American Idol - The show began with Michael Buffer annoucing - 'Let’s Get Ready to Rumble,' as David Cook and David Archuleta entered in boxing robes to the theme of 'Rocky' blared.
In an American Idol first, neither finalist had ever been a bottom-two finisher, even last weeks voting didn't reveal which David fared the best.
After Tuesdays show there was a clear winner in the minds of judges, Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul and Simon Cowell who all put Archuleta out front.
Simon continuing the boxing theme labelled the night a knockout giving all three rounds to Archuleta. The other judges also felt that Archuleta was the better performer. If this were actually decided like a boxing match, there would be no reason to stay up to watch the results show.
"I viewed the competition as a progression and didn’t want to repeat himself"
Each of the Davids sang three songs. One was selected by Clive Davis, one was picked from a group of 10 songs submitted to the 'Idol' songwriting contest, and one their own choice. Both Cook and Archuleta picked songs that accentuated how they reached the finals, with Cook going away from convention and Archuleta sticking with what had worked for him in the past.
Davis assigned David Cook U2’s 'I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For,' Cook himself chose 'Dream Big' by Emily Shackelton, and he closed the show with Collective Soul’s 'The World I Know.'
The first song got him the most praise with Paula being the most enthusiastic. 'You may not have found what you’re looking for, but we have found David Cook,' she gushed. 'David Cook has arrived.'
The latter two choices were both risky picks, and Simon in particular wasn’t happy with either.
'Dream Big' sounds like the theme from a 1980s sports movie, and is far from being the saccharine-sweet ballad that the 'Idol' winner usually releases on their first album. 'The World I Know' was a break from Idol convention as he had yet to sing in the competition, which goes against precedent. Past finalists have repeated songs that have earned them praise in the past.
'The World I Know.'.. Simon told Cook he thought it was a beautiful song, but it was 'completely and utterly the wrong choice for you on the night,' adding 'You should have sung ‘Billie Jean’ or ‘Hello,' songs that Cook had recieved high praise for early in the competition.
Conventional has never Cook’s style. He’s succeeded all season long by taking risks, and told Ryan Seacrest afterward that he viewed the competition as a progression and didn’t want to repeat himself.
Archuleta by contrast chose the conventional path. After starting off strong with Elton John’s 'Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me,' he selected 'In This Moment,' by Ryan Gillmor from the list of original 'Idol' songs. Unlike Cook’s selection, Archuleta chose a song that was his usual gooey trademark 'I’m so happy to be here!!!!!'.
'Right now, you could sing the phone book and it would be good. You’re in the zone,' said Randy, running out of original comments..
He finished by going back to the beginning of the season, singing 'Imagine.' That won him universal praise back in March, and it did the trick again in the finale.
'Dude, you are so good tonight. You are exactly what the show is about,' Randy said. 'The best singer of Season 7 is right there.'
'It’s the culmination, David, and you’ve left me speechless like I was when you first sang the song,' Paula Abdul.
And Simon pronounced their verdict. 'At the end of the day, the show is about finding a star. In my opinion, David, you came out here tonight to win, and what we have witnessed is a knockout,'.
But don't be surprised if Cook bucks the judges mushy fuzzy approach there are a thousand Archulta's out there but very few David Cooks Add this to the bored with all the 'sameness'as the falling audience figures have demonstrated, its still Cook who will connect with those that caunt - the voters.