Phil does charity gig

Denise Neil of the Wichita Eagle had the scoop this week:

"American Idol" finalist Phil Stacey is in Wichita to put on a benefit concert for Greensburg.
But tonight's sold-out concert isn't the only item on Stacey's whirlwind agenda.
He's going to meet with concert sponsors. Have a barbecue and reunion with old Wichita pals. Partake in his-and-hers massages with wife, Kendra.
And, per his own request, Stacey hopes to take a tour of Greensburg today.
"We're still hopeful he can do that," Brett Harris, the Wichita disc jockey who organized Stacey's trip, said Monday.
Stacey, a 1997 graduate of Wichita's Northwest High School, will perform tonight in front of a sold-out crowd of 2,900 at Central Christian Church.
Harris is hoping the show will raise $50,000 for the Salvation Army's fund for Greensburg Tornado Relief.
The concert came about after an off-hand comment Harris made to Stacey during a radio interview a couple of weeks ago.
Stacey had just been booted from "American Idol" (tied for a respectable fifth place) and had called in to Harris' morning radio program on B-98, (97.9-FM).
"It was in the middle of the interview, and I flippantly said, 'We need to drag you out here for a benefit concert,' " Harris said. "And there was a pause and then a, 'Sure. No problem.' "
It wasn't quite that simple, though.
For the next week, Harris spent his days on the phone trying to gain approval from "American Idol" people and from Stacey's superiors in the Navy, who had to agree to extend his leave by one day.
Then there was the matter of transportation. Harris, a flight enthusiast and pilot who does part-time sales for Yingling Aviation, discussed the visit with Yingling's president, Lynn Nichols. He promptly offered to charter a flight for Stacey and his family from their home in Jacksonville, Fla.
On Monday, Harris and a crew took a Yingling prop jet to Jacksonville to pick up Stacey, his wife, Kendra, and his two young daughters, Chloe and McKayla.
As soon as tonight's concert ends, they'll immediately board the plane and head back to Florida, where Stacey is expected to report for duty on Wednesday morning.
The concert, Harris said, will feature Stacey singing most of the tunes he performed while on "Idol," and he has plenty to choose from. During his 11-week-run, Stacey sang hits ranging from Bon Jovi's "Blaze of Glory" to Keith Urban's "Where the Blacktop Ends."
Stacey, who will be backed by local cover band Three Ring Circus, also hopes to perform a few hits by one of his Christian music heroes, the late Rich Mullins.
Among the concert attendees will be survivors of the Greensburg tornado and the Greensburg city administrator. Gov. Kathleen Sebelius hopes to attend, Harris said, and Wichita Mayor Carl Brewer will declare this "Phil Stacey Day."
For Stacey's Wichita buddies, the visit feels sort of surreal.
They're used to seeing him when he swings through town and having unlimited access to his time.
This visit is different, though, said one of those friends, Darren Schopf. He's pretty sure he'll see Stacey while he's here, but Schopf bought tickets to the concert just to be sure.
"Normally, when he comes in to visit we spend a good amount of time with him," Schopf said. "But now, he's got a full schedule -- just like when we saw him in Los Angeles."

We Didn't Get Our Phil!

So Jordin was crowned the A-MER-ican Idol. Was there really ever a doubt? The only real suspense was seeing if Paula would make it through the show without embarrassing herself. Besides her usual slurring speach, she seemed to have things under control until she and Randy tried to fly...fly so high in the sky...until we almost cried...

The two-hour results show was packed full of mostly forgettable moments (we won't bore you with all the details). Given that we weren't exactly excited about Blake or Jordin, we were hoping to get to see more of our Phil. But once again, Fox let us down. (We're not worried though. We'll be watching Phil and the rest of the Top Ten from our FLOOR SEATS July 8 when the Idol tour makes its way to J-ville.)

There were some hits...

Smokin': For us, the first major hit of the night was the Smokey Robinson sing-a-long with the Top 6 guys. Dressed in all white and sounding a bit like Boyz II Men, the guys — especially Phil — sounded A-MA-zing. And Chris Richardson looked remarkably comfortable up there (perhaps because he was near his BFF, Blake, again). We could see this as a boy band in the making...

