Category: The finals
Posted by Adam Graham on Wed, May 21, 2008 at 10:43 PMAmerica got it wrong
The real winner should have been CARLY SMITHSON!
More than Cook or Archie -- both of whom I'll get to later -- it's Smithson I look forward to seeing on this summer's "Idol" tour.
Her voice -- that soaring voice! -- her presence and her passion nearly stole the show during Wednesday's finale. Forget Cook, when's the Carly Smithson CD coming out? I'd buy it in a heartbeat!
On to the winner. Good for David Cook. I give him his props. I'm not a particular fan of his style, and he's a bit too into bad grunge knock-off bands from the mid-'90s for my taste, but once the dust settles, I think he'll be fine.
It's easy to get caught up in all the week-to-week hoopla and ups and downs during "Idol," and I've been admittedly harsh on Cook throughout the season (though I still think he peaked during -- and has steadily declined since -- Mariah Carey week). But down the road I would like to see what he does, and it's good to finally have a Midwest "Idol." That said, I don't think he can even shine Daughtry's shoes, but we'll see what happens.
So what happened to David Archuleta? I think a lot of voting adults saw through his groomed-since-the-start story and identified more with Cook's underdog, bartender-made-good come-around. Jeff Archuleta may have put the kibosh on his son's victory, and Archuleta was, in the end, seen as little more than a Stage Kid. Many parents -- who, let's face it, make up a large part of the voting audience -- have an intense dislike of Stage Kids. Plus, the vacuum that is Archuleta's personality -- he's as blank as a ghost -- didn't help him at all and made him seem like nothing more than a blank canvas for his father.
Voters clearly weren't going on Tuesday's performances, because I believe wholeheartedly Archuleta was better than Cook, pound-for-pound, note-for-note. But Cook had an ascension through the weeks, where Archuleta peaked early and stayed there. He was never again as good as he was that first time he sang "Imagine" -- though Tuesday's "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me" came close -- and Cook was more varied in his style, trying out ballads, rockers and big, sweeping Bic-in-the-air anthems. He played it right, and his family story helped him, whereas Archuleta's seemed to hurt him.
So good job, Cook, and better luck next time, Archie.
On to other thoughts on Wednesday's finale:
* Since when does George Michael look like a Coney Island owner? I half-expected him to yell out "two bowls of chili, no beans!" during his performance.
* Hey, Carrie Underwood: Shout less. (And next time, wear pants.)
* ZZ Top and Graham Nash: Have fun cashing your checks.
* Renaldo LaPuz: You rule.
* Did you notice in Cook's and Archuleta's "Guitar Hero" commericals, Archuleta was wearing boxers while Cook was rocking the Tom Cruise briefs? I'm guessing that was because Archuleta is underage, right?
* How long before Cook is opening for Daughtry on tour?
* 97.5 million votes? I don't buy it, not for one second. It reminds me of the Downtown Hoedown supposedly getting a 500,000 attendees, or how every Detroit parade magically gets "1 million" people. The numbers are juiced, folks! I'm not buying it. Ratings were down this year, there were many grumbles about the quality of the show ... yet that many people voted? "Idol," please.
* If I have to hear one more "hair on my keester" joke I'm going to scream. Welcome back, Mike Myers, now please go away.
* When is someone going to call out Seal? Dude is terrible. He's got two songs, and the only thing he's done in the last decade is marry Heidi Klum. Hey, don't you have to go sing "Kiss From a Rose" at some little girl's birthday party? Be gone!
* Carly! Carly! Carly! Carly! Carly! Carly! Carly!
* Robert Downey Jr. on "American Idol." I never thought I'd see it, and now that I have, I want more. Forget David Cook, 2008 is the year of RDJ!
* "Idol" is over! I have my life back! The possibilities are limitless: I can exercise, catch up with old friends, read a book, write a book, anything I want! But I'll probably just end up counting down until the next season of "Idol." Sigh.
Category: The finals
Posted by Jennifer Darling-Lanphear on Wed, May 21, 2008 at 10:36 PMTest dial is yearly occurrence, Renee
I do the test dial every year and it was just a little suspicious when I couldn't get through to Cook's lines as easily as Archuleta's. It told me that little David wasn't getting the votes that we'd been led to believe that he was getting!
Keep in touch!
Category: The finals
Posted by Mark Bliss on Wed, May 21, 2008 at 10:28 PMDavid Cook wins!
