Brandon

By Brandon Scott

This is American Idol

Posted May 20, 2008

DAVID COOK

Clive’s Choice: “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For” by U2

Much better song choice than the last time Clive chose “Open Arms” for Elliot Yamin last season. The performance was very solid, but I found myself wanting him to step up to the next level with that song. The last note was cool and overall it was a great beginning for the night. Hopefully, he’ll loosen up as the show goes on.

Rating: 8

Songwriter’s Choice: “Dream Big”

He made a wise choice to pull out the guitar. (One of the many new changes this season that allowed contestants to perform with instruments.) The song was just okay, but Cook’s performance was spot on. He sang his heart out and hit some big notes. I still haven’t connected with Cook yet. Simon made the perfect observation: That was not a winning song. On the finale night, you have to have that moment. Hopefully, he will have it in the last round.

Rating: 6

Contestant’s Choice: “The World I Know” by Collective Soul

I think I would have dropped the guitar for the last round. Apparently Cookie has never watched American Idol before. To end your entire season on American Idol on a song like that is almost stupid. There was no “big” moment for Cook and I’m not really sure why he held back tonight? Could it have been to be in the No. 2 spot on purpose? I had a lot of respect for Cook, but after the obvious attack on Archuleta for choosing “Imagine”, I officially do not like David Cook whatsoever. The guy has had a pretentious attitude all season and to call his opponent out like that after saying that he thought Archuleta was a great guy, it was like he was fishing for votes.

Rating: 7

DAVID ARCHULETA

Clive’s Choice: “Don’t Let the Song Go Down On Me” by Elton John

Holy Crap! Can we say chills? Who knew Archuleta had that much emotion in him? Before tonight, Archuleta’s rendition of “Imagine” and Cook’s rendition of “Billy Jean” were the top performances of the season. This was one of the best performances I’ve ever seen on this show, period. I don’t want to say it yet, but Archuleta may have just won the title.

Rating: 9.5

Songwriter’s Choice: “In This Moment”

Archie is in it to win it. The song may have been one of the cheesiest songs of the season but that what tonight is all about: being in the moment and Archuleta was there. I didn’t like the song at all, but Archuleta made it work somehow.

Rating: 7

Contestant’s Choice: “Imagine” by John Lennon

This better be one of the tracks on Archuleta’s debut album. It will always be John Lennon’s song, but Archuleta has made it new and he you can see that he has an emotional connection with the song. It didn’t have the same impact as it had the first time I saw it, but the vocals were astounding as ever.

Rating: 8

Round One: David Archuleta by a mile.

Round Two: I hated the songs, and that’s not the contestants’ fault. But neither of them gave the performance of a lifetime.

Round Three: David Archuleta beats out David Cook’s soothing performance.

Prediction: About an hour before the show, I truly thought tonight was David Cook’s to lose — and he lost it. He never had that standout moment that we have seen in finales of the past. Archuleta, on the other hand, had three. I think the vote will be the closest in the history of the show (even closer than Ruben Studdard and Clay Aiken in Season Two), but Archuleta will be voted the 7th American Idol. Since week one, he has put it all out there and consistently he has shown up to win. I try not to vote each week, but tonight I couldn’t help it. I had to send some votes Archuleta’s way.

This was one of the best shows that Idol has ever produced and it will be remembered by fans for years to come. My final thoughts tomorrow after the results show.