Idol Chatter: the Finals. Spoilers aplenty.

[T_Bone0806]

On my Wishlist for next season: Either new judges or no judges. Randy was over the top obnoxious in his Archuletta love, Paula is overdue for an appearance on "Celebrity Rehab", and Simon's taste in music and idea of what constitutes "great" songwriting ensures that I'll never borrow his iPod.

I saw it TOTALLY different from the judges tonight. As in Hatfields and McCoys different. Yankees and Red Sox fans different. Even, dare I say it, Quake and Quisp different (THERE'S a reference for you MAWGS).


Round One:

Cook: "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For". Started off a bit wimpy, the he et his spinach and powered up. Sang the song solid and good, no unnecessary filler. A

Archuletta: "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me'. There WAS unnecessary filler HERE, though, as well as a weak first verse. Both David (in singing it) and Randy (in praising it) got carried away. I actually think this song is too powerful for little David. B-


Round Two:

Cook: "Dream Big". Hey! An original song I actually kinda like. In other words, an anti-Diane Warren sapfest type. The vocal was a bit shaky here and there but this is a radio-ready hit that's right up Cookie's alley. Better than the cliched "This is My Now" type pap they usually throw at us. B

Archuletta: "In This Moment". Did somebody mention "This is my Now" type pap? Welcome to "Cliched Idol Songwriting 101". Young David is savvy enough to know that this is the type of lowest common denominator stuff that the voters (and Simon) eat right up. Totally forgettable tripe. Some pitch problems, too. C


Round Three:

Cook: "The World I Know". I love this song. Collective Soul is one of my favorite modern bands. This may have had more of an impact if he had sang one verse and repeated the chorus (as the song builds in intensity the second time) rather than two verses and the chorus, but he did ok. An extra point for not playing it safe and repeating himself like Simon suggested he should've B+

Archuletta: "Imagine". And having said that, of course, Archie plays it safe and repeats the song that was his best performance of the season. However, rather than the fairly restrained take he gave us the first time around, this time he gives us more runs than a jug of Ex-Lax. Yes, his pitch was spot on, but as a Lennon fan, I was offended by the overbaked vocal acrobatics on the simple, elegant melody. Go sing in the corner, young man. B


Well, believe it or not, after keeping track of my grades all season, the final standings are:

David Archuletta 162 pts.

David Cook 162 pts.

Yup, it's a tie!!

However, on the basis of the original song, and who I see as selling more records, I am awarding MY crown to David Cook. I don't have a clue who will actually win. The judges really tried selling Archie to us tonight, but Cook has a lot of supporters as well.

Look, they both have a goodly amount of talent. It all comes down to personal taste. My only prediction is that two years from now, Cook will be selling records and Archuleeta will be appearing on Broadway as Simba in "The Lion King".

T-Bone out.

[PlacentiaSoccerMom]

Thank you for your recap. I trust your taste in music. I was hoping that David Cook would do well. I have been rooting for him all season!

[gotribego26]

We had a storm and our power went out for the first 50 minutes - no viewing, no DVR. I got to see Archie sing Imagine.

I guess folks may vote for this guy, but if I had to listen to an album of music I'd pick Cook in a heart beat.

[T_Bone0806]

And for anyone offended by my reviews, please don't be. Music appreciation is far from objective. There is no right or wrong, despite my blowhard declarations. There can't be. Beauty is in the ear of the beholder, so to speak.

[T_Bone0806]

Thank you for your recap. I trust your taste in music. I was hoping that David Cook would do well. I have been rooting for him all season!

I thought he did well. The judges liked him well enough, but they treated Archie like the second coming of Caruso. We'll see how many viewers are persuaded by what the judges said. History says the voters will go wherever the judges lead them.

[silvercamaro]

When do they announce the winner?

[christie1111]

Moving from the other post.

My two cents...


I think Cook handed it to Archie with his song choices, especially the 3rd one. I would prefer an album by Cook, I like his voice better. But I think Archuletta won this one.

But WTF was up with that jacket with the anchors on it? Huh?

Just to say again, I like Cook better, but I think the other David will win this.

[T_Bone0806]

When do they announce the winner?

Tomorrow night, at the end of a two-hour extravaganza.


If I were in charge, I would make sure that "Reynaldo" is brought back to sing "I Am Your Brother" complete with orchestra and full backing chorus. I would be amazed if he is not there tomorrow night. If he isn't, they are wasting a golden opportunity for a classic moment.

[KillerTomato]

Spoiler

Ditto.

There's no way in hell I'd ever buy anything Archie puts out for sale, but given the right set of songs and vocals from Cook, I might (just might) download his stuff. All I heard from Archie was the same song over and over and over all season: pablum. And I know I'm starting to sound like a broken record, but after his voice breaks, he might make a good singer. Good enuf to follow in the huge footprints of, say, Clay Aiken. How's Broadway treating you, btw, Clay?

Cook, OTOH, has some talent. Had he not had to sing 2 songs that matchbox20 would record (that's not a compliment), it wouldn't even have been close. But his version of "The World I Know" (and the second half of "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For") was terrific. I still absolutely HATED what he did with "Eleanor Rigby," but on the whole I found him significantly better than Archie week after week. Which means he'll lose (and that's not necessarily a bad thing, either).

[christie1111]

I do think that it doesn't matter if Cook doesn't win. He will do just fine and maybe even better than if he does win. I wouldn't be at all surprised if he thought that way when choosing songs. Stay true to his singing and let the chips fall where they may.

[Snaxx]

I liked Cook better as well; I've pretty much been that way all season except the first week Archie did Imagine.

