Threes were wild last night when American Idol's sixth season Top 3 took the stage, as each performed three songs and had three phone numbers for viewers to call and vote for which two would compete in next week's finale.

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Each finalist performed a song chosen by one of Idol's three judges; followed by a song chosen by Idol's producers; and then closed with their own personal favorites from the sixth season. 

The following is Reality TV World's recap of the performance broadcast in the order which the three finalists sang.  Also included are comments from each of the three judges -- Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul and Simon Cowell -- as well as additional information about each performance. 

Wednesday night at 9PM ET, one of the Idol 6 finalists will be eliminated from the reality competition series during a one-hour live results show that will reveal which will move on to next week's finale.


Jordin Sparks, a 17-year-old from Glendale, AZ

Song:  "Wishing on a Star" (Chosen by Simon, revealed by Glendale, AZ Mayor Elaine Scruggs)
Randy said:  "Wow... alright so this is the point... This is the point in the season where I'm really trying to see who's in it to win it and who's going to bring the heat every single time they're up there.  That was a very good vocal.  Kind of harkened like a little Beyonce there, I like that.  The run at the end was hot!"
Paula said:  "Simon picked a good song for you! ('Who would of thought?' commented Randy.)  You did a beautiful job... It's a great way to start the show."
Simon said:  "You sang it brilliantly Jordin, I just wish we hadn't done the wicked jazz arrangement with it though.  I like the pure version of the song.  So actually, even though I chose the song, it wasn't actually one of your better performances (boos from the studio audience).
Additional Info:  During Paula's comments, Jordin thanked Simon for picking the song, and he replied, "It's my pleasure darling."... Following Simon's comments, Idol host Ryan Seacrest asked Simon, "So you didn't like your own choice?"  Simon answered, "No... I didn't say that Ryan.  I said I didn't like the arrangement!" Ryan retorted, "Okay... you didn't like your own choice."... Jordin revealed she "never heard the song before," but added, "It's a great song."


Blake Lewis, a 25-year-old from Bothell, WA 

Song: "Roxanne" (Chosen by Paula, revealed by Bothell, WA Mayor Mark Lamb)
Randy said:  "Dude great, great performance.  I love the whole thing with the one hand on the [microphone] stand.  Great performance, it was a pretty good vocal, there were a couple little spots in there for me.  But all-in-all dude, I've got to give you an A on that.  That was hot!"
Paula said:  "You did me proud Blake.  I thought you were fantastic.  You felt comfortable up there, you changed phrasing... It was good, it was fresh, I really liked it."
Simon said:  "I'm not going to call that earth-shattering because it wasn't.  The trouble with the song is that you're always forced to do an impersonation of Sting, and it wasn't as good as the original.  It was good, it wasn't great (boos from the audience).  Come on!  You can't say it was fantastic!" ('Yes they can!' interjected Paula)
Additional Info:  A sign in the audience read, "Blake's #1 Fan" and had a hole cut in the middle where the fan holding it placed her face... Following Blake's performance, Ryan asked, "One of our best crowds of the season. Wouldn't you say?"  Simon said, "No!" and could be seen shaking his head.


Melinda Doolittle, a 29-year-old from Brentwood, TN

Song: "I Believe In You and Me" (Chosen by Randy, revealed by Tennessee Gov. Phil Bredesen)
Randy said:  "Check it out, check it out, check it out.  The reason I chose that song is because I wanted to throw a little difficulty at you because I thought, you know, it's very rangy, it's [Whitney Houston].  And I said, 'Yo!  If she can do this, she should get the grand prize.'  That was hot, you blew it out the box!  I like the little falsetto thing, very well done."
Paula said:  "Melinda, you were fantastic, amazing, and I think one of your best performances this season."
Simon said:  "Very, very difficult song to sing.  I think it was your best performance in the last four weeks.  Round one goes to Melinda."
Additional Info:  Ryan asked Melinda if she was surprised because in the past, Randy has said never attempt a "Whitney song."  "There's got to be a reason for that right?" answered Melinda.  Randy replied, "[Melinda] can do it.  She can pull it off.  You've got to be able to pull it off."  Ryan then said in his best Randy impression, "You wanted her to accept the challenge, step up and deliver... and yo, yo, yo she did, did, did!"  Answered Randy, "She blew it out the box!"  Simon asked Ryan, "Are you drunk?"  A startled Ryan answered with a question, "Am I drunk?  Are you looking at me asking that?"  Ryan then read Melinda's phone numbers, shushed Simon, and then said, "No I'm totally sober... We are gonna take a quick break right now... get a cocktail."


Jordin Sparks, a 17-year-old from Glendale, AZ

Song: "She Works Hard for the Money" (producer's pick)
Randy said:  "It doesn't really matter... You want to know something funny right now?  It doesn't really matter what song you do, I mean you're working it out up there no matter whatever song it is.  That was hot too!"
Paula said:  "Jordin you worked hard for the money tonight.  I thought you were fantastic."
Simon said:  (Rather than commenting, Simon began his critique with laughter.  Randy asked, "Why are you laughing?")  "I was embarrassed [by Paula].... Actually it was a very good performance.  I thought the arrangement, I didn't like, a little bit old-fashioned but... I'm still laughing at your joke Paula..."
Additional Info:  Jordin was the first finalist to answer a fan's question this week, and revealed her favorite song of all-time is "MMMBop" by Hanson, explaining it "always puts a smile" in her face.  The studio audience laughed at her answer, to which Jordin replied, "What? Come on!  I'm 17, Okay?"  Ryan then sang the song's chorus and revealed, "I've got the CD in the car."... Following Simon's comments, Ryan said, "Tonight Simon's the one not making a lot of sense."  Randy then asked, "Can we get some black coffee in here?"


