American Idol 7 News

With the American Idol finale behind us, and David Cook staring at a future as the show's champion in front of him, here's a look back at last night.

It was highlighted, of course, by Cook's triumph over David Archuleta. Here's a still shot of the winner, singing "Time of My Life."

Relive other moments from the finale below, from season seven finalists such as Carly Smithson and Jason Castro, to season four champion Carrie Underwood. Click on the following pics now for larger versions...

Congratulations to David Cook!

The former bartender knocked off David Archuleta by 12 million votes to capture the seventh season title on American Idol. Check out the winning announcement and Cook's subsequent performance of "Time of My Life" NOW.

Did you agree with the decision? Which David do you think will have a more successful career?

As you ponder those questions and send us your thoughts, click on each picture in the David Cook photo tribute below...

In my opinion, David, you came out here tonight to win. And what we have witnessed is a knockout. - Simon Cowell

Dude, you are so good tonight, you are exactly what this show is about: finding the best singer we can find and the best singer of season seven is right there! - Randy Jackson

To which American Idol finalist were these words spoken last night? David Archuleta, who will be crowned champion tonight of viewers vote the way Simon and Randy believe they should.

Are you on board with their assessments? Did Archuleta deliver a knockout blow to David Cook last night? (See the photo below for why we're talking in boxing lexicon).

Ask any young girl in the audience at the end of Archie's "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me" performance and the answer is clear: yes.

David Cook and David Archuleta came onto the stage, ready to rumble during the American Idol finals.

It's here.

The American Idol finals match-up we've all been hoping to see for the last few months. David Cook vs. David Archuleta.

Readers have been chiming in on their favorite all week, and we just wanted to give everyone one last chance to to publish their views before the two singers take the stage tonight.

So, now is the time to let us know -- Who do you want to win: David Cook or David Archuleta?

Be careful what you wish for.

So begins an MTV article that asks if the winner of this season's American Idol - guaranteed to be a male - can break the jink on past Idol winners of this gender.

While fans (and certainly producers) have been itching for what they hope will be the epic showdown between the Davids for months, now that the last woman standing, Syesha Mercado, has been tossed from the locker room, it's worth asking:

Do we really want a male "Idol"? Or, better yet, is there a jinx on male Idol winners?

Can David Archuleta sell records...

... or is David Cook the safer bet for a successful future?

Since season-one winner Kelly Clarkson took the mantle, two-thirds of "Idol" winners have been female and, to date, they have all managed to have very respectable (Fantasia Barrino, Jordin Sparks) if not superstar (Carrie Underwood, Clarkson) careers. The men, on the other hand, have had a less-stellar path.

In fact, so far, the two male winners, season two's Ruben Studdard and season five's Taylor Hicks, are the only top vote-getters to be dropped from their major-label deals.

Read the full article now and let us know: Do you think a male winner can succeed in the music business?

During a night where the final three contestant sung three songs - one they chose, one the judges chose and one the producers chose - David Cook was most impressive.

Paula Abdul said she'd see him in the finals and Simon Cowell declared Cook the evening's winner. Here's a look at our favorite finalist singing "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face."

Do you agree that David Cook was the best of the night?

Of course, David Archuleta and Syesha Mercado didn't go down without a fight. Here are thumbnails of each of their performances last night. Click on each for larger pics...

You didn’t beat the competition. You crushed the competition.

- Simon Cowell to David Archuleta, after the former finished his second song last night, "Love Me Tender."

I'd pack your suitcase.

- Simon Cowell to Jason Castro, after the former finished "I Shot the Sheriff" last night.

These two quotes pretty much summed up the performances of the final four last night. Syesha Mercado and David Cook were solid, while Castro was a mess and Archuleta was terrific.

Which of these finalists put on your favorite performance last night?

The final four contestants on season seven attend LOVE at The Mirage in Las Vegas. This Cirque du Soleil events highlights songs by The Beatles.

Check out Syesha Mercado, David Cook, David Archuleta and Jason Castro in attendance now:

If you aren't familiar with Neil Diamond, folks, you will be after this night. The finalists are singing two of his songs each, while the judges won't critique them until after the first performance. Can Simon Cowell hold his tongue that long?

Jason Castro gets us started with "Forever in Blue Jeans." Tempo and song-type fits Castro's style, but we're not fans of the lack of immediate judging. Who will even remember this rendition in an hour?

Up next? David Cook. He responds to Ryan's question about preparing for Neil Diamond week by asking Ryan how he prepared for it. Seems like a prepared segment, as Ryan went right into an attempt at humor by describing how he used to sing in front of the mirror with a hairbrush.

Cook sings "I'm Alive." He's wearing a coat that reads "AC" in the top left; David's initials are "DC." Get it?, rock fans!?

Now Brooke White is singing "I'm a Believer." She's strumming a guitar, she's got a smile plastered on her face, she's trying to bop up and down. We're not buying it. Especially after the "whooo!" she just tossed in. That was really bad.

Back from commercial and Ryan casually strolls down the aisle, talking about how fans can own a piece of every performance, thanks to iTunes. And, wouldn't you know it, he walks right by Playboy model Kendra Wilkinson! No way that was planned. (Don't ask how we knew it was her, please.)

Diamond refers to David Archuleta as "kind of a prodigy." Well, this quasi prodigy sings "Sweet Caroline," causing a certain Yankee fan we know to think even less of him.

It's time for "Hello Again" from Syesha Mercado. Is it just us, or does she look different every week?!? Must be the hair or something.

Quick judge thoughts on round one:

- Simon didn't like any of the performances; Randy referred to Archuleta as the "bomb" and, well, Paula critiqued Jason's second song, even though he's only sang one so far. Ummm.. check it out NOW.

Continue Reading...

There's only an hour-plus until show time, but here's a look at tonight's song list for American Idol, Neil Diamond style (each contestant will sing two songs):

• Brooke White -- "I Am ... I Said" and "I'm a Believer"
• Jason Castro -- "Forever in Blue Jeans" and "September Morn"
• David Archuleta -- "Sweet Caroline" and "America"
• Syesha Mercado -- "Thank the Lord for the Night Time" and "Hello Again"
• David Cook -- "I'm Alive" and "All I Really Need Is You"

WRITE IN AFTER THE SHOW ENDS AND LET US KNOW YOUR FAVORITE PERFORMANCE!