American Idol Finale 2008: A Tale of Two Davids
Tomorrow night, Tuesday, 8 p.m. ET on Fox Television the 2008 finale of American Idol begins. This year the competition has come down to a final battle between 2 Davids - Archuleta and Cook. Their styles of singing and approach to song selection vary considerably, but a strong sense of professionalism is shared. Both have marched through this competition seeming assured of a place in at least the final 5 if not the finale itself. Indeed, weeks ago, it would not have been difficult to guess this would be the final pair left at the end of the season. Below is a quick thumbnail guide to these artists of tremendous potential.
David Archuleta (at left), age 17, seems to be one contestant who was almost destined to be an American Idol champion. He is a veteran of Star Search and American Idol has shown film footage of Archuleta meeting, and charming, the first American Idol, Kelly Clarkson, in person. David Archuleta's technically accomplished, clear, slightly soulful voice has impressed judges and fans alike. His choice of material has leaned in a decidedly adult contemporary direction. When he has attempted to reach into more current mainstream pop, such as last week's performance of Chris Brown's "With You", the results have been decidedly mixed. My best prognostication is that, as a recording artist, Archuleta may follow the path of successful young singers with an adult twist such as Michael Buble and Josh Groban.
David Cook (above right), age 25, represents the best opportunity for a rock artist to take home the coveted title of American Idol. He has significant experience behind him from the local rock circuits in Kansas City and Oklahoma. However, as he proved on Andrew Lloyd Webber night, David Cook has not forgotten his time on stage in high school musicals. While obvious comparisons are made with previous contestant Chris Daughtry, watching David Cook a viewer would suspect he has even more depth as an artist. His commitment to altering classic songs to make them his own has made Cook one of the most riveting contestants to watch this year. Whether he elects to be a solo artist or perform with a band will have an impact on the style of music he would ultimately choose to record. Bands like Lifehouse, Daughtry, and Switchfoot could be counted among his musical brethren.
Photo of David Archuleta by Jonathan Ferrey / Getty Images
Photo of David Cook by Neilson Barnard / Getty Images
Comments
Did you know that the song that David/David will sing tomorrow night will be from a contest that american idol said was writen by an “amateur”…..They said…. “All top 20 2008 songwriting finalist are “AMATEUR’s”. So please…please….find 1 in this bunch, ok? How many will it take till someone does something?
1. Top 20 American Idol Songwriting Finalist (Andy Zulla) is an engineer on Clay Aiken, Kelly Clarkson, Diana DeGarmo CD’s. 2. Top 20 American Idol Songwriting Finalist (Windy Wagner) is a backup singer on the NEW Clay Aiken CD. 3. Top 20 American Idol Songwriting Finalist (Ryan Gillmor) wrote the theme song for the Fox television show “Unhitched”. 4. Top 20 American Idol Songwriting Finalist (Dan Yessian) wrote jingles for Ford Motors. 5. Top 20 American Idol Songwriting Finalist (Luke Ebbin) is a producer on Austalian Idol 1st place runner-up Shannon Noll’s CD. 6. Top 20 American Idol Songwriting Finalist (Regie Hamm) is a co-writer on the New Clay Aiken CD and he’s also a co-writer of the winner of 2007’s American Idol Songwriting Contest Scott Krippayne……Anybody see a pattern yet?
3 of the 2008 American Idol Songwriting Contest Top 20 songwriters get credit on Clay Aiken CD’s. Out of thousands and thousands of entries (At $10.00 each) 3 out of 20 work with Mr. Aiken. And nobody has a problem with this? For all the facts please visit……. http://americanidolexposed.weebly.com
As I’ve said to many people:
David Cook is already an artist. He is going to be a big hit. He is talented and has a big amount of fans already. He is destined for amazing music. So, he doesn’t need the American Idol title. That would be a burden for him for his entire life.
On the other hand, Archuleta has such a non-mainstream style that losing American Idol could be very bad for his career. I guess he would end up forgotten.
If people haven’t gotten the reasoning to these star making programs..It’s all about GREED/$$$$$$$$$$$ going to “The Big Executives” of the channels that show these competitions.. And the Products they advertise for other “Big Lousy Greedy CEO’s”!!
Let’s Not be overwhelmed by WHO IS Going To Win?…
Let’s Have More Concern To Who’s Is Going To Matter!!!!!!!!!!! If We Don’t Bow Away FROM THE GREED PEOPLE!!!
We have a Country that is is very serious trouble and we are more concerned about voting for singers, dancers,crack pots,games shows,and un- reality programing and advertising etc,etc…DUH
Reality Counts NOW!!!!
Who Cares About Competition. Let’s Be Concerned About The Planet We Live On For Once!!!!!! Our Survival is on the Line Now!!!!! People
Are You Listening? Hope So!!
laura your a hypocrite, you say that but yet your on here reading this article so you must watch the show. get over it… both will make tons of money and next year it’ll start all over again!
even if archuleta doesn’t win you don’t think disney wouldn’t jump all over him? lol
Hello
I am a former live D.J. I used to enjoy A.I and even watch the replays. It has become sickening and such a sham. We mature viewers from around the world in (Philippines) have given up with the show.
