Having been a David Cook supporter all season, I was biting my nails a lot during last night’s two hour “American Idol” finale. There were some great moments (Brooke White dueting with Graham Nash, Jason Castro reprising his lovely performance of “Hallelujah”), some annoying sponsor-related moments (ie: both Davids reenacting the same “Guitar Hero” commercial), and some major WTF? moments (George Michael’s performance, whatever the heck Carrie Underwood was wearing). However, the real reason everyone tuned in was to see who won, and Ryan Seacrest did his best to drag the announcement on as long as possible–until about 10:01, ensuring everyone TiVoing the show would get cut off.
While David Archuleta was a worthy competitor, I’ve been a Cook supporter since the semifinals. This was the first year that “Idol” allowed instruments, and Cook used his guitar to supplement his voice and show that he wasn’t just a singer but a great musician. I also give him credit for taking the high road and refusing to bring a family sob story onto the program. Cook has two older brothers–Adam and Andrew–and is very close to his Missouri-based family. Adam has been suffering from brain cancer for the last several years. Although the story was widely reported in the press, Cook never brought it up on the show. The closest he came was wearing an orange bracelet during every program (to show support for his brother) and putting the initials AC on his guitar and sometimes his shirt. Considering how Virginia native Chris Richardson was raked over the coals last year for blaming an off performance on being upset about the Virginia Tech shooting, perhaps David Cook didn’t want his personal family sadness to get used against him.
Unfortunately, Adam Cook was too sick to make it to last night’s results show in L.A., but the rest of the family was there to cheer David on. And when his name was called, David, who’d done his best to keep his emotions in check throughout the last few weeks, began to cry. He pulled himself together to perform the closing song, but cameras cut to his family in the audience, all in tears. David’s other brother, Andrew, managed a smile when he caught a camera on him and mouthed “That’s my brother!”
David Cook’s well-deserved victory was a bittersweet one. Instead of wearing the orange band around his wrist, it was tied around his hand, causing many to speculate that Adam’s condition had turned more serious. David Archuleta seemed genuinely thrilled for his friend and competitor, and gathered the other finalists on stage with him to cheer Cook on. In my opinion, this year’s finale–in spite of George Michael–is the best one since Kelly Clarkson’s original victory. Sometimes people argue over whether the winner should be the best singer or the best person. This year, we got both.
posted May 22, 2008 at 11:54 pm
It was a great year, in my opinion. I felt like the country voted well, with a few “cultish” exceptions. In the end, the two top singers stood toe to toe and conducted themselves like gentlement. There are no losers in the American Idol finale, as we well know.
I was one of those people whose Tivo cut off. I heard “This year’s winner is…David…Cook.” and the taping ended. I got no reaction shots, no closing number…nothing. Kind of felt cheated.
I loved the outcome. Now I’m just going through withdrawal already.
posted May 23, 2008 at 1:18 pm
While I agree with your comments that it said much for David Cook’s character to not try to gain sympathy for bringing up the status of his brother who is ill, I saw an interview with David Cook from Tampa, FL where it explained that the bracelet was in support of a 7 year old girl who was a big Cook fan. Check it out:
http://www.myfoxtampabay.com/myfox/pages/Entertainment/Detail?contentId=6601632&version=1&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=VSTY&pageId=7.1.1
I all the interviews I have seen, both the top 2 contestants have conducted themselves with integrity. I appreciate the character of both of them & wish them both well in their musical careers.
posted May 23, 2008 at 2:04 pm
Idol rocked this year. From the very first note out of David Cooks mouth, I called it. I made my husband come downstairs as I was rewidning his ‘Living on a Prayer’ audition.
I’m from Kokomo, Indiana. The neighboring town of some of Cook’s family. David’s mom was born there. The orange bracelet was actually worn by David as a tribute to a girl in Kansas City w/ Leukemia and his brother did fly from Terre Haute, Indiana to be w/ his little brother. Fox decided not to air his brother on TV as Adam isn’t looking so well right now. Simon Cowell footed the bill for the private jet that Adam took to watch his little brother win it all.
It’s a great story and I’m glad Cook won and didn’t use the family situation as a sympathy vote getting scheme. Although I’d have to argue w/ a voice like that, there wouldn’t be many sympathy votes.
posted May 23, 2008 at 2:15 pm
I think David Cooks really rocked it, I was wanting him to win it from the start. But Kelly wasn’t the only good on there, there was Carrie Underwood. But David was the Best!
posted May 23, 2008 at 2:21 pm
I was for David Cook from the start, but Kelly wasn’t the only one that was good on there, there was also Carrie Underwood. But Mr. David Cook has been the best in a while!
posted May 23, 2008 at 2:44 pm
david cook was a hands down winner from the start! he has the stage persona and the singing talent to go along way. unlike idol winners over the last two years i think that we all will hearing alot from this young man. just think what would have happened if his brother hadnt talked him into going to the auditions with him.
posted May 23, 2008 at 2:52 pm
Living in Salt Lake City, I was hugely proud of how both David’s behaved. Of course my heart wanted someone from my great state to win, but my head always knew it would be David Cook. His voice was more mature, he did take greater risks, and he remembered all the words to all the songs.
