Reality Roll Call

by Deb Porter-Jones

Tonight’s show at the Nokia Theater in Los Angeles begins with a corny rendition of a professional championship boxing match, complete with the pre-fight analysis by Jim Lampley. This is our final performance show of the season and we’re down to the two best of the best finalists, the two Davids: young Archuleta and the rocker Cook.

Both will be singing songs chosen by music industry giant, Mr. Clive Davis. They will both be coached by Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber. Clive chooses for David Cook, “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For” by U2 and for David Archuleta “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me” by Elton John. Personally, I think Cook shouldn’t been given the Elton John and vice versa, but whatever. At this point, it is what it is.

David Cook sings the U2 song and, predictably, he does very well. He doesn’t do much of his signature tweaking but he turns in a really good performance. Actually, I’m disappointed because I’m positive that Cook would’ve just KILLED the Elton John song, once he put his own little twist on it. Regardless, both Randy and Paula loved his performance and Simon thought it was phenomenal, considering he was quite obviously a nervous wreck at the top of the show. I give him an A.

David Archuleta actually does a fantastic job with his Elton John. David Archuleta sang this song like he meant it. Until tonight, I really was not so enamored with this kid. But now I think I see that David really may be a musical genius. His performance was absolutely flawless. Randy thought it was “unbelievably molten hot”, Paula said it was an absolutely beautiful performance. Simon thought last week he was okay but that tonight’s performance was “the best he’s done so far”. It’s pretty funny watching this kid looking so obviously overwhelmed. I’m not sure if he’s gonna pass out or cry; it’s rather cute. The whole scene must seem rather surreal to this obviously sheltered kid from the Midwest – random women holding signs asking for David to be their prom date or marry them. It’s really quite hysterical. Oh, I give David A well-deserved A+.

The next round is chosen by the Davids from a list of songs submitted by songwriters. David Cook begins with “Dream Big”, a song that I am not familiar with but that he plays guitar along with. Of course, he does a fantastic job with this performance - gritty and guttural is his voice and we love every minute of it. I give him an A+. Randy thought he “was singing his face off”, Paula was “mesmerized” and Simon, well, Simon seems just bored. He thought the end was okay,but it “didn’t feel like a winning moment” for him. But Simon’s just glad David C’s got another chance to redeem himself.

David Archuleta then sings “In This Moment”, another song I’m not familiar with but that he does a pretty good job performing. It’s a kind of feel-good song that is right for David A. Randy wasn’t crazy about the song but says he could “sing the phone book and it would be hot”, Paula agreed he “was in the zone” and Simon thought he chose the better song and won round two. I give him an A.

The next round of songs is chosen by David A and C. David Archuleta chooses “Imagine”, the song made great by late, great John Lennon and David Cook chooses “The World I Know”.

David Cook also plays guitar along with this song, another one I’m not familiar with. It’s a rather melancholy song, much softer lyrics and tone to his voice. I’m afraid that Archuleta will end up winning this competition because David Cook’s song choices were just not as good. Regardless, he gives a heartfelt performance and sheds some tears afterwards. Randy loves the performance, Paula loves the performance and Simon says he’s actually “one of the nicest, most sincere contestants they’ve had” but it was “completely and utterly the wrong song choice.” I agree, but at this point, as David Cook said at the start of the show, “the competition’s over, they’re just having fun.” I give him an A.

David Archuleta performs again “Imagine” and he did a good job, but it was not a heart-stopping performance. I think he may have done a better job the first time he performed it. Randy thought David is “exactly what this show is about … the best singer’s right there!” Paula was speechless, again, after giving a bit of a speech. Simon said “we’ve witnessed one of the great finals” and David A “came out to win and what we’ve witnessed is a knockout.” I give him an A.

I have always favored David Cook over Archuleta - in my opinion he has a wider appeal and is much more experienced. Hell, I’d pay for a ticket to hear him sing. But I must admit, tonight Archuleta sang the better songs and he just brought it, in every way. Not that either of these contestants needs to win at this point, but in my opinion, David Cook truly doesn’t NEED to win. He’s aware that he’s been truly blessed to have been part of the process and to have gotten this far. With the exposure that this show has given him, he knows he’ll be fine. If this contest is based on tonight’s votes only, I predict that David Archuleta is our new American Idol.