Simon Cowell has revealed who he’s rooting for to win this season’s American Idol: David Cook.
“I think he’s done more to deserve it over the eleven weeks,” Cowell tells Blender magazine. “He’s taken more risks, he’s done things with certain songs that have been more interesting.
“If I’m gonna base it on who has done the best performances over the live shows, David Cook deserves to win.”
And the contestant he’s least pleased with? Jason Castro. “He just gave up — I get frustrated over that,” the music mogul adds. “There was a classic moment last week.
“We had these callers phone in and I forget what the question was — ‘What do you like?’ — and they just sat there. They couldn’t talk. It was literally un-be-liev-able.
“It’s like they’ve studied the show and they don’t want to put a foot wrong.
“And that’s going to have to change, going forward. I want what I call gobby, talkative people on the show.”
David Cook may be marketable at this point, but only because he has been ridiculously pimped by the judges and producers. If the pimpage wouldn’t have occurred, no one would like him. He can’t sing, is ugly, and is arrogant. I don’t think David Cook will last past one album.
Comment by Mick — 14 May
Hooray! Someone with INTELLIGENCE (and an ear!). Who besides me would ever admit that David Cook is by far THE quintessential talent ever to appear on the show. Good on you. Let’s hope America gets it right (Taylor who?)
Comment by fwm — 15 May
Cowell knows what he’s talking about. David Cook is the most marketable artist to ever come out of AI. His appeal has already reached Europe and the Far East. One almost has to feel pity for Archuleta, who crumbled under the pressure of his father and the show. It would be disastrous if the title went to him, since he is one of those who does well when highly-scripted, but can’t answer a question with a complete sentence.
AI needs a boost and Cook is the one to give it to them. He truly is one who deserves the name of Idol.
Comment by Cookie-eating Cougar — 14 May
Simon, you have given David Cook an unfair advantage with your comments.
David Archuleta deserves to win on his talent alone.
Comment by maria stanley — 15 May
yes i agree with simon david cook is awesome.
Comment by maegan — 14 May
I’m sorry but David Archuleta definitely did not crumble! He might not be blowing some people away, but he is a consistently good singer (and to be fair, he had the best pitch of the final four). He never once had a truly embarrassing performance like Jason Castro. And also I don’t think any Idol result could truly be “disastrous.” As we’ve seen before, it does not matter what place you finish in. True, Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood have done very well, but so have Clay Aiken and Chris Daughtry who did not win. And Taylor Hicks was a total bust for a winner, so at this point I think whichever David wins is basically irrelevant.
Comment by Anon — 15 May
David Cook is the true American Idol star and deserves to be crowned to American Idol Star of 2008!!
He has so much potential and charisma that he will be long known on American Idol. I think David Archuleta has the same voice every week, even though he can make songs his own. He makes me mad when he sings because if it a song a like, he makes me want to burn in and smash it to the ground because it doesn’t sound like that, at least not as well.
On the other hand, David Cook can make it into an attractive song, that makes you want to hear more after it was over. When he sang -”The first time I saw your face”- I wanted to hear the whole song it was so good!
HE is the one!
HE will win American Idol 2008
Sorry David A., but you stink at singing!
Comment by Jeff — 20 May
Simon’s lack of knowledge in music is so apparent; as stated by others, Cook is not original AT ALL! Simons been duped and his ignorance is abvious. Money can’t buy you intelligence, Simon. Go back to UK, AI is so manipulated is really getting old. Young David’s talent is there for the world to see, he’ll be around alot longer than Simon!
Comment by Aim — 18 May
Cook is by far the much better performer. He has the advantage of age and experience that he can lend to his performances.
At this point, Archuletta is like a Chevy Caprice. Dependable and consistant but at the end of the day, no one sees one go by and thinks, damn, I’d love to have one of those! Archuletta sings all the right notes, emotes appropriately but you never really get the feeling that he FEELS the song.
Comment by Fenix — 16 May
I think everyone just needs to realize that they are both very deserving for the title of American Idol. They both have two different styles and appeal to two different audiences. No one can undermine David Archuleta. Vocally, he has it and he’ll learn how to have even better stage presence as he goes along. David Cook may appear better on stage but that doesn’t mean he deserves it anymore than Archuleta because he has other weaknesses. My vote is for David A. He is the true meaning of an American Idol! His amazing voice, his humility, his goodness, and the way he lives his life most importantly. His talent is unbelievable and he will go so far whether he wins or not. I would bet anyone on it. He will not be a failure.
Comment by Stacy — 20 May
I’ve got mixed feelings about this. While I’m happy Simon has recognized DC as very deserving of his place in the Top 2, and has recognized he’s taken many risks and really has worked hard, I think its a little unfair for Archie, considering I like BOTH Davids.
