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.
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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.
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
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
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!
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.
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