The Billboard Charts: The Davids!

Billboard's latest charts were released today, and our Davids have hit the ground running. David Cook posts 6, yes 6, new entries on the Hot 100, and Lil David Archuleta posts one. Their positions on the Hot 100 are based solely on digital downloads. Impressive indeed. David Cook is charting with: #3 Time of My Life, #15 Dream Big, #22 I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For, #28 The World I Know, #42 I Don't Wanna Miss a Thing, and # 47 Billie Jean . . . whew. David Archuleta hits the charts at #36 with Imagine. To see the entire chart, click the link!

A Little Late Review by EW

I apologize for the late posting, but I went away on a wee little vacation to the Pensacola area right after the end of Idol! I know, I know, BAD BLOGGER, BAD, BAD, BLOGGER . . . However, a newly refreshed Josh is back and ready to go. So, our pals over at Entertainment Weekly posted a recap of the finale and the results . . . and all I have to say is "veal", "happy trail", and "meth" Funny, funny stuff, y'all. Click the link to check it out

Pre-Idol Albums

USA Today has reported a story which reviews pre-idol recordings of six of this year's top 12 Idols. Included is a brief summary of the work on the CD, and a review of the recordings. Included in the review are the recordings of the following: David Cook, Jason Castro, Brooke White, Carly Smithson, Michael Johns, and Kristy Lee Cook. Click the link to check out the story.

More Idol Fun Tonight!

Hey Y'all! Hope you are all having a great Memorial Day Weekend!!

Just a reminder that Rocker David and perhaps more Idols will be on Larry King Live tonight - 9pE/8pC.

Cookie gets some nookie!

K says - we might have said Cookie gets lucky...but how do we know what a date with Kimberly Caldwell would be like? Click on the title of this post for all the video dirt from TMZ!!

Apparently Rocker D asked Miss Kim out the other night on live TV and according to TMZ - he made good on the offer and they went out on a dinner date.

Those crazy Idols!!

U R Bootiful, No Matter What They Say

What a night! We have the results show bearing down on us like the bus Randy's been driving the last few weeks, so let's get to bidness...

First off, the ridiculous boxing theme. Nigel himself said on KISS this morning with Ryan that he'd had the final theme for some time, and didn't know what he'd do to make the "boxing match" shit work if Syesha made it to the Top Two. Good thing the fix was in, eh?
And, is ALW bored? WTF is he doing here? Anyway...

Round 1: Clive's corpse selects some golden oldies for the boys.

Cookie with U2, sang it well, but wasn't magical.

Archie sang Elton like his life depended on it. I still have a problem with this embryo singing adult angst songs, but whatev. All you have to do is watch how nerved out he was after singing it to know how much pressure is on this poor kid. To his credit, DA pulls out the mojo and wins the first round.

Round 2: Pick From The 10 Worst Songs Nigel Could Inflict.

Cookie actually made this craptacular song sound like something you could hear in the real world beyond Idol. That, given the "This Is My Now"s and "Do I Make You Proud"s we've endured in the past, was a fucking miracle.

Archie (as Simon put it) sang the "right" song, the Idol melisma-fied syrupy song. He did a good job, but it was so predictable, and thus kind of blah. Though the judges made it seem like Archie won, I'd say Cookie actually pulled off Round Two by not being boring as hell.

Round 3: You Can Go Your Own Way (But Watch Out, Bitches!)

Cookie pulls a WTF by singing this Collective Soul song. Why? He did make it listenable, something it never was for me in the past, but it flew in the face of Idol "in it to win it" tradition. Simon slaps him down for it, but I applauded Mr. C for not cranking out a retread. Maybe it was a symbolic stand.

Archie performs a clone of Imagine. The pixie dust wasn't there this time, but it was a great performance. I literally stood and clapped for him at the end because I was afraid he'd melt down. That kid is a trooper!

All in all, Lil David came into the finale guns blazing, and Big David showed up and performed well, but without the magic. The judges shoved Cook in front of the bus and revved the engine, then floored it. WHOMP!

So, looks like an Archuleta victory is sewn up, right?

L and I are going to defy the winds of Fate and say COOK WINS IT!

...based not so much on last night, because Lil Dave really brought it, but on the juggernaut of voting coming into last night that favored DC. Crazy like Paula? Maybe.

L & K: Cook will be Dreaming Big as the Season 7 winner tonight.

