David Archuleta and David Cook--the Clean Teen versus the Bed Head by TIGI-coiffed rocker--should make for a final round marked by big notes and bitten lips.
(Ann Powers, on the remaining 'Idol' contestants.)
Beneath the shaggy hair and mild-mannered demeanor of “American Idol" contestant David Cook is a seasoned musician who's rocked his way through the gritty club scene in America's heartland. Cook belonged to the Midwest Kings band when he played in Tulsa until recently launching his career as a solo artist. The singer/songwriter with an indie solo album, Analog Heart,, next week will just have to convince “Idol" voters one more time that he's the best performer on the stage.
When Ryan Seacrest announced the names of the American Idol's two finalists Wednesday night, each thought he was going to hear another's name. “I couldn't believe it. I thought he was going to say David Cook," says David Archuleta, 17, named the first finalist as Cook and Syesha Mercado awaited their verdict. During an interview shortly after the show, Archuleta said: “I just feel like shock. Am I really in the top two of American Idol?" Cook, 25, says he thought he would be going home. “I thought my ticket was punched. I honestly did," he says. “Syesha is an amazing performer, and she really hit her stride in the last two, three, four weeks."
Each singer already is working on three songs for the final performance Tuesday. “For me, it's going to be taking a week to prepare myself to be as strong as possible," Cook says. “I've really pushed myself this season vocally and musically. It's going to be a matter of taking a step back and making sure I can prepare myself amid the chaos that's going to ensue this week." Archuleta will continue heeding advice from judge Paula Abdul: Have fun. “I've been doing a lot of slower stuff. I love the slower stuff, but I just need to show I can have fun on stage," says Archuleta.
Although the final songs haven't been revealed, Cook will sing first. Archuleta won a coin flip taped after Wednesday's show, and chose to sing second. He says he wasn't thinking about the disadvantage of singing first on 'Idol', which has been statistical analysis been referred to as a jinx.
Only one David can win, but the finalists praise each other. “I've always looked up to Cook and admired all the work he's done with his talent," Archuleta says. “To be here standing next to him is just unbelievable." Cook says “I consider it a huge honor to share the stage with the kid. He's the real deal. All the buzz coming in, he deserves."
When Cook sang “Hello" by Lionel Richie, Judges thought is was kind of cool. Randy thought it was brilliant; Paula thought it was fabulous; Simon thought it was brave and loved it. Rumor has it that Cook impressed the show's judges enough to make the cut.
Finalist David Archuleta has won the hearts of millions of Americans. To his fans, he is idyllically sweet, nave, a representation of what American Idol is about - the emergence of new talent. When Archuleta was in the dreaded No. 1 spot singing “When You Believe," Judges continued to love Archuleta. Randy said it's great, Paula said it's great while Simon said “half of it was great, although he may have shattered some glass."
Some fans were not amazed when he hit at least one very bad note, “He's like a five-year-old in a candy store when he meets her." Others responded, “Oh wait, this sounds like every other song he's sang this season," and “I am sick of the Judges loving all over this kid."
There have been rumblings throughout the season Archuleta's father was said to be overbearing, a brutal stage dad who made all the decisions including song choices, how he performed his songs. The final straw for the American Idol team came when Jeff Archuleta forced his son to change the lyrics of “Stand By Me" to incorporate lyrics of Sean Kingston's “Beautiful Girls." That song was not cleared, and despite being told it was an absolute no-no over and over and over again, Jeff still sent David out to perform the changed lyrics, ultimately costing FOX a significant amount of money.
David has had little or no control over his path and probably is not used to making any of his own decisions. It will be interesting to watch how he does without his father's dictatorial tutelage. Archuleta says he wasn't distracted this week by the controversy surrounding his father, who is no longer allowed in the room when his son is rehearsing.
After David Cooks April performance of the Dolly Parton classic, he was taken to Cedars-Sinai hospital after it was decided he required medical attention.
“He had heart palpitations and high blood pressure towards the end of the show," executive producer Nigel Lythgoe said, “He went to Cedars-Sinai and saw a private doctor and was given some medication to lower his blood pressure and then returned to the hotel shortly afterwards."
The trouble started after David's rendition of “Little Sparrow," in which he looked and sounded confident as usual. He appeared fine during the judge's comments, smiling and thanking Abdul for her compliments on his new haircut. But the rocker was missing in action during a performance of “No Air" by Jordin Sparks and Chris Brown that was being taped for a later broadcast. “No, he [is not continuing to receive treatment], he received it last night," Lythgoe said of David's current condition.
So the stage is set for David, the tension is mounting. Most feel now that with Syesha Mercado's departure this years 'Idol' can now be really the suspenseful conclusion everyone hopes for in “American Idol." We all just have to wait and see.
In a recent Times poll, 64% of the country voted for David Cook to be anointed 'Idol". All in all, very foreboding for one David.
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