Looking for two

It's the crucial cut to two, and the Idol contestants go home. Jordin gets a huge welcome at home, then sings Wishing on a Star by Rolls Rocye as selected by Simon. Nice white/dark dress; it's a fun, playful song. Not crazy about the melody; but it does suit her, energetic but with some moments for her to really sing. It's an okay performance, Simon didn't punch her ticket for the finals the way he did with McPhee last year--but she may not need it, either. Randy says great vocal, Paula likes it, Simon says you sang it brilliantly but the weird jazz version not great. Jordin says she'd never heard the song, a bit surprised but it's a great song so thank you; Simon very cooly and Britishly replies, pleasure.

Blake at home, Paula chooses Roxanne. Hmm, good choice; just hope he doesn't do anything too weird. In vest; yeah, a very good choice--totally shows off his interesting voice, the Sting reminders help him too. He's sometimes hard to understand, but sings it straight, no weird beatboxing stuff. Kindof a weird accent at times. Not amazing, but good; Randy says great performance, good vocal, A; Paula is beaming, fantastic; Simon says not earth-shattering, not as good as Sting, not great.

Melinda in Nashville, no big crowd but the governor; I Believe in You and Me is Randy's choice. Hmm; nice, melodic song; wow, from the get-go a great choice, Melinda is spackled dress, just croons it out--controlled, breathy, it's very compelling. She's especially good on the chorus; it's the perfect choice and she knocks it out of the park, very believable; this year's Somewhere Over the Rainbow moment. Big standing O from the audience, Randy says you rose to the occasion, Paula says one of your best, Simon says difficult song, your best performance recently, and you win round one. Thanks to Simon, I'd say. Simon asks Ryan if he's drunk, it's totally random.

Jordin back, in cool blue top and jeans. Says Mmbop by Hanson is her favorite song in that it always puts a smile on her face, audience cracks up, says hey, I'm 17. Doing Work Hard for the Money, producers' pick. No on-camera appearence by Clive this year. She looks great; but I don't like the song that much; she sings it well and it's a great performance as always, just not that great. Nice ending though, redeems it all a little. Randy says everything you do is hot; Paula says fantastic, Simon says it was very good, arrangement a bit old-fashioned but very good as he's cracking up at Paula.

Blake in weird white jacket, is totally smug, says he'd have Jim Carey play him in his biopic. Room Five, This Love--hmmm, could be a good pick; not that crazy about the song, but Blake is pretty decent--just hard for me to care much; he throws in his beatboxing; eh, it winds up just being okay. Randy says you should make records like that; Paula says you're totally in your element, Simon says it was better than the first one, you sounded very comfortable.

Melinda in a fun purple/yellow dress, says her mommy's her girl and has always been her idol; doing Nutbush City Limits. Wow, just powers it out; she's on a different level tonight. Seems re-energized somehow, maybe it's just good song choices. She's won round two as well; it's quite an impressive performance, fun to listen to--even does some things with the mike stand. Randy is like wow, Paula says we love you, Simon is like great side of you, brilliant performance. Simon says the round overall was a tie, but doesn't say with whom.

It's being set up as Melinda's in the finals, and either Jordin or Blake with her. Odd edit, seems like something cut out between Simon/Paula; she chose I Who Have Nothing; I like the song, think it's good for her; she's in pink dress, very dramatic, slow and powerful. She totally acts it out too; too bad Simon didn't choose something along this line for her. She's very convincing, hmm, face looks a bit like Oprah; it's just a stellar Idol performance, great pick by Jordin. Randy says another great performance, Paula says you sounded great--both seem a bit subdued; Simon says sang very well, but hated the oldness of the song, old-fashioned, wish it'd been something else. Hmm, he's totally setting up a Melinda-Blake final.

Blake doing When I Get You Alone; video of him on stage with Sir-Mix-A-Lot; hmm, kindof unfair, it's a great little clip to set him up. The song choice isn't very good; totally unmelodic and boring; it's kindof ridiculous actually, shows how boring he can be without his gimmick--throws a bit of it in at the end, it's all just very blah. Randy says it was allright; Paula says all 3 songs show who you are; Simon should rip him--oddly, says he really liked that, makes a speech about how he likes how he doesn't play it safe, looks like he's having fun.

Melinda's got a crowd back home, singing I'm a Woman, in bizarre all-tan outfit. Not sure about this, it's such a cliche; she's good working with the backup singers, she's really busting out but this is just an okay--and short--song for her. Randy says good range, likes it; Paula says you're stepping out, Simon says you deserve a place in the finals.

Really, it ought to be Melinda and Jordin. Will be interesting to see whether Blake can knock Jordin out based on balance. Randy says it should be two girls in the final based on singing, Paula says all 3 deserve, Simon says he wants to see Melinda in the finals.

Jordin Sparks, 3
Melinda Doolittle, 1
Melinda Doolittle, 2
Jordin Sparks, 2
Blake Lewis, 1
Melinda Doolittle, 3
Jordin Sparks, 1
Blake Lewis, 2
Blake Lewis, 3