(P.S. - An Open Letter To Randy Jackson: STFU. If I hear any more "molten hot" "phone book" "peaked at the right time" etc. bullshit, I'm getting on a plane to L.A. and strangling your ass in the LaBrea tar pits.)

Lil David Imagines . . . Possibly Winning . . .

Lil David is about to sing “Imagine” . . .

He’s reworked it a bit . . . the boy is in good voice tonight . . . very, very good voice tonight . . . stunning the first time and very good the second time . . . Cookie gets points for doing a different song, but Lil David gets points for being the better vocal . . . Liked the first arrangement of "Imagine" better, but still a good performance.

Randy thinks that Lil David is in it to win it . . . Paula thinks he is a shining star . . . and Simon thinks they’ve had a memorable finale, but that Lil David came out to win this competition and delivered a knock out.

And here comes Rueben? Huh? Singing this horrible going home song . . . . he actually sounds quite good, but no, no, no . . . . This song drives me nuts since they took the other alt-pop song away . . . Allison will know the title.

Overall, I would say that Lil David won rounds 1 and 3 and round 2 was a draw . . . . Round 1 was very much the best round from both performers of the night. . . . in that round David Cook was masterful and David Archuletta was the master. I don’t know who will win, but, based on tonight, in my opinion, Lil David deserves to be crowned the winner.

I think tomorrow night will be interesting . . .

Is it Rocker David's World?

Here we go with Round 3: Contestant’s Choice . . . .

Rocker David is up first and singing “The World I Know” by Collective Soul and Lil David is singing “Imagine” by John Lennon . . .

Here comes David Cook . . . .good song . . . he looks good and is doing a good job. I genuinely like this song . . . and I genuinely like his performance . . . vocals are solid and performance is solid . . . I just . . . I kind of wanted a break out moment . . . and, I didn’t quite feel it. . . . Don’t get me wrong, I think this is his best vocal of the night, and I kind of understand why he chose to perform it the way he did . . . but, I worry that it’s not going to stand out enough.

Randy thinks that he loved the way he sang it, Paula thought he was standing there in his truth, and Simon thinks that Rocker David is one of the nicest most genuine performers they’ve ever had, but that he chose the wrong song . . .

Round Two: Lil David Tries to Have a Moment . . . With Cheese

Lil David is up next . . . again, I didn't quite hear the title of the song . . . something about a "moment" . . . imagine that . . .

Here he goes . . . a wise song choice for Lil David . . . while Simon said that Rocker David's song didn't sound like a "winning" song, this song sounds like an Idol winning song . . . certainly doesn't make it better, but it sounds like one of those songs. Overall, Lil David continues to be in good voice . . . very good voice . . . somehow, I can see him singing this song tomorrow night while a choir sings . . . and fireworks explode . . . and stuff . . .

Randy didn't like the song but thought Lil David sounded good . . . Paula thought it was good . . . I think . . . hard to tell . . . Simon thought it was a better choice of song and declared Round 2 for Lil David.

I think I would call Round 2 a draw. Kind of back to the norm for those two . . . Rocker David with the better performance and Lil David with the better vocal.

Round Two: Cookie takes on Idol Cheese

Second Round is strangely the Idol Theme Song . . . This year, they get to pick one of the Top 10 finalists for the songwriting contestants . . . I didn’t quite hear the titles of the songs they are singing.

Here comes Rocker Boo . . . kind of mumbling in his lower register . . . but it picks up massively on the verse . . . and back down in the lower register . . . and back up to being stellar at the end.
Overall, solid perofrmance AND good vocals.

Randy thinks the song was just ok, but the vocals were HOT . . . Paula said something that I can’t quite decipher, but was quite positive and uplifting . . . I think . . . Simon thought it didn’t sound like a winning song.

The problem with these Idol songs is always the same . . . The judges never like them, and their critiques almost always come out sounding like attacks on the contestants instead of on the song.

I think Cookie did a good job with the song, and it sounds radio friendly. He just needs to bring up his lower register a half step, but otherwise, good job.

Rocker David Still Hasn't Found What He's Lookin For

Here comes Cookie . . . singin a little U2 . . . I'm pretty amped about this one . . .

