David Cook goes through the crowd after
being named the next American Idol.

Did your jaw hit the floor?

Did your heart stop?

Did your part of the world that came to a screeching halt like mine did?

I think When David Cook was named the new American Idol those in the room with me actually quit breathing. Kind of like I did.

What an unbelievable turn of events.

And you know what? It was the right call.

And it also would have been the correct decision if David Archuleta had won. I would have no problem with either one as the new Idol.

Like so many of you suggested Wednesday with your comments, Little David probably won the night of the finals, but Cookie won the season. I agreed with that sentiment, but I thought the two were probably so close in the voting that the ultimate tiebreaker would have come from the finals performance.

I was dead wrong, judging by the 12-million vote disparity.

David Cook will be a great American Idol, and both of the Davids will have outstanding careers.

My gut told me Tuesday night that David Archuleta had won, but my heart told me Wednesday night the right call was made when David Cook was announced as the new Idol.

What a classy young guy David Cook is — and so is David Archuleta.

But this night belonged to Cookie. He handled himself with such dignity, incuding making sure the audience gave Little David his fair due.

David Cook singing “Sharp Dressed
Man” with ZZ Top was a fantastic combination.

Even the pillar of apathy, Ryan Seacrest, seemed overcome with emotion at the end when David Cook was unable to hold back the tears.

What a perfect cap to a perfect season. This, without a doubt, was the finest overall year for the finest overall television show.

A friend sent an e-mail earlier this week concerning a story in the Baltimore Sun newspaper. It broke down how American Idol has changed various elements of not only television, but society in general, since its unbelievable run started seven years ago.

And all of those changes, according to the article, have been for the better.

I don’t know about you, but I feel good about David Cook being the new American Idol. And I feel good about life in general today.

Is this a great country or what?

Long live American Idol.

UNEXPECTED WORDS FROM SIMON

I applaud Simon Cowell for his closing remarks. He apologized to David Cook for what may have been interpreted as disrespect from the preceding night. Randy and Paula each babbled something unintelligible, and then Simon put a proper cap on the season.

Simon also said, “I want to congratulate both of you … and for the first time I don’t care who wins.”

I think that is how the large majority of America felt.

As for Carrie Underwood and that
white outfit … Holy Cow!

IDOL THOUGHTS

A few of the other highlights from Wednesday night:

• David Cook with ZZ Top, singing “Sharp-Dressed Man”: This is what Cookie was cut out to do. That was so-o-o-o his element, not that Collective Soul embarrassment from the preceding night.

• The Guitar Hero commercial with David Cook playing the role of Tom Cruise from the film “Risky Business.”

• Bryan Addams with the top six guys: The only drawback here was the return of David Hernandez. Does he really have to be part of the tour?

• Brooke White teaming with Graham Nash for “Teach the Children”: That was the Brooke we came to know and love.

• Carrie Underwood in that white outfit: Was part of it missing? Holy cow, Carrie! But I do like the Paris Hilton bangs.

• George Michael’s appearance: Can you say over the hill? Must have been a blue-light special at the Kmart of washed-up rock icons.

• Jack Black, Robert Downey Jr. and Ben Stiller performing as “The Pips” in support of Gladys Knight: It lasted a bit too long but was still hilarious.

FINAL THOUGHT

A sincere thanks to all of you who religiously read this blog and made the maiden voyage through this new experience with me.

We started out here about four months without a clue — and we still have none, but every step of this blogging journey has been a riot.

To Earl, West Side, Kim Platt, Cliff Compton, Courtney, Natalie, Tyler, Florida Al and others whose names escape me right now, you made this all worthwhile.

We’ll resume again in early January, but keep checking back for Idol updates during the upcoming months. (And we can still keep in touch on my “I Have A Lot to Share” blog.)

Until then, I leave you with these words:

“THIS … is American Idol!”

After David Archuleta’s rendition
of “Imagine,” was there any
doubt who the winner was?

Dim the lights and cue the music, ever so softly …

Imagine David Archuleta as the next American Idol.

It’s easy, if you try.