Blake Lewis, a 25-year-old from Bothell, WA 

Song: "This Love" (producer's pick)
Randy said:  "Blake, you know what's really cool about that man is when you make a record -- when you decide to put out an album -- that's the kind of record you should really make dog... That's a good vibe for you.  Very nicely done."
Paula said:  "I was hoping that you would do that.  You're totally in your element.  It's a good night for you."
Simon said:  "Actually I preferred that one to the first song Blake.  I thought you sounded very comfortable, didn't sound like a copy-cat performance... That was good.  Yeah."
Additional Info:  Blake also answered a fan's question, and revealed if a movie was made about his life comedian Jim Carrey would play the lead role because, "I'm tall and gangly," and added it would be titled Organized Chaos... Blake beat-boxed during the performance, but it was minimal.


Melinda Doolittle, a 29-year-old from Brentwood, TN

Song: "Nutbush City Limits" (producer's pick)
Randy said:  "Another great, solid performance from you.  And I'll tell you what else.  When you make your record, you should put some of that in your repertoire because that's a good thing for you.  It will lengthen your whole career.  I like that.  I like that."
Paula said:  "Did you have fun? (Melinda answered, 'I had a blast.')  It looked like you had a blast up there.  What else can we say?  We love you, we love you and we love you."
Simon said:  "That's why we hired you for this show Paula (She replied, 'I know!').  Love that side of you [Melinda], I thought it was actually, again, another brilliant performance."
Additional Info:  Melinda's grandparents were in the audience for her performances... Melinda was the last finalist to answer a fan's question, and revealed her mom has her idol growing up because, "That's my girl.  That's one of my closest friends, and we've been hanging out since I was a little girl so she's always been the one that I looked up to."  Ryan commented, "Doesn't make your grandma feel great right now," which brought a laugh from Melinda... Following Melinda's performance, Ryan asked the judges who took that round.  After some thinking, Simon called it "a tie."


Jordin Sparks, a 17-year-old from Glendale, AZ

Song:  "I Who Have Nothing" (originally performed during the Top 11 performance episode)
Randy said:  "Well listen that's another great performance.  I think that's your best performance of the night.  Way to close it out.  Very, very hot... Nice control."
Paula said:  "It sat well on your voice and how it built... You just sounded really great.  Good choice."
Simon said:  "There's no disputing the fact Jordin that you sang that very well, but there's a part of me that hated the fact that a 17-year-old was singing a 60-year-old song (boos from the audience).  I wasn't loving it as much as I should have because it's an incredibly old-fashioned song and a performance so I actually wished you'd chosen another song."
Additional Info:  A sign in the audience read, "Sparks Fly High"... A clip of Jordin's hometown visit aired prior to her performance, and she received a star with her name on it at the mall where she was previously employed.  "I have a star at the bottom of the escalator!  People can walk all over me now!" said Jordin during the clip.


Blake Lewis, a 25-year-old from Bothell, WA 

Song: "When I Get You Alone" (last night was the first time Blake performed this song)
Randy said:  "I see why you chose that... That's the Robin Thicke song right?  Well I'm really happy that you chose that.  I mean it was cool... I still like the Maroon 5 thing ["This Love"] was a little better of a vibe for you.  It was alright man, it was alright."
Paula said:  "I think all three songs tonight really sound like who you are as an artist.  I think it combined really well and you had three great songs... three great performances."
Simon said:  "I actually really liked that.  I think what I liked about you throughout the competition, which is you don't play it safe, you take a risk, you actually look like you're having fun, which is important (Blake interjected, 'I'm having a blast!').  Good for you."
Additional Info:  During the clip of Blake's hometown visit, he performed "Baby Got Back" with Sir Mix-a-Lot... Following the performance, Ryan said, "Somebody's got a musical crush out here," presumably referring to Simon.


Melinda Doolittle, a 29-year-old from Brentwood, TN

Song: "I'm a Woman" (originally performed during the Top 16 performance episode)
Randy said:  "I remember when you did that before in the show... You know what's really cool about you tonight?  I'm seeing the range of Melinda Doolittle and that was hot again.  You're showing you're vocal ability, you can sing anything.  Whatever! Whatever!"
Paula said:  "What I love about your performance is you're stepping out into the spotlight with no regrets, no looking back, and celebrating your whole journey... You look like you're in the spotlight.  It's awesome when you're fantastic."
Simon said:  "Melinda, Melinda, Melinda, love the little striptease at the top (He was referring to Melinda removing her jacket at the beginning of the performance.  Randy commented, 'Striptease!? What!?').   Well she kind of took her jacket off.  I've got to say this Melinda.  We've known each other now for 11 weeks on this show.  If I'm going to award a place in the final to the person who has consistently delivered week after week, it's you."
Additional Info:  During the clip of Melinda's hometown visit, she received a street named after her, called "Melinda Doolittle Way," and she could be seen crying when it was unveiled... Following Melinda's performance, Ryan asked the judges to handicap the three finalists based on the night's performances.  Randy answered, "I think it's going to be two girls man if it's based on singing."  Paula said, "I think it's the first season where all three are so diverse I'm not going to say anything.  I think you're all great."  Simon said, "I want to see my girl Melinda in the finals."


About The Author: Christopher Rocchio

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