Farewell, LaKisha; hello, next film plug

The Times pop music critics’ take on “American Idol”:

The glut of unofficial “American Idol” judgments to which this column merrily contributes has been getting strange of late.

Pundits have been declaring this the worst season ever for the series and then fawning over the finalists as if they’re the best singers Ryan Seacrest has ever seen. Which is it?

Both, and that’s the problem.

And with the exit of LaKisha Call-Me-Miss Jones, it’s all going to become painfully clear. Reality television and pop both need stubborn individualists to refresh their formulas. From the greatest (Little Richard) to the latest (Flavor Flav’s friend New York), they’ve found the boundaries and tiptoed -- or stomped -- over them. Sanjaya Malakar exited stage right with this season’s real sass, but LaKisha, at least, possessed a quiet insubordinate streak that heightened her potential -- and each episode’s tension. Which mentor’s advice would she reject next? What scowl would she break out for Simon? People say LaKisha was under-confident; no, she was simmering. As the only working-class contestant, the only really big girl, the only parent, she was in her own league. Hers was the real, not “reality,” world.

Now what’s left? Three varsity players who jump for the judges and still think they’re taking risks. Jordin Sparks -- sweet, yes, but so eager to be molded she might as well be a Barbie. Melinda Doolittle, the “pro,” who’s made a life out of taking instructions. And Blake Lewis, the fake rebel, exposed the minute he lapped up the approval on Bon Jovi week and went into beat-boxing overdrive.

For once, it was Paula Abdul who made the truest comment. “Just surprise us,” she begged Melinda on Tuesday. But expecting that from any of these three teacher’s pets seems as unlikely as coaxing an undeserved smile from Miss Jones.

-- Ann Powers

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The suspense on “American Idol” no longer revolves around who’ll be the last in line. Following LaKisha’s dismissal Wednesday, everybody who watches the show knows exactly what to expect from here on out, regardless of whether Jordin, Melinda or Blake winds up the victor.

The big question now, on a show that has truly turned into “American Infomercial,” is which new big-budget movie sequel gets plugged next week. With the clever “Idol”-packed Ford commercials each week, the survivors’ trips to preview a movie that just happens to be opening that week and the logo-laden jumbo Coke cups in front of the judges, there’s nary a corner of “Idol” left unbranded by corporate sponsorship.

You have to wonder if movie studios are now scheduling their releases for “Idol” finals, which themselves are geared to May ratings sweeps. Was it coincidence that, with four competitors left, the movie given a sneak peek Wednesday night was the new installment of “Fantastic Four”? Or that the film’s four stars turned up in the studio audience to give it an extra plug? With the field narrowed to three singers for next week, the same week “Shrek the Third” opens, I wonder what film will get two minutes of airtime on prime-time network TV?

The wedding of entertainment and product placement has never been happier or more seamless. And you can bet that the only pause in the ceremony likely to come from high priest Ryan Seacrest is the call for additional sponsors to speak now or forever hold their piece of the adjusted box-office gross.

-- Randy Lewis

ann.powers@latimes.com

randy.lewis@latimes.com