You may say I’m a dreamer, but I’m not the only one …

OK, I apologize, but I simply couldn’t resist. When Little David finished off the last note of John Lennon’s “Imagine” to close Tuesday’s championship round, was there even the slightest doubt who the next American Idol would be?

Archie came, he saw, he conquered.

I think we — and by “we,” I mean me — all probably felt sorry for David Cook by the end of what was arguably the finest American Idol finale in the show’s seven-year run. You could see it on his face. Even he knew he had been soundly beaten on this particular night. Cook’s performances were all solid, with one bordering on great, but Archuleta was magnificent from start to finish. Simply, simply magnificent.

And for those who argue it was just one night, I am not disputing that. But what we have to remember are two important things:

1. These two Davids entered the final night in virtually a dead heat, and they both have huge fan bases.

2. What will probably decide the championship is the swing vote, those who weighed in for Syesha in the semifinals and/or those casual voters who may have joined in for the first time on championship night. I would think they would likely lean to the hottest hand of the evening, and that, without question was Archuleta.

THE PERFORMANCES

DAVID COOK

Song 1: “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For,” U2

Comment: By far, Cookie’s best effort of the night. He felt it. It was everything we had come to expect of him and gave him an early edge right out of the box. The crowd was behind him and ready for a coronation.  Simon felt Cook was “phenomenal,” and he was.

Score: 10.

Song 2: “Dream Big.”

Comment: While he ended the song on a typical Cook power note, it just lacked some of those previous Cook intangibles. Simon said, “It didn’t feel like a winning moment.” As usual, Simon was right.

Score: 7

Song 3: “The World I Know,” Collective Soul

Comment: This one lost him the title. For one of the few times, Cook and the audience never connected and it was difficult watching. Since this song was a choice of his own, I think he would have been
much, much wiser to have brought back one of the numbers he had wowed
America with earlier in the competition. “Hello” by Lionel Richie or
the cover of “Billie Jean” by Doxology immediately came to mind about
30 seconds into “Dream Big.” A knockout performance in round three would have erased the “Dream Big” mistake in the middle round, but the song never took off, and I was left scratching my head, wondering why this guy we came to love did not play to his strength — that of the rocker — when it counted most.

Score: 5

TOTAL: 22

DAVID ARCHULETA

Song 1: “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me,” Elton John

Comment: Let me say up front, I normally hate this song. This one, “Bennie and the Jets” and “Honky Cat” are probably the only Elton John/Bernie Taupin songs I can honestly say I can’t stand. Now, let me say, I LOVED Archie’s version. He was more demonstrative than he had been all season. As judge Randy Jackson likes to say (all too often), Little David was in it to win it. Little did I know this was only a precursor of things to come. Much greater things. “My heart is still pounding and I have chills up and down my arms,” Paula said. “I am so excited tonight it is unbelievable.” And when Simon called it Little David’s finest performance ever, Archie had trouble holding back the tears. (This is why this show is so great. If you didn’t feel the emotion right then and there, you had better check your pulse.)

Score: 10.

Song 2: “In This Moment.”

Comment: Again, The Kid wowed me, and I’m not easily wowed. This is a stupid, sappy song and he hit a home run. The momentum really swung toward Archie at this point, and you could almost sense that he knew the title was his to grab.  “You are in the zone, dawg,” Randy said.

Score: 9

Song 3: “Imagine,” John Lennon.

Comment: Un-un-un-unbelievable. We had an American Idol party at our house last night, and every person there felt the same. We all agreed that Archie strategically saving “Imagine” for his third song was a stroke of calculated genius, especially the way the night unfolded. This was the song that drew us — and by “us,” I mean me — close to Little David early in the competition, the one that I have had ranked No. 1 among the Idols since the moment he sang it. And it is the one that sealed the deal.

Score: 10 (the song probably deserves at least a 15).

TOTAL: 29.

FINAL COMMENT: Anyone who has read this blog for any period of time knows I love “American Idol” more than any television show that has ever existed — Seinfeld is a close second, for those who were wondering — and this was far and away the most exciting and best overall season to date. For years, I have said nothing would ever top 2003 with Clay and Ruben, but this year blew that one away. Think of the talent that never even got near the final four or even the final six — singers like Michael Johns, Amanda Overmyer and Asia’h Epperson.

