'American Idol': Shocker in the Dome!

There's no lingering doubt; We have now officially crossed the threshold into the most topsy-turvy "American Idol" season in history.

In January, not an "Idol" pundit in the land would have predicted that we would be here -– looking at a Blake Lewis/Jordin Sparks finale in the eye. But the most suspenseful results show of the season produced perhaps the most shocking of all possible outcomes, setting the stage for a wide-open finale that only fools would dare predict.

It was a dark night in the Idoldome Wednesday as the great Melinda Doolittle, early favorite to win, Simon Cowell’s Miss Consistency and perhaps in raw talent the strongest singer ever to appear on "American Idol" –- was brought low.

Throughout the night, the final three seemed on the brink of exploding in nervous jitters. Jordin and Melinda clutched hands throughout the show. Blake leaped out of the chair at every break and danced around the death couch. Remarkably, through it all, all three remained to all appearances the best of friends and entirely good-spirited about the looming outcome and results, rooting for the others seemingly as much as themselves.

From the start the crowd seemed on edge in the Idoldome. The many children, who have formed unshakable coalitions behind Jordin and Blake for weeks now, screamed to their favorites at every dead moment –- forcing Jordin to nearly break her arm off waving to her juvenile fans and mouthing, “I love you.”

A more complete analysis of this stunning upset to come tomorrow, along with an exclusive conversation with "Idol" executive producer Cecile Frot-Coutaz.  But briefly, while the wounds are still fresh, some early conclusions:

+ Never ignore the kids: As this column has noted for weeks, Jordin and Blake had become the runaway favorites of the children at the Idoldome. Melinda remained a very adult performer, doing little to play up to the youth vote. Turns out, the children are a demographic not to be trifled with.

+ Grow, grow, grow: Melinda started out flawless. She stayed flawless. She turned in many stupendous performances but never was able to take it to stupendous plus, wherever that might be, to keep the story fresh. Jordin and Blake both started fairly iffy and both visibly grew in confidence and range on stage. Simon always says you must move forward, show us a story. Turns out there may be something to that.

+ The South will not rise again. The only thing "Idol" oddsmakers knew for certain was that every winner, without fail, would hail from Dixie as the previous five had. When Arizona stares down Puget Sound next week, that law will be a thing of the past.

As the show went off air, for the last time this season from the Idoldome, the crowd stayed on its feet for several long minutes hailing Melinda. The judges took to the stage to wish her well. The three little girls in front of me who had been screaming, “Go Jordin!” all night cried in unison now, “We love you Melinda!” Jordin rose to the awkward role of comforting her big sister.

A great had passed from our lives. But as we know now, "Idol" has gotten too big to produce just one superstar a season. Melinda Doolittle belongs to the world now, and the world no doubt will be waiting for her.

(Photo courtesy Fox)

Comments

[judy faust]

The votes are not based on talent. The only way this show can continue is to have to the judges decide on the merits of the singers. I will never watch this show again.

[stef]

Appalling result, to say the least; there was only one 'contestant' who was worthy of winning.
Go ahead and watch the final between the two mediocre finalists.
I will find something else to do that night!

[DroppingBy]

That Melinda went tonight was utterly predictable. Though an amazing and consistent talent, and very likeable, she apparently has not one cell of actual charisma from head to toe. Even Paula -- in her elliptical, hazy koans of advice -- pleaded at times with Melinda to let loose. No dice, Melinda wouldn't budge. The finale will now actually be interesting, though only that. This season has had precious few "Idol" moments -- when the country holds its collective breath as a stunningly talented youth is discovered mid-song. I miss Kelly Clarkson.

[dorothy]

What they said. Buh-bye, A.I.

[Ed-Eye The Jedi]

The "kid" vote can't be ignored, and that's why Melinda lost. She's a well-honed r&b pop vocalist competing in a pre-teen, waiting for my first pimple world that wanted cute looks over real talent. The show's pretty stupid if you're serious about music. It's so hard to even take the "judges" seriously: "Yo dawg, check it out......." "Ummm, you were.....great. Just great." "You know, as much as I like your singing, I don't think you - had enough charisma, wore the right dress, should have sung such an old song." Give me a break! But the show's making money, so bring on the commercials!

[ArgntRchJrkFrmYle]

Now Melinda will release an album of her interpretations of the Great American Songbook and I will buy it. She is a top-notch vocalist, not a pop idol, and this is the best result for her and for the other two, who are definitely popstar talents.

[Happy Skip]

First, for those of you who 'will never watch the show again' I say; yes you will. The best singer does not always win (Ruben over Clay) nor should they. The show is titled IDOL for a reason. Melinda is not and never will be considered an idol. She is a very good backup singer and that is where she belongs. The only people upset about her leaving are women over the age of 35 and honestly, this show was not created for you.

