‘American Idol’: Shocker in the Dome!
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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)