Sometimes, I really enjoy being wrong. (Not that I have a lot of practice at it. I’m just saying.)
Tonight is one of those nights.
For the record, I still really do think that the fix was in last night. Those judges were certainly attempting to browbeat us into picking Archie, as you fine commenters call him, and Simon all but said as much in his too-little-too-late apology tonight.
But it didn’t work, and wow, it’s so refreshing to know that 56 percent of people who voted (though 97 million? Really???) saw things the right way.
YAY!!!!!!!
David Cook wins, and my faith in humanity, “American Idol,” Blue Springs, Mo., and ZZ Top is restored. At least for now.
Here’s hoping that the shackles of “Idol” victory aren’t too stifling for such a great musician. Though by the way David Cook so gamely danced and cheesed his way through all those gawdawful group dance numbers this season, something tells me that he knows how to play well with others. He should be fine.
I will say this about David Archuleta: For one, that kid was a gracious, gracious loser. If he was devastated not to hear his last name called, he really didn’t show it. (Although, if I’m being honest, the look he had on his face after losing was pretty much the only look he’s had on his face all season. Well, except when he was lip lubing.)
But there’s also this: Watching Archuleta sing two contemporary, age-appropriate songs tonight — first “Hero” in a duet with Cook and then “Apologize” with One Republic, something became very clear to me. David A.’s only attempt at being current all season was his terribly awkward Chris Brown cover. If he’d tried something like “Apologize” earlier and more often, I think I might have actually understood him. He was so totally limited by the STOOOOOPID “Idol” theme night format that I couldn’t really see his true potential until TONIGHT. And trust me, I was looking for it all season long.
A few other thoughts on tonight’s never-ending finale.
Okay, I get it. It’s a big, exciting night. But TWO HOURS????
There were some high points. Loved watching Cook take the helm of ZZ Top. Loved watching my boyfriend Robert Downey Jr. shake it like a Pip. Loved that done-wrong Michael Johns was given a little extra stage time and that Carly was able to dig those black tights out of the back of her unmentionables drawer.
But a lot of it was sort of depressing. More dippy dance numbers. More shameless promotion of soon-to-be-released movies. And far too many depressing reminders that all our favorite ’80s pop stars are no longer ready for their closeups. This means you, Bryan Adams and George Michael.
Well, Idol Thoughts friends, this is it for us this year. Thank you for reading, and mostly, thank you for all your thoughtful discourse. This little corner of Kansas.com has been amazingly civilized over the past several months, and I truly appreciate all of you.
And special thanks to all my faithful posters, including my friend and fill-in Monica, as well as Hawkmama, memaw, Hooked on Idol, boobookitty, etc. I only met one of you, but I liked you all — even when you so foolishly disagreed with me. KIDDING!
Maybe I’ll see you back in January. Since the right David did win after all, we can all keep watching. WHEW!
28 Comments
Justice Prevails! The right David won. I suspected he might pull it out when I went to Dial.Idol.com but the vote was much closer than they predicted.
I really enjoyed all the group numbers but I’m sort of cheesy. It was nice to see the top 12 return with no pressure and with the exception of Amanda they all looked like they were having fun. I thought Syesha’s duet with Donna Summers was great and I wondered why I didn’t like her all year. Oh yeah…sex and civil rights week. Oh well.
Apart from the results portion and the song that will never be heard again I hope, the highlight of my night was *my* Jason singing Hallelujah followed by *my* Brooke with one of her idols Graham Nash who looked absolutely in love with her. I tuned out the boy band and let husband watch the red sox game for a few minutes…is that who David A sang with? I’m hopelessly clueless about what is current. Now that he has lost I can say he is a sweet kid but man he needs to get a new manager. Just too young and already this moment is gone for him. If only daddy had waited a few more years. But then daddy wouldn’t have been in control.
Speaking of husband who has been forced to watch the past 2 nights as we are on vacation and in a one tv house…he had some very good criticisms of Jordin Spark’s dress. Just as I was about to comment on it he proclaimed…what the heck kind of dress is that? Except he didn’t say heck. Could they really have made her look more chunky? That little girl dress with spike heels which tripped her up at least once as she moved across the stage. I cringed at every high note she hit just waiting for her voice to give out…just as I cringed every time Carrie Underwood moved and her dress came apart at the bottom for fear she would have a Sharon Stone moment.
This blog has been great fun! Cannot wait for next January and for David Cook’s album. Thanks Denise for being a great hostess to all of us!!
Way to cover your a** Simon! I’m glad I was wrong last night. David A. was a gracious loser, and David Cook was an even more gracious winner! When he was overcome with emotion, he had me crying right along with him! The two hour finale was waaaay too long… what was up with that stupid Indian movie promo at the beginning? I kind of get the George Michael thing – it is the 20 year anniversary of “Faith,” although maybe if they had mentioned that it might have made his performance more relevant. Anyway, “Faith” is one of my all-time favorite albums. I REALLY liked the David-David “Hero” duet. Their voices surprisingly complimented each other. I also liked jordin Sparks’ performance and somewhat liked Carrie’s but that was kind of a weird song. Amanda Overmeyer was excruciating to listen to, as well as look at. She’s like a bad cartoon character. Anyway, the right man won, so now I have no excuse to not watch next year!
