I believe someone mentioned David Archuletta's controlling father in another post. Here's the latest...

Here's the latest...

Hmmm. Well, all I know is that if I ever end up in the *Top Three* on the "American Idol" finals (yes, yes ... I know ~ the odds of that happening are about as good as Paula seeming coherent for three episodes in a row ), please make sure the following happens for me: First? Simon must select my song. Abdul's choices have historically gotten contestants packed up and on a plane in NO time flat. This year she may have gotten lucky - but had she assigned Archie the latest tune heard on "Barney the Dinosaur" he'd have pulled it off. Whatever that was she had him sing last night was -um- better suited to the soundtrack from "Norma Rae" (thirty years ago), in my opinion. Randy is too too predictable, every time. Assign Syesha an Alicia Keyes tune? The only bigger shock would have been had he picked yet another Whitney Houston ditty for her. But Mr. Cowell? The dude makes millions hand-over-foot by just knowing what works, or could soar. Giving Cook an off-the-wall choice (a beautiful ballad sung initially by an African-American woman thirty years ago) might work? And work it did. David Cook's "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" was an exceptionally watchable / listenable moment on an otherwise *ho-hummish* night, I finally concluded. I thought the songs the finalists picked for themselves were pretty marginal, too. ALL-around. Even Cook's didn't sound so hot to my untrained ears. And (even though the judges rode up on a different camel in regards to it, indeed) I actually enjoyed Syesha's take on "Fever". She's certainly turned up the 'kitten-with-a-whip' bit the past month, hasn't she? No Peggy Lee, of course ... but she might have given Ann-Margaret a run for her money thirty years ago. Poor Archie, though. That poor kid looked so unsure of himself pre-song 2, it was as if he couldn't figure out where the microphone and/or audience was . I can't help it ... it just seems to me (breathtaking voice aside) this lad is simply not ready for all this, at this time. Having Archie, Sr. in the *soup* all week didn't likely help things, either. And, if I'm ever on the semi-finals, just send me home BEFORE the producers get the chance to ruin my promising singing career before it's even out of Pasadena yet . Little David geting saddled with Dan Fogelberg (doing "Longer", no less) was really all wrong. Syesha singing her *thing* was equally off-kilter, to me. Was I the only one who thought she might have been singing that tune in Farsi? Couldn't make out hardly a word of it on my couch. Then, then, then (the last tune of the night) ... it all came together just right. Singer, song, producer, judges. David Cook saves the day again. "I Don't Want To Miss A Thing" even did Aerosmith proud - and the Cookster's delivery of it was (in my estimation) pretty darned outstanding with or without Aerosmith in mind.

Clearly, though, last night was about only one thing: Syesha's chance to sing a full song or two (while not tearfully exiting as she does so). They say the votes are tallying into a close race ... but I don't really see how she won't be going home tonight. But that's OK, really. Her notes have been just right (against all odds) for weeks now. And the "suits" were right last night. She'd never looked lovelier and more sure of herself. I'm shocked to say so, I think ~ but I'll be missing Miss Syesha a whole lot.

So! Anyone else have a look last night? Just one more week to go - can you believe it? 'Tis been a grand season, if you ask me [which you didn't, of course ]!

THis is truly the first time I have felt sure of David Cook winning. He really is so good. David A will make it, but not on this show.
The First Time Ever I Saw your Face has been a favourite of mine for many many years, and he was gorgeous. That's what finally turned it into a Cook win for me.
We shall see.

Ouch! I didn't get to see American Idol last night so thanks for the review Gatsby. I plan to watch tonight to see who doesn't get to return. I won't be unhappy with any of these three making it all the way, cause my favorite has been voted off already. Guess we didn't need another blonde this year.

David Cook I feel for sure is going to be in the final 2.
It seems so close between Syesha and David Archuleta. Not sure who I think will go tonight. Syesha I guess.

Argh [sigh], poor set-to-sail Syesha ... looks like the aforementioned "kitten-with-a-whip" ran out of catnip, as expected. No real shocker there, quite frankly. For me, the most shocking things about results night were finding out that unabridged back story on how David Cook found his way to the "Idol" stage . Talk about luck revealing possible greatness! The other shocking thing? That mustache being worn by the mayor (or whoever he was) in Archie-ville, declaring it 'David Archuletta Day' there. Yikes! I was waiting for two things to happen as he spoke: a bicycle-built-for-two to show up or to hear a collective *shriek* erupt from a passel of hiding munchkins . The funniest part of the show? That look on Simon's face (twice, no less) after Fantasia got done singing (with neon pinkish-orange hair, to boot ). What on Earth kind of a Fantasia song was that, anyway. Slightly scary, I thought.

