*Darn!* I was hoping somebody else would post so I could say something in regards to what they thought after last night. Alas... I'll just offer my thoughts first, though, scattered as they happen to be . If I was confused going into the Top Three, I'm afraid it's much worse now. I actually felt genuinely sorry for Jordin on Tuesday. Poor talented young woman! The first two songs were just too noisy in the back and threatened to drown her out - this wasn't her fault, of course, but she was still the one doing the singing and likely the one viewers will blame. And, really ! "She Works Hard For The Money"? Shame on those producers. It was a stinky song when Donna Summer sang it [in my opinion]. What the heck was Miss Jordin supposed to do with it? Melinda was typically good. I think it would be nice if Randy got off his Whitney Houston obsession (dude, she's single again - so why not date her if you like her so much ?) and even nicer if they stopped comparing Miss Doolittle to Tina Turner here and there. Sorry, I just don't get that at all! Blake's second tune was pretty awesome, the first and third not so much (I'd never heard of that third one... but at least it wasn't a retread for him). Sting, though? Simon was right about that one. No singing "Roxanne" right without sounding like Sting. Paula strikes again .
My thought is that, no matter what happened last night, Blake is packing it in tonight. It was sort of predestined. That'd be okay, he'll do fine. But Jordin didn't get the chance to shine last night and (realistically) gave the worst show of the three [again, just my opinion]. The fickle public could forget what an incredibly 'right' job she's done all the way through. Worse case scenario, in my head? Blake and Jordin split the votes and leave Melinda with the smallest portion left over and she gets the boot. This would/will cause a MIGHTY noise from Ohio, were it to happen. I assure you.

But, my final guess? Bye bye, Blake-ster....

I agree. Blake is going home. He did not impress me last night. The second song was okay, but I did NOT like the other two. Melinda was fab as always. Jordin was just OK, but I think she'll pull ahead of Blake.

I counted Blake out when he was standing there with Melinda. I could swear I heard yelling from homes all around the area when the decision results were revealed! Don't get me wrong, I've liked Blake from the start (although he's had some shaky performances), but I thought realistically that Melinda and Jordin were going to be the final two.

Well.
That was a bit shocking. But after I recovered a bit, I figure that's all right. Melinda's better off not winning, really. She won't be tied down with that AI contract stuff. Just think of Chris Daughtry and Jennifer Hudson and Clay Aiken and all those other also-rans that are doing so much better than the actual winners.

Now, I really hope Jordin wins this because being so young, she probably could benefit more from the stricter guidance and the opportunities. Besides, she's just SO much better than Blake. I like him, but I think he's pretty limited with what he can do.

*Sighing most audibly* - still a bit hoarse after all that screaming last night .
OK. I gotta say, honestly and without a glimmer of being a bad sport (which, let me be an even bigger good sport by announcing that I am, in matters of "American Idol" a mostly bad sport in general terms [all sportiness aside]...got that ?): in my belly I had a pretty good hunch that Melinda could really be going last night. After I posted here I checked some other Idol boards yesterday and the undercurrent was there that she'd be leaving ~ and those same board posters basically announced Chris Daughtry's exit last year, so I pay better attention over there after that. I agree that Melinda didn't need to win. She'll do well somewhere, I'm pretty sure that people who spend money that doesn't fall into the category of that which they've earned part-time at McDonald's or as their weekly at-home "chore assignment" allowance will buy her CDs left and right. That's really not the point for me, though. I should just come to get used to that the people who call in and vote on this show are, largely, NOT watching a singing contest. Hereafter, then, I shall watch "American Idol" not rooting for a good (maybe great?) singer to win it but instead will champion that those talents get as long a spurt of exposure as possible until which time they start "earning" the fewest votes . And not care who "wins" more than that.

