And The Winner Is...
By Keith Boykin, in music
Thursday, May 24 2007, 8:54AM
The music industry's biggest night isn't the Grammys anymore. It's the American Idol season finale. But I wasn't excited to watch the show last night. I did not get to watch the show live because I was on CNN doing Paula Zahn Now, but when I got home I didn't rush to the DVR to watch the recording either. I admit, I've been heartbroken ever since Melinda got booted off last week.
At first, I didn't think she could make it, but as the weeks wore on, it became clear that Melinda was the most consistent contestant. She almost always won rave reviews from the judges and she was never in the bottom with the voters. So without Melinda in the finals, would the American Idol season finale still interest me? The quick answer is yes. For some reason, I didn't really care too much who won, but I did enjoy the show.
And the winner, of course, was Jordin Sparks, the 17-year-old from Arizona who becomes the youngest Idol winner yet. She had been widely expected to win after her performances in the past two weeks, and I have to admit that I'm happy about that. I liked Blake too, and he's clearly talented, but his limited range and constant beat-boxing improvisation restrict his potential in a singing competition. I'll admit it. I was also excited because Jordin is black, or at least her father is black, and that usually means she hasn't had the same privileges and experiences that white men get to have. I usually root for the underdog in situations like this.
But it wasn't the winner and loser that allowed me to enjoy the show. I sneaked a peek at the ending to see who won before I watched the rest of the show. Then I fast forwarded the DVR from the beginning, past the silly American Idol golden awards that tried to stretch out the show by revisiting the worst performers from the winter audition season.
I stopped to watch Smokey Robinson, Doug E. Fresh, Bebe and Cece Winans, Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Tony Bennett, Taylor Hicks, Clive Davis and Jennifer Hudson (in the audience). I even watched the Sanjaya revival with Aerosmith's Joe Perry. Every former American Idol winner, except curiously Fantasia, was on hand for the show. But there were two performances that stood out for me.
The first was Gladys Knight singing "Midnight Train to Georgia" with the top women finalists. Gladys looked a little flustered at first and seemed to stumble over the lines she shared with Melinda Doolittle. Can't blame her for that. She's been singing and performing for 6 decades. But what impressed me is that she still sounds good. At 62 years old (her birthday is Monday), Gladys's voice has held up incredibly well over the years.
The most impressive performance of the night was not from a major singer. It was the African Children's Choir, a fitting choice to commemorate the "Idol Gives Back" charity campaign launched this season. Those kids were so ADORABLE!! Many of them have lost parents to AIDS and other diseases. When they ran out on stage with their hands waving in the air, I was a little concerned that they were only supposed to look cute for the audience. But once they started singing I was blown away. The lead singer of the group beamed as he paced up and down the stage while the rest of the group swayed and danced and moved so beautifully as they sang. And they smiled through the whole thing.
For me, those kids were the real winners of the show. And that's what made the night worthwhile.
Comments conceal
jared
May 24 2007, 11:02AM
Congratulations to Jordin, the hometown girl for me, however, I thought Melinda was a better singer, and I liked Blake, kind of cute and quirky. But, in the end, Jordin is her one as she is much more marketable, even though, I do have to say that I think that they are going to do some drastic changes about her size, she is one big girl for 17, so much so, I thought Blake was going to throw his back out when he tied to lift her!
Since Fantasia is on Broadway, I don't think she could have made it, and poor Taylor and Ruben should have stayed in "bama, that was just sad how they both croaked out thier songs IMO.
Natalia
May 24 2007, 11:53AM
I was also a Melinda Doolittle fan but I am happy that Jordin won. My only question now is: what will be her niche? If they're hoping she'll be another Alicia Keys, that's a long shot and unlikely to happen. I look forward to hearing her first single and album.
re her weight, she looks good as a bigger woman. I hope they leave her weight alone. I'm obviously biased. I thought Catherine Zeta-Jones looked great during her earlier T-mobile commercials before she lost all that weight. She's still cute skinny but she was smokin' before.
