If you’ve already read my on-the-scene blog about last night’s American Idol performance show, you may have picked up that I didn’t really have all that much to talk about, since the impressive size of the Nokia kept the stage at such a distance as it was a wee bit tricky picking out any telling details. And I do feel bad about that, PopWatchers (Smirkelstiltskin doesn’t, but then he’s still sleeping, so what do we care?); fortunately, I got to observe the Davids far more up-close-and-personal during the "winners walk" press event that followed the show in the basement of the Nokia lobby.
First up, a press conference with a couple dozen radio outlets, where Cook (right) and Archuleta (left) built on the mutual-appreciation society they’d started at the top of Tuesday’s show. When they were asked if they ever had a "competitive nature" about each other, Archie said "our biggest competition is ourselves." Cook took a difference approach: "I was a competitive kid growing up, but" — and at this point, he reached over to smoosh little David’s cheeks — "how could you compete against this face?! I want to get so mad at him, but then it’s like, Awwww." The crowd loved it, and Archie did too, though he did first reflexively jerk back from Cook’s attempted cheek-smooshing. Later, they were asked about their post-Idol expectations, and Cook played it cool, stating that this very well could just be a great four-month ride. At which point, someone yelled out, "I like bartenders!" Cook smiled and replied, "I like bartenders, too," and then Archie warmly slapped Cook’s shoulder and said "Me too!" Much hilarity and adorably awkward grinning followed.
Next, the Davids were shuttled to a photo shoot with a long line ofsponsors — your Cokes, your Fords, your iTuneses, almost all of whosereps had their children in tow — and what struck me the most was howcompletely at ease David Cook especially handled the whole enterprise.I can’t imagine watching Daughtry, or Blake, or even Soul Patrol posingfor photo after photo with gladhanding corporate execs and not givingoff even a whiff of too-cool-for-schoolery, but Cookie handled it alllike a consummate pro. Archie took to it well, too, operating in hisstandard "gee, golly, gosh" mode, which I’ve come to feel is absolutelygenuine, especially after I realized that neither Mama nor PapaArchuleta was anywhere in sight the entire time.
Finally, they all made it to the press line, which is where they talked to me.Tonight, I’ll be speaking a bit more in depth with Mr. Archuleta, whilemy colleague Shirley Halperin will be sidiling up to Mr. Cook. Checkback tomorrow for all the backstage goodness!
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Mr. Cook, this is not a four month ride. You are stuck with us now–and our anxious expectation of your first post-Idol CD. Watching your performances has been a complete pleasure and I can’t wait to see and hear more, especially your own material!
Awwww. Good thing Smirkelstiltskin is asleep, otherwise he’d go into a diabetic coma. Thanks, Adam, and thanks for the write up earlier. It’s almost like being there…
Cookie’s humility totally comes across as genuine. No ‘tude at all…and no doubt we would have heard about it. Nice to hear Simon say he’s the nicest contestant ever. And IMO the most talented to come out of the Idol machine, too. At the risk of sounding stalker-like, it’s not a four month ride that we’ve gone on with him; I’ve got five songs of his on my iPod right now and look forward to adding more — no doubt his future CD which will be a huge hit. Here’s hoping he wins tonight…I think his bartending days are behind him regardless.
Im very pleased to see David Cook win the AMERICAN IDOL copmpetition my husband & i knew that he would win he is a gret singer & i hope to hear more from this talented singer.
Also were from Australia Good Luck mate!!..
Also David REMEMBER WHERE YOU CAME FROM, & DONT LET THE GOOD LIFE WRECK YA??
Congratulations David Cook…and to MY favorite, David Archuleta: I was so hoping you would win…but I will be waiting with baited breath for your first album…You will go far, just don’t ever compromise your standards.
Finally… a ROCKER!!!
Fav moments of the show:
Bryan Adams
Graham Nash and Brooke
Those pips with Gladys Knight – surprisingly enjoyable.
Worst moments:
The guru… that movie is gonna suck
The ‘group’ numbers
The cheesy song Cook was forced to sing as winner, but hey, next year he’ll get to do his own stuff!!!!!
Rock on and on and on and on…
In fact, I think the entire show was dedicated to rockers old and new. A great show; I too look forward to buying Cooks first CD. I’m especially excited to see him and the rest of the finalists this summer for the American Idols Tour in Ft. Lauderdale with my 9 y/o daughter/Cookie fan!
