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Idol Reflections
The seventh season of American Idol came down to a battle between two Davids, and after Tuesday night's performances, David Archuleta seemed like the obvious winner.
He sang better. The screams were louder. And it seemed for weeks that everyone wanted "little David" to win.
But when the results were announced at 9:58pm on Wednesday night, the last name of the David still standing was Cook. Many were surprised — but not me.
Let's take a look back at my April 14th column when I attempted to predict how Idol would play out the rest of the way:
Seven to Six
My Prediction: Kristy Lee Cook
Actually Eliminated: Kristy Lee Cook
Kristy Lee was my original pick to win it all back in the audition rounds. I thought she had the looks and the voice. I was half right.
Six to Five
My Prediction: Jason Castro
Actually Eliminated: Carly Smithson
I stand by my prediction. If Carly didn't hold up that Simon t-shirt, she and her tattoo might have stuck around a little bit longer. America got this wrong, and so did I.
Five to Four
My Prediction: Syesha Mercado
Actually Eliminated: Brooke White
I underestimated Syesha, and Brooke's knack for screwing up simple songs. No one thought Syesha would be the last woman standing, but she peaked at the right time.
Four to Three
My Prediction: Carly Smithson
Actually Eliminated: Jason Castro
How did Jason Castro last this long? The ukulele was unique, his version of "Hallelujah" was memorable, and I guess he had that hair. But every other singer in the Top 12 is more talented... with the exception of Amanda Overmeyer who is the only performer who wants to be there less than Jason does.
Three to Two
My Prediction: Brooke White
Actually Eliminated: Syesha Mercado
I figured it would come down to David versus David, but I had the wrong lady going home. Syesha did a nice job, but the Davids are in another league.
Two to One
My Prediction (word for word): "David versus David. David Archuleta has ridden his rendition of "Imagine" to the finals, but the coolness of David Cook is too much for the Idol audience to resist. Your next American Idol — David Cook."
Actually Eliminated: David Archuleta
I'm proud of that original prediction. It makes me forget the four previous rounds where I had the wrong one going home.
David Archuleta sang better in the finals, but David Cook deserves to be the American Idol.
Go figure.
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May 27, 2008 12:49 PM
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I was a David Archuleta fan from Day One, and I was still rooting for him in the finale. However, when the announcement was made, I found myself very satisfied with the result. In the days since the end of the contest, I have decided that America got it right, and I am thrilled with David Cook's win. I wish Archuleta the best, but David Cook is definitely the American Idol.
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May 28, 2008 10:08 AM
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I know online polls aren't necessarily reflective of the precise call-in vote, but David Cook was way ahead of David Archuleta in almost every poll I saw for weeks and weeks. I wasn't surprised at all--even though Archie sang better on the finale (though not THAT much better, as even Simon himself later admitted), I couldn't see Cook's momentum suddenly turning Archie's way.
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May 28, 2008 10:36 AM
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Isn't interesting that when Simon Cowell considers you the American Idol in February (issuing his "other-contestants-should-just-go-home-now" edict), as he did with LaKisha Jones in 2007 and David Archuleta in this past year, it seems not to be the case come May?
I do believe there is a generational gap between the two Davids, where the younger generation (where I'm included, as well as the vast majority of the voting public), went for David Cook based on a more modern pop-rock sound a la Daughtry. Mr. Archuleta gears more to adult contemporary.
Most importantly, Mr. Cook won a special bonus prize -- he snagged Season 2 contestant and current TV Guide Channel host Kimberly Caldwell as his girlfriend!
Job well done, sir. Job well done.
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May 28, 2008 2:56 PM
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I disagree with your assessment of the voting demographics, sonofthebronx. David Archuleta had a very, very strong tween/teen following. I consider them the "younger generation."
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May 28, 2008 4:38 PM
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If they were that strong, catlovergirl, then how come 12 million more votes came in for Mr. Cook?
I think many of the Idol voting public likes the music of Daughtry and wanted to see the similar sounding David Cook win, despite the tween and elderly love for David Archuleta.
When I referred to the "younger generation", I'm considering those who listen and buy today's music and I believe they will more likely go for Cook's music than Archuleta's.
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May 28, 2008 4:59 PM
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sonofthebronx - I don't disagree with you that David Cook will likely have a wider appeal and possibly more marketability; however, I was merely stating that your reference to the "younger generation" ("where the younger generation (where I'm included, as well as the vast majority of the voting public)"), going for David Cook was not necessarily correct. And while the fact is that there was a difference of 12 million votes between the two, that does not necessarily equate to number of actual people, given that most people vote multiple times.
Again, I don't disagree with you about David Cook's music or the fact that he won by a large margin. I just think that, in fact, it was David Archuleta who had the "younger generation" vote. (I guess that depends on what you consider "younger generation"; I happen to consider the tween and teen voters to be the younger generation, at least in terms of AI audience.) David Cook probably got most of the voters in their 20s, 30s, and 40s, which would easily have been enough for him to win big over David Archuleta. Not all voters in those age ranges went to Cook, of course, because I am 45 and voted over 100 times for David A.
I would also contend that the tweens and teens spend as much on music as the young adults, but that's a different debate.
In the end, though, as much as I had been rooting for David A, I think the right person won, and I am looking forward to what both Davids do with their careers.
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May 29, 2008 9:07 AM
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