Today, “Idol” friends, we become adults and make tough adult decisions. We must put away childish things — even when they’re awesome.
My leanings in this week’s space may come as a surprise to those who have been regular readers. Fun and irregular Blake Lewis has been a perennial chart-topper on the Scott Fuller Scoreboard; overrated and unmemorable Jordin Sparks has been skewered in this space with an unyielding frequency seen not even by the hapless Phil Stacey.
So what gives? Read on.
Melinda Doolittle, 29
» Brentwood, Tenn.
Last week: “Love You Inside and Out” Grade: B; “How Can You Mend a Broken Heart” Grade: B
Should she go? No. The whispering winds are blowing unkindly. There is a nervousness to her performances now, an unsaid acceptance that her star is not shining as brightly. The tale of the plucky, wide-eyed backup singer who took the lead has run its course. Melinda seems to have hit her ceiling, and it’s looking more and more like her dazzling grand finale that so many viewers had hoped for either came weeks ago … or may not come at all.
Will she go? No. Her vocal superiority is not lost on American voters, but she can be afforded only so much patience for her star power to ignite. She deserves and will be awarded a spot in the season finale, but this ending may not prove happy.
Vegas says: 11/5 (Bodog.com)
Turn up or tune out? Melinda is no longer offering anything besides near-perfect vocal efforts. If this sounds unfair or nonsensical, consider why you’re more excited about seeing Blake and Jordin perform. Tune out.
Jordin Sparks, 17
» Glendale, Ariz.
Last week: “To Love Somebody” Grade: A; “Woman in Love” Grade: C+
Should she go? No. Jordin may have saved her “Idol” life and catapulted herself into front-runner status last week with her wonderful performance of “To Love Somebody.” It was the kind of performance Fox folks crave and viewers secretly do too: a weepy power ballad sung by a fresh-faced, naïve teenager who blossoms in the stage’s bright lights. By definition, Melinda and Blake may not be capable of producing this result.
Will she go? No. The sackfuls of substandard performances by Jordin — as counted by this critic anyway — would suggest that Jordin not only doesn’t deserve a trip to the finale but also is likely to under whelm yet again. And still she will be voted into the finals on potential, on the hope that a Kelly Clarkson-esque ending can still be achieved. And strangely, it’s the right vote.
Vegas says: 5/9
Turn up or tune out? Jordin’s performance last week was a brief glimpse of a dream that will not be realized. It would nice to have better than this. Tune out.
Blake Lewis, 25
» Bothell, Wash.
Last week: “You Should Be Dancing” Grade: B; “This is Where I Came In” Grade: B-
Should he go? Yes. Blake is the weakest singer of this group. His beat-boxing is an obvious stretch in this singing competition. We aren’t at the level of Sanjaya here, of course — Blake is obviously a talented cat — but here he is breezing by as an entertainer alone. If you were in the camp who wanted Sanjaya ousted because of his glaring musical inferiority, your choice should be simple here.
Will he go? Yes. Blake’s performances are fun. They’re the best of the three, for the most part. But he’s been skating on thin ice for weeks now. The Blake Party has been one heckuva time, but sadly, this week is when the party must stop.
Vegas says: 7/2
Turn up or tune out? Blake pushes the envelope every week and it’d be great to have him around for the finale. But he is fully incapable of a mind-blowing show-stopper that wins this contest by a mile. Melinda deserves to go toe to toe and blow for blow with a great singer next week, to win things on her own terms. A battle with Blake is an unfair fight. It’s a skirmish I wouldn’t look forward to, because there would be no happy ending. That said, let’s rock out one more week with Mr. Lewis, one of the best things this show has had to offer this season. Turn up.
‘American Idol’
» 8 to 9 p.m., Fox