WOO HOO!!! I think I am REALLY happy that DC won!!!!! If he can only remember what Paula said “Be true to yourself”!!
Awesome show – in fact, the best finale in AI history! David Cook is a gifted performer, thoroughly likable and clearly humble. American Idol voters got it right! I am so glad the Tour show I decided to road trip to was KC! I’m going to be seeing me some David Cook! EW really has made this season a lot of fun – thanks to all of you.
Couldn’t be happier to see smug Simon Cowell, son of Rosemary and Satan, get his. To me, the contest did have a clear-cut winner — David Cook. Amazingly, America came through. Congrats to both singers, but woo freakin’ hoo for David Cook!
I absolutely love how the Davids are so good to each other.
GO DAVIDS!!!
You are BOTH great people and great talents and great winners.
CONGRATS to DCOOKIE AI7 and DARCHIE for being a great runner up!
Both Davids were extremely talented but the right David won and will sell lots of music. Anyone who can sing Dolly Parton, Neil Diamond and Andrew Lloyd Weber and send chills down my spine and make me download songs I wouldn’t normally listen to I think has a very special gift. Rock on David…you’re awesome!!!!
Did anyone else catch the F-Bomb dropped live when they came back from commercial before the Heroes duet? As they came back from commercial you could hear “Where the f*#k is the music…shove it…get the band” out of the right channel…
YAY COOK
Despite the judge’s attempts to manipulate the results, the best David won. Adults are the ones who buy CDs, not kids. And 10-year-olds had to stop voting at 10. Idol should wake up and take notice of who chose the winner. Just let him do his thing an sit back and watch the dough roll in. I’m so glad a grown-up won. David Cook may be the biggest star yet to come from this show. America got it right. Yea David C !!!!!
Yessireee, the right David won! I’ve said this in another blog, that I wasn’t a fan of his (I like Michael Johns), but have been converted when I heard his VoiceOver from the hometown video where David Cook acknowledges that there has to be something bigger working behind the scenes — this, in reaction to the overwhelming reception he got from his hometown. This is not an arrogant, self-centered man! I’m totally happy he won! …OMG! George Michael! He’ll always be THE MAN to/for me! I’ll see him in concert here in DC this July!!! LOVE HIM!!!
Well, I just got in from work and regretfully missed the finale tonight. Especially now that I know David Cook won. I thought for sure America was gonna vote another sappy pop like wannabee as idol. Even though Archie was definately great I think the best man won. Finally, someone with some substance and true talent for arranging songs and making us love whatever is was that he sang.
Simon, I love you but I think you tried to pull out an unfair victory with your comments last night. Totally uncalled for. But, luckily America was listening to David Cook instead of you this time. Anyways, can’t wait to hear more from the rocker. Congrats!!!!
CONGRATULATIONS TO DAVID COOK!!!!! And congrats to America for choosing the rightful winner
You gotta give Nigel credit, he knows how to put on a show; this was a fast paced show. Observations: Carrie Underwood’s costumes get shorter with each hit record. And her facial features have changed radically — is it the weight loss? Carrie: Put on some weight!
Carly still doesn’t know how to smile when she sings…she and Amanda look ANGRY! And I take back my liking Amanda….she looks so uncomfortable on stage….she’s definitely out of her element…David Hernandez & Rami proved they were karaoke level.
I absolutely hate it when the judges are pushed by the producers to declare a winner before the vote is in…what’s with that? They do it every single year….and they’re the only judges on TV who do that sh^**T! Don’t declare a winner, don’t declare that David won the night….just give them your opinion and be done with it.
So what was that compulsory forgettable song Cook had to sing at the end. Anyone remember?? It was taylor-made for Archie.
But I guess it wasn’t ‘his now’.
DAVID COOK WINNER! whoo hoo im soooo thrilled!! he rocked last nite
DC’s genre is not my choice. He didn’t plan on being a contestant. His brother , I believe, was going to try out and he just went with him. I still think the audience votes against Simon! All the judges agreed over and over that DA could sing anything! We shall see whose name we hear later on. Runner ups have done quite well on Idol.
I never got the impression that Taylor Hicks would ever have considered himself “too cool” for anything. He was always as affable as David Cook, even when AI throws them into cheese mode. Heck, that’s why Taylor Hicks won, cuz he seemed like a good guy who also happened to be really fun on stage. So what if he didn’t have a hit record, he made Season 5 entertaining. Don’t forget those who came before!