Seriously? Did we really need to get the “Let’s Get Read to Rumble” guy to open the show? Did we really have to dress the Davids in shiny boxing robes and gloves and give them stupid nicknames like “Sugarfoot” and “Babyface”? Do we really need to know how much the Davids weigh? How cheesy can we get? Up until this point, I had been really looking forward to the David vs. David showdown. After that weird stunt, now I’m not so sure. I even kind of missed Ryan’s “This is American Idol” intro.
According to Ryan, “It’s all come down to this: two men with one name and one desire – to be crowned champion. Their prize: a heavyweight title reserved only for superstars (a group of former AI greats that, according to the video montage, somehow includes Chris Daughtry even though he didn’t even make it to the top three …?).
This elaborate extended boxing metaphor makes me think that the producers have been working on this little gem for longer than a week. I wonder what would have happened if David and David were not the top vote-getters this season … a rigged finale, perhaps? Hey, they even thew in a coin toss to see who gets to sing last.
Round One
Clive’s Pick for David Cook, “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For,” by U2: Of course I liked it. DC does kind of look like he’s a little over the whole competition thing. I do think he meant it when he said that to him, it was no longer a competition, but just having fun. Judging from the revelation last week that he didn’t even come to auditions to try out but to support his brother when a producer talked him into auditioning, I think it would be safe to say that DC probably has mixed feelings about being on the American Idol train.
Clive’s Pick for David Archuleta, “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me,” by Elton John and Bernie Taupin: Well, it’s the second week of little Archuleta performing without input from his dad. And he brought it with this song. It was fabulous … but not as fabulous as Sir Elton, of course. Loved it. Simon gave round one to Archuleta, and I would have to agree … begrudgingly.
Round Two
DC’s Pick from the AI Songwriting Competition, “Dream Big”: This is a catchy song. A little cheesy, but catchy. I liked it for AI, what I could understand of it. DC was a little inarticulate on this one. Simon made the point that this is supposed to be a “winning song,” but it didn’t feel like a “winning moment.” In this respect, little Archuleta has a leg up on DC because he sings the moving ballads, whereas DC is more of a rocker. He’s not going to deliver that Kelly Clarkson “A Moment Like This” sap fest. And I would not want him to.
Archuleta’s Pick from the AI Songwriting Competition, “In this Moment”: Now, this is the sap fest that the producers have been hoping for. Random Question: How many AI finale songs include the word “moment” or something like that? Aren’t all these songs the same? Simon loved the “egotistical lyric.” He goes on to say that Archuleta “definitely chose the better song there, much more in keeping with the night.” He gave Round Two to David Archuleta as well. And little David teared up, sincerely this time.
Round Three
DC’s Contestant’s Choice Pick, “The World I Know,” by Collective Soul: He chose a song that he’s never performed before. LOVED IT, but not sure that it will stand up next to Archuleta’s beloved “Imagine” performance. Simon disagreed with the song choice saying that he should have sung “Billie Jean,” but DC didn’t want to sing a song that he’d done before because this show has been a progression for him and he wants to show that. Tears were shed by DC after this one. I don’t think he ever thought he would be playing for millions of fans across America. Regardless of what happens tomorrow night, DC has a wonderful, and hopefully long, career ahead of him. This guy is the real deal, not a manufactured child star puppet.
Archuleta’s Contestant’s Choice Pick, “Imagine” again: He’s going with the song that made him an early front runner. Smart choice. Throughout the competition, none of his performances have lived up to that early one. Ironically, this one didn’t either. The song was beautiful, but it didn’t capture the magic of the first time he sang it. Randy says that he’s the best singer of Season 7 and exactly what the show is about. Simon says that Archuleta has delivered a knockout against DC.
It’s tough to say which David will be the next American Idol. This one’s going to be close. But judging on the finale, alone, I think little Archuleta may be the last one standing tomorrow night, but only by a small margin of victory. It all came down to song choice tonight. If we take into consideration the weeks leading up to tonight, David Cook would be the clear winner. He is obviously the better performer, though Archuleta is an amazing technical singer.
I guess we’ll have to tune in tomorrow night and see. Either way, I won’t be too disappointed with the outcome, unlike when Reuben beat Clay … or when Fantasia beat everyone else. Both Davids are great. This has been one of the most talented, albeit BORING, seasons of American Idol, yet.
This is My World 
That’s What She Said …