Drae
May 24 2007, 12:12PM
I'm not going to be too hard on Jordin...because its always good to see a young person's dreams come true. But I wish we would all be honest and admit that this girl just has an ordinary, everyday voice. And on top of that, some of her performances were downright terrible, especially during the later episodes of the show.
If American Idol were really about singing, instead of a popularity contest, then Melinda would have won hands down. It shouldn't be about where a person's from either. Chris Richardson is from my hometown. But I could never support him because I didn't feel like he was talented enough to be crowned American Idol or even be in the competition.
NYC_1
May 24 2007, 12:33PM
I think the racial politics of AI is very interesting. Call me a conspiracy theorist, but I thought it was interesting that they kept showing both of Jordin's parents, but hiding Bake's clealry BROWN mom... hmmmm... I think they were trying to work it in his favor, but AI fans didn't by in...
I also didn't like the Golden Awards and their exploitation of marginalized classes... in this case black folks and folks with disabilities. Sure, there is agency involved in the decisions of these people to go on the show, but I still think AI can be somewhat irresponsible, and this is proof.
I think the African Children's Choir was great; what the hell was wrong with Bette Midler? Loved Ruben, Kelly and Carrie..., just say no to Taylor. And 'Tasia was very missed. That's all.
Kola Boof
May 24 2007, 2:38PM
Gladys Knight is QUEEN and MOTHER's MILK. I love her so much.
My prediction is that BLAKE will go on to become a MAJOR Pop Star and that we won't see much success from any of the other 2007 contestants. It's a tragedy, but the fact is--talent is meaningless nowadays---and there just wasn't a lot of "marketable" looks in the running this year. I don't see the black community supporting either Melinda OR Jordin in a big enough way for them to be big. But that's my prediction and I hope I'm wrong. I really do.
Donnell
May 24 2007, 3:00PM
I didn't even watch the finale at all. I am still hot over Melinda being booted off the show. What a total mess of it all. She is and was obviously the best singer but like everyones knows now it's not about singing it's about popularity and Jordin was the popular gal. I don't know where she will fit in with todays sound or if she is even marketable. Blake is a b-box mess and I would never buy anything or his. My favorite American Idol is and will always be Fantasia. She is killing broadway with that wonderful voice and when"Oprah" asks you to do anything you drop everything and come running. Fantasia is set for life because she has a powerhouse in her corner. But I will say congrats to Jordin may God bless and keep her in all of her dreams and endeavors!!
tbag
May 24 2007, 7:29PM
I enjoyed Sanjaya, I liked his whole solo with the guy from Aerosmith. He was the only reason I tuned back into this show I just hope he becomes successful.
Heartbreaker
May 25 2007, 3:07AM
Yes the African Chidren's Choir was a splendid highlight of the show.They were just loveable.I too watched the finale in spite of me being just heartbroken when Melinda Dolittle was voted off last week.
Jordin sings well but the contestant that proved to give the most consistent,most professional delivery and performance of any song thrown her way or personally selected has to be Melinda.The night should have been
hers.
I should be quite used to the upsetting results of these finale shows by now when only last year being let down with Taylor Hicks winning the title.Elliot Yamin was and is a far better singer.Like one poster pointed out here this contest is really about popularity and a good voice takes a backseat when it comes to winning.
Solo
May 25 2007, 7:56AM
I can't believe so many people actually watch this show! What the hell is the big deal? There were talent contest on TV in the 50's! Plus these people can't even sing! That old saying is so true, no one ever went broke underestimating the taste of the American people!
Heartbreaker
May 25 2007, 11:26AM
solo
I ran a search and all I could find was the "Ted Mack Amateur Hour".You're going back that far?I have to disagree with you on singing talent on Idol.There have been some extremely gifted voices on that show.Just what talent came out of those contests you're talking about and can they even compare?
Regan DuCasse
May 25 2007, 12:01PM
I think the intergenerational presentations on the show are BY FAR, the most important aspect of AI.
And c'mon...let's face it, Tony Bennett KILLED!
He's proven, in the many decades of his career that he can sing and duet with the greatest of them. He's gay friendly, considering his mesmerizing duets on CD and in concert with KD Lang, and I loved seeing him get a standing O from the kids in the audience!
