big yawn tonight. It was the songbook.

[machavez00]

'To Love Somebody" (Please let it be Jordin.)

If I was one of those kids that would be the song I'd choose. The ONLY Beegees song AFAIC.

When does the "women don't vote for women" vote kick in? This week I think, and next week too.

It was, and she did awesome

[TNGTony]

After tonight's performances, I KNOW Melinda should be the winner... She is the best! I also know that Blake should be the one leaving us tomorrow. Jordin was okay, but her song choices were off. She did a better job with the second tune than the judges gave her credit. But I thought Lakisha, was better overall especially with her second song!

See ya
Tony

[Sharkie_Fan]

I had hoped to log on this morning and say Blake and Melinda should be the final two.... That didn't work out so well for me, I guess. My wife and I both really dig Blake, but he wasn't very good last night at all...

Personally, I think they should just skip the stupid finale pomp & circumstance and give the title to Melinda and send the other 3 packing!

I think Jordin should go into the final 2 with Melinda, although I don't really care for her all that much. Between Blake, Melinda, & Jordin... I think Jordin has probably been the best... as much as it pains me to say it cause I really wanted to see Blake in the final two... :)

Lakisha just bugs me. And I figured out what part of it is with her. She NEVER takes the advice of the "mentor". I noticed it first with Tony Bennett, where he told her not to do the little funky run at the end of the song, but to end it with the big note... and she put the run in. Last night, on both songs, Barry Gibb gave her recommendations, which she promptly ignored... The second recommendation, I could understand ignoring - saving the key change to the second chorus rather than the first... build up the anticipation, finish big... OK... fine. But the first one, when he recommended she sing the melody up where it was written, and she came out back down in her lower register just killed me... #1, I don't think her voice is all that pleasant in her lower register. #2, Barry Gibb doesn' thave 7 grammy's because he's an idiot...

On a completely different note... Barry Gibb looked pretty worked. I haven't seen him in a while, and I was surprised how old he looks... Last time I saw him, you could tell he had some mileage on him, but he still looked pretty good... Last night, I thought he's starting to look his age...

[Richard King]

Last night I feel that Jordin did a better job than Blake, but then, so did everyone else. Blake should be the one to go, but I don't think he will. If I had to rank them last night, I would go Melinda, Jordin, Lakisha and Blake. It was actually close between Melinda and Jordin. I really didn't like any of the performances though. I think that Lakisha goes home tonight.

I was surprised how old he looks..... Last night, I thought he's starting to look his ageThat happens to us all eventually. :(

[MikeW]

I see Lakisha leaving tonight. Blake will go next, then Melinda will beat Jordin.

[Ron Barry]

Lakisha and Blake are definitely on the block tonight. I have to say... down to the final four and you have Gibb night. Give me a break... very limited in terms of variety.. I believe at this point you want to open it up and let they WOW the people if they can.

I do think Melinda's second song showed once again why she is the front runner. Top notch....

My guess is Lakisha... But I hope it is blake leaving the diva's as the final 3. Lakisha definitely has problems with song choice, however, here second song was very good. Blake had a very dull night and if anyone should have shined given the content it should have been him.

[Sharkie_Fan]

I agree with you Ron, that there is limited variety with a BeeGees/Barry Gibb night, as far as the style goes, but that's a pretty big song book to choose from when you think of not only songs the BeeGees performed, but songs that Barry has written and performed since then.... Stylistcally there's all pretty similar, but with a library of works that large, the contestants should have been able to pick some songs better suited to their styles...

Blake had a golden opportunity last night with "dance music" that he could have really had a good time with, and I think he blew it... I personally thought both performances were mediocre to average...

[machavez00]

So Long Kiki. If she only listened to the mentors

[machavez00]

I see Lakisha leaving tonight. Blake will go next, then Melinda will beat Jordin.

Don't underestimate the "Dirty Old Man" vote

[Richard King]

Goodbye Blake. All made great performances tonight though.

