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