TOP 2 - FINALE

[Margaux]

We're finally there. I am keeping my fingers crossed that America votes for someone who's ready to take the stage, who looks like a headliner, who gives good interview, and already makes music that sounds like contemporary radio.

The other kid really deserves a lot of credit. However my wish for him is that he graduates high school, goes off to Brigham Young for a year or two of college and life on his own, where he meets my Mormon niece (who also can sing "Think of Me" from Phantom), gets a summer job playing state fairs, and then is ready for an awesome recording career.

I've seen no firm rumors on coronation songs and other song picks. We don't know if there are one or two, or if Cook will be able to "make it his own". Perhaps Clive has been resurrected from his crypt to pick songs for the Davids, just don't let him see the sun!

But here is my advice on arranging a coronation song:

[LISA]

THE BOY JUST HAS IT. ALL.....................

[indigo810]

Here is a news article about AI and how it's become, well, boring. Taylor is mentioned.
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On 'Idol,' good singers make for a dull season
May 18, 2:42 PM (ET)

By LYNN ELBERS

LOS ANGELES (AP) - This season of "American Idol" had talented singers, a doe-eyed teenage contestant for the prepubescent crowd, visits from pop royalty, stinging comments from Simon Cowell and jaw-droppers from Paula Abdul.

So why have some fans and observers found it a dull slog as the show builds to its David Archuleta vs. David Cook finale next Wednesday?

Because contestants who were good but not memorable made for mediocre television, watchers say. Where was the drama, the unpredictability, the oddball personalities? In short, where was the fun?

Such criticism is ironic given the heat "Idol" took last year when Sanjaya Malakar, more a hairstyle than a singer, held the spotlight. Or the reaction when dancin' man Taylor Hicks won the title in 2006, trading as much on charm as skill.


Producers of the Fox show made an effort this year to go for vocal gold over glitz, and this is the thanks they get - along with remaining the No. 1 show, albeit with slimmer ratings.

"The only thing that kept the entire thing from being excruciatingly boring was (apparent frontrunner) Michael Johns being voted off and the shiver it seemed to send through everyone," observed regular "Idol" viewer Mike Anderson of Yakima, Wash.

"Because the talent level was so high, nothing anyone did was surprising," Anderson said.

Maybe not quite high enough: No one, not even teen fave Archuleta or Cook, came close to equaling what Anderson calls LaKisha Jones "blowout performance" of "And I'm Telling You" last season. Fantasia Barrino's stunning rendition of "Summertime" in season three also remains a singular achievement.

Dave Della Terza has long relished mocking "American Idol" on his Web site, votefortheworst.com, but counts himself among this season's disappointed viewers.

"In past years people would ask, 'Do you hate "American Idol?"' I'd say it's fun to make fun of, it's so bad," he said. "But this year, honestly, I'm so sick of the show. ... It's almost a chore to watch at this point."

He's hearing the same thing from visitors to his site and seeing it in the numbers, with traffic down about 50 percent.

A major complaint cited by Della Terza: The contestants have remained cyphers. In other words, Jason Castro's dreadlocks showed more character than any contestant.

"What do you really know about David Cook? All you really know about David Archuleta is his dad is annoying," Della Terza said, referring to reports of backstage meddling.

"I think that's why Sanjaya was so successful. Every week, he was coming out and showing personality. He flourished in a crowd of people who didn't have personalities," Della Terza said.

"American Idol" executive producer Nigel Lythgoe isn't buying the criticism. He says the talent this year has been "phenomenal" and he expects the David vs. David finale will be the "humdinger" that judge Cowell colorfully predicted last week.

The audience for "American Idol" has dropped by about 8 percent from the nearly 31 million viewers who watched last year. But there's been a general erosion in TV viewership, partly blamed on the writer's strike, with the big four networks drawing about 9 percent fewer viewers in April and May so far than during the same period last year. "Idol" has withstood the downturn better than many other hit series, such as "Grey's Anatomy," down about 20 percent.

Lythgoe dismissed the contention that viewers weren't allowed to get up close and personal with contestants.

