Jordin’s missing something. I don’t know what. I Who Have Nothing was an awesome performance, but it was the only one. I think that was the second time she’s broken it out during the season, too. Blake had two and a half — Roxanne was a little off for me too. Makes me think Paula really is achieving better living through chemistry before sitting there judging.

Melinda will be your winner of Idol. While my preference would be to see Blake stay for the finals, I think he’ll go tonight. At this point it’s strictly a popularity contest, and a meaningless one at that. Cowell’s going to give an album to all 3, mark my words.

…..yawn.

About a month ago I started mentioning in my post-Idol entries that I just don’t buy the “I’m so humble” act. And now I’m torn.

Honestly, I don’t know whether to believe that she’s all that humble — which is a stretch for anyone who’s gusty enough to go out for such a grueling talent competition — or whether it’s all feigned.

The more I watch her, the more I think that every move, every note, every shoulder-shrugging “Shucks!” grin, glance and head-toss is calculated.

If you’ve got it TiVo’d, as I do, watch her “performance” from Bon Jovi week. The pouty moue, the left-shoulder-jerk shrug, the hair extensions whipping across the face… it was all calculated to make her look like a ‘rock star’. She wasn’t just singing that song… she was doing a “sketch” of someone singing that song. (Remember Reba’s early years?)

That whole coat on the shoulder thing during “I’m a Woman (W-O-M-A-N)” was equally calculated. With one exception: it lacked the fire in the belly that her first AI rendition had. It was a calculated “let’s repeat the song that got me singled out” performance.

Yes, Jordin’s was equally calculated… except Jordin’s reprise was better than her original.

As for Blake, Kelley and I were talking the other night about him. We agreed there’s some kind of alchemy that occurs the instant he opens his mouth to sign (the right) song. Can’t stand him unless he’s singing. But, oh, then….

Even so. I’m with you. I’m not happy.

The night is one of my favorite nights of the year: the night that the judges and the producers choose songs for the singers. I like it mostly because I like to imagine the hell that I would put the contestant through if I were choosing the songs that …

In short, not happy with any of those in the final.

As for the neckless Melinda; I am always impressed so much can come from such a short distance. I remember on an earlier show one of the judges said something to the effect that it wasn’t fair to compare the contestants to Fantasia Barrino when commenting on one of Melinda’s performances. I would say it should be the other way around. I think Melinda is head and shoulders above the likes of Fantasia. I never could warm up to that tinny, nasally voice of hers.