If it were purely based on talent David Archuleta would win. Carly Smithson should have been in the top three. The other spot should go to David Cook or Syesha Mercado.

But it is more a popularity contest, so the one that most appeals to people who will repeatedly call in to vote (teenage girls) will win. That could explain why Jason Castro is still in it and why Syesha is in the bottom two or three every week.

Instead of having people call in to vote for their favorites, I think it would be better if you called in to vote for who you want eliminated. If that were the case Brook would be gone by now, and Christy Lee Cook would have gone weeks before she did.

[Woo Hoo, she’s gone!!HALELUYAH!!! Now I can truly say, AMERICA did GREAT this time. I’m so glad that brook is gone!!!! She should stay at home and sing to her kids so that they can fall asleep quick.  Thank you, thank you.  Now I say good luck to rest and Jason should be next to go.

Yeah, I think it’ll be ‘the two David’s’ in the final.

We feel the people of this country got it right with David Cook!! He covers such a wide range with his voice. We have been rooting for him all season. Simon gave us pause when he announced that David A. had won the Tues competition, and we couldn’t figure what in the world he was hearing; American Idol is such a wonderful program, and we will greatly miss it. Until next season!!!

David Archuleta is one classy and adorable guy. Although he had the best voice and stage presence, his youth and innocence along with his upbeat and smiley ways was too sugary for many.  Their loss.  It wasn’t supposed to be a personality contest, but a talent contest.

I liked Cook too, but Archuleta is way ahead of his years in poise and ability, and has the makings of a superstar.  I predict that it will be Archuleta that gets the next grammy of the American Idols alumni.

Cook is good, but there is nothing that sets him apart from the likes of others such as Daughtry or any of a number of rock singers.  A dime a dozen.  Cook is a very nice guy though, and I wish him well.

Babalú - 27 April 2008 07:46 AM

If it were purely based on talent David Archuleta would win. Carly Smithson should have been in the top three. The other spot should go to David Cook or Syesha Mercado.

But it is more a popularity contest, so the one that most appeals to people who will repeatedly call in to vote (teenage girls) will win. That could explain why Jason Castro is still in it and why Syesha is in the bottom two or three every week.

Instead of having people call in to vote for their favorites, I think it would be better if you called in to vote for who you want eliminated. If that were the case Brook would be gone by now, and Christy Lee Cook would have gone weeks before she did.

“If it were purely based on talent David Archuleta would win.” end quote

Correct.

I wasn’t totally surprised. I’ve overhead some of the music my 19 year old son listens to, and Cook’s gruff style is more popular than Archuleta’s crooning—and I think this is borne out in the large margin of his victory. Cook was decent all season long—he’s similar to Chris Daughtry, who we’ve seen has done quite well.

namjah - 22 May 2008 08:31 AM

I wasn’t totally surprised. I’ve overhead some of the music my 19 year old son listens to, and Cook’s gruff style is more popular than Archuleta’s crooning—and I think this is borne out in the large margin of his victory. Cook was decent all season long—he’s similar to Chris Daughtry, who we’ve seen has done quite well.

Yes, Cook wasn’t the most talented, he was the most liked.

For me, I’ll be snapping up the Archuleta records.

MICHAELAJV - 22 May 2008 08:39 AM

namjah - 22 May 2008 08:31 AM

I wasn’t totally surprised. I’ve overhead some of the music my 19 year old son listens to, and Cook’s gruff style is more popular than Archuleta’s crooning—and I think this is borne out in the large margin of his victory. Cook was decent all season long—he’s similar to Chris Daughtry, who we’ve seen has done quite well.

Yes, Cook wasn’t the most talented, he was the most liked.

For me, I’ll be snapping up the Archuleta records.

Whether Archuleta was “more talented” is debatable, of course. There are contestants who weren’t selected as the idol who have been more successful than the person America chose. I believe Cook may end up being more successful in the long run—it’s his musical stylings (certainly a talent) that are more in tune with today’s sound. That said, I won’t be “snapping up” either of their records.

namjah - 22 May 2008 11:57 AM

MICHAELAJV - 22 May 2008 08:39 AM

namjah - 22 May 2008 08:31 AM

I wasn’t totally surprised. I’ve overhead some of the music my 19 year old son listens to, and Cook’s gruff style is more popular than Archuleta’s crooning—and I think this is borne out in the large margin of his victory. Cook was decent all season long—he’s similar to Chris Daughtry, who we’ve seen has done quite well.

Yes, Cook wasn’t the most talented, he was the most liked.

For me, I’ll be snapping up the Archuleta records.

Whether Archuleta was “more talented” is debatable, of course. There are contestants who weren’t selected as the idol who have been more successful than the person America chose. I believe Cook may end up being more successful in the long run—it’s his musical stylings (certainly a talent) that are more in tune with today’s sound. That said, I won’t be “snapping up” either of their records.

Having experience with singing and performing myself, and in competing, Archuleta has the superior singing ability. 

Cooks “styling” is in tune with many teens and young adults.  Not everyone though.  And this is the area where he won the competition.  Plus, he’s not considered sugary sweet, like many others thought Archuleta was.  It was unfortunately a detriment.  It shouldn’t have been, but it was.