[Peter in 760]

To see Melinda leave at this this point was a great disapointment. I don't care to see the finale without her. Week after week I was wowed by her performance and no doubt she will have a consistant career as well in whatever category she chooses. I will definitely buy her albums for her performance quality and I wish her the best for the future.

[tetsuko]

I am 37, a female, from Japan, and, although I love Melinda and am always impressed and often even moved by her singing, it is Blake who gets my vote. I still can't get over the Bon Jovi night. I am still watching the video of Blake doing You Give Love a Bad Name on YouTube every other day. There just was something magical about it to me. I love that boy. And, although I actually am quite sure Jordin will win come next week, I would actually prefer that to Blake winning. "American Idol" is too lame a title for him. He is too original and unique for that. Go Blake! I love you!!

[Tara]

The kiddies won't remember who Blake and Jordin are in five weeks. And 500 text messages a phone don't translate to 500 cd units purchased.

This was a travesty. It's been smelling like one since the top 12 when AI had only one message JORDIN. Jordin didn't GROW. MELINDA grew - she is light years in demeanor and appearance from her audition, and she is now a rocker!
Nigel wouldn't utter Melinda's name in his podcasts. I don't need to hear from an AI producer tomorrow who was an architect of Jordin's PRE-ordination.

[Jensen]

Wide open final? That's a joke.

The crown has had Jordin's name on it since the top 12, for anyone paying attention to the sound bites coming from the mouths of the producers and every other non-Simon face of AI. It doesn't matter how "America" votes.

[ReginaldL]

"Though an amazing and consistent talent, and very likeable, she apparently has not one cell of actual charisma from head to toe. Even Paula -- in her elliptical, hazy koans of advice -- pleaded at times with Melinda to let loose. No dice, Melinda wouldn't budge."

How does "very likeable" equal "not one cell of actual charsima from head to toe"?

Also, to the best of my knowledge, unless posters are employees of American Idol with a working knowledge of the actual vote counts, there is little way a poster could know whether the majority of voters overall favored one individual over the other two. It was a three-way vote not a two-way vote.

[Debbie]

Absolutely unbelievable!!!! Melinda Doolittle is going to be so famous that Jordin and Blake will disappear in her shadow. Now Melinda can do Oprah, make CDs, do theatre, TV, TV commercials (I'm BUYING anything she's sing selling!!), live appearances or anything else. Melinda is a powerhouse of talent!!!
NO MORE IDOL FOR ME. I'VE TAKEN IT OFF MY TiVo LIST. I am praying that AI has the lowest ratings ever for it's finale. I will miss Sanjaya (whom I also love) but I ain't watchin a show that celebrates mediocrity!!!

[Sabrina]

Melinda is a far better singer than Blake, and should have been in the Top 2 with Jordin.

[Rick]

Wow. Unbelievable. Melinda is by far the best of the three. I shouldn't say I can't believe it, after all, we're not talking about fair and right, we're talking about clueless preteens and teenagers who vote. I personally couldn't care less who wins now. I won't be watching again.

[Shrek]

Come on, people. AI is NOT a "singing" competition, no matter what Simon kept trying to say. AI is an "overall performance" competition -- of which singing is the most important part, but not the ONLY part. There's no doubt that Melinda was the best pure singer this season. But I wouldn't want to sit through a 60-minute concert of hers if you paid me. How boring would that be? I'd much prefer to watch a Blake concert.

[Go Jordin]

Both Jordin and Melinda are remarkable singers. Melinda had experience but not the charisma or appeal of Jordin's youth or beauty. However, it comes down to the girls were splitting the votes for women and african-americans. These women put Blake to shame on vocal skill.
Jordin can only grow and she is beautiful. I haven't watch AI for the previous 2 seasons. My only hope is the industry doesn't ruin the great experience.

[DB]

Everyone on AI can sing; that's a given. Melinda is a great singer and will, no doubt, wow the music consumer from the recording studio. On the other hand, Blake and Jordin are stage performers. Blake has gotten most of my votes because he is modern and creative. Jordin is young, fresh and has a great vocal range, And she works well with the camera. It's show biz and attractive people have an advantage. I personally have no problems with the results of this week's vote and will watch the finale, appreciating both the finalists.

[meg winship]

Jordin is IDOL class material.
Melinda is WORLD class material.
May they both succeed brillianty.
......as goes Hudson GOES Doolittle!!!
Ciao,
Meg

[Joshman]

At the end of the day, this is a show for kids. Any attempt to take this show that seriously is a lesson in futility. Kids vote for cute, kids actually like people like Britney/Paris/Lindsey, kids have a hard time appreciating Melinda's qualities.

Fare thee well, Melinda, you were the best. Have no fear, I will buy your first album. Keep on rocking in the free world.