Idol Thought (the last for 2008) - Cooking with Archie

Okay, I know "Cooking with Archie" is a terribly cheap title. It's no cheaper or more obnoxious, however, than the WAY OVER THE TOP boxing theme they had last night on the American Idol finale (performance, not results). Seriously, my David (the bestest David ever) and I were pretty annoyed at every boxing bit from the opening announcer and the robes to the ridiculous pre-round commentary from the boxing coach.

So I will bend your ear and take yet another indulgent hour to give my recap and reaction to the finale last night. (Again, I'm posting this before the results show). First, I was so happy to see the Davids going head to head. Though I really liked a number of the other contestants (what a great year for Idol!), these two were definitely the best, each in their own way. David Archuleta is one of the most naturally gifted singers ever to appear in the competition, and David Cook is one of the most complete packages as far as musicianship, vocals, and stage presence. While I favor David Cook (we've actually downloaded 4 Cook iTunes versus 2 Archuletas), I think they're both destined for success.

I was still kind of depressed last night after the finale show, though. As much as I love Archuleta with his cute, fat lips and impressive vocal gymnastics, I wanted Cook to come out and squash him. I mean, even at his best, Archuleta has never delivered the kind of unique artistry that Cook is capable of. We're used to being wowed by someones licks and runs on Idol, but how often have we just seen someone make great music? That's what Cook brought when he reinvented "Hello" by Lionel Richie and "You'll Always Be My Baby" by Mariah Carey - artistry.

For round one, each contestant was assigned a song by music producer/industry god Clive Davis. Cook was assigned "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For" and Archie was given "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me." Unfortunately, Cook, who had to sing first each round, lost a lot more than the backstage coin toss with this round. He was assigned a U2 song with a musically repetitive verse and a 9 word chorus. Don't get me wrong, I love U2 and that particular song, but it is so not about the melody. It's about the words, and it's a really awful choice for a vocal competition, especially up against one of Elton John's greatest songs with the beautiful, triumphant chorus. It was truly heartbreaking to watch David Cook as he performed the piece. There was no spark or individuality - no David Cook magic. On the other hand, Archuleta pulled out all the stops with a passionate rendition of his showstopper. As Simon opened a wound in David Cook and declared round one going to Archuleta, it was obvious who had the advantage in timing and song choice - Archuleta.


In round two, each contestant chose from the top ten songs in the songwriter competition. Again, though this time of his own choice, Cook was singing a song which was message, not melody, focused. It was fast and unmoving, and I didn't actually get the message because at that time my daughter was taunting me by whispering in my ear, "David Cook is going to lose." Anyway, the song did nothing for him. Archuleta's choice did a little more for him because, despite some unusually arrogant lyrics (something about looking in the mirror and seeing perfection?), it had a prettier melody and chorus and sufficient room for him to show off his vocals. Again, Simon grabbed a handful of salt for David Cook's wound and claimed round two for Archuleta.

For the 3rd and final round, David Cook chose not to resurrect one of his brilliant reconstructions from earlier in the season. Instead of "Hello"or "Billy Jean", he chose a brand new song, "The World I Know" by Collective Soul. I honestly thought it was beautiful, but it wasn't much of a departure from the original version, hence it lacked enough spark to win him back the night. Rather than trying to go in for the kill with an old favorite, he focused on vulnerability and giving a heart-felt performance. As he became emotional and choked back tears when the audience gave him a standing ovation, my David wondered aloud, "Does he feel like he didn't do a good enough job?" It wasn't completely clear whether it was gratitude or disappointment that brought on the emotion. The greatest sting came when Simon stated that he made the wrong choice and should've resurrected an old song. David consented the point.

David Archuleta, on the other hand, reached into his arsenal, and (as many of us knew he would) pulled out his most powerful weapon - "Imagine." As he did a few months ago, he skipped the 1st verse and went straight to the second verse (a Christian rejection of the lyric "Imagine there's no heaven...no religion too?" That's my guess). Starting with so little verse remaining gave David plenty of measures to, of course, repeat and embellish the final chorus, filling it through and through with runs and licks galore. Again, each note was delivered without a single flaw...

