'Idol' finale (finally?) week: David Cook, David Archuleta face off tonight for final votes
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- May
- 20
Tonight on “American Idol,” it’s David vs. Goliath. But who Goliath is depends on your viewpoint.
If you see David Archuleta as a Goliath, I couldn’t argue. How can one defeat one of the best pure vocalists in the competition, someone who garners support not just from grandmothers but also from the squealing pre-teen set that’s inhaling Miley Cyrus records and likely doing the bulk of the “Idol” voting? Plus, his “Imagine,” while very early in the voting rounds, is arguably the best performance of the season.
If you see David Cook as the favorite, there’s also a case to be made there. He’s got years more experience and far more personality than the 17-year-old, is far more relevant to the coveted 18-30 demographic and has been the season’s most buzzworthy contestant for his transcendent takes on “Billie Jean” and “Always Be My Baby.” (Although, in my opinion, only the first of those songs was good.)
So who wins? And who should win? And who’s better off losing?
My answers might please both contestants. Find out my take, and some fantastic “Idol” primer links, after the break.
It’s really better for everyone involved if Archuleta wins the title, despite my preference for Cook. Cook doesn’t need the “Idol” crown and it might actually weigh him down. Recent winners, including Jordin Sparks and Taylor Hicks, haven’t exactly been setting the world on fire with their album sales. And as Chris Daughtry proved, the “Idol” machine works best for rockers if they don’t win.
Archuleta seems like he’s a better fit for the title and the expectations that come with it. Besides, I think the loss would crush him. And do we really want to see him cry in front of 30 million viewers? (Don’t answer that.)
Predictions, even before tonight’s songs: Archuleta wins; Cook has the more successful debut album.
Need more “Idol”? Check out AOL’s “Ultimate ‘American Idol’ Survey,” whose results, for the most part, seem to be dead on.
Entertainment Weekly allows visitors to its Web site to vote on which David has been better, week-to-week, using YouTube videos to help decision-making. Very clever. And EW’s “Idolatry” latest video is a must-watch, as usual.
(Photo by Michael Becker/FOX.)
This entry was posted
on Tuesday, May 20th, 2008 at 6:31 pm by Chris Serico.
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