American Idol Season 7 ~ Episode 41 – May 21, 2008
David Cook Declared The Winner

By: Mary Cavaliere

I can believe that voting broke all records for tonight’s show.  People seem to feel pretty passionate this season about both David Archuleta and David Cook winning.   

The show opened with the Top 12, all in white, performing Get Ready with a slew of young dancers to boot.  It was o.k.  But the show definitely got better as it went along.

I LOVED when the two Davids sang together.  It gave me goose bumps!  Their voices blended beautifully.  There are two other duets I’d like to see these two perform with former Idol contestants.  How about David Archuleta with Clay Aiken?  Now THAT would be heaven!  And how about David Cook with Chris Daughtry?  It would definitely be brilliant!   

I loved the clip of David & David meeting The Love Guru, played by Mike Myers (and opening in theaters June 20th).  It was hysterical.  I hear Justin Timberlake is pretty funny in this movie as well.  I can’t wait to see it.   Also adding humor to the night was a short stand-up comedy routine that poked fun at Ryan, Paula, Simon, and even Sanjaya (who was also in the audience).  I’m not a huge Jimmy Kimmell fan but it was pretty funny.   But the clip that made me laugh out loud the most was the superimposed performance of Ben Stiller, Jack Black, and Robert Downey Jr. playing Gladys Knight’s Pips! 

A duet with Syesha Mercado and Seal rocked the house.  It was fabulous!  Brooke White sang the duet Teach Your Children Well with Graham Nash of Crosby, Stills & Nash.  It was touching and a perfect blend of talent.

Jason Castro sang Hallelujah but it wasn’t as good as when he sang it the first time on Idol.  Clearly he was nervous as his hands shook holding the microphone.

The two finalists were given brand new Ford Escape Hybrids.  That made their night I’m sure!

The Top 6 Girls performed together.  Amanda Overmeyer looked totally disinterested and bored.  I was a bit concerned about who dressed Carly Smithson.  All the girls were in red hot dresses and she wore black shiny tights with hers?  Gross! But then it became clear when she came out shortly thereafter in a black leather dress that the tights were more for that outfit and maybe she didn’t have time for a total wardrobe change.  I hope that was the case.

The Top 6 Guys performed together as well and it was much more memorable than the girls’ number.  All of their voices and personalities just go together better.  It was nice to see Chikezie again!

Donna Summer performed her new release.  She sang great but looked like hell.  It wasn’t being overweight that was the problem, it was the wig that looked like it needed to be washed and combed.  The same goes for Bryan Adams.  His voice was on target but he looked like he’s been drinking hard since we saw him last.  He used to be totally hot didn’t he?

And was that Ryan Seacrest we saw in the darkness trying to break-dance???????

One of the best numbers of the night was Carly Smithson and Michael Johns singing The Letter.  I saw these two on Ellen a couple months ago and I said it then and I’ll say it again.  They should team up together.  They would definitely sell a lot of records as a duo!

Watching David Cook sing ZZ Top was a real treat.  As for the Jonas Brothers, well I think you need to be 12 to get what that craze is all about.  I don’t see the talent that the kids see.

One of the things I don’t like about Idol is watching all the bad singers and crazies in the beginning of the show.   I wasn’t happy we were subjected to it again during the finale show.  The William Hung of this season is Reynaldo something or other (see how much I paid attention) who they brought back to do this big huge acapella number once again. It wasn’t entertaining and it wasn’t even good comedy.

Speaking of bad singing, the only thing that saved the performance of It’s Too Late To Apologize by OneRepublic was David Archuleta (who can really sing).

I totally enjoyed the George Michael medley sung by the Top 12 (followed by a performance with George himself).  It seems that new series, Eli Stone, has resurrected George’s singing career and he is once again on tour.  I have to say I’d probably still buy a ticket myself!

The reigning American Idol from Season 6, Jordon Sparks performed tonight.  I hated the dress, but I have always loved Jordon.  But honestly her performance paled in comparison to Carrie Underwood, winner of Season 4.  I remember I was disappointed when Carrie won, because I was such a big Bo Brice fan, and I’m not into country music much anymore.   But honestly this girl has become quite the superstar and when she enters a stage she commands your attention.  She seems to sing ten times better than she ever did on the Idol stage and her beauty just takes your breath away.  Even though I don’t listen to country she makes me want to buy her CD’s!

The BEST commercial of the night was David Archuleta’s Tom Cruise / Risky Business spoof for Guitar Hero (did you get all that)?  No pun intended but it ROCKED!!!!!!!

I’ll be honest, I was shocked when they called David Cook’s name as the winner.  But I’m not disappointed at all.  He deserved to win just as much as David Archuletta.  As far as I’m concerned, both Davids have won the love and the loyalty of their adoring fans.  Rock on gentlemen!

You can read more of Mary’s television blogs at www.myspace.com/italiangirl57

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