I think it's a shame that Melinda went, as soon as they announced she was leaving, I turned off the show and will not watch the finals.  I believe it's a popularity contest and not about vocals.  I believe American Idol should change the voting.  I think they should change it to 1/2 Judges votes and 1/2 voters. Just like Dancing with the stars.

At this point I really don't care who wins.  Melinda should have won hands down.  She was consistant week after week.  I thought it was a joke.  Just look at the judges reactions.

Its ridiculous. How could they eliminate Melinda. I think the judges should have a word on who goes and who doesnt. Because its obvious Melinda was the best. I'm so heart broken. Its just pathetic the way people think

It is obvious that the most talented musical wise is Melinda, and her technic was great. In comparison with her poor blake sounds as if he is going through puberty. What is he doing in the final ? People forget that this is a music competition and we are suppouse to see and hear some of the greatest voices in America. It is nontheless a shame and polution to my ears to listen to this guy who has a range of about 8 notes.

Melinda should have been in the final two.  The judges should have more say in the voting for the winner.  Hands down Melinda has the best voice.  I will not bother watching the finale since  the best is now gone!

i believe Melinda should be in the finals as she as a wonderful voice and if Melinda drop's out then i am done watching the show..........i think it should be voice on their singing Blake should be taken out and the 2 woman in the finals we love you doolittle

i think it shud have been melinda and jordin in the finals...blake too has talent, but he cant compare to the gals

neways, whats done is done ..ive got my fingers crossed for jordin!

I think it's a shame that Melinda is leaving i believe you should stay as you have the best voice there i think Blake should be taken out and the 2 woman stay in the finals.......when you sing Doolittle you are the best and if you leave i will not watch the finals either watch it i love your singing

It's horrible, because Melinda was a true PROFESSIONAL!!! There was no way in hell that Jordin or Blake sang better than her. Her voice is so refined and because they decided to go that route with her the Lord is going bless her 10x more than ever before. Need I say more, you saw what happened to Jennifer Hudson. Yeah Melinda is going to make it no doubt.

I was shocked that Melinda was voted off...she was my choice from day 1. Though I didn't want her to go, there was something inside of me that thought she might. These are my reasons...

1. people usually like to see a boy/girl finale, it makes the duets more interesting (remember Bo & Carrie)

2. people would want Blake cause of his beat box unique style...

3. people would want to give 17 yrs old Jordin her shot at stardom, whereas Melinda is and will be a star now, even though she will not be the American Idol.

We won't see the last of Melinda Doolittle, believe me. Her back up days are long gone.

"I turned off the show and will not watch the finals. "

My thoughts exactly.  I expected Doolittle to win, based on singing talent alone. Jordin's a nice girl with a voice that has great potential but she's no Melinda Doolittle, and Blake is a rank amateur who wants to sound like Sting. Neither of those two delivered every week, but Melinda did.

The American public, who clamour for shows like American Idol have no taste, no knowledge, no appreciation for a fine voice, a voice that delivers. The proof is in Sanjaya staying as long as he did.  

I hope this is the last American Idol show we ever see.

I'm Kuala Lumpur. I watch the show every week. It's ashame Melinda was sent home. American idol is not a singing contest but a popularity vote. I wish to ask the winner (Blake or Jodi) what is it like to win the contest not because of talent but because of popularity.

This is now the second year in a row where the best contestants get voted off just before the finale. Last year it was Chris Daughtry and Elliott Yamin, this year it's Lakisha and Melinda. Couple that with Sanjaya's long stay and you know that this show is not about the best singers, it is a glorified (but enjoyable :P) popularity contest.

I'm not too worried though, it might actually be a good thing. Melinda will get a record deal that doesn't come with the uncreative, profit guided AI strings attached. Should prevent her from making, or rather having to make, a cd like McPhee's.

I was HAPPY, HAPPY when Melinda got voted off, I would have been Happy, HAPPY, if it would have been Jordan too.

I know my reasoning is awful, but here it is, this is my first year watching Idol and I dislike Simion so much that I voted for the underdog. Tuesday night I voted for two hours straight for Blake. I didn't think he really had a chance, but know Melinda will get a great contract.

I think if they took Simon off the panel, then people would vote for the right people. He is rude beyond belief.

Sorry, this is so negative, but boy do I dislike Simon, I don't want to use the word I really think about him, so I am saying dislike.