[bobsupra]

I agree Richard. Good work done by all, and I thought Blake did well in his middle and last song. But Ms. Doolittle, again, proved she can do no wrong. Her ability to take on Tina, with attitude, was simply outstanding. Game over.

[Sharkie_Fan]

Absolutely agree with you Richard and bob....

I LOVE Blake - his style & music choice is right up my alley as a 30 year old living in a town where Blake's "outrageous" style would be considered really mellow! However, of the three performing last night, he was clearly the weakest!

I personally don't care for Jordin still, but, she deserves a spot in the final 2.

So long, Blake... can't wait till your CD hits the shelves in stores. ;)

[Radio Enginerd]

Absolutely agree with you Richard and bob....

I LOVE Blake - his style & music choice is right up my alley as a 30 year old living in a town where Blake's "outrageous" style would be considered really mellow! However, of the three performing last night, he was clearly the weakest!

I personally don't care for Jordin still, but, she deserves a spot in the final 2.

So long, Blake... can't wait till your CD hits the shelves in stores. ;)

And I'll get in line here and add a +4.

Agree with you guys 100%. They're all VERY talented but in different ways so imagine, like in past seasons, we'll see at least 3 singles get radio play in the next few months from each of the top 3.

My favorite highlight from last night: Watching Blake beat box with Sir Mix A Lot.

[Michael D'Angelo]

Remember the best singer does not always move on. I think Blake will move on.

[Richard King]

I LOVE Blake - his style & music choice is right up my alley as a 30 year old He's also very talented according to this 57 year old geezer. Well done Blake.

[machavez00]

Remember the best singer does not always move on. I think Blake will move on.

Don't be surprised if Malinda goes. Many see the fact that Malinda already is a professional singer and it will work against her. Stranger things have happened

[TNGTony]

Tough choice for me. I loved all the performances though I did not like some of the songs. Blake is a different kind of singer than the other two. His voice is not a booming commanding voice so he was lost in the volume and timber wars last night. But the voice was a match for the type of stuff he was singing. His rendition of "Roxanne" was excellent! Unfortunately his back-up singers and the audio guy having the backups so loud killed the song for me. It wasn't blakes fault, but it will hurt him.

So after saying all that... I think Blake is gone and we're off to the Diva Finals. :)

For those who follow this, Dial Idol (which has been less than accurate this year) has this too close to call. They have Melinda with the highest score. Jordin next and Blake last.

So we'll have to wait and see. :)

See ya
Tony

[machavez00]

Tough choice for me. I loved all the performances though I did not like some of the songs. Blake is a different kind of singer than the other two. His voice is not a booming commanding voice so he was lost in the volume and timber wars last night. But the voice was a match for the type of stuff he was singing. His rendition of "Roxanne" was excellent! Unfortunately his back-up singers and the audio guy having the backups so loud killed the song for me. It wasn't blakes fault, but it will hurt him.

So after saying all that... I think Blake is gone and we're off to the Diva Finals. :)

For those who follow this, Dial Idol (which has been less than accurate this year) has this too close to call. They have Melinda with the highest score. Jordin next and Blake last.

So we'll have to wait and see. :)

See ya
Tony

I had to turned up the center channel volume for all three.

[Sharkie_Fan]

Don't be surprised if Malinda goes. Many see the fact that Malinda already is a professional singer and it will work against her. Stranger things have happened

And, in many ways, thats not necessarily a bad thing.... We've had 5 Idol winners so far - Kelly Clarkson, Ruben Studdard, Fantasia Barrino, Carrie Underwood, and Taylor Hicks....

Ruben, Fantasia and Taylor have not seen a ton of success commercially (I realize Fantasia is going to star in the Color Purple, but I'm thinking strictly recording career here). And Kelly took several years to really get the ball rolling with her career...