I think that Archuleta will prove to have the staying power over Cook, because his abilities will win out in the end.  Time will tell!

MICHAELAJV - 22 May 2008 02:04 PM

namjah - 22 May 2008 11:57 AM

MICHAELAJV - 22 May 2008 08:39 AM

namjah - 22 May 2008 08:31 AM

I wasn’t totally surprised. I’ve overhead some of the music my 19 year old son listens to, and Cook’s gruff style is more popular than Archuleta’s crooning—and I think this is borne out in the large margin of his victory. Cook was decent all season long—he’s similar to Chris Daughtry, who we’ve seen has done quite well.

Yes, Cook wasn’t the most talented, he was the most liked.

For me, I’ll be snapping up the Archuleta records.

Whether Archuleta was “more talented” is debatable, of course. There are contestants who weren’t selected as the idol who have been more successful than the person America chose. I believe Cook may end up being more successful in the long run—it’s his musical stylings (certainly a talent) that are more in tune with today’s sound. That said, I won’t be “snapping up” either of their records.

Having experience with singing and performing myself, and in competing, Archuleta has the superior singing ability. 

Cooks “styling” is in tune with many teens and young adults.  Not everyone though.  And this is the area where he won the competition.  Plus, he’s not considered sugary sweet, like many others thought Archuleta was.  It was unfortunately a detriment.  It shouldn’t have been, but it was.

I think that Archuleta will prove to have the staying power over Cook, because his abilities will win out in the end.  Time will tell!

I agree. 

I also think that winning the competition may not turn out to be so great for Cook.  He wants to be a rocker, but the whole commercial aspect of American Idol is a bit anathema to the Rock n Roll ethos.  We don’t even know if he can write his own songs which, for me at least, is part of what makes a great rock artist.  And his guitar playing looks to be strumming simple chords, nothing too elaborate.  Sure the kiddies will buy his first couple of records, but in time they’ll outgrow him.

On the other hand, talent like Archuleta’s has more staying power.  The people who buy Josh Grobin, Michael Buble or Seal records are not as likely to dump an artist while they follow the latest trend.

Babalú - 22 May 2008 09:15 PM

On the other hand, talent like Archuleta’s has more staying power.  The people who buy Josh Grobin, Michael Buble or Seal records are not as likely to dump an artist while they follow the latest trend.[/color]

But I don’t think the ‘Adult Contemporary’ market was the envisioned target for the American Idol winner.

namjah - 23 May 2008 06:28 AM

Babalú - 22 May 2008 09:15 PM

On the other hand, talent like Archuleta’s has more staying power.  The people who buy Josh Grobin, Michael Buble or Seal records are not as likely to dump an artist while they follow the latest trend.[/color]

But I don’t think the ‘Adult Contemporary’ market was the envisioned target for the American Idol winner.

I don’t think American Idol can afford to lose more viewership.  Viewership had been declining steadily for the last couple years, until this season.  Perhpaps if they did specifically target adult contemporary, the viewership would do better.  I know I’d love it.

Also there is and never has been any critieria for a certain type of style or music in order to win American Idol.  It’s supposed to be a talent contest, not a popularity contest.

MICHAELAJV - 23 May 2008 10:47 AM

namjah - 23 May 2008 06:28 AM

Babalú - 22 May 2008 09:15 PM

On the other hand, talent like Archuleta’s has more staying power.  The people who buy Josh Grobin, Michael Buble or Seal records are not as likely to dump an artist while they follow the latest trend.[/color]

But I don’t think the ‘Adult Contemporary’ market was the envisioned target for the American Idol winner.

I don’t think American Idol can afford to lose more viewership.  Viewership had been declining steadily for the last couple years, until this season.  Perhpaps if they did specifically target adult contemporary, the viewership would do better.  I know I’d love it.

Also there is and never has been any critieria for a certain type of style or music in order to win American Idol.  It’s supposed to be a talent contest, not a popularity contest.

Yes, but when American Idol started, contestants could be no older than 26—that tells you what market they were aiming at—and that’s not ‘Adult Contemporary’. It was targeted at young people.

namjah - 23 May 2008 01:03 PM

MICHAELAJV - 23 May 2008 10:47 AM

namjah - 23 May 2008 06:28 AM

Babalú - 22 May 2008 09:15 PM

On the other hand, talent like Archuleta’s has more staying power.  The people who buy Josh Grobin, Michael Buble or Seal records are not as likely to dump an artist while they follow the latest trend.[/color]

But I don’t think the ‘Adult Contemporary’ market was the envisioned target for the American Idol winner.

I don’t think American Idol can afford to lose more viewership.  Viewership had been declining steadily for the last couple years, until this season.  Perhpaps if they did specifically target adult contemporary, the viewership would do better.  I know I’d love it.

Also there is and never has been any critieria for a certain type of style or music in order to win American Idol.  It’s supposed to be a talent contest, not a popularity contest.

Yes, but when American Idol started, contestants could be no older than 26—that tells you what market they were aiming at—and that’s not ‘Adult Contemporary’. It was targeted at young people.

Whatever the age, whatever the style, it’s still a talent contest.