'Idol' finale: Cook in a landslide

LOS ANGELES --  It wasn't even close.

Wednesday night, when "American Idol" host Ryan Seacrest announced  Tuesday night's vote total -- 97.5 million -- and the winning margin (12 million ), things  looked brighter for David Archuleta, the teen idol wiith a man's voice.

Instead, David Cook, 25, a native of  Blue Springs, received nearly 55 million of those votes (a whopping 56 percent), easily winning the title of "American Idol" for Season 7. The results were not shocking, but in some quarters they were unexpected.

Tuesday night, the "Idol" judges, especially Simon Cowell, effusively praised Archuleta for his three finale performances. Cowell even declared him the winner "by a knockout." Their praise for Cook was much more measured and reserved.

Wednesday night, asked for a final comment to the two finalists, Cowell apologized to Cook for what he said may have seemed like a show of disrespect on Tuesday. Whether it was or not, his comments had no affect on the resuilts, unless they inspired Cook fans to vote.

The "Idol" process is a lot like old-school Chicago politics: Vote hard, fast and often. Conventional wisdom seemed to believe that procedure favored Archuleta and his younger (and more technologically savvy) fans. Instead, the process rewarded the contestant who, all season long, showed more consistancy and diversity than any of his fellow contestants.

In his very brief press conference after the show, Cook joked: "Simon's apology came too late for the votes." But he also said, "I don't know if it was warranted. I thought it was an opinion, nothing more. Nor did I feel disrespected."

Asked what went through his head when he heard his name called: "That my music teacher Mrs. Gentry made me sing in the Christmas pageant in second grade. Now I'm here. The ride has been pretty nuts."

His journey was made more emotionally difficult by the illness of his older brother, Adam, who has terminal cancer. Cook kept his personal story out of the "Idol" process as much as he could, but a few times, including Tuesday and Wednesday night, his emotions overcame him.

As the winner of “American Idol,” Cook gets a $1 million recording contract and will be under the management and tutelage of 19 Entertainment, the management team founded by Simon Fuller, who invented the “Idol” concept. He will also record "Time of Your Life," the winner of the "Idol" inspirational-song writiing contest, which he performed last night after he was declared the winner.

Cook auditioned for the shoiw in Omaha in August 2007 --- "at 5 a.m. in the rain," he recalled after the show. His intent. he said, was to accompany his younger brother, Andrew, who also auditioned. Andrew persuaded his older brother to audition, too. Nine months later, David Cook is the last man standing.

Early on in the season, he was labeled one of several "rockers" on the show, which tends to reward vocalists who sing in the contemporary R&B style, like last year's winner, Jordin Sparks. Cook has benefited from the success of Chris Daughtry, who finished fourth in the "Idol" competition two years ago. Daughtry favors a style of music similar to Cook's: mainstream modern rock. His first album "Daughtry" has now sold 4 million copies.

Above: The rocker from Blue Springs hangs with the baddest trio from Texas, ZZ Top.

Unlike Tuesday's brisk, one-our show, which featued three songs by each of the two finalists, Wednesday's was a two-hour blizzard of music and self-promotion.

The early theme is white-on-white. The two finalists appear facing each other, wearing white shirts and white pants. They look like orderlies in an asylum. At least it's not the boxing theme.

Ryan Seacrest announces that 97.5 million votes were cast and that the winner got 56 percent of those (about 52.5 million). That seems to be better news for David Archuleta; I figured if David Cook won, it'd be a close race.

The show goes live to the contestants' hometown celebrations, first to Kansas City and the Power & Light District, where a big party is going on, then to Salt Lake City, where everyone is blond

Then we get another opening song-and-dance extravaganza, this one featuring this season's Final 12 contestants,all dressed in white. They sing and dance  to "Get Ready," a Temptations song. Even with his ice-cream man uniform over his G-string, David Hernandez looks right at home.  Amanda OVermeyer looks like she'd rather be having teeth removed.

This final-decision gala is another opportunity for actors and singers to promote new songs and movies. The two finalists do a bit with Mike Myers, who is promoting "The Love Guru." Little D doesn't get some of the gags and jokes tossed his way. D Cook rolls with them, even the shaving-cream in the face bit. (The Guru doesn't like his '90s beard.) 

The two finalists get a chance to perform together. The song is "Hero," the Spiderman theme made famous by Chad Kroeger of Nickelback. It's perfect for D. Cook. The two make nice harmonies together, but this tune is clearly out of Little D's range.  He rocks like a marshmallow.

A chunk of this show will be devoted to promoting this year's "Idol" tour. (Last year's was a flop.) So Sayesha Mercado does a duet with Seal, Jason Castro reprises his cover of "Hallelujah" and then they combine the shameless promotion. First we get a Donna Summer medley from the six ladies in the Top 12. It's excruciating. Lots of wailing, screaming and bad dancing. Then Summer comes out to plug her new single, "Stamp Your Feet," from her new album, "Crayons." 