I am dismayed however at the weakness of Bette Midler's voice. I am a huge fan of hers. I know her shows are just tremendous.
But I wonder, with her voice in that condition, how she could be the replacement of Celine Dion in Las Vegas. I wish her well.
Jordin, obviously has better looks than Melinda Doolittle, and she's still a malleable KID.
Being an also ran on AI isn't the worst that could happen to the very talented like M. Doolittle.
Will
May 25 2007, 7:35PM
I really liked Blake and was actually glad when he did not win. Beat-boxing might not be anything new but it was pretty novel within the context of a traditional singing show like "American Idol" and, with that in mind, I think Blake proved himself to be quite a hot property indeed (plus he's as cute as he can be). By not winning the Idol title, he's free now to be true to himself and his artistic visions and not be enslaved to the Idol machine, which would have forced him to release that dreck of a song, "This Is My Now," as his first single. Good for him that he got all the exposure but escaped (barely) the downside that goes along with being American Idol.
malik![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.keithboykin.com/blog2/nav-commenters.gif)
May 25 2007, 9:29PM
Okay, so i don't do AI; i hadn't seen anything from this season since watching a couple of the earlier rounds before the top 12. Checked on YouTube (everything ends up there, anyway) and i wasn't overly impressed by Jordin's performances. But as someone else noted, it's not a singing competition, it's a marketing competition. And i am glad a young'n won. And a sista. Congrats to her.
P.S. Saw the African Children's Choir too; how adorable. But wasn't that little girl singing lead?
TR
May 25 2007, 10:14PM
I find it extremely odd that more than two weeks later I am still frustrated and angry that Melinda did not make it to the finals. I am not sure why I care. People like Melinda come along once in a lifetime on shows like that. At 29 she has the makings of a legend. She might not ever be the pop Disney Princess but in time she will prove to be one of the great voices of our generation. I always liked Jordan until the judges and celeb guests started calling her very ordinary - barely in pitch - singing brilliant. The writing was on the wall then. It was fitting though on the final night that Melinda got to sing along with Gladys Knight and had her own duet with the Winans. Jordan got to sing with Ruben. Hmmmm. Its the last Idol for me until they can figure out a way to let viewers vote once and the truly talented ascend fairly.
Twan86695
May 26 2007, 2:01PM
Well, I have to totally disagree with the majority of you. I have been a Jordin fan from day one and I have watched every show. Yes, "singing" is more than just about "singing"..it's about "communication". When Melinda sings, I feel nothing..she just has a great voice..but I always wonder what's behind it? The fact that she is a professional singer also didn't sit too well with me. I found her "shy act" to be very questionable. As if she doens't know she sounds good? Jordin..was "4 real"..and Lakisha (I liked her)! Jordin has a beautiful spirit and when she sings..she sings with passion/emotion/feelings. I love Jordin..and I truly believe she will have a bright future in the music industry. Jordin is a breath of fresh air..she's just simply beautiful! When Jordin sings..I feel as if I've known her my whole life. It is for this reason, she won!
Adam
May 26 2007, 2:55PM
Twan86695, I agree completely. I love Jordin; when she sings my heart opens. And I know singing and that girl has an amazing instrument; limitless range and effortless delivery. She's only 17, a few more years under her belt and she'll be unreal. Barry Gibb said it a few weeks ago; she'll be one of our great singers. I thought it was a fun show; mixing the old and the new up. Good stuff.
Terrence
May 27 2007, 2:13AM
Keith, you may already know this, but Melinda is your homegirl. Although she now claims "Nashville" and Nashville claims her, she was born in St. Louis and raised in St. Louis and Tulsa.
Anyway, too bad she lost. I thought she emerged as the best singer in the competition.
Unfortunately, or fortunately depending on one's perspective, Jordin likely had more crossover appeal. She clearly wasn't the best vocalist.
And I know that she is only 17 years old, but I was through with her after she acknowledged that she had never heard, "Wishing On A Star" by Atlantic Starr. That is an R&B classic. Hell, even Simon knew it.
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