The beat is back: After dissing him for the past couple weeks, we (ok, just Erin) have to admit, there's a time and place for beatboxing...and Blake. His collaboration with Doug E. Fresh was one of the most entertaining parts of the night (despite the fact that they both looked like they came straight from the early 90s Kool-Aid commercials. Anyone thirsty?)

Soul song: Maybe we didn't get to see our Phil perform his own number, but at least Simon got to watch his Melinder with BeBe and CeCe Winans (fun fact: she used to sing backup for them). Their performance re-energized a sluggish show.

Standing tall: Carrie Underwood proved her Idol worthiness with "I'll Stand By You," the same song she performed during Idol Gives Back earlier this season. (Remember when this song was considered Gina's breakout?)

And there were some misses...

Tear-jerker: Even Aerosmith guitarist Joe Perry couldn't rescue us from Sanjaya's repeat of "You Really Got Me." But at least we got to see the cry baby again (don't you think she'll regret this in about two years when she goes to high school?).

Say what?: We can only guess what Jordin's reaction was when she learned she'd be singing with season two's dud, Ruben Studdard. You would think the Idol producers would have given Jordin a more comparable showcase to that of Blake's. Or maybe they're still holding on to hopes of Ruben selling some albums.

Say what, part 2: A salute to Sgt. Pepper's? Are you serious? Sure it was THE Beatles, but was there a point? Perhaps we could have used this time for a Phil Stacey number..."Blaze of Glory," anyone?

Basically, the only good thing about Jordin winning is that we didn't have to hear Blake sing "This Is My Now" again. And he's probably relieved, too.

Gary T. Mills and Erin Patterson/The Times-Union

Did we get it wrong?

Share your thoughts on Tuesday's performances and Paula's hair. (Is it just us, or was the hair meant to distract from her broken nose and overmedicated self?)

We want to hear from you.

Pop-Tart & Beat Box, part dos

If Blake Lewis is to win the American Idol crown Wednesday, he'll have only the Blaker Girls — the name given to his devoted fans — to thank.

The judges all but crowned Jordin Sparks with the title at the end of Tuesday's competition. That left little for voters who weren't already in the Blake or Jordin camps to base their decisions on. (And after Melinda's premature exit from the competition last week, the only voters left may be Blaker Girls and Jordin's Sparkplugs.)

Following Blake's performance of "This is My Now," (the winning entry of the songwriting contest) judge Randy Jackson let it rip with "You don't have to feel that bad about it." Paula, who couldn't — or wouldn't — criticize her Blake if she wanted to, offered "great job." Simon suggested that voters may want to judge Blake on his first two performances, "You Give Love a Bad Name" and "She Will Be Loved."

Host Ryan Seacrest didn't help Blake either with his "So that is all Blake can do" before heading to a commercial break in front of Jordin's try at the song.

Jordin all but sealed her fate — and Blake's too — within the first few notes of her "This is My Now." And the audience and judges knew it, too, despite her weak finish. (Does anyone else think those tears were fake?) Simon summed it up with "You just wiped the floor with Blake."

We weren't impressed with Jordin's first outing, Christina Aguilera's "Fighter." Whereas Blake worked the stage and crowd with "You Give Love," Jordin didn't connect with the song or the audience. Her second song, Martina McBride's "A Broken Wing" was a better performance than the one she gave during Country Week. Clearly, the ballads are her forte and perhaps she chose her song order based on that. Finish strong.

Will Blaker Girls be able dial their boy all the way to the Idol crown?

We think not. And we can't wait until tomorrow's finale.

Because Simon's Melinder — AND OUR PHIL — will be back. (Where they rightfully belong.)

Til then, Garinatics.

Garin (Brangelina is so 2006!)

Gary T. Mills and a tired Erin Patterson/The Times-Union

US Weekly says Phil got tour OK

"As American Idol’s top ten gear up to hit the road for the summer concert tour, Phil Stacey waited to find out if his commanding Naval officers would give him the OK to pack his bags. Now, a few short weeks after his elimination, Usmagazine.com has learned that the U.S. Navy has cleared the 29-year-old father of two to sing this summer."