Contestants getting sent home and all the drama only to show up pouncing around on special guest seats behind the judges, I cite The Tattoo Lady (Freakess) The amazing talented colored girl in the final three. We can enjoy her performances and understand the lyrics. While David Cook is a joke, puffing in mock relief when he hears he is still around. Such a fake!!!! He has put out an album 2206? Uuuk. So the whole Thing is rigged.
Paula 48? acting like she is 21 and judging a second song before it is sung…HELLO people,
Simon hits it on the nail 99% of the time. Hello for $40 million I would sit up there and drink ‘Coke’
George White
LAURA — WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?
DO YOU MEAN THESE SHOWS ARE NOT FOR PURE ENTERTAINMENT VALUE AND TO GIVE THE LITTLE PEOPLE A CHANCE TO LIVE THE AMERICAN DREAM?
i FIND IT SOOO HARD TO BELIEVE THAT REALITY TV HAS GOTTEN BIG AFTER TV EXECS REALIZED (UPON THE SUCCESS OF SURVIVOR) THAT WITHOUT PRO WRITERS & TV STARS ACTUALLY ACTING ON SHOWS (SOMETIMES EVEN PROMOTING, GASP!, VALUES), THAT THEY WOULDN’T HAVE TO PAY BIG SALARIES, AND EVENTUALLY MAKE BIG PROFITS FROM THEM.
YUP, AMERICA IS SLOWLY LOSING ITS VALUES AND BEING BAPTIZED BY CORPORATE AMERICA TO PRACTICE THE RELIGION OF, YOU GUESSED IT…MONEY.
YOU KNOW, $$$, THAT STUFF THAT ATTRACTS CRIME, RUINS MARRIAGES AND FAMILIES.
YUP, ALL FOR WHAT? A BIGGER TELEVISION SET? A NEW CAR?
simply put, if you don’t understand this concept kiddies…pick up a freakin book. THE USA is goin down and it’s up to the next generation to get smart, more educated and worldly in order to fix it.
I like American Idol…it’s not earth shatteringly important…and in the ultimate scheme of things it’s not very important but it is interesting and entertaining. It’s a pleasant diversion from all the crap going on in the world and that’s not a bad thing.
I have enjoyed the Davids and their performances, who will win? I really don’t care. At least on this “reality show” a contestant has to do something real.
hope david a win
i hope david Archuleta will american idol
gee i hope David Cook wins idol.
“Youth of America” and “Laura” -
Get a life and quit writing your sh*t on these blogs. You make me sick.
David Archulete is going to win. He is Great. I can’t wait to buy his CD. He dosen’t know he will be a millionare soon! He deserve all the good that will come his way. God Bless Him! Teresa
Whoa people!
The Arch will win. The Cook will spin.
The voters are all teenboppers and they’re all in love with little Davey’s choirboy-like voice and clear baby face. His voice is too smooth and buttery for me but he’s got talent - more vocal talent than the chef.
Mr Cook, with the receding hairline and decidedly rock style voice would better handle the nightly grind of touring with a rock band and fighting off groupies. He would be able to make and keep more of his own money without American Idle telling him which songs he can/cannot sing.
Therefore the Arch will win and the Cook will spin, so says I.
Looks like I’m not the only person who realized that the two AI finalists were something like the finalists fighting for the Democratic nomination….http://www.236.com/news/2008/05/20/idol_finale_will_diebold_rig_i_1_6656.php
Hope David A wins Idol,cause David C will have a recording contact no matter what happens.
DAVID COOK IS GONNA KILL DAVID A
GO COOK!
DAVID COOK ROX MY SOX OFF!!!!
GO DAVID COOK!!! HE TOTALLY WILL KILL DAVID A!!! DAVID A U SUCK!!!
OMG!!!! DAVID COOK HAS TO WIN!! HE HAS SUCH AN AMAZING VOICE AND DAVID A IS SUCH A WEASEL!!! I BET DISNEY WILL BE ALL OVER HIM!!! THATS ALL DAVID A IS GOOD FOR…DISNEY!!!! HA! DAVID COOK HAS TO WIN!! IM BUYING HIS CD WHEN IT FIRST COMES OUT!!!!!
I
I think the whole point of AI is to entertain and that is exactly what I get from it..entertainment. Of course we have our favorites, our choices, but that is what makes it a competition. Let’s don’t take AI personally, it’s not our lives that change, but rather the contestants. They are all to be congratulated whether we like their performance or not. I liked both of the David’s for different reasons, so I didn’t care who won.
For me David Archuleta will win !
David Archuleta is the best quality.
hello!
I just wanted to congratulate David Cook……
for winning the American idol season 7
good luck to your career
god bless you
For me David Archuleta I thought won !
David Archuleta is the best voice. I called the voting numbers for an hour, but couldn’t get through, all busy! After my redial button wore out - I’ve never voted on a singer for this show, and I won’t waste my time again!
David cook is the best..and he will surely do a fine job as a singer as Daughtry had proved himself later on with his album as to what quality of music he has in himself…….david cook you Will surely do well no doubt about it..god bless you