Not today. Cook is a slight favorite.

I hope Cookie wins. Just once I would like my favorite to win the title. (didn't watch seasons 1 & 2)

My future Rockers!

Let me lay out two viewpoints as to why i think David Cook will win this season of American Idol.

The "Logical, Common Sense Argument"
=======================================
* David Cook was not one of the early favorites to win, like Archie and Carly, but he came on strong from week 1 of the top 24, and never stopped.
* He is arguably the most talented, musiscally and creatively, of any contestant ever on American Idol
* He has shown himself to very diverse stylistically and able to meld his style to alot of genres
* I also think he has the edge momentum-wise

The "AI Producers Control Argument"
=======================================
Now, i'm not one to succumb to all the conspiracy theories out there, but its no mystery that the producers can pull some strings to try and HELP their favorite contestant win, and these last two weeks are where they have the most control (to what degree that is, depends on the season)

* AI needs desperately to have a SUCCESSFUL winner. Their Idols of late have not been busting any sales records. I think its obvious to them that the one with the most potential is David Cook.
* Last week it was obvious that the choice made by Simon for David Cook was the best of all three choices. Manipulation? Who knows but this week could be telling.
* This season they are bringing back Clive Davis, so the contestants themselves only have one choice of their own. Clive's picks have been notoriously bad, we'll see how his pick for Cook compares to Archie's.
* The final question is which song was selected for the winner. If its another drecky ballad, then my theory about Cook could be all wrong. If it fits him, i think we'll know our winner.

geekboy

"I love puppies!" - S. Cowell

"If its another drecky ballad, then my theory about Cook could be all wrong."

I'm not so sure a drecky ballad would necessarily favor Archie. Imagine if Archie had wheezed his way through "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" immediately before the good David last week. Mr. Cook would have humiliated him.

I'm not saying David Cook couldn't do a 'drecky ballad'. My point in that comment is that the 'coronation song' - in theory - could be hand picked "help" one of the two finalists take the final prize. I think the ultimate example of that is season 6. The producers wouldn't like Blake arrange the song for himself, they forced him to sing it as a drecky ballad. One can't say that didn't help Jordin to a certain degree.

geekboy

"I love puppies!" - S. Cowell

>>The producers wouldn't like Blake arrange the song for himself<<

But Simon has teased that there will be a twist this year...this could mean either there will be 2 different craponation songs, OR (my preference), they will let Big D rearrange. In which case I believe he will stomp all over Little D.

To me, the TCO carp has been pretty easy to follow this year. Starting with Archie from the very beginning, along with perhaps Carly & Michael J on stand-by as potential TCO's-in-waiting.

Then Cook showed up to the dance. Surprise! I don't think anyone expected him to come out like that with guns blazing.

As Carly & MJ seemed to be lacking in 'audience connection,' and Archie continued to do the same thing every week (including forgetting lyrics), Cook became a frontrunner despite non-TCO status.

Even though Simon bashed him early on, it's become pretty clear over the past few weeks that he has a veritable man-crush on DC now. And even though Randy stubbornly continues to give Archie his weekly tongue-bath (whether he's earned it or not), in a couple of interviews Simon has said straight out that he wants Cook to win it all. Nigel has even been overheard to say "what's with Randy?" when Randy didn't like Cookie's "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing."

I think the producers would LOVE a Cook win at this point. Archie backlash (or disinterest) has been creeping up for weeks. Between the charm of his performances wearing off, the beyond-ridiculous Randy comments, and the alleged "Stage Dad" drama, Archie's not looking like such a good horse to be backing right now. I think an Archie win would hurt the show over all, and I think the producers know that. And I won't be surprised if they wait until Archie's 18 to sign him. (Plus, Cook's iTunes sales are stomping everyone else's. $$$$$$$!)

I kinda think that the banning of dad from rehersals was the official reassignment of TCO crown. "Sorry, we kinda don't want you to win anymore, so we're not going to let your whole team work on your arrangements from here on out. Yeah, we always knew it was unfair to the others, but while you were TCO, we let it happen...now, not so much. Sorry."

I don't think DC will get Syesha's votes, but he will garner more "casual viewer" votes just by his far-superior musical & performance skills.

Add to DC's musical appeal that he's become WAY better looking over the weeks (plus, you know, talent is sexay) - and you've got legions of older 'fangirls' with more disposable income than tweeners -- they're driving up his iTunes numbers, and are actually going out to buy GoPhones just to vote on Tuesday. I read a post somewhere by one woman who bought 2 GoPhones, and set them up for different time zones so she can expand her voting time. Not many 12 year olds can just decide to blow $25 (or whatever) to get in 1,000 text votes on a disposable phone. (disposable to the cougars, anyway) It seems like the "Word Nerds" have learned from the past, and aren't going to let DC lose because of a bunch of tweeners - some of the other boards are actually kinda scary that way.

So with his own rabid fanbase, the casual voters, and the newly-bestowed blessings of the producers, I think we'll have a David Cook win.

(you know, if I'd pace myself, and visit the boards more regularly, I might be less inclined to ramble this long. My apologies!)

I really hope your right Tamarama!!!!!

My future Rockers!

David Foster says it all here:

http://video.accesshollywood.com/player/?id=251867&__source=related-videos

I think I just got called an "older fangirl" and a "cougar" by Tamara And I think I liked it.

Oh Honey -- I'm counting myself in that category!

And just maaaayyyybbbeee I used a little of my own disposable income on a disposable...anywho, cougars are hot.

Check this blog out: http://tvfan.ew.com/blogs/post/1092

Funny, but perhaps 'for cougars only.' Might upset more delicate sensibilities.

"Well, i think I've finally figured it out. What DC does to us is not something the tweens or even our 20Something sisters would really "get". You see, when DC sings, he doesn't just sing. He's actually doing all of us. And he's been doing us one night a week for nearly months now."

*snort* that blog was funny.

I'll admit I've been a little bit seduced by him too.

LAST EDITED ON 05-20-08 AT 07:33 PM (EST)

After the day I had today, I needed something to make me laugh! This little conversation the three of you are having about Cougars and older fan girls made me LMAO!!!!!!!I love it. Thanks you three for brightening my day

sculpted by Tribe
BTW, I am probably older than all three of you, So don't think I am making fun of your ages!