As for Jordin and Blake in the Finals? Truth be written, I'm OK with that as I think Blake is interesting to watch and listen to and I think that Jordin is on the edge of spectacular (and I also don't see how Blake could possibly beat her... not that I'll bother predicting voting patterns, make no mistake). The worst that happened, I reckon, is that I won't look forward to the show next week with the enthusiasm I would have had Melinda been in it. But, ah yes, that's "American Idol". Season after season after season. And I should know it very well by now...

I found it very sad. I guess I suspected it would be no matter who went home though I think mentally I was more prepared for Blake's departure. She was unquestionably the best singer and to me had progressed nicely through the competition, rising to the occasion every time. My solace is knowing that winning would likely have been more of a hindrance than a help to her career. I hope she finds her niche and excels.

In Blake's defense I must say, whatever his vocal talents, his performances on Tuesday (particularly the last two) were the only ones that felt like they were from this century. All of the other performances were throwbacks to other eras in music. Done well, even individualized to the person, but not necessarily contemporary. The song Maroon 5 sang tonight which I find catchy but nothing spectacular vocally happens to be the number one song in the country right now. That's what the kids are listening to today. That's what they respond to. And that's what Blake is bringing to the table.

It would be like if American Idol existed in 1966 and there was one contestant who sounded just like Dinah Shore and another contestant who was like Paul McCartney. I'm sure if the Paul McCartney soundalike won over the Dinah Shore one, everyone over the age of 30 would have been similarly shocked. Isn't this supposed to be a singing competition they'd say. The truth is it's a mix of musical talent, popularity and that intangible quality of being on the cutting edge of where music is progressing. It's easier to see Blake's place in the current pop scene than Melinda's and ultimately that's what's this competition is about, for better or worse.

That said, Jordan's a lock to be the next Idol, or at least I hope.

I sort of suspected Melinda would go home last night. She is incredible, but to me, she was growing a little "the same" every week, and you have to think of the mindset of the majority of the people who are voting. As said in other posts and by Paula last night, her career is just beginning and I have no doubt she will have an outstanding one.
I tend to agree with you all that Jordin should win next week, but after last year, I won't believe anything until it happens. Out of all the contestants last year, Chris Daughtry (#4) is the most successful to date, and the most successful Idol contestant EVER who wasn't the winner or runner-up. His album sold 1,000,000 copies in 5 weeks. I was never that fond of Taylor Hicks, and it was hard to me to believe he got the votes to pull that win off. I've been a big Jordin fan all along, but I think Blake is probably the most talented musically in the technical area. Not only does he sing his song every week, but he has usually rearranged and mixed it himself. He definitely has a major career ahead of him, not only performing but producing.
My vote is for Jordin, but we'll just have to see!

I loved LaKisha and thought that she was the best, and I was so sad when she left. Right now, I am rooting for Jordin Sparks. Represent the teenage generation!

I think the thing is that Blake brings something different to the show while Melinda is the same old powerballad singer. Now don't get me wrong, I think she's great and she's going to have an amazing career if she is willing to put into it, but Blake is much more memorable for his different style and abilities.

I'd much rather buy the CD of someone who is real rather than a perfect singer. I think that Blakes version of the Maroon 5 song last night totally showed that he is an amazing artist, and there is a definite demand for that genre of music.

Mind you, I think Jordan will win next week.

Regardless, all three of those people are artists and will have amazing careers if they choose to pursue them.

All of course is IMO

I was away last week so missed the show live and thought I'd be able to hold out until I got home to watch it. I would have done OK except I was in Seattle so Blake's face and 'Blake in the final' were everywhere. So I thought what the heck, looked in the newspaper and nearly died. Melinda gone? In fact, when I watched the show today (with heavy use of fast forward button) I can see why she went. She didn't deserve to but there was a similarity to her songs I thought and the trouble was she always did so well that you can't really be blown away by her any more. Her consistency was almost her downfall - a few weak spots and she may have clung on.

Can't say I'll lose too much sleep over next week. I'm not wowed by Jordin overall. Blake's not done as well but when i do like what he does he really makes me sit up and take notice so my vote will be for him. Sorry Blake, that means Jordin's a shoe-in. Can't wait to buy Melinda's CD.