And I hated it. The thing is, it's "Imagine" by John Lennon. The song, though profound in it's meaning, is about simplicity. "Let's live in peace - Simple as that" is the message I've always gotten from that song. To hear it drawn out and used for vocal gymnastics bugged the purist in me. Yes, I know it's American Idol, and so it's to be expected. There have just been so many great moments in this season of really terrific music, not just vocal showmanship, that I'd hope it wouldn't end so cheaply.

When all was said and done, Randy and Paula both heralded Archuleta as the best singer of the season, and Simon punctuated the moment (and my pain) by declaring that we'd witnessed "a knockout." (Phooey!)

So, who do I think will win? That all depends on which fans stayed up the latest to vote and who paid the most attention to the judge commentary. It'll probably be Archuleta (who may need the win more anyway).

Who do I think will last? Both of them. Archuleta can sing anything in his sleep, and Cook is a uniquely charismatic, gifted musician. So, while David Archuleta is finishing his 3rd International concert tour to an audience with members ranging from 15 to 65 years old, David Cook will be releasing his 3rd album to great success. They'll both likely win some grammies (though in completely different categories). Archuleta's career is likely to be more explosive, while Cook's might be slower and steadier. I just hope that neither chooses to go curly headed, do a bunch of drugs, or gain a lot of weight.

One thing is for sure: After the American Idol tour is over, I don't expect we'll be seeing them on the same stage in one night ever again.









FOLLOW-UP REMARK AFTER THE RESULTS SHOW:
I just have to say that sometimes being wrong is so nice. Also, here's sending a big "Thank you" to Simon. Cook's fan base might not have voted so aggressively had Simon not branded Archuleta the winner. Still, boy was he wrong!! 56% of the votes to David Cook! You go, Fuzzy Face!


I enjoyed the finale results show very much. I have to say that Bryan Adams looked a bit gaunt but will always have a special place in my heart. (I used to have a thing for reddish blond men). Call me mean, but George Michael looked a bit like an owl.

I chuckled guiltily at the video game ads featuring Cook/Archuleta a la "Risky Business". (Very good call for Archie to wear boxers.) Donna Summers rocks my world (even though I forget that some of her music was a bit naughty - oops! I didn't really know better when I was listening to her albums at the age of 10. I must add that while my favorite song was "McArthur's Park", it was on the album which also featured "Love to Love You, Baby." If you've never heard it, consider yourself well off).

Poor Brooke kept going off key, too, in her duet with Graham Nash, but I loved the song choice for her! I love those folk singers. If I were to ever attempt to be a recording artist, that would be my genre (except I don't play the guitar. Okay, I could never be a folk singer).

Mike Meyers disgusts me. As impossible as it is for me to not laugh at a good Dr. Evil impersonation ("duck-aduck-aduck-aduck"), I still claim the right as a mother to reject Meyers' sense of humor when he's plugging an Austin Powers-esque film during a family show with viewers as young as 5 and 6. (Okay, maybe I'm a bad mom for letting my child watch TV until 9:00 last night, but it was AI and she was nuts for Archie).



At last, I was pleasantly surprised by Cook's win. I keep forgetting that it's the votes and not the judges calling things. I hope that Cook has a great career and that being the winner doesn't hurt him at all. Alas, my tender daughter was bawling for at least 30 minutes after the announcement. It took oodles of empathy, a million reassurances that David Archuleta will be a successful singer for the rest of his life, and, finally, an ultimatum from David - "If you can't calm down, then we won't be able to let you watch American Idol next year..." Between the three, Sophie started to come to terms. (Hey, that would work for me!)

At least this year her favorite was actually someone good. Last year, it was Sanjaya... Irritating!