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« Roush Dispatch
Random Reflections on Idol and Dancing
David Archuleta by Michael Becker/Fox, David Cook by Michael Becker/Fox
The battle of the Davids is, to me, the most interesting and polarizing American Idol faceoff since the classic Clay-vs-Ruben finale of season 2. As was the case then, the fandom for both appears to be passionate and deep, and whoever’s rooting for one is very likely rooting against the other.
The differences between both singers’ styles are obvious, but so are the similarities in what people tend to criticize in each. In short, those who find David Archuleta’s crooning to be boringly sweet and cloying and too much the same are balanced out by those who find David Cook’s angst-flavored rock to be boringly mannered and too much the same. To each their own, but who will win?
Most Idol-ators no doubt had their minds made up before they watched Tuesday’s show, but in terms of pure showmanship, calculated or not, David Archuleta won the night. Maybe not by the “knockout” that Simon declared, milking that regrettable boxing metaphor at least one time too many, but by a comfortable margin. I accept the argument that David Cook deserves credit for trying a new song for his closing number, but there’s a long show-biz tradition of using the “encore” slot to please the crowd, not yourself. In this case, familiarity would not have bred contempt.
But it’s also quite possible that by having the judges, especially Simon, lavish so much praise on Young David, it could be seen as an attempt to spur the fans of Older David to dial like maniacs to christen their favorite. In any case, it promises to be a memorable end to a spotty season.
(A few nitpicks about Tuesday night's show. Did anyone else notice they misspelled Andrew Lloyd Webber’s—not Weber—name? So sloppy. And did Randy actually declare this “the duel of 2007?” Retire, Dawg, or at least get some new material before next season.)
It’s with relief that I turn briefly to Dancing With the Stars, which has the luxury of never taking itself too seriously, even when recounting the various injuries suffered by its cast this season. (Like Idol, it played the Rocky theme at one point, but thankfully didn’t overdo the cheesy boxing metaphor.) I played back most of the finale in fast-forward mode, but had to pause to marvel at guest talent Usher’s showmanship (especially in the second number) and to gawk at Monica Seles gamely taking the dance floor again, reminding us how bad it can get. Seriously, she may be the most lead-footed and awkward contestant in this show’s history. She makes breathing look hard.
As for the coronation: Kristi Yamaguchi, why not. I thought Jason Taylor outshone her on their very final dances—reprising their favorite routines for “encores” in time-honored tradition—but she was always the front-runner this season, consistently polished and versatile if not the most charismatic dancer, and it’s way past time for a female celeb to win again. Cristian de la Fuente and Jason couldn’t have been more gracious runners-up, hoisting Kristi on their shoulders for her victory lap. Nothing wrong with a show leaving you with a smile on your face, especially with so many scripted series taking the opposite tack this season.
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May 21, 2008 12:14 PM
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I agree with you on both shows!!
I went back and forth between David A and David C all along but last night Archie won it for me, and I became one of the viewers that felt Cookies songs were all the same. (Funny but I hadn't realized both singers were getting the same type of criticism - guess it depends on whether you're a rocker or not - I'm not).
Was happy that Jason was SO GREAT for his final dance, like he just had fun and didn't really care anymore because he'd felt Kristi would win, and as far as consistently good I thought she should BUT I disagree with one point, I thought she was indeed charasmatic, especially when her joy and smiles broke thru her concentration.
Christian and Jason were two of the BEST "non-winners" I've ever seen, making them both winners in my book, and I'm sure everyone elses.
Fitting ending for one show, let's hope, though lots of people are bound to be disappointed WHICHEVER David wins, may tonights AI be a real winner as well! Glad to see BOTH shows ending - hard to keep up with these things and marvel at the fact that YOU do!!
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May 21, 2008 12:53 PM
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Check it out, dawg....Randy Jackson could criticize the phone book.
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May 21, 2008 1:38 PM
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Christian and Jason were two of the BEST "non-winners" I've ever seen, making them both winners in my book, and I'm sure everyone elses.
Dorjean, I couldn't agree more. I wish they both could've been tied for 2nd place. I thought it was a classy moment when they hoisted Kristi on their shoulders for a victory lap.
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May 21, 2008 2:12 PM
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Yes Matt I like the fact that DWTS doesn't take itself so seriously especially Tom Bergeron my favorite host.It is an entertainment show and all 3 finalists like Dorjean said were winners where else would Jason & Cristian get that much exposure to launch new careers.
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May 21, 2008 4:07 PM
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Time will tell if this is going to be another Studdard/Akin. Studdard was the winner, but it's Clay who's been the most visible and working in the smarts department. Country boy wasn't so dumb. He hired an attorney & had some of 19 Entertainment's restrictive clauses adjusted to suit him. Ruben's been dropped by his record company.
I'm going to watch & see because last night, I thought Cook's singing was off, pitchy. While Archuleta's was right on the money. But we are all waiting to see some karma payback to Archuleta's dad.
There's always karma knockin' on your door . . .
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May 22, 2008 12:13 AM
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"I thought Jason Taylor outshone her on their very final dances..." Wow. I mean, everyone's entitled to their own opinion, and I certainly respect yours (especially since we so often share the same one  ), but this one baffles me. How anyone can believe that Jason repeatedly lifting Edyta up in the air--after ripping her skirt off and eventually his own shirt--and posing that way or turning around in circles (hey, I'll give him his props, she's not a teeny tiny woman--and they do look wonderful together) outshines a non-stop, hot, high-degree of difficulty freestyle that Mark choreographed and he and Kristy performed...well, I guess we just have to agree to disagree on that one.
But we totally agree about the abilities of the show's production staff to not take DWTS too seriously, and I think we can agree on Tom Bergeron's hosting abilities. He is fine on "that other show" he does (AFV) but he really gets a chance to show his quick-wittedness on Dancing.
I LOVED having the previous dancers back, I liked Corolla's speech, and the class act of de la Fuente & Taylor just shows how great these guys are and how good of friends they all ended up being. (I still think Cristian should have been 2nd--all MY 30 votes went for him, sorry, Jason).
Just two gripes: 1) Can we please let Samantha Harris move on to the next stage of her career? She asks the most obvious and sometimes inane questions and then speaks over top of the dancers half the time. She's pretty--but she's pretty annoying, too. 2) When the camera panned the previous winners sitting at the edge of the dance floor, what was up with Kelly Monaco's expression, did she leave her contact lenses at home or was she frowning at something else?
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May 22, 2008 1:50 PM
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Seriously, she may be the most lead-footed and awkward contestant in this show’s history. She makes breathing look hard.
Matt -
I am dying laughing here. I was trying to explain Monica Seles dancing to someone, and this really sums it up. I think this season on DWTS and American Idol were great. I am so looking forward to next year for both series. I really hope more contestants on American Idol play instruments.
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May 22, 2008 5:27 PM
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How quickly we forget Master P...
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May 23, 2008 9:04 AM
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