Maybe I am totally wrong and David Cook will be the new American Idol, and if he is, that’s great, too. He would be very deserving. But my gut — and my heart — says David Archuleta will be the one who is Idolized come tonight.

This season has been a long and crazy ride, starting in mid-January and building toward Tuesday’s grand finale. I can’t tell you how much fun this blog has been to do. I also plan on some sort of regular update schedule in the “offseason.” Keep checking back for Idol updates and other related topics.

Simon Cowell is hinting that “American Idol”
may be in need of an overhaul, including
replacing Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson.

In a recent Chicago Sun-Times article, Simon Cowell, a judge on the show and the man calling most of the key shots concerning its future, is featured saying the show may need an overhaul. That could include new judges to replace both Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson. He also hinted a new audition process could be needed. And maybe even a female co-host to work with Ryan Seacrest. He threw out a lot of radical possibilities.

If Paula or Randy or Ryan had suggested any of this, I would have immediately scoffed at any of those potential proposals — but Simon knows of what he speaks. There will definitely be changes on American Idol in 2009, and to what degree will be determined in the VERY NEAR future. Remember, auditions normally begin in late summer.

Why fix what isn’t broken, you ask?

Idol ratings — like most network shows — are off from a year ago. Idol’s Tuesday and Wednesday shows remain the top-rated programs on TV by large margins, but I agree with Simon. There needs to be tinkering before the process becomes stale. Idol has been around seven years, an eternity by today’s pop standards. It needs an injection of some sort of new juice.

In the baseball world, it is said to always trade a veteran player a year too early than try and trade him a year too late when he may no longer be in high demand. Simon’s right. Don’t wait for the ship to sink. Let’s make minor repairs right now.

DAVID COOK

Age: 25

Hometown: Blue Springs, Mo.

Audition city: Omaha

Favorite Quote: “Pain don’t hurt.” — Patrick Swayze, “Roadhouse.”

Musical Influences: Our Lady Peace, Big Wreck.

OUTLOOK: Chris Harris of www.mtv.com says, “For weeks now, David Cook, the 25-year-old husky-voiced rock dude from Blue Springs, Missouri, has ensured his survival on the seventh season of ‘American Idol’ by taking some fairly memorable pop and R&B hits, and putting his own sometimes-unique rock-and-roll stamp on them. It’s been his proven formula for success, and one he’s sticking to as the competition nears its (Tuesday) finale.

“Over the course of the last 10 weeks, Cook has turned pop standards like Mariah Carey’s ‘Always Be My Baby’ into bona fide rock cuts. He gave the same treatment to Lionel Richie’s ‘Hello’ and the Beatles’ ‘Eleanor Rigby’ — all songs the general public knows, but not in the way Cook interpreted them.

“With the exception of Michael Jackson’s ‘Billie Jean,’ which was a blatant (and admitted) cop on Chris Cornell’s cover of the song, Cook has been able to take these classics and make them his own. And the ‘Idol’ audience has repeatedly rewarded him with enough votes to push him through to the next week.

“I think that’s definitely helping him, for sure,” said Michael Slezak, a senior writer for Entertainment Weekly known for his “Idol” coverage. “But I also think he’s a really good singer and performer. I could definitely see him taking advantage of this Nickelback period. This is a time where that type of music is doing well, and fits quite easily into that world of radio play.

“David Cook seems to have held onto his credibility — about the type of singer he wants to be — throughout the competition. He hasn’t lost any of that. If Mariah Carey week didn’t do him in, what will? The thing is, you don’t expect to see [rock covers of pop songs] during ‘Idol.’ We’ve grown accustomed to people belting big songs. Cook doing something you don’t expect to see on the ‘Idol’ stage — I think that’s given him a real edge.”

DAVID ARCHULETA

Age: 17

Hometown: Murray, Utah

Audition city: San Diego

Favorite Quote: “You’ll never be lonely if you learn to befriend yourself.”

Musical Influences: Natalie Cole, Stevie Wonder, Kirk Franklin, Bryan Adams.

