Never is “American Idol” better than when seemingly second-rate contestants emerge from the shadows to blow the annointed frontrunners out of the water.
Rocker David Cook has managed to pull that off a few times this season already, most memorably with his rock take on Lionel Richie’s “Hello” before he even made it into the Top 12. Still, the 25-year-old hasn’t garnered anywhere near the attention seen by babyfaced teen David Archuleta or Irish diva Carly Smithson.
But on Tuesday night, Cook may have shed the “dark horse” mantle once and for all. His gutsy transformation of “Billie Jean” into a rock ballad prompted judge Randy Jackson to call him “the most original, the most bold contestant we’ve ever had… dude, you might be the one to win the whole lot.”
Archuleta, on the other hand, got mixed reviews for his performance of “You’re the Voice,” with Simon Cowell telling him it reminded him of a theme park performance.
Still, on the “Idol” forums, Cook lags Archuleta in the number of posts viewers have written about him. After Tuesday’s show, hoever, at least one die-hard “Archie” came out to give Cook a hand:
“He’s showing that my second favorite (him) isn’t too far behind my first (David Archuleta, obviously)”
Keep going, David (Cook). One more week and you just might take over that other David once and for all.
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american idol is just trying to knock David A. down a few notches because they know the others don’t have a chance. They want a tight race a la reuben and clay. If it’s so obvious who the winner is, why would anybody watch. I, for one, tune in every tuesday because of David A. I know that millions more will stop watching if they can’t have their David fix every week. This 33 year-old mother of 2 is an Archie For life!!!!
- Posted by oystarI still think that the original cover artists should be grateful for the exposure. Doxology is great, and I am probably going to track down Cornell’s solo CD. Apparently, Doxology is unsigned. Maybe they will get a deal out of this.
- Posted by LENCHOI have checked out the cover inspirations for David Cook’s versions and I don’t see what all the fuss is about. I can see where he used those versions to put his spin on what he did, but he added enough of his own style that they do not sound identical.
- Posted by LENCHOBtw, you guys who said that
- Posted by Simon Jackson(lol)David Archuleta isn’t experienced
is obnoxiously ignorant. When he
was young(er)-lol-, he won star search.
He’s been practicing all his life,
and he even sang for kelly clarkson.
Even if he’s younger, he’s probably been
singing for more focused, dedicated years
than David C. And also, how old do you think
Jordin Sparks was when she won idol????
The only problem I have with David Cook’s covers are that the judges act as if they are his own. As far as the artists who originally did the covers, they should be glad to be getting this exposure. I had never even heard of Doxology, but I am going to check them out.
- Posted by LENCHODavid A. is obviously going to win, good
- Posted by Elmo Abdulvocals or not, because he just has a cute
face, glow, amazing talent, and he is so
humble and has a GREAT personality.
The reason that sometimes he gets bad
reviews for the judges is because
he set himself higher standards than
all other contestants. Let’s take last
week, for example. David A. got bad reviews.
But imagine if ANY i mean ANY other contestant
on the show(including David Cook) sang that
the same exact way that David A. did he/she
would get AMAZING reviews.
Nevermind that, he is obnoxiously cute and it’s
impossible to love him.
ILY DAVID!!! <33333
Everybody knows that David Archuleta is going to win, good vocals or not.I’m pretty sure he has the vote of most girls in America. He always sings me to tears and is so touching. David Cook is some old, not authentic or original greasy haired guy. He thinks he can rock and people make a big deal when he does a good performance every once in a blue moon, and don’t appreciate the constantly good performances of David Archuleta. The reasons the judges give him bad reviews sometimes, like last week, is because they know he has higher potential than the rest. If another contestant, such as David Cook or Michael Johns sang it the same way as David they would get amazing reviews. But David A. has higher standards. HE IS SO CUTE TOO!! ILY DAVID!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
- Posted by Elmo Abdul8 years different!!! That’s a big difference in experience. David Archuleta is a junior in high school and don’t mention star search. It’s just a kiddie show. David Cook is a professional perormer who makes a living by doing music.