You're seeing non-winners with as much, or more success, than winners... Clay Aiken, Jennifer Hudson, Eliot Yamin, Chris Daughtry... Kellie Pickler and Bucky Covington, as bad as they were on Idol, are actually doing pretty well on the country charts... both getting a fair amount of play on XM, and Kellie's "red high heels" video getting play on CMT... Tamyra gray went on to TV success and I believe is compiling quite a list of songwriting credits...

All in all, the best singer may not win Idol every year, but the best singers do win, in the long run, thanks to the exposure idol gives them.

[Radio Enginerd]

I had to turned up the center channel volume for all three.

So it's not my 5.1 system. Often I think the DD mix is lacking in the center channel. Sad to say I used to enjoy the performances more when I didn't have DD.

[Ron Barry]

I would say Melinda, Jordan and Blake. However I would not be suprised if Blake ended up in the top two. Jordan and Melinda are similar in style. Blake is a lot different so you might see a vote split causing Blake to get the node.

Personally Melinda showed last night why she should win. Here whitney song was a WOW one for me and the other two songs she sang showed that she is in a league all by herself. If she does not make the final two, it will be a shame and a let down.

[Richard King]

Jordan and Melinda are similar in style. Blake is a lot different so you might see a vote split causing Blake to get the node. That's the biggest hope that Blake can have for the vote. Split the vote three ways and Blake just might pull it off, being the only one with his type of style. It should be interesting to say the least.

[machavez00]

Don't be surprised if Malinda goes. Many see the fact that Malinda already is a professional singer and it will work against her. Stranger things have happened

I told ya!

[bobsupra]

This is so wrong.

[Richard King]

Amazing. Credibility is down the tubes.

[machavez00]

Amazing. Credibility is down the tubes.

The best doesn't always win, Taylor Hicks for example. Many think Clay should have won instead of Reuben). I think Fantasia is annoying(yeah yeah, yeah yeah, yeah yeah), Diana Digarmo should have won. Tamyra Grey against Kelly Clarkson would have been tough.

[TNGTony]

I am still in shock about Malinda. No way.... NO FRIGGIN WAY! Well. At least I don't have to worry about watching the finale or figuring out how to get both Lost and Idol in next week.

I'm done for the season with this show.

See ya
Tony

[Ron Barry]

Well I would agree with Taylor and Clay, thought I think Ruban and Clay was close and it did not really bother me.

Diana vs. Fantasia.. Sorry but have to disagree and it is not even close. That one was an easy one to call for me.

When I saw Jorden get picked first I knew what was coming next.... Sucks..... Not sure what to think except vote split, but still sucks and really takes away from the final....

Really sucks!!

[MikeW]

I felt sorry for Blake. Probably the greatest moment of his life while he stands on stage knowing he's going to the finals while he listens to the crowd boo the decision. He handled himself admirably in the situation.

[Sharkie_Fan]

I had to work late so I haven't actually seen the deed get done, but I have to admit I am a little surprised that Melinda was the one to be shown the door. There was alot of chatter about people being down on her because she was already a "professional", but everyone knew about her career to this point, including the powers that be on the show, so if they're good with it, I don't really see what the problem is...

I'll probably watch next week just to see if by some miracle Blake can eek one out... :)

[Michael D'Angelo]

The problem with A.I. is that singing is only half of what it takes to win. It is probably even less then that when it comes to the final three. It is a popularity contest. Blake I think is a good singer not the best but I picked him to win it all back during the tryouts because I knew people would like him. Now he is only one show away from winning it.

[mxd]

Melinda was by FAR the most talented.

Did anyone notice, during the performances on Tuesday, that Blake had an echo or reverb on his mic? I thought that was what they do for karoke when someone can't sing. Doesn't seem exactly fair IMO, but I have never liked him from day one.
GO JORDIN!