Sounds really good so far . . . not over singing . . . sounds REALLY FREAKIN GOOD . . . and he used the stage in the audience. Excellent, Excellent, Excellent! Performance and vocals were very, very solid. He looked like a rock star, and sounded very, very good. I’m impressed.

Randy thought it was hot, but didn’t do all he could (he has a bit of a woodie for Archuletta) . . . Paula thinks Cookie has arrived, and Simon thought that he was tense and nervous to start, but that all in all . . . it was phenomenal.

Excellent start to the night!

A Boo on Boo Finale: Here we go!

Boxer Boos! This is very cute. I’m kind of hearting them in their boxing clothes . . . Lil Boo weighs in at 100 lbs . . . soaking wet.

Big David and Lil David are singing three songs each . . . three numbers each . . . and four hours to vote . . .

Man, they are playin this shizz up . . . . Lil David has some peac fuzz, yo . . . and Big David has some hella facial hair . . .

Here comes Clive Davis and Andrew Lloyd Weber to “guide” our Idols . . . and . . . Here come the boys . . .

The essence of cocky versus the essence of awwww shucks, maam . . .

They both say how like totally awesome and stuff each other is . . .

Side note: I’m not thrilled with either of their outfits . . . kind of ill fitting . . .
Here comes Clive . . . Rocker David will be singing U2’s “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For” and Lil David will be singing “Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me”

Behind-the-scenes dirt from Archuleta's voice coach!

Click on the title above for an interesting video from MyFox Utah last week, where David Archuleta's voice coach Dean Kaelin says there are some "weird games being played" with regards to song choice, position, and arrangement on the Final Three show.

Seems that Lil David wanted to do a song that went to Cook, and Archuleta's best song was shifted to first instead of last, unlike Cook. Also, Syesha wanted to have strings and was told she couldn't - but on the same show Cook had strings! Shenanigans? Kind of makes you wonder what to look out for tonight, to see if TPTB will tip their hand as to who they want to wear the Idol crown.

Mimi and Cookie!

Well, it looks like Mimi will be on the Idol finale on Wednesday to try and emancipate our Cookie! Idol Blog Live is spoiling that Ms. Mimi and Cookie will be singing a duet that night. In addition, Carrie Underwood WILL be coming on to perform her single, "Last Name". Finally, there will be some "dead" duets during the telecast. Think Celine Dion and Elvis Presley from last year's inaugural episode of Idol Gives Back. Should be interesting. Please oh please do not let them put Lil Boo with an image of John Lennon . . . I'd kind of hope that Chris Brown comes on and refers to Lil David as his Lil Shawty!

A Brief Article on the Finalists David!

USA Today has written an article on the Two Davids. The article briefly allows the Davids to express how they feel about being in the final, and what they thought was going to happen in the Top 3. Click the link to read the story.

Top 3: The Results . . . Will America FINALLY get it right?

Will it be the most dramatic Top 3 ever . . . My early guess is, er, um, no . . . but, we will see. THIS is AMERican Idol!

And here come the Idol's singing "Ain't No Stoppin Us Now" . . . um, when do we get new millenium night . . . anyhoo, how much do you want to bed that Rocker David's friends are making SUCH fun of him right now. Playing drinking games . . . take a shot everytime he has to act dorky on camera . . . and . . . their drunk.

So, our Idols are once again back stage . . . Again, I say, I want the people on the couch prior to elimination . . . not one of the good changes, Idol!!

Let's bring up Lil David . . . OH! I NEED YA BOO! . . . sorry . . . and, we're going back to Lil David's hometown . . . Look, the cheerleaders are attacking him . . . and, he looks strangely freaked out . . . and we're at a Lil David event . . .and my boo is crying . . . I'm making an official Little Taste of Idol change . . . I am now officially referring to Lil David as Lil Boo!!! I'm hearting him at home.

Next up is Ms. Syesha . . . She's goin home and hangin with her peeps. Lots of crying for Ms. Syesha, but strangely does not inspire me to give her the boo label . . . I like her, and think she will be hittin up broadway hardcore . . . but, I have hard time believing her when she speaks, cries, etc.

Finally, Rocker David is up and so is his bro. A non-idol aside . . . I'm showing my inner dork here, but I think Cookies brother is soooooooooooooo geek sheik cute! Tee Hee . . . anyway, we're going back home with the Cooks. Um, now Rocker David is crying . . . and I'm gonna now officially start calling him Rocker Boo . . . I'm hearting him back home with his bro. Maybe Rocker Boo will sing at Bro Boo and my ceremony . . . er, um . . . Idol . . .yes, Idol . . .