America got it right! Who says underdogs can't win. I guess I was right yesterday in stating that the American public would get angry at the bias and vote like crazy for David Cook (see Simon's apology to David Cook for evidence that the producers were aware). Also, I believe people were really thinking about who would make a better album, thus being deserving of the "Idol" crown.
Congrats America! I'll get David Cook's album when it comes out as I hope all of you do. I'm sure he'll come out with something original!
Thank you to my fellow bloggers and readers for making this season just as fun as the last. Also a special thanks to all of the people who who commented on my blog entries (especially those of you who agreed with me).
Finally, I encourage everyone to go out and get last year's dark horse's album. Blake Lewis' "Audio Daydream" is very under-rated. It is both exciting and original (download "Here's my Hello" from iTunes to see what I mean). We'll see who next year's dark horse is and hopefully they'll get the gold just like David Cook did tonight!
Category: The finals
Posted by Renee Turner on Wed, May 21, 2008 at 10:21 PMPhone lines led me to believe David Cook was winner
Jennifer, I voted for both of them last night, ha, ha, totally canceling my own votes! But yes, it was much harder to get through on David Cook's numbers!
Category: The finals
Posted by Brandon Dunlap on Wed, May 21, 2008 at 10:05 PMDavid Cook wins 'Idol'
I can't believe it! But I really feel that the best man won. He was the most consistent and had the most originality and recordability.
Hats off David for a job well done.
Category: The finals
Posted by Jennifer Darling-Lanphear on Wed, May 21, 2008 at 10:01 PMSeason 7 winner is David Cook
Good for David Cook! I kind of suspected last night when I was calling the vote lines that Cook might take this competition! When I tried to call in to both lines, I easily got into David Archuleta's lines time after time but could not get through to David Cook's lines!
Another season of "American Idol" is behind us with another deserving winner.
David Archuleta put on a fantastic performance last evening, but I really think David Cook picked up an amazing following in the closing weeks of this year's competition!
I must say it has once again been a pleasure working with the people from last year and the new folks who have been added to the list of "Armchair Idol" bloggers! We are not professionals by any sense of the word. However, I think I can speak for some of us when I say that the experience has been fun and entertaining. Perhaps we'll see all of you again next year! Keep in touch!
Category: The finals
Posted by Beth Reeber Valone on Wed, May 21, 2008 at 10:01 PMWow, David Cook - what a shock!
Wow, I was so surprised when Ryan Seacrest said David ... Cook! So was he!
Category: The finals
Posted by Renee Turner on Wed, May 21, 2008 at 9:59 PMWe have a David
That was so nerve-racking! Part of me wanted David Cook, part of me wanted David Archuleta, so I'm happy. Part of me is a little disappointed for Archuleta, and I would still feel the same way if it was the other way around, because I loved both of them. They both had a great season.
I knew Simon was going to say what he said about being a little hard on David Cook. I watched some of yesterday's show again today and I would say after watching it back, they were pretty equal, and that's pretty much what Simon said tonight.
I wonder what it would have been like if David A. would have won. I hope his stage dad isn't too hard on him. Lil David looked like he was handling it well and that he was genuinely happy for David C.
Would I have been happier if David A. won? I honestly don't know. But I agree with Simon; either one could have won, I'm glad he said that. Either way, they will both have great careers.
I loved this finale, I love this show and it was great blogging with all of you! I can't wait to hear about the audition cities and audition dates for next season!
We have our American Idol!
Til next year!
Category: The finals
Posted by Stacy Hanus on Wed, May 21, 2008 at 9:58 PMAnd our American Idol is ...
DAVID COOK!!!!!! Wow, wasn't expecting that one. However, I couldn't agree more with Simon. He was incredible and I couldn't care less who won - I love them both and they will both go far. David Cook is insanely talented and a great guy, I have great faith in this guy (who I didn't like at the start of the season!).
Category: The finals
Posted by Susan Ankofski on Wed, May 21, 2008 at 9:57 PMSeason 7 ends
Nice apology, Simon. You showed some class.
DAVID COOK!!!!! I win! I mean we win. America wins!! Oh yeah! The Dark Horse takes it all! Awesome! I am thrilled!!
David Cook is our new American Idol! They'll all find their success in any venue they choose. Good luck to them all.
Thank you fellow judges and bloggers for a great season once again. Thanks for your wit and controversy.