[Radio Enginerd]

The problem with A.I. is that singing is only half of what it takes to win. It is probably even less then that when it comes to the final three. It is a popularity contest. Blake I think is a good singer not the best but I picked him to win it all back during the tryouts because I knew people would like him. Now he is only one show away from winning it.

Conspiracy Theory #1: The producers of A.I. want Jordin to be the winner.

Anyone vs Melinda = Melinda Winner
Blake vs Jordin = Jordin Winner

Plus it makes for good TV, good water cooler chats the next day and most of all GOOD RATINGS! :)

Melinda is by far one of the most talent (if not the most talented) singer A.I. has ever seen.

[guzmania]

Sorry about Melinda. But the voters are young. The voters have pink cell phones. From day-one I had an idea that the dancing :stickman: and the beatboxing would translate to a finals berth on teen steam alone. Jordin has been my favorite but I got Melinda too. Just from a vocal performance aspect they should be duking it out:box: . I think Blake is the most savvy music-wise but he is also the guy who needs gimicks the most. If his gimicks are really good he could spin this thing his way no question. Jordin's performance picks and the decisions she makes about stylization and stage movement and hair and clothes are all important. The amount of pressure on a 17 year old (who still had to go to school every day along with the other demands on her time) may catch up to her but I think she is Clarkson and Underwood capable. Defining moments for both contestants. A horserace, and that's why people watch.

[Ron Barry]

I am sure that is way some will watch. I am right not deciding if I will. Personally I wanted to see what Melinda would do in the finals and in my opinion she is so far above the other two that it is a real let down that she will not be taking the stage.

The other thing that bothers me... hmm 60 million votes. That is a huge number and makes me wonder if they really do get a big surge at this point and is this surge auto dialer based of fan based.

Still annoyed and still deciding if it is worth my time to watch.... I don't think they will fix the voting issues because to the producers the higher the number the better but I really think they need to find a way to limit the number of votes a location can do. Not saying it had any effect on the finals vote, but I know it did effect the Sanjia debacle and needs addressing.

[Sharkie_Fan]

Sorry about Melinda. But the voters are young. The voters have pink cell phones. .

Hey... I have a pick cell phone! I stole it from my wife! :D

Seriously though, you're right.... I think the average voter is like 12 1/2, and the Jordin/Blake matchup is the battle of the cool kids... Melinda is the most talented, but she's older, and in a contest where popularity is every bit as important as talent, she probably goes out 9 times out of 10!

I think the other thing that hurts Melinda is that she never really improved from week to week. She was just consistently the best performer. Blake you saw in the last few weeks really step out and try some innovative things - more so than the first several weeks... Jordin improved for the first several weeks, then had a couple of rough weeks, and I think this week was pretty good overall again... The fact that Melinda comes out with an A/A- performance time, after time, after time, she kind of gets taken for granted and an A performance turns into a "ho-hum" performance...

[Richard King]

I think the other thing that hurts Melinda is that she never really improved from week to week.I disagree with this. I had her from the beginning in the mold of Gladys Knight and Aretha Franklin (not a bad mold at all). The last few weeks she really reached out in the rock field and I was impressed by the change (not that I wasn't impressed before if you hadn't noticed :) ). I really think that she should have been the one to win and is head and shoulders above all of the rest of the previous competition and the remaining two. She has not only reached out material wise, but has improved 100% in her delivery and performance.

Did anyone notice, during the performances on Tuesday, that Blake had an echo or reverb on his mic?This is done with every singer. On Roxanne the effect was very much out front, but that's the way Sting did it also. I agree somewhat that the mix of reberb/delay to live signal (called wet/dry mix) was a bit high though. The second song was much more of a dryer mix and probably a bit better. The third song was more dry than wet and gave more of a realistic impression of his voice. I suspect that the contestants have a very large input into such decisions during rehersals. With today's mixing consoles the mix is stored in memory and only very minor adjustments need to be made during the performances.

[Richard King]

By the way. Since my favorite right from the start is now gone :( I am going to pick Blake to win the prize.

