American Idol

Many “Idol” polls are calculating this year’s finale will be against Blake Lewis and Jordin Sparks. These two and finalist Melinda Doolittle perform this week to determine who will make it to the finale.

It’s a question that’s been asked and answered by “experts” since the beginning of Kelly Clarkson and Justin Guarini.

Is “American Idol” rigged? Do producers actually have the final say? Will the person America actually votes as the winner be the name Ryan Seacrest calls out at the May 23 finale?

Who knows, really? But there are theories out there. When it comes to “Idol,” there always are theories. People want to see the show lose steam. It doesn’t seem to be working, though.

This year, not unlike the five seasons before it, controversy has been king. There are on-set relationship rumors, nude photos and all the other cut-throat business we’ve heard before. But now that it’s down to the final three, we’re really starting to hear it.

As early as a few months ago, “Idol” finalist Jordin Sparks — an obvious favorite now — was rumored to be a little too closely connected to the competition.

It seems “Idol” sponsor Coca-Cola had named Jordin the winner of a singing competition in 2004. The Arizona native also won “Arizona Idol,” the state competition that awarded her a Ford Fusion (another sponsor) and a trip to Seattle for the auditions. It was there that Jordin allegedly was ushered through the process and given some special treatment.

Well, it doesn’t really matter if that’s true, because Jordin has proven herself. As have Blake and Melinda, the only contestant not to have any kind of dirt on her as of yet. (The only real dirt on Blake is that he broke “Idol” curfew several times and, who really cares, because he’s a grown man, right?)

Anyway, the “Idol” gossip is sure to be roaring louder than ever as the final three perform this week before one more person is given a royal shove off the stage and the top two are left to battle out for the recording contract.

So, who will it be? Jordin and Melinda? Jordin and Blake? Blake and Melinda? Many polls are guessing it will be a Jordin vs. Blake finale. But, really, it’s up in the air, if you ask me. Of course, I haven’t read the fine print. And, shhh, don’t tell, but I don’t really care.

Because, honestly, I won’t be mad about who wins, as long as it wasn’t Sanjaya. Who do I think should win? Well, based on the “Idol” formula, it probably should be Jordin. Based on talent, Melinda, without a doubt. Based on originality and the “that-kind-of-person-never-has-won” theory, well, then Blake.

American Idol, Melinda Doolittle, Blake Lewis, Jordin Sparks, Ryan Seacrest