It is quite obvious that the winner is not chosen on talent. Melinda is 28 yrs old, and you have a lot of pre teens and teens voting. It's clear that they are going to vote for a hip young male whether he is the best singer or not. Just look at how long Sangia was there and he should not even have been in the top 12. I as a viewer refuse to watch the conclusion of the show. What's the point in having judges if they don't even vote. As this show continues, they should not call it a talent contest but a popularity contest.  Melinda's voice is too mature and accomplished for most of teen female voters.

Out of the two left, I would hope that Jordan wins. Blake is not such a great singer, but he is a very good performer.              

i was in disbelief when melinda was eliminated last night. without a doubt  melinda deserved the idol title. it is quite clear to me now that this is a popularity contest and not a talent competition.  the days of idol watching are over for me.witho

Melinda probably has MORE fans than Jordin and Blake.  Don't you think unlimited votes plays a big role?

The difference is Jordin and Blake fans vote 500 times each and more.

They won't buy 500 cd units each though, so good luck AI.

Melinda, I am your fan for life.

never thought that i would write this,  but Melinda should have won.

not intersting in the show anymore.

Melinda is the best.

Melinda's elimination is just plain ridiculous. She has incredible talent and a beautiful voice. She was consistently amazing with each performance each week. This show is a joke...The only good thing that can be said about American Idol is that now Melinda's name and talent are out there. When she gets a recording contract - and she will soon - she will soar to the top of the charts.

As for the show...who cares now. I'm tuning out!

Melinda was the BEST in it proofs again that America has no knowledge for singing competitions...

They should let only Simon & Randy make the decisions!.

At this point I hope that Jordin wins next week...

What finale? Finale was yesterday,and Melinda won hands down. Luv you, Melinda! Best AI contestant, ever!

Hey,let's boycott the so-called "finale" next week and make sure AI drop in ratings(SIGNIFICANTLY,hopefully) might able to get them change the voting system:should hv let the judges hold at least 30% of votes and not letting the teens having full say.

I'll watch Idol next week so I can hopefully see Melinda again but after that I will never watch Idol again.  Melinda should have won!

Melinda has a great singing voice, but surely there is more to the show than that...tons of people can sing great, but Blake is creative and interesting, and would be a different kind of winner for the show.  This is meant to be American Idol - not american singer, surely Blake and Jordin are more pop idol (which is the original name of the show in England) than Melinda, who I am sure will have a great career anyway, but not in the world of being a pop idol.

I THINK AMERICAN IDOL IS RIGED BECAUSE THEIR IS NO WAY THAT WE VOTE BECAUSE THE BEST WAS MELINDA AND I WILL NOT BE WATCHING THE FINALE I WANT BLAKE TO WIN KNOW BECAUSE I DON'T LIKE JORDAN SHE IS NOT THAT GOOD OF A SINGER AND HER FIRST TWO SONGS TUESDAY WERE BAD THE LAST SONG WAS OKAY SHE HAS A NASTEY ATTITUDE THEN SHE IS ALREADY RICH AND SHE HAS NOT DID ANYTHING THAT HAS STOOD OUT AMERICAN IDOL ROB MELINDA OF THE COMPETITON SO I HOPE BLAKE WINS HE WILL SELL MORE ALBUMS THAN JORDIN BECAUSE HER ALBUMS WON'T SELL

I agreed, there is something wrong with the voting system in this country (and not just in politics).  I also think they should change it to 1/2 Judges votes and 1/2 voters, otherwise, why they need judges in the show anyway? Maybe they should change the name of the show to 'American Teen Idol', ‘American Bubblegum Idol’, or 'American Speed-dial Idol' or something like that. If you ever watched this season's show without looking at the TV screen like I occasionally did, it would be so clear who should be in the finals (and who you will be willing to pay for an album) I watched the Tuesday night show but I didn't vote, I'm so sorry, Melinda. As for Blake, yes, he is interesting to watch, but I just can't believe such a forgettable vocal quality can be an 'idol'. Jorin has potential, but anyone who is not tone deaf would agree she’s got ways to go to learn to better control her own voice and give it a soul.  As for the show, I’m very sure it is a singing competition, all judges said that over and over again during the initial audition and through out the contest, and the final result should reflect that. Unfortunately, it won’t happen again for this season. As for who will win from the remaining two closely competitive contestants? I think it would be Blake. He is white.

Melinda Doolittle the talented vocalist with a heart of gold. The album’s first single, “It’s Your Love,” was released to radio stations nationwide in September. to have more update about her album www.melindasbackups.com