American Idol 6 Final and Bodog Bets

American Idol 6 is down to the final two contestants: Jordin Sparks and Blake Lewis.

The American Idol Final is next week, and all of America will be watching. Well, everyone might not be watching, but they won't be able to escape the post-game analysis.

Bodog is offering a simply and straightforward bet on the outcome of next week's final. I will offer the wager and my analysis.

Who will be the winner of American Idol 6?

Jordin Sparks -400
Blake Lewis +250

JORDIN SPARKS

Jordin is the daughter of former New York Giants and Dallas Cowboys defensive back, Philippi Sparks. Jordin was born on Staten Island, New York, and spent her first ten years living around New York City.

After her father retired from the Cowboys in 2000, the family moved to Glendale, Arizona. This is where Jordin resides and attends high school.

Jordin is the winner of Arizona Idol and one of two winners of the Phoenix Torrid "Next Plus Size Model". She appeared on a full page ad of Seventeen Magazine in 2006. Jordin has performed the national anthem at Phoenix area sporting events, including the Phoenix Suns, Arizona Cardinals and Arizona Diamondbacks home games.

TOURING CAREER

Jordin has a unique touring careeer.

Though she is only 17, she has toured with such disparate individuals as Alice Cooper and Christian contemporary star, Michael W. Smith. Jordin finished second in the Music in the Rockies national competition for contemporary Christian artists. Jordin is said to have deep Christian values and is reported to be pro-life.

While on American Idol, Jordin has performed songs by Christina Aguilera, Pat Benatar, Tracy Chapman, Diana Ross, No Doubt, Tony Bennett, Gloria Estefan, Martina McBride, Rogers and Hammerstein, Bon Jove, Donna Summer, the Bee Gees and Barbra Streisand.

ODDS

Jordin is the odds-on favorite to win American Idol 6. Most people thought she would be competing with Melinda Doolittle in the finale, so Bodog installed her as a huge favorite to take the crown.

BLAKE LEWIS

Blake Lewis is a 25 year old singer from Seattle, Washington.

He competed in singing competitions during high school. He began beatboxing, the technique he is most known for, while still in high school. He picked up this technique after watching Matthew Selby of the L.A. area a cappella group, M-Pact. Rudy Cardenas, himself a one time American Idol finalist, was once a member of M-Pact.

After finishing high school, Blake joined KickShaw, an a cappella band. He would remain a member of this group for the next four years.

BSHORTY

These days, Blake Lewis performs under the stage name Bshorty. He has talents in singing, beatboxing, guitar, drums and piano. Blake is also a composer of music, and has shown talents writing new arrangements for pop standards.

Blake appeared on a 2004 album named "Human Element: The World's First Human Beatbox Compilation". He appears on two tracks under the name Bshorty.

BLAKE AND AMERICAN IDOL

Before he tried out at the Seattle regional for the American Idol, Blake had never seen the show. During the American Idol 6 competition, Blake became good friends with fellow competitor, Chris Richardson.

While on American Idol, Blake has performed songs by Keane, Jamiroquai, 311, Diana Ross and the Supremes, The Zombies, The Cure, Marc Anthony, Ryan Adams, John Lennon, Bon Jovi, Bee Gees, The Police, Maroon 5 and Robin Thicke.

ODDS

Blake is the underdog in this final. The conventional logic is he has little chance to win the event. The numbers would support this.

Take last year, for instance.

Eliot Yamin was the 3rd place finisher. Most people expected Catherine McPhee to win. But I suggest that the people who voted for Eliot the week before were more likely to vote for another man, which gave Taylor Hicks the votes he needed to win American Idol 5.

If you follow that logic, then the Melinda Doolittle votes are more likely to go to Jordin Sparks than a male beatboxer like Blake.

ANALYSIS

That being said, I think Blake has a chance to win.

When Chris and Blake stood onstage and told America they were best friends, that was a way of endorsing their friend to their voting constituency. American Idol comes down to a vote, so a political endorsement from a fellow competitor has some clout. It's possible that Blake has had more votes in the weeks since Chris was voted off, simply because the Chris voters have gone whole-heartedly for Blake.

Also, while Jordin seems like a nice kid, she seems (in my opinion) a little fake. She's only seventeen, so my impression probably comes from watching a teenager without a whole lot to say. Or it might be the mannerisms of someone who has been in a lot of singing contests and has the "pageant speak" down.

Say what you will about Blake, he seems geniune and unique. That usually doesn't work, though.

It didn't work for Bo Bice in American Idol 4. It didn't work for Chris Daughtry in American Idol 5. Only a certain amount of Americans are going to like someone being "different".

Ultimately, though, Jordin's odds at -400 are terrible for someone betting on her. If I'm going to bet on this final, I'll take the +250 on the underdog. I don't think Blake is a lock to lose.

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American Idol 6 Final and Bodog Bets