I wanted Cook to win. I hadn’t voted before last night because I never really cared before. I started to wonder if the fix was in and little Archie would win. When Ryan said “Cook” I literally screamed! My throat STILL hurts! I scared my husband and my son half to death. George Michael looked horrible! And what the heck kind of song did he sing? Could it BE anymore depressing? “Heros” was good. Did you see both David’s take a turn in the “Guitar Hero” commercial? Cook rawked even the commercial!! I’m ready to by David Cook’s CD the minute it hits the rack! I’m so thrilled the one with the most talent won!
Has anyone considered that Denise’s great conspiracy theory might well have been legit except aiding Cook rather than harmng him? What if the judges decided to favor David A. in the finals hoping that the worried and outraged supporters of David C. would flood the phones voting for him to ensure a victory for their boy? These 12 million fans might well have not voted had the judges given the final competition to him, complacently deciding that the victory was his. When Simon proclaimed a “knockout for David A., he was actually using reverse psychology on us to get us to vote the way he and the other judges wanted. After all, on the Ellen Show Show earlier in the day he said David Cook would be the winner. That’s MY theory anyhow.
I have to agree with you, Patricia. Today I decided to rewatch the Tuesday night show before tonight’s finale. I couldn’t find any superiority by either contestant. Very equal. And I noticed…did anyone else notice this…. that Simon WINKED at David Cook during his last critique of the night as he was “crucifying” him?? Makes me wonder if it wasn’t some reverse psychology on the voting public. But then that makes me sound like I’m saying it was FIXED. And I won’t do that, Denise. No I won’t.
Yay! I can finally breathe!!! The right David kicked butt! I actually screamed when Ryan said “Cook”….scared my family half to death….but I couldn’t help it. I’m proud of Cookie and I wish Archie the best on the Disney Channel!
Well I am extremely glad that AI ended the way it did and I was surprised enough that the dog looked at me strangely when I screamed! I was actually moved to tears when David was so overcome with emotion. I have said it before and I will say it again. His mama must have raised him right. Now, on to the rest of the show. Did anyone else think that Amanda wasn’t even singing tonight, just moving her mouth? She is obviously not comfortable with the whole idol format and I can’t really blame her as lame as the numbers were. They certainly seemed to focus alot on KristyLee (just my opinion). I also just have to wonder why George Michaels was basically the closing number of the night prior to the awarding of the title? I loved ZZ top, Graham Nash, the Gladys Knight and the pips(too funny for words). But, I have no idea who the teen group was! Jordan Sparks certainly didn’t look good in that dress, just who does pick the wardrobes for that show? Gotta say I loved Carrie and at least the outfit she had on tonight looked better than the white Elvis getup she had on at the CMA awards Sunday. Oh wow, I just realized something…Since David C won this year that means I won’t have to boycott AI next year! Denise, I enjoyed reading your thoughts again this year, along with all the regular bloggers. I look forward to chatting with you all next year on this blog.
So glad David Cook won!
Denise, I just wanted to thank you for your great blog. I haven’t posted before, but I’ve been reading all season, and laughing along with you. Thanks!
I’m so, so happy David Cook won! I just might be his biggest fan (besides my friends Amy and Susan – they are obsessed!). I feel like I contributed to his win. As my daughter told me, “Mom, you’ve worn that David Cook t-shirt at least 4 times this week!” I just pulled it out of the washer – I can’t wait to wear it again tomorrow!
Denise, I love your blog and will definitely be back next year. You have added a lot of fun to this season.
What are we all going to do now that this is all over?
FYI, they’ve added another concert date in Kansas City – Saturday, August 30th (go to ticketmaster for details). It is at the Sprint Center in the new Power and Light district downtown – it is a very fun part of town now!
Thanks so much, Denise. I loved reading your blog & all the posters. Yes, the finale was much too long & had way too much shameless advertising. Shame on FOX for trying to milk every last dollar out of the show. But it was great to see the Top 12, especially Carly S. & Michael Johns, my favs of the season. Their duet was terrific! The teen group was the Jonas Brothers & they are huge with the younger crowd. Syesha sounded very good with Seal. Hated Jordan’s dress & Carrie’s song. Loved the Guitar Hero commericals! And what happened to Amanda? She sounded even worse than usual. But, all in all, the right David won & he looked like a rock star up there with ZZ Top. Can’t wait to hear more from him.
David Cook has been my boy since day one. He is the total package. I am laughing at everyone who jumped on the David A bandwagon at the last minute. His voice IS great but he has no stage talent. He could barely utter a full sentence. Too bad though as good as David C is, he will be under the thumb of American Idol for awhile. He was AWESOME with ZZTOP.
HALLELUJAH! I got to hear my fave Jason sing the best song of the season, AND Cook won! 2 CDs I am anxious to grab. I actually enjoyed the group numbers and seeing the other competitors. This really was a fun season “at the end of the day”. Denise, and fellow bloggers, thanks for the fun this season. Love you guys!