The guys in the final 12 will sing a couple Bryan Adams songs, which leads into a promo for his new album. The show is already an hour old, and the only true entertaining moment has been Jimmie Kimmel's verbal spanking of the judges and Ryan Seacrest.

This ought to be interesting. D Cook gets a chance to sing/play with ZZ Top. Paula (who choreographed the Top's videos in the 1980s) nearly pops out of her dress, D.Cook absolutely crushes it, like Tiger off the tee. He even does that knee-knocking move. His head must be spinning.

Give it up to the producers: They are trying everything to help jump-start post-"Idol" careers, as in giving Brooke White a chance to duet with Graham Nash on "Teach Your Children."

Next the parade of weirdos and losers. This is sadder than it is funny. (OK the "Let My People Go" dude was amusing.) They go a step farther by bringing in the Renaldo guy to reprise the song he wrote for his audition and he gets some help from the USC cheerleaders and marching band. It's funny. And it doesn't hurt to see the show not taking itself too seriously,

The parade of promotion continues: OneRepublic sings "Apologize" with some help from Little D. The ZZ Cook tune crushed that thing, This night feels long already, and we're still about 45 minutes from verdict time. And we get more comedy: Footage of  Gladys Knight singing "Midnight Train to Georgia." Her Pips are Ben Stiller, Jack Black and Roberty Downey Jr. Lots of mugging and slapstick. Har-har.

Next: Carriie Underwood comes out and rattles the roof and walls. She is a star. After another break: more bad Final 12 theater, this time doing a George Michael medley. I realize that only the Final 10 go on tour, but at this point these numbers could be doing more damage than good. Then G. Michael emerges (from the bathroom?). He's looking a bit weather-beaten but hix voice is OK, I guess. Right now it is just prolonging the wait..

Comments

[Jabba the Hut]

David Cook, winner, American Idol, Season 7.

Congrats!

You make Kansas City proud!

[Jabba the Hut]

David Cook, winner, American Idol, Season 7.

Congrats!

You make Kansas City proud!

[Cacci]

Super Nice! Mr. David Cook you rock! Very well deserved win! Keep humble and don't get too wrapped up in the celbrity of it all! Congratulations!

[jeff m]

Great! Good job! Now we can get on with real news around here for a change

[David]

I haven't bought a CD in about 3 years, but David Cook's album is definitely on my list. YOU MADE KC PROUD!

[Mary]

(what happened to my earlier post?)
CONGRATULATIONS DAVID!!! You made us proud. As you performed throughout the Grand Finale tonight, your "star quality" showed through and proved that you are indeed the American Idol! You were so very gracious when Simon Cowell had to eat crow. WooooooooHoooooooooo!

[Andres Spivey]

Um, you say in the last paragraph of the article something to the effect of..."early on David Cook was labeled one of the show's "rockers", which tends to reward vocalists who sing in the contemporary R&B style." Ummm rockers = R&B??????? yeah, I don't think that came out how you meant it to!

[Christina]

We love you here in Blue Springs! We knew you'd win. I will be one of the first to buy your new album!

[Christina]

Everyone is so proud of you here in Blue Springs!!!

I will be one of the first to buy your new CD.

David Cook ROCKS!

[Boba Phat]

George Michael? I thought that was Robert Goulet.

[Matt]

I may not be in Kansas City now, but David Cook, you make me so proud to say that I come from Kansas City, home of the newest American Idol! :)

I will be first in line to buy your CD out here in Tucson!

[Eric Snyder]

GREAT JOB DAVID!!!! We were all pulling for you in the entire KC area! You've made all of us proud! you rock, dude!

[Danielle]

So proud of David Cook! (And all the people who voted!)

I spent the first 24 years of my life in Kansas City. And this is the year I pick to leave. The Jayhawks win! David Cook wins! I love telling people here in Portland where I'm from!

Congrats David Cook! You represent us well!

[Sherry]

Congratulations, David Cook! I have NEVER been so excited to see someone win Idol! Stay true to yourself and don't let them force you to make some soul-less pop CD. We love you just the way you are and need someone original like you, which is why I stayed up until 1:00 am in CA voting for four hours for my hometown boy to win! I'm so proud you are from the Kansas City area and that you did such a fantastic job all season!!

[Mrs.Cook]

David, you are the arguably most talented and gifted contestant that has ever been on American Idol. Everyone here has nothing but the upmost respect for you and we know you will go far and accomplish many extraordinary things in your life. We will back you up every step of the way in your journey. Congratulations and great job!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Kris]

David, You are awesome. Prior to you, I never voted in the IDOL shows.... Kansas City should be proud. KC is home to more and more muscial talent - - YOU, Trampled Under Foot who won the Internation Blues Challenge in Memphis - - WOO HOO - - look at KC go!

[physcoder]

I LOVE HIM !!!