Hmmm. Well, let me say at the onset that you will *not* catch this kid predicting anything after last night. Just because little "surprises" always seem to loom. But, if I were to pick a winner, it'd be Jordin by a mile. She really has "American idol" kinda written all over her and she sings astonishingly well. I'd have to observe, too, that Blake's "Bon Jovi Beatboxing" played MUCH better the first time he did it. And that I got a little itchy watching Jordin 'channel' Christina Aguilera . I have a hunch that "original" song will decide it. Clearly it was a song more suited for Jordin's style (and Blake looked about as comfortable as Pat Robertson at an ACLU meeting as he gave it a forgettable whack). May I mention how perfectly dreadful I, for one, found that tune to be? Yuk times two. That Jordin puddled up at the end of her version, too, didn't hurt her chances in the very slightest. Who knows? I still think I wouldn't be too rattled no matter which of them wins tonight. I find it very difficult, logically, to see them both sensibly in the same showdown to begin with. Very different types of performers, top-to-bottom.

Was it just me or did the acoustics sound "different" in that venue they were in last night? It seemed to me their voices came out somewhat unlike they had before. I was relieved when Paula mentioned a "new studio" (or something). Somehow or other, the tones were different. I personally thought even a good bit less flattering to both singers. Maybe it was just my ears .

I also failed to mention last week how terrific it was to see Elliot Yamin on the stage. That dude has a great natural voice and seems like such a nice fellow (in an Adam Sandler sort of way ). Me? I liked him better with his old "regular Joe" hair and teeth. But it's all about "image", I reckon. Those new teeth of his, aside from being blindingly white, were also notably large. Some smartacre TV show did a "Separated At Birth" thing on the 'new' Elliott. Put his picture next to that of Mr. Ed . Poor guy. He just can't win, no matter what he does...

Jordin wiped the floor with Blake as far as singing is concerned, as Simon said of the third song.

I love Blake's style, but he just overdoes it at times and although he has a great singing voice (as demonstrated earlier in the competition), he just wasn't there last night.

*Yay!* Congratulations, Miss Jordin !

Also, my thanks to all who jumped into this discussion about "Idol" this year! It always makes it more fun, for me at least, to hear the thoughts of others who are watching the same show as I am but occasionally seeing things in a way quite differently than I happened to. I enjoyed it very much. Maybe we'll meet up again in January ?

Tony Bennett should have won! He was robbed.

Agreed, Tony Bennett was the high point! And the award for low point...Bette Midler?????????

Well they don't make em like they did then, that's for sure. It reminded me that I saw him at the Festival Hall in London in about 1972 with Count Basie. He was superb then. Hestill is in my view too.Yes, I thought Bette Middler was awful too. What happened to her?

I didn't get to actually see the show. I would have liked to have seen Tony. Sorry to hear Bette didn't fare well. She's one of my heroes.

But I didn't really care who won at that point, although I think Jordin is more suited to the AI 'groove'. Congrats to her.

Now, it's on to So You Think You Can Dance and Hell's Kitchen. Whoohoo! Anybody with me?

Re: Bette Midler

I've seen her sing live a few times, and she really is horrible. She is a fantastic entertainer, she just can't sing a lick.

Yay Jordin.

I was totally groovin' on Elliot when he made his appearance. I like the new hair (but I love longer hair on a man anyway). He's sorta a local boy (only 2.5 hours from Richmond). I'm also about 2 hours from Chris Daughtry. *hee*

I was rather disappointed not to see more previous Idol finalists - Bo Bice, Clay Aiken, Justin Guarini, Diana DeGarmo, Kat McPhee... but you see Ace Young almost every week. I've also seen Bucky in the audience.

Oh... was anyone else drooling on the screen when Joe Perry played?? *hee*

I also thought Tony Bennett was simply amazing.

The right person won. I think everyone in the top four will enjoy a good degree of success in the music industry, most likely even the top six.

I have never listened to anyone from AI. I doubt I ever will.