A little rock in their roles
AFTER the good-intentions breather last week, the crowd for Bon Jovi night live at the Idoldome -- a crowd that included visiting dignitaries Abigail “Little Miss Sunshine” Breslin and returning “Idol” icon Antonella Barba -- seemed ready to get back down to business. At Tuesday’s pre-show sign check, Bill, the warm-up guy, commented that signage was at an all-time high. The favorites among the sign-carrying demographic (mostly the under-10 set) are solidifying -- with seemingly 90% now dedicated to either Jordin Sparks or Blake Lewis. Melinda Doolittle scores a distant third.
One of the most astonishing discoveries of my time in the Idoldome is the huge number of middle-aged white people who know all the words to “Rapper’s Delight.” Before each show, a standard part of Bill’s routine is to invite an audience member familiar with the lyrics to “Rapper’s Delight” to go on stage to sing it.
This week, when Bill put out the call, none other than ousted contestant Gina Glocksen answered, returning to the stage one last time to treat the crowd to her version. After the song, she then held the stage, stepping into Bill’s role to announce the judges’ grand entrances and heralding her former comrades onto the stage. You can go home again in the “American Idol” family, at least until Debbie the stage manager tells you to put down the mike and get back in your chair -- in the audience.
Upon the announcement that it would be an entire night of nothing but Bon Jovi songs, a gasp was heard from much of the audience. Fortunately, as they are down to a mere six contestants, the Bon Jovi oeuvre proved adequate to go around. To the shock of many, Bon Jovi night turned out to be one of the most consistently fun and high-quality shows of the season. All, except for poor Jordin, delivered some of their best work thus far.
More important, the six who have made it this far now show more than confidence onstage. They are downright swaggering, sassing the judges, standing up for the first time as not just contestants but also as stars.
Which calls to mind something “Idol” musical director Rickey Minor said in our interview: for every contestant there comes a day when ego outstrips ability. Does tonight’s pride cometh before the fall? For two of them, that is now in the book of life. But for those who survived Wednesday, the awareness of their stardom can no longer be denied. Even Melinda seems to be aware of what she’s dealing with.
After Jordin’s near-death experience last week, it was Melinda who comforted her after the show. But if, as oddsmakers predict, Jordin and Melinda become the final two, how much comfort will each have to spare for the person who could cost her the crown, now so very near?
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