American Idol 6, May 16: Three is a Magic Number

Homer Simpson plays Ryan, giving us a sort of recap of last night. He wonders if it’s too late to vote for Fantasia. Topical! Ryan reintroduces the show, giving Homer a lesson in emphasis. Jordin is all ready for her birthday party on My Super Sweet 16. Melinda’s shirt says “death cheater.” Heh. Ryan reminds us that the finals are next week, and only two singers will battle it out. Tonight, we get performances from Maroon 5 and last season’s third-place finisher, Elliott Yamin (eeeeee!). Oh, hi, Brandon Rogers!

Ryan introduces a more in-depth recap of last night. Jordin sang Rose Royce, Blake sang the Police, and Melinda took the first round with Whitney Houston, at least according to Simon. Blake sang Maroon 5 (what a coincidence!), Jordin sang Donna Summer, and Melinda sang Tina Turner. Simon said that round was a tie. In round three, Melinda reprised “I’m a Woman” and Simon told her she deserves to be in the finals for being consistent. Blake sang Robin Thicke and Jordin reprised “I Who Have Nothing.” I still have no idea which of them will take the second spot in the finals (obviously Melinda will be taking the first one). Honestly, I’ll be happy either way.

Hey, have you heard that there’s a tour with all the top ten singers? What do you mean, you haven’t? Can I come join you under that rock?

Ryan kills some time by chatting with Jordin. She talks about what it was like to go home over the weekend. She went to radio stations, her schools, a parade, and the mall… all before Saturday morning. We get video of her trip home. She appears on the local Fox news broadcast and cheerleaders cheer for her. It’s Jordin Sparks Day, which impresses her. She loves having her family there, too. Jordin heads to her high school, where the kids are thrilled to see her. Her parents are so sweet. “They’re everywhere!” she exclaims as kids follow her down the hall. She meets up with her best friend, Bailey; they’ve been best friends for 15 years. Since they were two? Wow.

Jordin rides through a crowd and gets some accolades from the mayor of Glendale. She gives the crowd a preview (and repeat) of “I Who Have Nothing.” Back in the car, she cries happily, unable to believe that this is all for her. Back in the audience, her mom is crying, too.

Results already? That was quick. Ryan shakes his head at Simon for slamming last night’s arrangement of “She Works Hard for the Money” and for saying that “I Who Have Nothing” was too old-fashioned for Jordin. Of course, we don’t get the verdict right now.

Haley and LaKisha are in the audience, too (LaKisha is sitting with Brandon). Trivia question. Thank goodness, it’s the last one. Randy says Ryan has all the answers to everything. Whatever you say, Randy. The answer is Elliott. Ironic, huh?

It’s Blake’s turn to chat with Ryan. Ryan sings a little of “This Love” and proves that he should keep his day job. Ryan asks if it was a lifelong dream of Blake’s to hang out with Sir Mix-a-Lot. Blake admits he’s done some shows with him. They talk about Blake’s father, then segue into footage of Blake’s trip home.

Blake is very cheerful in the morning. That is why we could never be together. He does the radio circuit and visits the Space Needle. Next he heads downtown, hoping a couple of people will come to his show. Jonathan from one of the auditions is there. Blake heads home on a sea plane and gets to see his parents. His dad says his parents died when he was young, and he never got to show them who he is, so he’s glad Blake gets to. They’re so sweet together. Blake’s parents ride through the crowd with him, and his dad is enjoying it just as much as Blake is, if not more.

Blake sings Keane’s “Somewhere Only We Know” to the crowd, and his dad sings along from his seat. Blake also gets a star. He heads off to sing the National Anthem at a Mariners game, practicing in the car with some help from a pitch pipe. He says it was the best day ever. Back live, Blake’s dad is on stage with him; Blake is sure to give his mom a shout-out, too. Dude, Blake’s sister/cousin/girlfriend/whoever that is with his mom is hot. Nope, still no verdict. Blake thinks it’s time for a commercial, and Ryan jokes, “We’re not that predictable around here, are we?”

It’s time for Elliott! Yay! He sings “Wait for You.” I think he should lose the sweater vest, but I’m so happy to hear him sing again that I’ll let it go. I love his voice still, and even though this song isn’t usually what I like, I think it’s pretty. I bet someone will dance to it on So You Think You Can Dance. Elliot is so much more confident now - if he’d sung like this last season, things could have turned out differently. Eh, probably not, but I can dream, can’t I?

Ryan asks the judges for feedback, which makes Elliott nervous. Fortunately, the feedback is good, even from Simon. Ryan notes that last season, Elliott was here in this spot. Elliot congratulates the Idols and thinks they exude pride and are having fun. He thinks they should be proud for making it this far. This is only the beginning of great things for them . Ryan notes that Elliott is much more comfortable on this part of the stage. Elliott’s tour starts tomorrow here in Virginia, so he’d better jump on a plane and get over here! Elliott starts off a whole line of thank-yous, including Porsche, which Ryan says is a no-no.

The Ford video includes mini versions of the Idols. Melinda’s mini self even has her little Afro puffs, and Jordin’s is tall. Nice casting. The song is “Everybody Wants You,” which they play on every commercial on the CW.

Time for Melinda’s trip home. She enjoyed having sweet tea and seeing people who she could thank. She says they were in a bubble and had no idea about the show’s impact until she went home. Ryan says to Simon that people don’t get that excited about them anymore. Simon has no response because he’s bored.

Melinda does the Fox thing and takes some photos. Downtown, she’s taken to see the governor, who says it’s Melinda Doolittle Day in Tennessee. She says that means they get to do what they want to do, which means going to her alma mater, Belmont. This is where she learned she can do what she wants to do, so she’s coming full-circle. She’s overwhelmed by the welcoming crowd. Melinda’s parents are there and her mom is teary. She gets her street name and says she’s okay because her mother is crying more than she is. Melinda sings “Until You Come Back to Me,” I think. More saying thank you and hugging people. She wants to come through and make it work out for Nashville.

Ryan teases us again with results, then plugs that band show again.

Maroon 5 perform “Makes Me Wonder.” Man, what happened to Adam Levine? He used to be hot. I think it’s the hair. And the fact that he looks like he hasn’t shaved in three days. Also, I think they’re doing the song in a lower key than the version on the radio - maybe he didn’t want to have to hit those high notes tonight?

With five minutes left, it’s finally time for the results. Jordin is called first… and she’s safe. Melinda actually squeals happily before Jordin can even react. Her dad gives a birdcall whistle from the audience. Jordin looks like she has no idea what to say, so she says nothing.

Well, obviously Melinda is going to the final two, so she’s up next. And she’s… going home. Wait… what? Um… is this Bizarro World? We’re talking about the same Melinda, right? That’s crazy! What is America on? Eh, whatever, she’ll make it big anyway. Still, I never would have predicted a Blake/Jordin finale! (Go Jordin!)

Funeral video. Randy says Melinda should be proud. Paula says Melinda has already made it. Simon congratulates Jordin and Blake and says Melinda is great. She sings us out with “I’m a Woman.” Jordin gives her her flowers and Melinda gives them to one of the backup singers. Nice.

And then there were two. Don’t miss the final performances next Tuesday, recapped here by the lovely Betsy, then the season finale on Wednesday, which I’ll detail for you. Brasler out!

Jenn Brasler is an Assistant Editor of Reality News Online and an aspiring writer from Falls Church, Virginia. By day she works for a court reporting firm, and by night she’s a spy for a covert branch of the CIA. You can e-mail her at luckyjenn@hotmail.com. Blaker Girls will be happy to know that Jenn likes Blake a lot more now (but she’s still rooting for Jordin to win).

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