[Sharkie_Fan]

I disagree with this. I had her from the beginning in the mold of Gladys Knight and Aretha Franklin (not a bad mold at all). The last few weeks she really reached out in the rock field and I was impressed by the change (not that I wasn't impressed before if you hadn't noticed :) ). I really think that she should have been the one to win and is head and shoulders above all of the rest of the previous competition and the remaining two. She has not only reached out material wise, but has improved 100% in her delivery and performance.

I don't disagree that she reached out into some new genres that she certainly wasn't comfortable with... She proved week after week that she can sing ANYTHING, while the others have proved on multiple occasions that they can't do the same...

She absolutely should have won... but the fact that she probably was the best each and every week makes it easy to take her talent for granted...

And, for the record, I'm also on the Blake bandwagon now! I've really liked him from the start but thought all along Melinda should get the trophy... since she's gone, I'm pulling for Blake!

[guzmania]

The other thing that bothers me... hmm 60 million votes. That is a huge number and makes me wonder if they really do get a big surge at this point and is this surge auto dialer based of fan based.

Still annoyed and still deciding if it is worth my time to watch.... I don't think they will fix the voting issues because to the producers the higher the number the better but I really think they need to find a way to limit the number of votes a location can do. Not saying it had any effect on the finals vote, but I know it did effect the Sanjia debacle and needs addressing.

Well there is a boiler plate disclaimer about automated voting and the producers right to discard those votes which is shown for a 1/2 second or so at the end of every show. It was happening in season one or two. This is how it was addressed by the producers. Do they discard the automated votes? I don't know. Vote tallies have never been given. Rarely discussed except in ranges of percentages. Total votes yes, a person's total never. I don't think there are any laws that could even be broken if the voting was manipulated to their perceived advantage. The vote is not independently audited ala the Acadamy Awards.

This #3 toss every year is the trickiest. There is a complacency that hurts the annointed one. If the vote was held again that might change.

Here's the real deal with the phone voting. A certain prime time game show holds a contest that gives away ten thousand dollars a week. Call in and pay to play. The last number I heard for the amount of revenue it had raised for the producers was Sixty Million Dollars. It's all about getting everyone watching to send you a dollar. They hardly need advertisers if we're going to pay to play.

[Richard King]

Jordin wins.

[Ron Barry]

No doubt.... I have to say.. I was disappointed in last seasons finally and I am disappointed in this years. The winning song that they both had to sing was custom made for Jordan and a real bummer for Blake.

I originally was not going to watch but figured might as well close it out. Really annoys me when they kept driving the point that it is a singing contest first and foremost. Hmmmm Wonder what Chris, Melinda, Kathereen, Jennifer and Bo think about every time they hear that line.

Well Off to "on the lot" and Pirate Master.. :)

[waynebtx]

Based on last night Jordan wins

[Sharkie_Fan]

After watching religiously every episode this season, we actually ended up skipping the Finale! NCIS was on and the wife wanted to watch that instead, and got no arguments from me. Besides, the Giants had their new phenom, Tim Lincecum, pitching, so I had to catch as much of the game as possible as well... So Idol lost out in our house!

[Chris Blount]

No doubt.... I have to say.. I was disappointed in last seasons finally and I am disappointed in this years. The winning song that they both had to sing was custom made for Jordan and a real bummer for Blake.

Agree. That song is really made for Jordan. I would be surprised if Blake wins.

Another thing is that if Jordan faked that cry at the end of the song, brilliant idea! Either way, faked or not, that probably bought her the votes to put her over the top.

[machavez00]

Jordin Sparks: American Idol 2007!
http://www.seattlest.com/attachments/seattle_kim2/jordinsparks.jpg

[Richard King]

Thanks, my recording shut off before the winner was announced. :( :lol:

[dafreeds]

Does anyone know where EXACTLY to see the end of the finale from the web??? I need to find the last few minutes that the DVR chopped off.