And now, it's time for the results. 56 million votes, bitches! Let me just say before they announce the results. I SO WANT A BOO ON BOO FINALE! We've been waiting for the right 2 to be in the finale since Season 2!

After the nationwide vote, the first person to make the finals is . . . LIL BOO! YAY! OH, I NEED YA BOO! That leaves Rocker Boo and Ms. Mercado for the final spot . . . The second person in the finals is . . . ROCKER BOO! YAY! A BOO ON BOO FINALE, YO! HOLLA!

I must say, Ms. Syesha looks like she knew she was going home, and handles the moment with grace and class. I'm impressed. But, I'm MORE impressed that we FINALLY have the correct finale! And, I'll have to check, but I think that all of us bloggers picked this finale!

I am so excited, but damn it, I wanted to see the coin toss! In all of Idol history, only the person who has gone second has won the title! And, in another little bit of Idol trivia, this is the first American Idol finale that features two individuals who have never been to the bottom two or three. Every other finale had at least one contestant who had been in danger of elimination at least once. A little Idol history . . . I'm sure we will spend the next week prognosticating on what will happen in the finale!

Holla!

Cookie Doesn't Want Us to Miss a Thing

David Cook ends the night by performing the producer's choice of "I Don't Wanna Miss A Thing". Again, why are they giving Rocker David a song to sing that is covered in monterey jack! Anyhoo, here he goes. I kind of feel about this performance like I have felt about him the past two weeks . . . eh . . . it was ok. Actually the first half of the song was great . . . understated and well sung . . . and then, we hit the middle and end, and although better than the other two . . . he just can't help himself with the scream . . . kind of cracks me up.

Randy thinks it was just ok. Paula didn't love it, but thought he sang it well. Simon thinks this is one of the best songs ever written (seriously) and that David Cook won the night (seriously?) . . .

Rankings to come . . .

What did you think?

Rocker David Dares Us To Move

The second round of personal choices ends up with Rocker David performing Switchbot's "Dare You to Move". This song is a much better choice than his original choice of Collective Soul's "World I Know". . . Here we go . . .oh . . .oh . . .he's off key . . . way off key . . . ok, now we're moving to the bigger part of the song . . . . YIKES! He's screaming! I LOVE Rocker David, but this was not good. Off key and screaming does not a good song make.

Randy thought it was just ok. Paula thought is was not his best performance. Simon thought that Round 2 was ok all around.

Round 2 was not nearly as strong as round 1. I would like to call it a tie, but yikes, Rocker David did not do well.

1. Lil David - 8 - solid vocals and points for picking a current song
2. Syesha - 7 - good vocals but a gouda filled performance
3. Rocker David - 6.5 - Yikes, it was rough for me.

Despite the above rankings, I think that round 2 was pretty much a draw.

Do you like this face of Cookie?

So, this is the performance about which I am most worried. I will preface this review by saying that "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" is one of my top 5 all time favorite songs. . . . just romance and making out personified . . . ok, I'm back. Simon chose this song for Rocker David to take him out of his comfort zone and thinks he will have a "moment" with it. I'm worried. Here it goes . . . oh, oh, no falsetto . . . ok, ok, NO NO NO . . . he is doing this song with the same formula as every other . . . start slow . . . slow . . . slow . . . and then get a little louder and kinda end in a scream. To be fair, this song choice was gonna be tough for Cookie no matter how he did it . . . fairly solid vocal, but I did not enjoy his particular interpretation of it. Props for doing the best with the song that he could.

Randy thought it was ok, but not his favorite. Paula thought it was good. Simon thought it was one of his best performances and pronounced round 1 for Cowell and Cook. Um . . . er . . . well, I can say this, at least Simon is consistent.

For me (using Rubbertoe's ranking system) . . .

Round 1:

1. Lil David 10 (acapella goes a long way for me)
2. Syesha 9 strong vocals particularly in the second half
3. Rocker David 8 - Good attempt, but just didn't work for me . . . no screaming, please

Rocker David's Top 3 Song Choices

Rocker David’s Song Choices

“I Don’t Wanna Miss a Thing” Aerosmith



“The World I Know” - Collective Soul



“The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” - Roberta Flack