Anyway, onto a David vs. David *Smackdown*, inevitable as it has been for weeks. Who will win? I have a very strong hunch who will. But I'll wait until next week to turn said hunch into any sort of prediction...
Anybody else care to say who they think will win? Should win?

YESSSSSS!! The David and David show is about to begin, I can't wait.

I loved David Cook's songs the other night, I think the Switchfoot song really suited him and him singing "The First Time" was really wonderful. I love that song too Ren and he did do it justice.


Gatsby... The Mustachioed Mayor was hilarious!! So was your post! I'm going to miss them (your posts, not the Mayor) when the show is over.

Did you see the guy dressed as Colonel Sanders in David Cook's home town? His sign said "You're Original".. very funny.


I think we get to see the show LIVE this year, it's on at 10.00am Thursday Australian time.. I'm not sure... It could be delayed as 10.00am Thursday 22nd in Melbourne is 5.00pm Wednesday 21st in LA. What time is it scheduled for in the US?

I was thinking, this is the first time that the top 2 both have the same first name.

Now we do know that the winner of American Idol will be David.
Just don't know the last name just yet. Which I think it will be Cook.

Yeah, I do believe that it is going to be Cook. But Archuleta is entertaining. When is the finale? Guess I would have to watch it on youtube the very next day.

From tonight's performances I would say Archie should get it. He was sensational in my opinion.

Yep, Ren, I agree. Lil' David put 149% into his *stuff* last night. But more about him/them in a minute.

My first comment is an overall statement of (ahem) "Yikes!" . I'm sure it's likely just me and my occasional lapse into utter peevishness ... but what was up with all that boxing brouhaha? 'Sugarfoot' Cook and 'Babycakes' Archuleta? Ye Gods. Some funny little switch turned off in me the minute they did that schtick. And I believe that happened in the first two minutes? Anyway ...

I think I'd have to say that it'd take a miracle of Herculian size for Archie to not win, after last night. I should say, too, that I went into the show actually trying to find him inferior to Cook. I (and I kept thinking I'd be damned from on High for doing it, too) purposefully made my mind up to like him less of the two. Didn't work. I've never seen the lad connect and truly try so hard to deliver the emotion in a tune like he did with "Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me". It wasn't a cookie-cutter cute kid with an angelic voice (think a remake of "Going My Way") show of a rock-solid grown-up song. Archie bought it and sold it, gave it up and has never been better. In my opinion, it even exceeded his first whack at "Imagine" - which was awesome, weeks ago. But he never came out of that beautiful performance of a song that fit him so profoundly, in my opinion. Until last night, that is. Naturally, he tried "Imagine" again - but it didn't sound at all as good / the same this time. I was shocked to discover that, my liking it or not, Lil' David (or Babycakes ?) has grown out of needing that phantom [lucky-he-found-it?] song that fits him more than I thought possible. He's grown into a chap who can make himself find the song, to make IT fit what HE wants to do with it. Bravo to progress. And cheers to our young Utah boy.

Cook? If you ask me, he did nothing special to win last night. He was great (he's always great) - but he *Cook*-ed nothing up. No lightning. I really liked "The World I Know", his third song, though. It seemed to wrap up what he was doing on Finals Night. It was as if he was standing there, stripped down and at the end of the race, saying: "This is me. Like me, hate me, take me, leave me. Here I am. Do with it as you wish." He's a much more condfidant vocalist than Archie, in my opinion. He doesn't need to win this (they BOTH already have, and the older David is worldly enough to know it). One was going for the win. The other was introducing *himself* [Idol badge / pyrotechnics or no Idol badge, etc.] to a massive audience in a large venue. It seemed so odd, but right at the same time! Young David really really needs our votes. Older David? He doesn't 'need' our votes so much (but he'd truly like to sell us a gadzillion CDs in the next couple of decades ). Two good guys and two fine singers. One's an Idol, the other one (I guess) isn't. But, in the year 2525 (anyone else remember that song )? Mr. Cook's (or the relatives' surviving him) mantle will likely have more hard-earned Grammys on it than Mr. Archuleta's will. But that's just my uneducated guess. Heck, for all I really know, Cook might surprise me and win it. He certainly was leading on that Entertainment Weekly poll, episode by episode, yesterday. But, based on Tuesday night, Davey Archuleta ought to be the next American Idol.