Take runner-up Syesha Mercado: "We know that her father had drug and alcohol issues. We know what she was experiencing. After that, there are personal (boundaries)."

Lythgoe maintains that even before Sanjaya Malakar became a topic of discussion, he and fellow producers realized the show was "losing focus" and needed to give precedence to the contest and follow-ups on past finalists like Barrino and Clay Aiken.

"It's not about the judges, the mentors, anybody with a record coming out," he said.

For a show that makes an art of product placement, however, an old artist with a new CD to promote still represents a viable commodity. Neil Diamond was among this year's fusty but famous visitors, graciously offering advice to contestants (some of whom proceeded to mangle his work anyway).

Bruce Flohr, a former record company executive now with Red Light Management, is an "Idol" admirer but said the show has to do a better job of weeding out lesser singers who make it too easy to guess who will make it through to the end.

"Part of the problem is people are starting to use the show as a vehicle to stardom, whether they truly want to sing or not," he said.

Newer artists and music also would help freshen the formula, Flohr suggested.

Absolutely, said Della Terza of votefortheworst, who questions how asking contestants to sing songs from the 1960s or '70s can translate into "a current marketable recording artist."

"This year overdid it with old songs and barely let the contestants sing anything that they would actually put on a record," he said.

Producer Lythgoe responds that finding a young artist with an impressive enough body of work to be covered by a dozen contestants is no easy task. Besides challenging the young singers - which he says makes for compelling TV - the classics remain worthy, he adds.

"You can't beat Stevie Wonder. Look at that catalog," Lythgoe said. "And history teaches us so much."

But the show can't ignore one particularly ominous ratings sign, although Lythgoe contends it's cyclical and reversible: The median age of an "American Idol" viewer, once in the mid-30s, is now up to 42 as viewership by teenagers and women age 18 to 34 has dropped.

One beneficiary of the "Idol" machine, Hicks, remains upbeat about it. He's headed to Broadway to join the cast of "Grease" next month.

"The idea and the dream is still alive in that show," Hicks said. "American Idol" has the ability to "cultivate a talent to put them on their way to becoming a great entertainer and a great performer, a musician, actor, whatever."

Bob Lefsetz isn't buying it. The music industry analyst says flatly that "the bloom is off the rose" after so many years.

"Even if the new Aretha Franklin came on," he said, "people would say, 'Seen it. I'm going to watch something on YouTube.'"

---

[AgingHippie]

Now That's what Melanie Should have sung on Idol

Since my opinion on Idol going back to my first exposure near the end of Bo's year hasn't changed - and is not of the supercalifragilisticexpialidocious mindset - will just say thanks for the article - nice to see a supposed reality show being served a dose of actual reality.

[SegerHicks]

I hope David Cook wins.

I am so tired and bored with the judges. I wish there would be a major dramatic shake up and only Simon would return next season with two NEW faces in the judges' chairs. The show needs new comments....same old crap week after week from Randy and Paula.....YAWN.
I will always be grateful to them for putting Taylor through however.

[THawks]

Margaux Wrote:We're finally there. I am keeping my fingers crossed that America votes for someone who's ready to take the stage, who looks like a headliner, who gives good interview, and already makes music that sounds like contemporary radio.

:w00t:Amen Margaux. He IS going to win, Go David!! (Cook :grin

The other David will do great as well, I wish all the best for him too.

Margaux Wrote:But here is my advice on arranging a coronation song:

Thanks so much for this, it made me smile BIG.

[indigo810]

There's who I want to win and who I think will win...and Im not sure. Re the coronation song, I do hope it's something that will be good for the both of them and I hope, since both styles are so different, that David Cook will be able to do his own thing with it.

I would like to see David Cook win, but dont underestimate the power of prepubescent teeny-boppers.

Thx Margaux for the video--I had never seen it and it made me smile!

[indigo810]

AP News article...
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The David-versus-David showdown kicks off on `American Idol' -- but it's a tough call

NEW YORK (AP) -- Seriously. The "American Idol" showdown between David Cook and David Archuleta was about as much of a surprise as sugarcoated criticism and seal claps from Paula Abdul.