I had to DVR is because we had some major errand running to do so I fast forwarded through all the akward group numbers, David Cook was amazing with ZZ top, Brooke was super cute with Nash, and I loved the David/David duet. As for the outcome… IT ROCKED!! My faith in Idol is restored and DAVID COOK is goin to be a major star!!! I like other posters am so ready to get that CD. PS: Thanks to my husband for not revealing this until I saw it for myself. He cheated when we got home and consulted the computer. =)
My life is complete….a David won! Now that American Idol is done I will have more time to do things that are actually productive.
So happy that David Cook won. The two Davids are both winners as the runner always has just a good recording career as the winner. David C did something no other winner has ever done – share the stage with the runner-up. And they both receive cars – can’t beat that.
Way to go Cook!!!
I did not like that George Michael guy at all. He appeared too feminine. Could hardly understand what he was singing. Just did not appeal to me at all.
I’m a notorious fast-forwarder of the results shows (love my DVR), usually. But last night we watched the entire 2 hours.
The right David absolutely won!! I was thrilled!
I might be cheezy, but I liked the group numbers. Bryan Adams and George Michael were my teenage heartthrobs and I loved watching them come back all botoxed up.
I thought the Jonas Brothers were fun (I would have liked them more if I was 13, I’m sure). And One Republic is wonderful – I even liked Archie with them.
It was great to see my old favorites – Carly, Brooke, Jason & Michael Johns. I liked that they each got to sing an appropriate song – in their own genres – and not be forced to fill a theme night.
Such a great night!! Can’t wait to buy Cook’s CD! Thanks, Denise, for a fun blog! I’ve enjoyed reading you all season.
Denise, I completely agree with you. My faith in Idol and America has been restored.
Thank you for bringing us your Idol thoughts week in and week out this season. I did not comment a lot, but I did read.
Looking forward to next season and maybe even commenting a bit more.
Still doing the happy dance! Wishing I had a David Cook CD in my hot little hands!
And I agree with everyone, this was a fun blog to be a part of. Thanks everyone!
Yea.. I’m a happy camper today. Cookie totally rocked w/ZZ Top. What a humble, gracious winner!!!
I was very pleasantly surprised last night. Like so many of you, I actually screamed when I heard the results. Rock on David Cook!
I am ok with either David winning, although I honestly, and truely believe that David A. has the better voice. It really is probably better for him that he didn’t win, as he won’t be so restricted as he would have been being named the American Idol. It is obvious he is still an idol with aloooot of fans, me being one. If he can get the right manager and keep “daddy” at bay, this kid is going to go very far with his singing career.
I do think they restrict the contestants with their themes. These people know what suits them and their voices best. I think it would be ok for a couple songs or so be chosen for them, to see how they can adjust, but I don’t like they don’t get to pick their own song choices. That needs to change, too limiting on the contestants.
Simon knew what he was doing. He’s a smart guy. In several interviews prior to Tuesday’s show, he said he thought and wanted David Cook to win. He didn’t praise Cook on Tuesday’s show because he wanted the fans to freak out and vote, vote, vote for David Cook so he would win. And…it worked! I was very happy Cook won.
What a great night!!!!! America did good, and the right one won. The performances last night really made the distinction, if the rest of the year didn’t. It is still a shame the finale wasn’t Michael and Cook, that would have been awesome, as both are tremendous talents. Archie was a gracious looser, but I wonder if it wasn’t a sense of relief, that his father will get off his back now. I think Archie might do well as a Christian singer or on Disney, as someone else said, but he is not ready to release a mainstream album. I can hardly wait to buy Cooks, and Michael’s albums. I was disappointed last night in Amanda. I had like her as well, but she seemed to have an off night last night, but all those group numbers were way to cheesy. I also agree it was way too long last night and a waste of time, except for Cook with ZZ Top. Looking forward to next year now, but hopefully, the judges will weed out the Archeluta’a before the final 12, as it was so obvious he was not ready for this. Maybe the talent this season will encourage the really talented, slightly older people to apply, instead of so many kids.
Patricia: Your reverse psychology theory DID occur to me this morning, so it’s funny that you pointed it out. If that’s what they were doing, brilliant! Glad it worked.
Well, count me in on the screaming and even a litlle tear that came to my eye for our David Cook. He was very gracious. I missed the 1st hour by not recording, (the horror), but did see most of the second hour and did enjoy seeing Michael Johns very much. They all looked and sounded very good with the exception of that poor Amanda. Hmmm, how did she ever make it as far as she did? Anyways, I too may be able to watch another season. I did note yesterday that the bloggers for David C. outnumbered the David A’s so the righteous indignation forced us all into action. We got “Cookin’”! Now on to the NBA! Later!
Yup, very happy David Cook one, I hope it doesn’t come back and slap him in the face. I’ll be buying his CD anyway. Way to go David! I loved him with ZZ Top too, what an honor!
Can someone please tell me what was up with George Michael. Although he’s going on tour and is alledgedly getting over a cold, he hasn’t aged too well.
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