'American Idol': It's all over but the singing

So at last we have come to this – tonight on the Kodak stage the eyes of a nation will be on two young singers as they meet in a final gladiatorial death match.  Resting on their performances tonight – whether Jordin Sparks or Blake Lewis will join Kelly Clarkson, Ruben Studdard, Fantasia Barrino, Carrie Underwood and Taylor Hicks on the opening credits elevator ride to stardom.

For the two singers, the challenge will be greater than anything they have yet experienced.  Having proven they could captivate the crowd in the 300 seat Idoldome, they must now attempt to fill the 4,000 plus Kodak Theatre with their still fresh voices.

Going in, the odds on online gambling sites and amongst Idol pundits heavily favor the 17 year old Glendale Arizona native Sparks.

However, a close reading of tonight’s schedule suggests that this – the most unpredictable of seasons – may have yet another surprise in store. Blake Lewis remains a serious contender in these final hours.

The pair tonight will each sing three songs: a reprise from the season to date, the winners of the songwriting competition and one new song.

The reprise, being previously viewed material, shouldn’t move the needle much for either contestant.  There is every reason to think the winning songs from the competition will be extremely weak compared to the all-time hits they have been singing, so in all likelihood that round will be a wash.  Which leaves the one new song in which to score a knock out punch.  After this entire season – auditions, Hollywood week, the 24, the 12, Idol Gives Back, Latin night, Bon Jovi night, Bee Gees night – it will all come down to one song.

Jordin consistently performs at an extremely high level – turning in 8’s and 9’s every week.  And yet, in her conservative arrangements and fairly safe choices, she has not yet, all season scored that knockout 10 performance.

Blake however, a risk taker with, as bandleader Rickie Minor told me – the greatest (along with LaKisha) understanding of music of any contestant, has the capacity to do something truly unforgettable, to surprise us as few have in the Idol finals.  If you ask me who is more likely to do something that we’ll all be talking about tomorrow, and more important at ten o’clock tonight as we vote- I would have to say Blake.

However, on the grand Kodak stage, those risks could easily backfire and come off as self-indulgent juvenilia while Jordin’s classic chanteuse persona might be just the thing for the venue. 

Tonight, America will face perhaps its toughest decision of the decade.  At this hour, somewhere backstage at the Kodak, two very young people prepare for the fate of a nation to fall on their shoulders.  Who will rise to the challenge?  See you back at latimes.com/idoltracker tonight at Nine p.m. Pacific for a complete report from inside the Kodak.

(Photo courtesy Fox)

Comments

[Suzanne Wilson]

Whoever wrote this article needs to get their facts right! Jordin is 17, not 19 - and this fact has been stated by the Idol judges almost every week!
GO, Jordin!

[mindy s]

"America will face the toughest decision of the decade." Am I the only person who cringed at the absurdity of that stultifyingly stupid statement?

[Denise Martin]

"This is My Now" is a particularly awful original song being forced upon the finalists in a pantheon of wince-worthy numbers ("A Moment Like This").

Makes me really happy Melinda didn't have to stoop to sing it.

And then Jordin crying after singing it??? Ugh, I hope she wins and then sells less CDs than Taylor.

[Hoover]

"America will face the toughest decision of the decade."

Waaaay more important than invading Iraq. Or leaving Iraq. Or searching for Bin Laden. Or dealing with illegal immigration. Or a bankrupt Social Security system. Or a healthcare system that leaves millions vulnerable. No, American Idol is waaaay more important than any of that.

Glad to see you have your priorities straight.

[Lemeritus]

Blake? Jordin? Who cares? This pleasant twosome of only middling ability demonstrates what kids too young to buy Ford Mustangs and too fickle to support the winning contestant think of as talent. How smart is that marketing? Melinda Doolittle was the real deal. I'm beyond disappointed in American Idol. Idol Gives Back fifty hours of my life next year,

[Loft]

"America will face the toughest decision of the decade."

America has tougher decisions to make than choosing the winner of Idol!!! Wake up people and get real. This is the last season I'm watching Idol. After seeing Melinda voted off and Sanjaya staying as long as he did and Blake as a finalist, I have had my fill. This is no longer a singing competition. When I think of all my time I wasted watching and voting, I'm disappointed in myself. Melinda - you are the winner in my mind!!

[frieda]

jordin is 17, not 19. don't you have a fact checker?

[Patricia]

I hope the girl DO NOT WIN!!! It should have been Melinda there anyways. The cheated her, however, it's good she is gone, because she can now start her career that she has already.

[Patricia]

Melinda - You are my Idol and my winner. I cannot stand that show anymore. They won't have to worry about me watching that show anymore. That's the second time they have cheated somebody.
So long American Idol.

Melinda, your career is going to be HUGE! I know I'll buy your CD's for sure.
I can tell you, I will never buy Jodin's!!

[Gayle Lecus]

What I'm upset is that why is the two contestants who were voted off, Brandon Rogers and Stephanie Edwards are not on the tour and singing on the show tonight?

To be fair, they should have been added on the tour anyways.

[dominique clarke]

i think that america choose the wrong person for the final i believed that it was to malinda dolittle who has perform to her top of her game from weekto week these things should not be decided by america only the judges should make a final saying at the end of it all