Best not enough

Who would have guessed it (besides Erin) — Melinda Doolittle was sent home Wednesday night on American Idol. She was the best of any of them, but the 60 million voters went with youth. Jordin Sparks and Blake Lewis are the last two heading into next week’s finale.
Wrong: Most of the so-called experts said Lewis was going home.
Top 3 reward: On their visits home, each of the final three drew crowds of thousands. Jacksonville’s Phil Stacey had less than 100 waiting for him Monday in front of Dick’s Sporting Goods. And it was Phil Stacey Day, too.
Empty: We’ve gotten used to Paula Abdul having absolutely nothing to add. Maybe it’s too much nail polish fumes. But Randy Jackson is supposed to be a successful producer. You’d think he’d have more to offer than “Yo, check it out. You brought it today. You had it goin’ on.” Simon Cowell, as mean-spirited as he is, is the only who actually says anything.
Prediction: Sparks. She sings better than Lewis, plus she’s a lot taller.
Second prediction: Doolittle has a nice career waiting for her.
Roger Bull/The Times-Union

Idol voters, you didn't do what Simon says

Preface: In our joint posting Tuesday night, Erin insisted on a more succinct recap/analysis of the night's competition. But on results show nights, many viewers just tune in to the end of the show.

Wednesday's results show was more entertaining than recent weeks', but watching closely, I felt compelled to share what many saw:

(Yes, Erin, even the preface is wordy; but bear with me.)

In a departure from results show protocol, a contestant was eliminated a whopping 27 minutes before the end of the show Wednesday night.

What you say?

At that point, just after Elliot Yamin — who was eliminated at this point in last year's competition — performed, host Ryan Seacrest says the following just before cutting to commercial:

"More music coming up from Maroon 5. Plus, more emotional results. And Melinda goes home."

The camera quickly cuts to the final three contestants, where we see Blake clapping and mugging for the camera; Jordin clapping and looking at Seacrest and Yamin; and a perlexed Melinda sitting between the two.

I wasn't the only to say, Huh? Wait a minute! It was only after replaying those few seconds that I realized Seacrest was promoting the upcoming taped segment of Melinda's trip back home to Nashville last week. (Following last week's show, each of the final three returned to their hometowns for heavily choreographed — and documented — emotional homecomings that were aired on Wednesday's episode.)

He wasn't announcing her departure from the competition. But it appeared to Melinda, like it did to me, that she wasn't sure what he was talking about initially.

Twenty-seven minutes later that moment looked prophetic as Melinda — standing at center stage, evoking a rocker image in a black dress with the words "death cheater" across the chest — was told that tonight "was the end of the road" for her by Seacrest.

With Jordin already declared a finalist, Melinda stood there expressionless. Blake, too, initially, as if he didn't realize what had just happened.

Before hearing the booing crowd, we see Simon — elbows on table, with his hands over his nose and mouth — expressing the first sign of disappointment. (And boy, did he look disappointed.) Simon all but begged Idolnation to do the right thing last night, saying he's like to see Melinder in next week's finals. (And, if you remember, he had a negative comment for each of Jordin's three performances last night.)

Simon must have sensed his Melinder's fate a minute earlier, when Seacrest asked Jordin to join him in revealing the fate of the first contestant. At that point, everyone but perhaps Jordin herself, realized she was indeed safe.

Cutting to the judges, viewers saw Randy Jackson clapping while looking blankly at the stage; Paula smiling and clapping like a seal waiting for a fish; and Simon clapping obligatorily while refusing to look up at the stage in that shot as well as a follow-up shot from behind the judges. (Perhaps he was saying a little prayer for Mindy-do.)

Following the usual retrospective of the departing contestant, Seacrest polled the judges as TV lawyers often do of the TV juries in TV legal dramas. Randy and Paula offered their compliments to Melinda, but it Simon who expressed what many watching felt: respectful congratulations to the two finalists, but sympathy for Melinda.

(End of Part 1.)

Gary T. Mills/The Times-Union

Pop-Tart & Beat-Box

I know I predicted this outcome last night, but I was seriously hoping I was wrong. Idol Nation, you have disappointed me once again. How could you send Melinda home?

For the first time this season I feel like I don’t care about the final outcome (although I’m sure I’ll develop some opinions by next week). Between Jordin and Blake, Jordin is obviously the better singer. But would I call myself a Jordin fan? Not exactly. She’s had her share of shaky performances, and her over-the-top perkiness and toothy smile get on my nerves. And Blake? We all know he’s overrated.

So excuse me while I sit and sulk for the rest of the night.

