Why I Think David Should Win

As we prepare for the Season Finale of season 7's American Idol this week, I want to take a moment and discuss. I'm actually quite happy with the remaining two contestants, overall, and think they should be the last two standing. I'm also encouraged that since the six previous seasons have been won by 4 ladies and only 2 gents, it's time for another gent to step up! And seeing that the previous two male winners (Reuben and Taylor) have been the least-successful (commercially) of all of the previous winners, I'm ready for either David to hit a home run.

So, why do I think David Archuleta should/might win? I've been hoping for the last few seasons for a "pop star" of the male gender...I've wanted someone like Ace Young to win and take us into that direction, pinups and all....to harken back to the days of Shaun and David Cassidy and Leif Garrett.....good, old-fashioned fun... someone my tweener would swoon over as I did the aforementioned stars, and someone my 8 year old son could look up to in the music industry.

Do I think David Archuleta is that star? He seems to have many of the qualities: great voice, great look, and youth on his side. He clearly is proficient at making the young girls cry, so check that off. He was extremely consistent all season, and I think he would not embarrass the Idol franchise with drunken club-hopping or illegitimate children.

HOWEVER, what he has going against him: first of all, the "aw-shucks" thing will wear thin. If he should win, he will need to step up to the microphone, to the camera, to the photographer, to his fans and deliver with confidence and conviction. No more feigned gratitude and disbelief that "I've made it this far"....we want a winner! Secondly, Idol has already all but said they don't want to work with Daddy. Note to David: as soon as your 18th birthday arrives (this December!) ditch Dad and get a new manager. As for your debut CD, the ballads certainly work for you, and you can sing 'em like no one else. But we also will want to see the artist you will become, and not just the singer we already know you are. Already a proficient pianist, I would like to see more of that, for example. What musical legacy will you leave?

So, why do I think David Cook should/will win? I've said all season that should Cook be in the finals, he will already be smoothing the salve on the wound that was Chris Daughtry's early exit from Idol. There are millions of Daughtry fans (old and new) that would delight in crowning Idol's first rocker winner. He, too, has been extremely consistent all season and as many have said, been one of the most exciting performers in recent memory. Clearly a gifted musician with the ability to transform melodies and rhythms from familiar songs into fresh arrangements, Cook is record-ready. And thankfully, the stylists got to him early on. He showed up to his audition looking like he raided Blake Lewis's closet, and is ending up looking the part of a stylish winner.

(Although, I don't buy that Cook is all rocker...his straight delivery on Andrew Lloyd Webber night and his reported experience in musical theater mean he's all that and more....even his ability to perform the cheesy group numbers without a trace of regret or disdain is remarkable.)

HOWEVER, I'm afraid that should David Cook win American Idol, that it will ruin him. It will ruin him in the way that 19 Entertainment stripped everything of substance that was Bo Bice out of Bo's first CD. The way that the music industry focuses on selling product and not on artistry. That his travel schedule, with all of it's appearances, performances, recording frenzy -- along with the nationwide tour -- will keep him away from his beloved family which might be too difficult for him at this time with all that is going on.

I am hopeful that should Cook win the whole thing, that I will have worried about the above for nothing, and that it will be the best thing that has ever happened to him....

Speaking of winning, even though the numbers are 2 to 1 for Cook over Archuleta at this point, I'm not ruling out an Archie upset. His fan base, with proficiency (and motivation!) for texting and phoning in cannot be underestimated. And if it's true that only one million votes separated Syesha, Archuleta and Cook during Top 3 week, that is Super Close.

On to the finale!