Comments on: The “American Idol” Poll You’ve Been Waiting For: Which David Delivered Tonight’s Knockout Punch?

By: Thierry

Thierry — Wed, 21 May 2008 12:59:58 +0000

By the way, the final DialIdol tally? Cook over Archuleta, 40.93 to 29.37.

By: Chris Molanphy

Chris Molanphy — Wed, 21 May 2008 12:41:55 +0000

Archie wins. Not happy about it, but there it is. And I will be fair: If we're judging just based on last night, Archuleta really did smoke Cook in terms of in-it-to-win-it, song selection (not that he had much to do with that), etc.

Archie's first performance - not to sound like the Randy-robot - actually was one of his best all season. (I realize that isn't saying much.) You're right about the George Michael tones on the Elton cover, and it was better than that: the kid looked in command of himself, to me, for the first time all season. I actually remember saying, This isn't blowing me away, but if he performed like this all season, I wouldn't have turned against him. The cynical part: Clive had to know it'd be a showstopper; ever since Live Aid, "Don't Let..." has been a guaranteed live crowd-pleaser.

As for Cook, the whole night was marred by song choice, IMHO. The U2 song is one of my favorites by them, but it allows remarkably little Bono-esque vocal reaching, which is part of what makes it great, actually (for mid-'80s U2, it's so wonderfully restrained). The only way to make "I Still..." special is to play up its gospel underpinnings, which U2 themselves already did on Rattle and Hum, and besides that wouldn't have suited Cook anyway. So Clive threw him under the bus there.

But Cook threw himself under the bus with the Collective Soul choice. What kills me is, I'm rooting for this guy (by default), and there are plenty of grunge and nü-grunge songs he could've picked that would've given him a chance to show some range, and instead he picks this reined-in song. He did do a fine job with it, but c'mon: the Archie/"Imagine" freight train is on its way, and you actually think this is gonna stop it?

Hated Archuleta's other two songs (despise what he's doing to "Imagine"), but it doesn't matter. Simon cold-blooded assessment was correct: Archuleta won the night. (And remember, Cowell was actually in the tank for Cook going in.) The whole thing depressed and deflated me, but it's Archie in a walk, IMHO.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Wed, 21 May 2008 10:30:35 +0000

If David Cook would have sang “Hurt So Good” or “Cuts Like A Knife” last night and taken his title of Johnny Cougar/Bryan Adams 2k8 he would have this wrapped up. I heard a rumor that Adams might be there tonight so if nothing else… there is hope.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Wed, 21 May 2008 05:46:30 +0000

archuleta is gonna become a jesus singer if he wins… actually, he will regardless…

By: Mary

Mary — Wed, 21 May 2008 05:04:09 +0000

Zaba is now calling it for Cook.

By: bcapirigi

bcapirigi — Wed, 21 May 2008 04:32:13 +0000

@mashpeeoc: i still say nikki mckibbin was the best thing that ever happened to that show.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Wed, 21 May 2008 04:16:53 +0000

@Thierry:
in all honesty I was running out of former idol contestant names.

By: rina

rina — Wed, 21 May 2008 04:05:22 +0000

@brasstax: They only need to make one change: I don't want to vote for people, I want to against people.

By: Thierry

Thierry — Wed, 21 May 2008 03:44:48 +0000

@mashpeeoc: Actually, Pickler's already doing a surprisingly good job at becoming famous - a no. 1 country album, three Top 20 country singles, a bunch of award wins and nominations...

By: FionaScrapple

FionaScrapple — Wed, 21 May 2008 02:43:41 +0000

It’s finally over? Sweeeeet!

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Wed, 21 May 2008 02:33:39 +0000

Maura thanks for mentioning the Montreal Screwjob. You made my day, my week, and my Am Id 7 Season.

Next year I say they bring back all the losers from the past three years and promote it as their last chance to be famous. Constantine vs. Chris Richardson? Scott Savol vs. Chris Sligh? Pickler vs. Kristy Lee Cook? It would be great.

After all the most dangerous Idol... is one with nothing to lose.

By: brasstax

brasstax — Wed, 21 May 2008 01:21:37 +0000

The best part of this season will be after it's over, finding out bits and pieces throughout the remainder of the year about how they're going to retool the show for next season (and they have to, or it will die).