Melinda & Brandon

We're 20 minutes away from the start of tonight's results show, and I'm sitting here listening to Melinda Doolittle's past performances on youtube, and just feeling so blessed. Blessed by her voice, and by my good fortune to be a witness to the birth of her career as a soloist. As bad as some of the contestants are, there's always Melinda, and when she takes the stage, we know we're in for a treat.

Which brings me to Brandon. I thought it was going to be the same with him, with his years of experience as a backup singer just waiting to break out. He had such an amazing audition, and though I gave him many chances, and hundreds of votes, he's never lived up to it again, and I'm done. I can no longer say to myself, he's just having an off week, or he'll bring it next time, because honestly, I think tonight's it for him.

He has incredible potential, but it's painfully clear he just isn't ready to be the frontman just yet. He is by no means the worst on the show, and if life was fair, Sanjaya/Shirley Temple (last night) would be packing tonight, but Brandon hasn't delivered and, perhaps more importantly, hasn't connected with the audience.

I just wish it weren't true.