[TNGTony]

Does anyone know where EXACTLY to see the end of the finale from the web??? I need to find the last few minutes that the DVR chopped off.

From the other thread on the subject:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oiYk8-M2YTU

I hear it was a nice show. Didn't watch any of it except this part. :)

See ya
Tony

[Ron Barry]

Well one line... If they didn't jump the shark last season.. I think they did this one...

Night!

[Radio Enginerd]

Thanks, my recording shut off before the winner was announced. :( :lol:

Yeah that was a shame.

Being on the west coast I thank all you fine folks for allowing me to see the end. After the numerous Fox bashing posts on the board, I picked up on that Fox had run waaaayyyyy over and that my HR-20 was going to cut off the winner.

I love how people use that as a reason to gripe about the HR-20.

[Sharkie_Fan]

Yeah that was a shame.

Being on the west coast I thank all you fine folks for allowing me to see the end. After the numerous Fox bashing posts on the board, I picked up on that Fox had run waaaayyyyy over and that my HR-20 was going to cut off the winner.

I love how people use that as a reason to gripe about the HR-20.

We were over at my parents house last night watching idol - they get the east coast feed. When it cut off, my mom kind of got "the look" and told my dad "You need to fix this thing so it doesn't cut off the end of shows anymore!" (They've had the HR20 about 2 weeks now, and mom doesn't do change well!)

Fortunately, since I knew the ending was going to get whacked, I turned on the HR20 before bed and padded the recording by 30 minutes, so I can now watch the last couple of minutes!

Overall, I thought last night was decent. I mostly dug the Sgt Peppers medly - though I didn't really like Kelly Clarkson's part, but the other winners were all pretty good.

I thought that having Melinda do a number with the Winans was kind of a mistake... After hearing her, Jordin just seems really amateur to me... Of course, admittedly, I've never been a big Jordin fany anyway, but... I just think Melinda is head and shoulders above the rest - though probably not as "marketing friendly" as the other two, who are young, hip, good looking... They'll sell across a broad spectrum of consumers....

I'll watch next season's auditions, because the bad singers always tickle my funny bone... but I'm not sure if I'll watch the rest of the season... This seasons outcome kind of sours me on idol a little bit.... Though, the Sanjaya factor plays into it as well... old wounds were opened last night watching him on stage again... :D

[Radio Enginerd]

I thought that having Melinda do a number with the Winans was kind of a mistake... After hearing her, Jordin just seems really amateur to me... Of course, admittedly, I've never been a big Jordin fany anyway, but... I just think Melinda is head and shoulders above the rest - though probably not as "marketing friendly" as the other two, who are young, hip, good looking... They'll sell across a broad spectrum of consumers...

I, like you, thought Melinda's number shined last night and it was clear (once again) that she was the best singer Idol has seen in it's history. Jordin seems sweet as a button and I'm sure she'll have a great career. Record companies probably prefer Jordin since she's young and malleable.

I really enjoyed Blake and Grand Master Flash. He was in his element. Being a fan of that kind of stuff in my teens, I REALLY enjoyed it!

[Chris Blount]

Well one line... If they didn't jump the shark last season.. I think they did this one...

Night!I agree. This season was sort of uneventful. The finale was just OK.

Even though they had past idol winners on, I was expecting a big headliner at the end of the show. Last year they had Prince. What happened this year??? It's like they couldn't get anyone really big so they did what they could.

What's up with Kelly Clarkson? Man, did she put on a few pounds.

I did think the end was good. When Jordon won and sang her final song, it reminded me a lot of when Kelly won in season 1. Very emotional and a good cap on the evening.

As I said, overall I think the finale was just OK. Not great but not bad either. It's getting rather cookie cutter though. Predictable and sort of dumb in a few spots.

I will still watch next year but I think overall the show has lost it's momentum. It's all downhill from here.