OUTLOOK: The Salt Lake City Tribune carried a recent article about what the post-Idol career of Archuleta may look like. Here are some excerpts:

“The (“American Idol”) winner receives a recording contract, which can lead to some sales due to the show’s widespread popularity. But what separates winners like Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood from a Taylor Hicks? Hicks, remember, won the competition in 2006, but quickly lost his recording contract due to low sales.

Nick Nanton, Los Angeles record producer and voting member of the Grammys: “I would advise David to focus on being the kind of singer he is. He strikes me as an adult contemporary singer, like a Josh Groban or Norah Jones, who could likely have some crossover success to the pop charts. If he tries to put on a show and look like something he’s not, he will get thrown to the wolves.”

Patty Williamson, school of Broadcast and Cinematic Arts, Central Michigan University: “The biggest hurdle Archuleta seems to have at the moment is his inability to connect emotionally to the material he’s singing. Critics and audiences are starting to question how much this young man wants to be doing what he’s doing, and how much is an agenda being pushed by a controlling stage dad. Archuleta is really not cut out for the rock-tinged pop music that has become Kelly Clarkson’s trademark, nor does he fit the musical theater track followed by Jennifer Hudson and Clay Aiken. I’d say Archuleta, from what he’s shown us on ‘Idol’ thus far, falls into more of a pop-balladeer genre, perhaps similar to the type of music sung today by Josh Groban or even the equally breathy John Mayer (without the sexual overtones). I’d dare say he’d also have an exceptionally successful career in Christian pop music.”

Todd Appleman, president, The Appleman (Communications) Group, Los Angeles: “Being a Mormon isn’t the cross to bear that it once was. Mitt Romney got past that in politics even though he dropped out of the presidential race for other reasons. And 40 years ago, the Osmond family navigated a lucrative career as well. All David Archuleta will need to do is find his own voice and he will do fine. If [Season 2 competitor] Clay Aiken can come out as a winner and say, ‘I’m not going to be the next Justin Timberlake,’ and still do fine, with the right management, David Archuleta’s prospects are bright.”

Cherie Kerr, Kerr PR, Santa Ana, Calif.: “As a publicist, I see no reason why he can’t be a pop icon given he is Mormon. Donny Osmond did it, and others with strong religious persuasions have done well, too, like Michael Jackson with the Jehovah’s Witnesses. If I were representing him, I would play down anything that might be too controversial or impede his success rather than exploit it. My big concern is the stability of his incredible voice. He has had past problems, and the demands this tour will might be difficult for him. But, [as for] religion, I don’t think that matters. Besides, with Jamie Lynn Spears and Lindsay Lohan, and now Miley [Cyrus] in Vanity Fair, David has an edge in coming on the pop scene as someone refreshing and clean — just what the public wants.”

Lyndsey Parker, Yahoo! Music writer: “I have always seen Archuleta as a Groban/Aiken-type, and could easily see him going in that direction: doing that type of adult-contemporary-leaning vocal pop.

”

PERFORMANCES OF THE YEAR

Here are my Top 20 performances from the final 12 Idol wannabes, updated following the quarterfinal and semifinal rounds:

1. David Archuleta: “Imagine.”
2. David Cook: “Hello”
3. Syesha Mercado: “Hello Again.”
4. Jason Castro: “Hallelujah.”
5. Jason Castro: “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.”
6. Ramiele Malubay: “You Don’t Have to Say You Love Me.”
7. David Cook: “Baba O’Riley.” (Teenage Wasteland)
8. Syesha Mercado: “One Rock and Roll Too Many.”
9. Kristy Lee Cook: “God Bless the U.S.A.”
9. Brooke White: “Here Comes the Sun.”
10. David Cook: “Billie Jean.”
11. Brooke White: “Every Breath You Take.”
12. Amanda Overmyer: “I Hate Myself for Loving You.”
13. David Cook: “First Time Ever I Saw Your Face.”
14. David Cook: “I’m Alive.”
15. Asia’h Epperson: “I Wanna Dance With Somebody.”
16. Michael Johns: “We Are the Champions.”
17. Asia’h Epperson: “Take Another Piece of My Heart”
18. Michael Johns: “Light My Fire”
19. David Cook: “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing.”
20. David Archuleta: “The Long and Winding Road.”
Honorable mention: Jason Castro, “Daydream.”

