Territorial Bloggings

The performing is over.

The voting is done.

Our long journey is almost over.

w00t…

What we had last night was quite possibly the mirror of the AI:5 finale, in that the singer (Jordin) outdid the performer (Blake). Last year, the performer (Taylor) bested the singer (Kat), and it felt right that he won, even if it’s turned out that (at least record sales-wise) he’s been arguably the most disappointing winner to date.

This year, barring an act of God or the Blaker Girls, Jordin will win, and do so handily.

Many folks are saying (as did the judges last night) that Blake had the best single performance last night, with his reprise of You Give Love A Bad Name. I’m not sure I agree. I think that he would’ve actually been better served by singing Time of the Season by the Zombies again, as it was (IMO) a much better song for him. If he had done so, then I’d have no problem saying that he gave the best performance. As it was, I actually like Jordin’s rendition of This is My Now as the best performance of the night, as well as the best vocal.

Jordin is clearly the better singer of the two (and, if I’m being honest, I like her more than even Mindy-Doo, as blasphemous as some might view such an opinion… ). And, as I’ve been saying for weeks now, the AI franchise/machine needs to crown a star vocalist, one who will resonate especially with the pop-diva demographic, if it wants to continue to be relevant & credible. Blake is certainly different & talented, and certainly more appealing to a “better” demographic than, say, Taylor, but there’s a reason that the three most successful AI “products” have been Kelly, Clay, & Carrie — they fit the stereotypical bill of power/pop-diva “star” more so than do the quirkier/niche-type winners like Ruben, Fantasia, & Taylor. (NOTE: Daughtry & Bice are exceptions in my mind, because they really are rock stars more than pop stars, and are therefore anomalies & exceptions to the rule…) Blake will be successful, of that there is no doubt. It’s just that his type of style, no matter how successful, is not what the AI machine needs, or even wants.

Taking everything into account, then, I’m going to stick to my guns & say what I’ve been saying for the past two months:

Tonight, Jordin Sparks will become the next American Idol.

Bank it.

-ghp