The David-versus-David finale was practically sealed weeks ago: Besides Abdul, judges Simon Cowell and Randy Jackson routinely lavished praise on the telegenic hopefuls. And it was clear that "Idol" producers had a thing for the Davids, who often closed the top-rated Fox talent contest with a well-reviewed performance -- and soulful stare into the camera.

Predicting the final two -- easy.

Predicting which David will take home the title Wednesday night?

Um ...

Never before has an "Idol" contest seemed so evenly matched and -- here's the kicker -- suspenseful.

In seasons past, there were obvious front-runners: Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Fantasia Barrino, Taylor Hicks, Jordin Sparks. But this time, it's anybody's game.

"I'm delighted with the finale," said Nigel Lythgoe, an executive producer for "American Idol." "It's one of the strongest we'll ever see. As Simon (Cowell) said, the finale will be a humdinger. I can tell you, for a fact, with the top three contestants, every one won a week. That's very rare. Usually we have an out-and-out winner from day one. I think people (viewers) have changed alliances and recognized talent as it's grown."

Archuleta, the 17-year-old singing prodigy from Murray, Utah, has been unstoppable since the beginning. The humble, giggly teen with the angelic voice -- and less-than-sympathetic stage dad -- easily breezed past other viewer favorites like power-belter Carly Smithson, doofy Jason Castro and hottie Michael Johns. The Arch's greatest hit: a simple version of "Imagine."

"I've never heard as exquisite and melodic a singer," Lythgoe said, adding that Archuleta will only improve as he gets older.

But Cook, 25, of Blue Springs, Mo., is tough competition. The former bartender (who does crossword puzzles in his spare time) emerged a front-runner somewhere in the middle of the season, and has shown talent for picking songs that suit his edgy emo-rock sensibility. Even tunes from the Neil Diamond repertoire (see Cook's radio-ready take on "All I Really Need Is You").

"Cook's got an enormous career ahead of him," Lythgoe said. He's also, ahem, 'easy on the eyes.'"

After getting rid of what was perhaps the worst haircut in "Idol" history, the now-stylin' singer has attracted countless female fans who've been swayed by his sly grin and bright hazel eyes that hint at mischief beneath.

"Whoever wins on `Idol' will be as hugely successful" as previous contestants Underwood and Chris Daughtry, Lythgoe said.

One thing is for certain: Both Davids will win record contracts with Sony-BMG, which signs the show's winners and popular runners-up, so they'll be OK either way.

That said, it could be tough to watch Archuleta's reaction if the vote goes in Cook's favor.

Imagine all the people, voting against such a sweet, shy kid. Like kicking a puppy.

Fox is a unit of News Corp.

[indigo810]

Now Ill give my take...

Its so damned obvious that "SOMEONE" has the judges' paycheck in their pocket.

This was perhaps the hokiest, cheesiest finale AI has ever done. The boxing references were not original; in fact, I felt dumbed-down by the producers. I was expecting to hear "Gonna Fly Now" with Sly himself appear in full Rocky attire screaming, "Archie!!!" (see the last scene of "Rocky")

I couldnt wait for the hour to be over. No, that's not exactly right--I couldnt wait for Cook to sing. And sing he did.

David Cook is the man. He has the chops. He could take being the Idol. He did very well and I was touched when he shed a few tears.

It was terribly obvious that someone stuck "Tell America to give it to Archie" stickers on the judges car windows.

Hmm, perhaps it was Archie's dad...

[SegerHicks]

As you all know I love BOTH Davids and do not think I will vote tonight.

I was a bit surprised at the enormous praise heaped on DA by Randy and Simon tonight....I read somewhere that Simon has been interviewed a few times this week and predicted DC as the winner but he really changed his tune tonight. I worry about how David A. will handle the fame.

Bottom line for me....I love both voices and will buy their music!


I predict Archie will win. I wish him happiness and peace with his rapid rise and all that comes with it.
David Cook is set for life win or lose....his talent is undeniable.