Tried voting: From the cell (Verizon not AT&T), I got constant 'all circuits are busy'. From a landline I got through about ten times in a row. This has also been like that all season so I suspect they are limiting access to other wireless callers as AT&T is a sponsor. Also text voting is AT&T only.







.

[peacock2121]

If the winner was determined by who wanted it more - Archie would get it.

If the winner was determined by who is ready to make a career of it, Cook would get it.

If the winner was determined by the judges - Archie would get it.

Good luck to anyone who has to deal with Archie's dad.

[PlacentiaSoccerMom]

Dial Idol predicts that

Spoiler

David Cook

will win.

[ksbirchtree]

We had a storm and our power went out for the first 50 minutes - no viewing, no DVR. I got to see Archie sing Imagine.

I guess folks may vote for this guy, but if I had to listen to an album of music I'd pick Cook in a heart beat.

If you're interested in the earlier songs, you can see them at http://mjsbigblog.com/

[peacock2121]

Dial Idol predicts that

Spoiler

David Cook

will win.

How accurate have they been when it comes to the final winner?

Anyone remember?

or know?

[PlacentiaSoccerMom]

They were accurate last year!

[PlacentiaSoccerMom]

They were accurate with Taylor and Katharine.

[PlacentiaSoccerMom]

They were also accurate with Carrie and Bo.

[peacock2121]

Do you know about Clay and Rueben?

[peacock2121]

And.... what about Reuben?

Where had that guy been hiding?

Where did the velvet teddy bear go?

I think I fell asleep before his song was over.

[PlacentiaSoccerMom]

They didn't start the Dial Idol program until Season 4.

They have David Cook winning by a huge margin. It's not as close as it was for Carrie and Bo.

[5LD]

thanks for the link ksbirchtree....

My two cents: hadn't seen one episode of Idol this entire season but watched parts of the six songs from last night.

Archuletta : pretender - hate the meaningful eyes he puts on when he sings.

Cook: Real.

Archie will win. Cook should.

[peacock2121]

They didn't start the Dial Idol program until Season 4.

They have David Cook winning by a huge margin. It's not as close as it was for Carrie and Bo.

What a smack in the face that would be to the judges!

That would just tickle me pink.

[PlacentiaSoccerMom]

I don't understand why the producers would want to work with David A. given all of the stories that I have heard about his father.

[Tocqueville3]

On my Wishlist for next season: Either new judges or no judges. Randy was over the top obnoxious in his Archuletta love, Paula is overdue for an appearance on "Celebrity Rehab", and Simon's taste in music and idea of what constitutes "great" songwriting ensures that I'll never borrow his iPod.

I saw it TOTALLY different from the judges tonight. As in Hatfields and McCoys different. Yankees and Red Sox fans different. Even, dare I say it, Quake and Quisp different (THERE'S a reference for you MAWGS).


Round One:

Cook: "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For". Started off a bit wimpy, the he et his spinach and powered up. Sang the song solid and good, no unnecessary filler. A

Archuletta: "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me'. There WAS unnecessary filler HERE, though, as well as a weak first verse. Both David (in singing it) and Randy (in praising it) got carried away. I actually think this song is too powerful for little David. B-


Round Two:

Cook: "Dream Big". Hey! An original song I actually kinda like. In other words, an anti-Diane Warren sapfest type. The vocal was a bit shaky here and there but this is a radio-ready hit that's right up Cookie's alley. Better than the cliched "This is My Now" type pap they usually throw at us. B

Archuletta: "In This Moment". Did somebody mention "This is my Now" type pap? Welcome to "Cliched Idol Songwriting 101". Young David is savvy enough to know that this is the type of lowest common denominator stuff that the voters (and Simon) eat right up. Totally forgettable tripe. Some pitch problems, too. C


Round Three:

Cook: "The World I Know". I love this song. Collective Soul is one of my favorite modern bands. This may have had more of an impact if he had sang one verse and repeated the chorus (as the song builds in intensity the second time) rather than two verses and the chorus, but he did ok. An extra point for not playing it safe and repeating himself like Simon suggested he should've B+

Archuletta: "Imagine". And having said that, of course, Archie plays it safe and repeats the song that was his best performance of the season. However, rather than the fairly restrained take he gave us the first time around, this time he gives us more runs than a jug of Ex-Lax. Yes, his pitch was spot on, but as a Lennon fan, I was offended by the overbaked vocal acrobatics on the simple, elegant melody. Go sing in the corner, young man. B


Well, believe it or not, after keeping track of my grades all season, the final standings are:

David Archuletta 162 pts.

David Cook 162 pts.

Yup, it's a tie!!

However, on the basis of the original song, and who I see as selling more records, I am awarding MY crown to David Cook. I don't have a clue who will actually win. The judges really tried selling Archie to us tonight, but Cook has a lot of supporters as well.

Look, they both have a goodly amount of talent. It all comes down to personal taste. My only prediction is that two years from now, Cook will be selling records and Archuleeta will be appearing on Broadway as Simba in "The Lion King".

T-Bone out.

I don't usually get to post about Idol because I don't get to watch the entire show. I'm usually getting the girls ready for bed and catch snippets. Last night I told David to get his arse in gear and get the girls to bed. He will do that again tonight.

T-Bone is spot on. Again. The way the judges were on DavidA's side was sickening. Simon was gushing over him and the other two could barely help themselves.

The first two songs were good. DavidC just sounded more genuine singing U2 than DavidA singing Elton John and George Michael.

I was needing a shower after the two middle songs.

It was gutsy of DavidC to pick a song he had never sung before. Really gutsy. I really liked it. He knows how to take a song and make it his without ruining it. DavidA singing Imagine was hideous. First off, I hate that song and secondly it was just too stinking safe for him. And predictable. BlahBlahBlah...

David Cook should win but David Archuletta proly will. Sigh.