Now, I can just picture David Cook you_tubing and trying to decide which version he will cover next week . HAHAHA
- Posted by jennieComparison between the Davids is rediculous. Archuleta has pure talent. Sure, Cook has great stage presence, but Idol is a ‘vocal’ competition. In most performances, Cook has used his screaming ability rather than vocal chords. Based on those pretenses, Archuleta should win. Plus, I’m 17 and he’s absolutely adorable.
- Posted by KimLOVE DAVID COOK! HE WILL BE A WINNER, WHETHER HE WINS IT ON IDOL OR NOT.. JUST LIKE DAUGHTRY. WILL LISTEN TO HIM ON THE RADIO, DEFINITELY. HE MADE A GREAT IMPRESSION ON ME SO FAR, KEEP IT UP DAVID. GOOD LUCK!!
- Posted by bjI think you mean Carly Smithson; Carly Simon was a famous singer several decades ago.
The performers this season all seem to be contributing something on stage; whether it be originality, vocals, or just plain old stage presense.
- Posted by YuliaComparing the two Davids is a disgrace to BOTH of them. They’re in different leagues! Whoever wins this competition (and yet we don’t know whether they will even make it to the grand finale) will have to address the same issue which is also faced by those who don’t, i.e. how to manage their career in the music industry, should they pursue it. AI is only a vehicle, it’s how you drive that will take you places.
- Posted by lenjeGive me a break. David Cook is a hack and a rip-off artist. His “Eleanor Rigby” version is a note-for-note copy of Doxology’s 2006 release…and they are filing a complaint for lack of recognition from David Cook AND AI. His “Billie Jean” rendition is a copy of Chris Cornell’s version. He is passing his song selections as if he is redoing them when he is using other people’s work for his own credit…he’s a farse!
- Posted by BobbyI love both of them and never have a regret about it. David Cook is a rocker type, duh, but David Archuleta is SOOOOOOOO good with SAD songs. I love both of them and this way if one gets voted out the other one MIGHT win!!!
- Posted by DanielleDavid Cook really is good, but his style of music isn’t what I would pay for tickets to see. David Archuleta has such great vocals, I’m not a teeny-bopper and I would definetly pay money to go to see his concert. I see the David’s as the two in the finals.
- Posted by IdahoViewerdavid cook is the Real McCoy, comparing him to the teen david is a disgrace…wake up and smell the coffee!!
- Posted by avid idol followerArchuleta is for prepubescent girls. David Cook on the other hand is for women. I read one woman’s comments that she needed to smoke a cigarette after watching him sing “hello” and she said she didn’t even smoke. The guy has mad talent and is very sexy. Sorry girls.
- Posted by SallyArchuleta is simply FABULOUS. Loved every single one of his performances. His style is honest, refreshing and timeless. He is not another carbon copy like D Cook.
- Posted by LynnArchie can sing any kind of music, song, style he’s really talented and humble and a really nice young man, he’s so polite. i love his voice and I don’t care if i don’t know the he sang last night, I still like it the way he sang and performed the song. BTW the girl on the show last night was his buddy from high school (Murray) you can check it out on MTV video on youtube. Love you tons Archie. VOTE!!! Vote!!! VoTe!!!!
- Posted by Nemya Megadavid cook better not win ewww i hate him he better NOT win, david archuleta is my favorite and his the best of all, his such an amazing kid and he sing really GOOD we don’t need a rocker to win ewww i just hate him, david archuleta is the best and there is not though to that i’m pretty sure that david archuleta will win, of course that david cook thinks that’s his good blablabla such a show off he better get off soon, we don’t need a old guy to win we need a young star. and david archuleta will be the one sorry fans of david cook it’s just mine opinion but david archuleta will be the one and david cook can be in second place i really don’t care about him his good watever.. gooo david archuleta
- Posted by Kady