[Radio Enginerd]

I did think the end was good. When Jordon won and sang her final song, it reminded me a lot of when Kelly won in season 1. Very emotional and a good cap on the evening.

It did have a certain season 1 magic at the end but I'm in agreement with you Chris, overall pretty uneventful.

[machavez00]

I

What's up with Kelly Clarkson? Man, did she put on a few pounds.

Nah, she has always been that big. I was watching Idol rewind and she was big then. Lotsa junk in the trunk! I guess she has decided to embrace it instead of hiding it.

[BobbySteelz]

She kinda has a pear shaped body, but she probably has put on a few pounds. I'm still trying to get that bette midler performance scraped out of my brain. What on earth was that.

[machavez00]

She kinda has a pear shaped body, but she probably has put on a few pounds. I'm still trying to get that bette midler performance scraped out of my brain. What on earth was that.

I was thinking the same thing. Bette was out of sync or off key.

[Ron Barry]

I have to agree.. But I also thought the Tuesday show was flat too. They big final song usually gets some additional flash and it was missing. I do like that they have both singers sing the same song for comparison, hmmm they did not do it last season with Taylor and Kathereen. I wonder way? Personally I think there is a lot of tweaking in hopes to sway thing the direction they want them to be, but that is my opinion and I have no proof.

The Sanjai thing I found totally annoying. Give me a break.. The intro music from 2001, the blowing air, the crying girl (By the way cried will all the idols), the lousy song etc. Way give him any more air time... It also seems to me that he was always positioned in the shot when on stage and he and Haley got a lot more solo bits in the group songs which personally I found annoying.

Well Sanjia definitely gave me the yuck feel and on top having to see Taylor facial experession just drove me up the wall. I know he won, but he already ruined "In the Ghetto" for me... I really don't needi him ruining more songs I have grown to appreciate over the years. Sorry.. Last night... Both him and Sanjia put the exclamation mark on the issues AI faces.

But like other reality shows, the producers will not address the issues because they think things are going fine. Personally to me, they need to turn it back into the direction of a singing contest and minimize the side show portion that seems to be taking more and more of the show's time.

One good piece of news out this morning. The numbers watching the final show dropped by 6 million from last year. Which I find contradictory to the record 74 million votes cast. Less people watching, but more votes.. Hmmmmm If that does not tell you something, I am not sure what does. My gut tells me that would not have been the case if it was a Melinda vs. Jordan, but that final was taken out of our hands.

Personally.. I am looking forward to seeing what Melinda, Blake, and Jordan do. The rest... Well they get the tour, some will make albums, and maybe there is a gem in the group I don't see. Well possible Lakisha based on her first performance of the season, but other than that I don't see the rest doing much (Ofcourse I can be totally wrong and most likely am). :)

AI took a huge creditability hit this season.. Question is.. Will they realize it and make adjustments or just feel that numbers are rising so no need to touch the formula.

Well seasons over.. Nice talking it up with everyone. Cheers.

[Radio Enginerd]

I was thinking the same thing. Bette was out of sync or off key.

+1

She was terrible...

[Sharkie_Fan]

Personally.. I am looking forward to seeing what Melinda, Blake, and Jordan do. The rest... Well they get the tour, some will make albums, and maybe there is a gem in the group I don't see. Well possible Lakisha based on her first performance of the season, but other than that I don't see the rest doing much (Ofcourse I can be totally wrong and most likely am). :)

I think Lakisha can probably have a pretty good recording career. She has the talent, and in the studio a producer can work with her to kind of reign her in so she isn't screeching, and she could make a really good album.

As an aside on Lakisha - I was watching on TVGuide channel the Idol Red Carpet... Part of what made Lakisha attractive as an idol at first was the fact that she was so humble, and even seemed a bit naive... On the red carpet last night, they asked her how she was and she's going on about how she's in her such-and-such dress and walking down the red carpet and ... it was just so "hollywood"... so different from the Lakisha we saw in the auditions crying with her little girl because this was her big chance....

