American Idol Audience Gets It Wrong

Okay, I know it's not the most important thing happening in the world today, but I like the show American Idol because I love music and have played music most of my life.

But I'm really annoyed. Melinda Doolittle (see picture at right), was clearly the very best of the bunch, but didn't make the finale.

The problem with a show like this is that there are millions of teeny-bopper young girls who vote for the singer they think is cutest. That's why Sanjay stayed so long - he should never have made it into the top 12, based on his mediocre singing talent. Blake Lewis should have left the competition tonight, not Melinda, and I suspect the teeny boppers are to blame for that.

I was disappointed when Clay Aiken lost the finals to Ruben Studdard. But the two were close in talent, so I couldn't really complain too much. Same with Bo Bice and Kerry Underwood. Too close to call. The marketplace, however is the best judge. The market has since shown Idol voters made the wrong choice in the first case and made the right choice in the second.

As for Melinda Doolittle, she is every bit as good as Tina Turner or Aretha Franklin. She was by far and away the best singer of this season and maybe the best of all American Idol contestants ever. I am confident the marketplace will prove me right. Melinda is a huge talent and will be a huge success professionally. I wish her the very best. I am a fan.