Why does everyone assume that when someone's favorite is elimated that someone else is going to "pick up their votes"? This isn't the republican primaries (although it seems like Jordin has the conservative credentials to be McCain's running mate). I think if someone's favorite gets voted off, they just stop voting.

Actually, have you considered the fact that Melinda had the personality of a discarded dish rag? I really don't pay much attention to AI, but even I noticed that the other two were just better entertainers. Voice isn't everything - look at Madonna.

Sorry, Jaro, but American Idol ain't The Bachelor or The Apprentice.

Unfortunately Idol is NEWS.

This is NEWSgasm.

And it's not like the story's not blasted on your Yahoo AOL or MSNBC homepage.

After the vote was announced, Melinda looked relieved to me. She has gotten all she needs out of American Idol; getting booted cost her nothing but a week's worth of media saturation, and, with the exception of Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood, the runners-up have fared better post-Idol than the winners.

Incidentally, Melinda may have been hurt by the fact that, on Tuesday, much of her home city and state were probably watching Underwood--a Nashville transplant since her career took off, and currently the hottest female star in country music--on CBS, performing and racking up awards at the CMA's. Southerners love American Idol, but not as much as they love Reba and Rascal Flatts.

AI is a kid's game, and Melinda seemed happy to see the two youngsters reach the finale (she was probably also glad not to have to face off against the much-younger Jordin and have to listen to the inevitable unflattering comparisons leading up to the finale). She gave a kick-ass kiss-off performance--never showing any sign of any emotion other than joy--and will roll on to a nice career on R & B and gospel radio. I wish her well.

Well said Jack. If she surrounds herself with the right people and picks the right songs she'll do very well for herself.

I'm really not surprised, and Seacrest was telegraphing this all night. Melinda picked it up, too, though I'm sure she hoped Seacrest was just toying with her. Melinda has a fabulous voice, the best voice ever on Idol. But she was really boring, even when delivering her best songs. In the end, the vote should be who is going to sell records. Neither Melinda nor Jordin have a style distinctive enough to compete with say--a Amy Winehouse, Houston, or Ciara, etc.

I had to laugh at Jaro's post...last night I went out and when I got home I watched American Idol on my DVR, but not America's Next Top Model. Today on MSNBC there was a headline depicting the winner and I accidentally saw it...I don't want to announce it in case Jaro missed that show too. I'm thinking I should write to MSNBC and complain!! HAHA!

anons #11 & 12:

I caught that too - Seacrest said that "after the break, Maroon 5 would play, yada yada yada...and Melinda goes home". Then they did Melinda's hometown visit...but I still think they were effing with everyone!

Melinda was NOT the best singer this season & certainly not the best AI has ever had! Statements like that are only opinions; NOT facts. In my opinion, I didn't like her voice. It sounded like a chainsaw had learned to sing. She was consistent alright, but not in a good way. To some of us, she was a chore. It's fine if you like her, but saying that she's the best really isn't true. Glad she's gone. To say she was boring would be a compliment.

I was surprised at first, but I truly felt that Blake was going to make the finals. I was expecting Jordin to go home last night. Isn't she the first not-quite-adult contestant to make it to the finals?

Melinda did look, if not relieved, at peace with the decision. She left with grace and dignity so maybe there's more to her than I thought.

I'm still pulling for my boy Blake, one of the most entertaining contestants this year. I think with all of the Final Four, you either hated or loved 'em. This was my first full season, but I always watched most of the top 12 and all the final 6 and this seems like one of the most emotionally split years.

FYI, it's not just teenagers that love Blake's beat boxing when he doesn't overdue it. I'm 42 and have been a fan of Blake's since the auditions! My only shock is that my earliest favorite made it to the finals!

Let's see. Never in the Bottom Two, the favorite for 11 weeks, excellent pipes despite being performance-challenged and all of a sudden you expect us to believe that she didn't receive enough votes to beat out the CORNIEST male contestant ever?

Anyone who still believes that this show is on the up-and-up probably also believes that Saddam had WMD's and that George Bush, Jr. makes his own decisions.

And will somebody PLEASE tell Blake that beat-boxing went out of style with The Fat Boyz. He's late...and lame.