I think I agree with you though that most of the others won't do a whole lot. They may (or may not) release an album, but I don't see HUGE successes there...

To me, Gina might be the gem in the group... she's got a style of music right up her alley that isn't oozing with a ton of female talent, so if she can get some good songs and put out a well produced album, I think she might surprise some folks with some decent success..

I think though that down the road, Lakisha, Melinda, Jordin, and Blake are the 4 most likely to have a good run of it....

[BobbySteelz]

Yeah I can't say I'm really a fan of the show. My gf is a devotee, and I just sit there my laptop open and humor her interest in the show. However, last year was definitely more interesting. It seemed like this season was more about star power and less about the actual competition. Maybe fox is desperate for ratings.

[machavez00]

EP is now available for download from various sites
http://downloads.americanidol.com/Sites/AI/_img/jordin_fincov.jpg

[machavez00]

latest pic from from website. It looks like she has lost weight.
http://www.jordinsparks.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/70bwebfinal.jpg

[machavez00]

http://www.jordinsparks.com/images/main-bkgrd.jpg

[Sharkie_Fan]

Blake Lewis first single is now available.

You can hear it in its entireity on his myspace page:
http://www.myspace.com/blakelewis

Overall... eh... OK. I liked Blake on idol, but this song isn't my favorite. Not as much beatboxing as I would have liked.. but, it's "OK"....

I'll be curious to see how the rest of his album turns out, but this wasn't horrible...

[Ron Barry]

Any word on Melinda?

[Sharkie_Fan]

Any world on Melinda?

Best I can find there is an album in the works ... at some point. It appears she's going on a Christmas tour with Michael W. Smith, and then after that will head to the studio.

Also... I just read that Sabrina Sloan and Sundance Head are going to release an album of duets together... Apparently it's the first time that idol contestents who didn't make the top 12 have gotten a recording deal of any kind... Unless you count William Hung. That album is supposed to come out around the same time as Jordin and Blake, which would be soonish. Jordin is set to release November 20, with Blake a few weeks later on December 4.

Chris Sligh released an album July of this year, though I haven't heard it. I guess he had a band already - before idol - and after idol they were afforded the opportunity to record. Chris wrote or cowrote all 17 songs on the album, I believe.

Other than those few, the only information I could find on any of the other contestents was "they hope to record an album"... with the exception of Lakisha who says she has "offers on the table" to record either a Soul album or a Gospel album. She is, as of December 16, going to take over a roll in the Broadway production of the Color Purple.

It's slow at work today, so I've been surfing for Idol news the last little while.... I got set off on an Idol mood last night when I was watching "The Unit", and they were sent to protect a pop singer who was singing to US troops on the front lines. I kept thinking the pop singer sure looked familiar.... Afterwords I did some digging and realized that it was Mikayla Gordon from season 4 of Idol.

[Ron Barry]

Lakisha.. Color purple? Isnt that where Fantasa is now? Hmm Mikayla... that name does not sound familar. How quickly we forgot.

Thanks for the update Sharkie.

[Sharkie_Fan]

http://www.tv.com/mikalah-gordon/person/354654/photos.html

She was like 17, and I think she worshipped the ground that Barbara Streisand walked on....

And yes, Fantasia is also appearing in the Color Purple - until January of next year.

[Ron Barry]

Thanks for the reminder.. UGH!!!! definitely not one of my favorites... Personally I think she should not have been in the top 12.... Found here very annoying and that is most likely why she got pushed off the stack as quickly as possible.

[Chris Blount]

I've created a new thread for AI 2008 and moved a post from here into the new thread.

http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=108427

[Sharkie_Fan]

I just saw online that Melinda Doolittle has released the first single from her new album. It's her own version of "My Funny Valentine". Pretty good, I thought.

The completed album is supposed to come out in June, IIRC.