It was nice to see both young men who treated each other with frinedship and utmost respect. My hope is that both David’s receive well deserved success and continue to remain the gentlemen we learned to love.
posted May 23, 2008 at 3:56 pm
BOTH OF THE DAVID’S WERE WINNERS. THEY WERE BOTH SO GRACIOUS AND COURTEOUS TO EACH OTHER AND THE AUDIENCE THROUGH IT ALL! BOTH OF THEM HAD GREAT VOICES AND GREAT TALENT.AMERICA VOTED FOR THE TWO WHO, IN MY OPINION, WERE ABSOLUTELY THE TWO WHO SHOULD HAVE BEEN VOTED THE BEST. BOTH OF THEM WILL BE A GREAT SUCCESS IN LIFE AND I WISH THE VERY BEST AND GOD SPEED TO BOTH OF THEM! JEAN
posted May 24, 2008 at 12:53 pm
Congrats to David Cook on his big win. I was pulling for David A, but am still happy for David Cook. They were both so amazing on all of the shows. I told my husband if I were a rocker I would have voted for David C….but since I love a great ballads I was blown away with David A. I can’t tell you how many times I listened to both on itunes. I think both will have amazing futures…I could see both in the movies too. David C in an action movies, and David A in a Disney movies.
Louisiana Lady
posted May 25, 2008 at 10:38 pm
Does anyone know if David Cook is Christian???? He acts like he is and I reall hope he and his family is christian especiall because of his brothers condition.
posted May 25, 2008 at 11:18 pm
Some corrections…
Adam was in the audience for the finale. An anonymous donor paid for his trip along with his wife and medical personnel.
Andrew is David’s YOUNGER brother.
The orange bracelet was in support of a young girl, named Lindsey Rose, who is suffering from leukemia. He also wears a gray bracelet in support of brain cancer.
I know, I seem obsessed, but David has been my favorite for many weeks and I can hardly wait for his album. I wish him and his family all the best. They are in my prayers.
posted May 26, 2008 at 9:39 am
As I feel sadness for the health of David Cook’s brother. I also want to say that it was wrong of David Cook to become our American Idol this year. We all have family members who are ill and that we pray and care for everday. American Idol is a show about Talent and not votes for Sympathy. David Archuleta has a GOD given voice and doesn’t hide behind a quitars strums to display it. I am very disappointed with the whole show this season and it’s upstaging of David Cook. Even Simon Cowell went as far as to call David Cook the winner before the Votes were even counted. And did a heartless manipulation on David Archuleta by stating he had a Knock Out Performance in the Finale just so David Cook’s fans would Vote even more for him. Because simply, Simon Cowell said David Cook would be the winner. Simon? Where is your apolopy for David Archuleta?
Special treatment was givin to David Cook in his performances as well, extra lighting and such and also a song that David Archuleta had practiced on for 2 weeks was taken away from him and given to David Cook. Of which David Cook did Aerosmith’s, I don’t want to miss a thing and ruined it. I loved American Idol until my eyes were opened up this year to it’s favoritism of the Contestant. The one they want to win ends up Winning,they make sure of that, not the ones you Vote to be your choice to Win. David Archuleta is my Winner!
Sincerely,
Bling
posted May 26, 2008 at 11:10 am
This was the first year I really didn’t care who won. They were both great and there really are no losers in the top two. Be happy for David Cook, after all we voted him there.
Robinsea
posted June 1, 2008 at 3:35 pm
he is christian go onto youtube and go to david cooks 5th grade performance and he is in a christmas play and he is singing about god so yes he is a christian!
posted July 1, 2008 at 4:11 am
I think David was probably raised Christian, and as a true Christian seems to have respect for ALL faiths in which human beings reach for
and revere higher truth.
I’m not certain Simon was intentionally manipulating votes; my initial reaction was that he was supporting David Archuletta b/c the week
before he supported David Cook and wanted to level the playing field
knowing many viewers respect his opinion.
And while David Archuletta does certainly have the voice of an angel,
David Cook has an intense and emotionally powerful voice and chose
&/or performed songs which touched the soul of many viewers, showing his character and compassion–Living on A Prayer, The World I Know (look at the lyrics); his sensitivity and originality of delivery–Hello, Billie Jean, Eleanor Rigby, Always Be My Baby, Little Sparrow, With or Without You.
He has been nothing but gracious and humble during his time on the show and since his win.
Please dont think that because he is “a rocker” he isnt worthy of
this blessing. Christ himself was a rebel of sorts in his time. Of course David is right where God willed him to be; God will use
David and do great things through him.