And let's hope two things: that this makes his ambitiously frightening father happy, first. And second? That he distance himself widely from any road tours with Taylor Hicks as things progress.

I still like David Cook better than Archuleta, but I will admit David A. did a great job last night. For me, the songs other people pick FOR him always seem better than ones he chooses himself. When left to him, it seems like every song is a meaningful syrupy ballad. (except that dreadful performance of the Chris Brown song a few weeks ago) "Don't Let the Sun.." was a great example - his voice really shone on that song, and I found myself really enjoying it, instead of going to get a snack in the kitchen because of boredom. We have hardly heard him use his voice to its full capacity, and I did like that song.
Gats has it right - Archuleta was going for the win, and Cook realizes that he has the hearts of his fans no matter what happens tonight, and is happy with that.
PS - I disagreed with the judges on the "song contest" song. I really liked the one David Cook sang the best. Honestly, I'd like them to do away with that whole idea. The songs are never that good, they are recorded as a single by the winner, and never heard again.

I think David A should win, but David C will win. Well, the result will be announced soon, just in a couple of hours from now...

After last night, I think David Archuleta will win. He did such a great job.
No matter who wins, both should be very proud of themselves.

Personally, I think the judges were heaping on the praise for Archuleta a little *too strong*. He was good, but I still like David Cook better, even though it seems clear that Archie will win. Oh well... I almost died laughing at Andrew Llyod Webber's comment about David Archuleta "...unless he sings like this *eyes all scrunched up*, which will drive us all mad". It did drive me mad! And I truly disliked "Imagine". I didn't mind it the first he did it, weeks ago, but this one bothered me. "Imagine" with no piano is like.. well I can't think of a simile right now, but it ain't right!

They were heaping praise at DA because he was good. I don't care who wins. And I find it funny that Webber made a comment about DA's face. Hmmmmm I'll just choose not to go there if you know what I mean.

Best of luck to the both of them.

oh p.s it doesn't matter who wins because they both will get picked up anyway.

The following is courtesy of (my hero) Mr. Slezak over on Entertainment Weekly in his post-finals column last night. I thought I'd share it. The dude writes good ... and sees the whole picture with the right eyes on. Nothing too serious, but not junk either ~ and he (and we) likes where he lands in the middle. Anyway, this little excerpt seemed like a good way to [nearly] wrap up this Idol season....
... and don't worry ~ this isn't "required, urgent reading" ...

Quote:

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Either way (and I think we all know it's gonna be a close one), this much is certain: After a long and winding season ~ one that focused on artists more than contestants; one that allowed the singers to play instruments for the very first time; one in which performances were judged before they happened; one in which truly talented folks sometimes got sent home in the wrong order ... our collective journey will come to an end tomorrow night, and a guy named David will be crowned King of the Nokia. And whether or not you and I end up thinking it's the ''right'' David who takes home the enchilada, here's hoping that come January '09, we'll all find ourselves another Brooke or Carly or Syesha or Michael or Kristy Lee or Jason or David (or even an Amanda or Danny) to capture our imaginations, and turn us from mild-mannered music lovers into speed-dialing, trash-talking members of the great Idol nation. You may say I'm a dreamer, but that's the world I know, y'know?

---

HE WON

BY 12 MILLION VOTES!

I am so joyously relieved this year! Whew! America finally voted for the entire season, not just bits and pieces of it, maybe? Whatever happened ~ I'm so happy for David C. I could scream !
And [yes!] ... 12 million votes difference. Doesn't sound so "close" as expected, does it?

I'm glad to see the right David won. He just had more experience, showmanship and versatility. Despite some awesome musical guests, it's too bad it took two hours to find out the winner. Here's to a great career for David Cook!

Indeed! Great result. It is lovely to see an 'original' get somewhere. I think it is a terrific result.

Yep, it not nearly as close as I expected it to be. The 12 million difference expressed in percentages was - Cook - 56%, Archuleta - 44%.

I enjoyed the show, especially ZZ Top and Bryan Adams. I was again reminded how happy I am that Amanda was #11, and will not be joining the Top 10 Summer Idol Tour. She looked absolutely suicidal during the group songs...