Nonetheless though, I’m leaning more towards DC. DA has a WONDERFUL voice, great control, and clearly beats DC in the vocal department, he deserves his spot as well. But at the same time, he’s never really done anything with his songs to make him that interesting. DC has done that almost every week.
Some say DC “isn’t as original as everyone thinks” due to his performances where he’d done versions of songs that other people had done, but I think the contrary. He DID do Chris Cornell’s version of Billie Jean, and Doxology’s Elenor Rigby, but those were only two out of 18 performances (number songs he’s done since top 14). Everything else was on his own.
I’m also hearing comments like “this is a singing competition, Archie has the best voice, therefore, he should win” and while I agree, this is a singing competition (while it tends to be a popluarity contest of who’s best looking instead, most of the time -_-’) But it is at heart, a competition of finding the next “idol” the next music artist, and for that, you need a good voice, stage presence, a good personality, and having creativity doesn’t hurt. DC has all of that. He may not have Archie’s vocals, but he’s proven he can carry a tune and sing low and high, and while he’s a bit cocky, he’s shown he’s a nice person. He deserves his spot in every way. Sadly, I feel like Archie’s presence is lacking. He’s sweet, but he doesn’t keep me quite as glued to the screen. His voice makes up for it though, so its not to say Archuleta doesn’t deserve his spot. In the end, I’ll be smiling no matter who comes out on top.
Comment by Nalani — 19 May
I don’t want to undermine D. Cook because I think he is great and I would most definately purchase his CD. However, come on give me a break. D. Cook is not as original as you think. The renditions of his songs are great but they have been performed already by other artist. Cook is just getting the credit for them because those song versions are not that well know. D. Archuletta however is the guy that can take a song and change it to make it his own. Thats an original and not to mention he has great vocals. Listen to Dolly Parton, Archuletta has the voice to be a Great Great Singer. This is AI and it is a singing competition. I love them both but Archuletta deserves the AI Crown for 2008.
Comment by Dominick — 16 May
I have allways been a huge fan of Simon. But not anymore. Like you allways said this is a singin competition and we all knows who has the best woice ever in this competition. I thought you are honest, but you are only thinking of money. Thought you have enough.
Comment by Nina — 16 May
I just want to say that the most of you posting are right. Dave is “one of the humblest and grateful people on the show”. I Know him and he has always been that way. Even after, or during this experience he has stayed true. Go Cook!
Comment by Ben — 15 May
I have to agree with Simon. Archuleta has a wonderful, strong, balladic crooner voice, but he’s just so we’ve-heard-that-all-before-already. Cook’s voice and style are arresting the first time you hear him, he’s definitely something original in a very much needed uber-masculine way. I personally am tired of all the singers who’s voices and styles seem to merely pander to what’s already available out there. Cook, however, is a preciously rare and original commodity.
Comment by John — 15 May
I agree with Simon.
SHOULD win: David Cook
but in terms of having to really NEED the win, I think David Archuleta WILL win.
Oh and, the Jonas Brothers will perform next week, so … votes galore from Archuleta’s fans.
I never thought David Cook was pimped from the very beginning. I know that Archuleta was the one being pimped since Auditions. And it was a bit questionable since he only has a good singing voice not much of a stage presence. Also Cook, in my opinion, wasn’t one of the original front-runners. My guess the original ones were David Archuleta -still-, Carly Smithson and Michael Johns. David Cook became one of the front-runners when he started with “Hello” or probably “Eleanor Rigby”.
My say, that he wasn’t pimped enough.
David Cook earned this spot and he deserves to win. He is very creative and that is one of the qualities of a true artist.
Comment by jenna — 16 May
You say David Cook has an advantage over David A. Let me see, didn’t David A have his dad who is a musician? David Cook is a singer or all kinds of music. That is a performer!!!!!!!!!!!!
Comment by Marnie — 15 May
I think both David’s are brilliant in their own way but for me David Cook has the edge – when he sang
“First Time ever I saw your face” it made all the hairs on my arms stand on end – fantastic interpretation – can’t wait for his first album and hope it includes “First time”.
Comment by Val Treloar — 16 May
Thank You David Cook!! You have been one of the most heartfelt contestants on AI that I have seen. Singing to someone you truely love (his brother) made him familiar and fantastic! One could only hope that a Presidential candidate could be soooo classy and sincere. Thank you David for being so real.
Comment by Alison Herald — 22 May
David A with the nutbar possessive father who was banned from this week’s show? Wake up honey! The boring baladeer is just that – talented, yes, but BOOOOOOOORING. DC all the way. I’ll NEVER buy any CD that DA produces – however swear that I’ll buy anything and everything DC releases. I can get DC stuff on any MUZAK elevator.
Comment by fwm — 16 May
Sorry folks – re my last posting – slip of the sticky fingers. Of course I meant that DA stuff is MUZAK bound – NEVER NEVER EVER DC.