Erin Patterson/The Times-Union

Wagering is discouraged

In six seasons of American Idol, this could be the toughest semifinal. Melinda Doolittle made it clear Tuesday night that she should be there next week, but Jordin Sparks and Blake Lewis finished neck and neck. They might have drained votes from Doolittle because fans were concerned with who gets the second final spot. Even Simon wimped out on picking the final matchup. This thing has all the clarity of the St. Johns in summer.

It’s not hard to believe she’s 17: Sparks was praised 5.46 times a week this season for having a great set of pipes for her age. She kept it up with "Wishing on a Star," but by the time she did "She Works Hard for the Money," her voice was too tired to pop the low notes. She also was less than enthusiastic about Simon’s song choice for her, and then she argued with him at the end of the show when he didn’t like her song choice. Ask Chris Sligh how that turns out.

Saddest striptease since Jamie Lee Curtis in "True Lies": Doolittle seemed to fear her jacket would wrinkle as she daintily dropped it on "I’m a Woman." But her sass was perfect for her second take on the song this season. She also supplied a great gritty growl on "Nutbush City Limits."

He’s got your back: Lewis finished strong with Robin Thicke’s "When I Get You Alone," restraining his beatboxing to a few choice notes. Simon gave him a great critique, possibly enough to get into the final. But in Lewis’ mind, the high had to be returning to Washington state for a hero’s welcome that included … working the mic for Sir Mix-A-Lot on "Baby Got Back." Wish I could have seen the mayor’s face.

Cowellism of the night: "You can’t say it was fantastic." That was Simon telling fans what they should think about Lewis’ opener. And we thought Cowell’s mouth and his saddlebag pecs were the biggest things on him. Dude, you’re arguing with the people who write your check. Besides Coke, I mean.

Most likely to go home: Sparks. Yeah Randy, live with it.

Should be most likely to go home: The backing band and singers. The singers were a flat-noted distraction on Lewis’ "Roxanne," and I haven’t heard horns that shrill since Connie Corleone’s wedding reception in "The Godfather."
John Timpe/The Times-Union

Agree to disagree

We agree that Tuesday's Idol was a lot of fun, especially after last week's bomb. But that's about all we agreed on.

1. Best performance of the night:
Erin: Melinda's I'm a Woman (It gave me chills.)
Gary: Melinda's Nutbush City Limits (Is there ANYTHING this W-O-M-A-N can't sing?)

2. Weakest performance of the night:
Erin: Blake's Roxanne (In case you haven't heard, I'm not the biggest Blake fan.)
Gary: Blake's Roxanne (That's true, literally and figuratively.)

3. Idol judge appearing to be under the influence:
Erin: Paula (Idolnation has been wondering what's in the big red Coke cup.)
Gary: Paula (So what's new?)

4. Best overall performer of the night:
Erin: Melinda (I love her.)
Gary: Melinda (Heck, best performer all season.)

5. Weakest performer of the night:
Erin: Blake (Because I hate Blake's beat-boxing.)
Gary: Blake (She really does. As for me, it's OK, but who could listen to an entire album of this scat?)

6. WILL be in the Finals:
Erin: Jordin and Blake (I really hope I'm wrong.)
Gary: Melinda and Blake (I KNOW she's wrong!)

7. SHOULD be in the Finals:
Erin: Melinda and Jordin (Because it's a SINGING competition.)
Gary: Melinda and Phil (Because Phil was robbed. RECOUNT!)

8. Best song choice by Idol judges:
Erin: Wishing on a Star, Simon's pick for Jordin (I guess he knows how to pick 'em.)
Gary: Roxanne, Paula's pick for Blake (Too bad he couldn't pull it off.)

9. Best use of sound effects:
Erin: Phil Stacey's flatulent hands during WAWS/TV-30 promo (What, did you think I was going to say Blake?)
Gary: Erin's laugh at the promo (And thanks to TiVo, she got to laugh again, and again ...)

10. Biggest shock of the night:
Erin: Calling in to vote and hearing Melinda's voice thanking me for voting (It was the highlight of my day.)
Gary: Simon's criticism of Jordin (Ouch! Didn't see that one coming.)

So who do you think will be in next week's finals? We want to hear from you.

Erin Patterson and Gary T. Mills/The Times-Union