Comment by fwm — 16 May
Shame on Simon Cowel! He is really being UNFAIR to David Archuleta by his obvious remarks about the fact he wants D. Cook to win-isn’t that propaganda??? I’m really disappointed in Simon Cowel’s remarks and he should be censored by A.I. Archuleta has the best voice by far and he has really worked hard to get where he is! I think D. Cook is pompous and conceited.D.Archuleta has a voice that is naturally amazing and it is the REAL thing! He is the best! Connie
Comment by connie barton — 16 May
David Archuleta deserves to win American Idol! He’s just THE BEST! Cook can’t sing as well as Archuleta! Actually,except the songs ”hello”,”the first time ever I saw your face” and ”i don’t wanna miss a thing”,which were good choices and he got to sing them a little bit better,all that he have sung was terribly bad! I like David Archuleta because his voice is wonderful and he is very humble in spite the fact that he has everything to win this competition!…This is really admirable! To sum up ,as Randy said, Archuleta is there to WIN!
Comment by shanna — 15 May
Simon is absolutely right ! David Cook deserved to Win American Idol!
Comment by Almira Marcial — 17 May
im sick of archuleta’s voice, he sounds the same week after week. Simon is always right and david cook must win.
Comment by jomar — 18 May
“D Archuletta is the guy that can take a song and make it is his own” – put new batteries in your hearing aid whoever posted the last blog. DA talented but just plain boring and what songs did he make his own, except turn them into elevator music. I too think that he will win (because of the minions of teeny bopper lemming girls), but hope to the powers that be (and common sense plus just plain hearing ability) that David Cook will triumph – and deservedly so.
Comment by fwm — 17 May
david archuleta is the most amazing singer i have ever heard! he’s so original and really puts some soul into his music. his voice is so pure, its like the voice of an angel!
david cook is ok, but hes too much like everyone else. the whole “rocker thing” going on. its so unoriginal. hes no where NEAR as good as archuleta!! and hes kinda cocky too
sorry guys. archuleta will win!!!!! :) i know he has my vote!
Comment by lindsey — 21 May
David Cook should win American Idol.
This guys’ win will bring back credibility to the show. He is going to be super hugh after the show is over. He is the epitome of what American Idol is about…finding a pop singer…not a boring baladeer. Archie will NEVER get Pop radio play and will be destined to become another failure. David Cook has massive appeal. He has the guy votes, the females anywhere from 10 to 50, and he is cute, intelligent, a brilliant song writer and arranger…this is what I want winning idol. He is by far the most talented contestant I have ever seen on Idol in all seven seasons.
America get it right….we are going to be hearing a lot of great music from this guy.
Comment by mare — 15 May
David Cook is by far the best. He is connected in every way. My votes on him – I cant get enough of his music!
Comment by AngieSA — 19 May
Both Davids are talented, but I’d go for the kid. He’s vocally on point most of the time, and Cook’s innovation of slurring and shouting the lyrics just to make it “fresh” doesn’t appeal to me. And much more than talent is lovable factor, and Archuleta has that. So say what you want, but the votes will go for Archie.
Comment by dor6 — 15 May
Um how rude of Simon. He’s being reallyyy unfair. David A deserves to win this competition, its a singing contest, David A has the much better voice. And he’s such a sweet kind person from what i’ve seen on tv, he’s just happy to be there and he’s grateful. He definitely HAS to win over David cook
Comment by Chelsea — 19 May
I was so happy when both David’s were left. I think they’re both the best, just different. I know years ago there was a tie. I wish that could happen again.
Comment by Jacalyn Laera — 15 May
David Cook is hands down the most talented contestant on AI this season and probably EVER in series of the show. He is destined for super-stardom and does not need “pimping” from Simon for everyone to realize that’s a fact! I agree with Simon that based on DC’s incredible performances week in and week out, he should be crowned the next AI.
David Cook is also one of the humblest and grateful people on the show – you can tell by the way he interacts with the other contestants. He is always applauding them and giving them their due even during his limelight(case in point was last night when he pointed back to David A and Syesha when Ryan called him an outstanding competitor in the show).
He is a wonderful person, singer, and musician!
Comment by LuvDC — 15 May
david cook will definately win this season on american idol.
Comment by jessiegirl 16 — 20 May
I LOVE DAVID COOK!!! He is such a giving person. AC stands for Adam Cook: David’s brother who has cancer.
Comment by jessiegirl 16 — 20 May
Simon Cowell is so lame and talentless. Yeah, he’ll climb out on a limb and say David Archuleta is the one to beat; then change his tune when he feels like it. Simon is no judge. Archuleta is the greatest voice to have ever been on Idol. At least Randy knows this.
Comment by Liz Hoffmann — 18 May