YOUR NEXT AMERICAN IDOL

David Cook will win in a record ballot, and it will be close. This should be the best finals competition since 2003.

Past predictions
2007: CORRECT. Jordin Sparks over Blake Lewis.
2006: CORRECT. Taylor Hicks over Kat McPhee.
2005: CORRECT. Carrie Underwood over Bo Bice.
2004: CORRECT. Fantasia over Diana DeGarmo.
2003: WRONG. I picked Clay Aiken over Ruben Studdard.
2002: (I didn’t start watching the show until 2003.)

David Cook and David Archuleta, the dream matchup we have waited for in the American Idol finals, became a reality in most dramatic fashion Wednesday night.

For the first time all season, my palms were sweating when Ryan Seacrest (finally) got around to telling us who was going to the championship round in the hour-long show’s closing moments.

How big was this? This week’s 56 million votes should be indication enough, but when the show ended, I switched to the Detroit vs. Kansas City baseball game on DirecTV (the Indians-A’s had already ended, for those wondering) and the first thing I hear is the broadcasters talking about David Cook reaching the American Idol finals.

Unbelievable.

“I have not seen any celebrity come to Kansas City with the fanfare he had,” said one of the Royals announcers. “This has put Kansas City on the (national) forefront.”

David Archuleta was the golden child, almost from the beginning of the four-month season. And deservedly so. Archie has taken some flack for his over-aggressive dad, for licking his lips too much in the early going and even for singing with his eyes shut, but he’s a likeable teenage kid. Good for him.

David Cook is another story altogether. He was little more than an afterthought until about the round of 12 when we, as Idol Nation, suddenly realized this guy is talented. Really, really talented.

My first finals prediction is this will be the best championship show since Ruben vs. Clay in 2003. I’m certain of it. But more about that in the days to come. Keep checking back here for Idol finals news.

And let’s not forget Syesha Mercado, the third-place finisher. While I don’t think she could have ever won an Idol competition, there were probably at least three seasons she could have at made the finals. She was in the right place but in the wrong year.

Syesha was up against a pair of juggernauts in David and David and never had a realistic chance, but she will have no trouble carving out a musical career. Enter another Andrew Lloyd Webber reference right about now.

Paula Abdul, the judge we love to hate — or at least make fun of — captured the moment, and did so perfectly.

“The world will remember these three,” she said.

I think she’s right.

David, David and Syesha were the best of the best season ever of Idol. (Well, except maybe for Michael Johns, Asia’h Epperson and Amanda Overmyer.)

TRIPS BACK HOME

I guess I’m just a softy at heart, but I love it each year when the Idols go back to their hometown for a welcome-back celebration.

When David Archuleta sang “Imagine” at his high school in Murray City, Utah, I had chills.

And when Syesha cried in the back of the limousine following her welcome home, wow … what great stuff.

And when David Cook got choked up at his parade in Blue Springs/Kansas City, Mo., I was wiping a tear from my own cheek. (Have I ever said how much I love this corny show?!)

FAVORITE QUOTE OF THE NIGHT

“You can’t help but think there is something bigger than you going on.” — David Cook.

IDOL SUPPORT GROUP

I’m considering starting an American Idol support group
after next week’s finals. Why? My gosh, do you realize how long it is until January when this whole deal starts up again?

I think I’m already getting depressed.

Syesha had her chance, but there
doesn’t seem to be any way she prevents
a David vs. David finale.

This is always one of my favorite weeks of any American Idol season, when the judges, producers and singers each get to select one song.

This normally separates the field in dramatic fashion, and Tuesday night was no exception. We have felt for weeks, maybe months, that the two Davids — Cook and Archuleta — were destined for the championship round.

This proved it.

Who’s going to win? I have no clue. Both of the Davids obviously have tremendous fan bases. This will be the closest voting in the history of the competition, and deservedly so. Not since Ruben Studdard and Clay Aiken have two finalists deserved to be co-Idols.

BREAKING IT DOWN

We’re not grading on any sort of curve. This is the semifinals, and the Rotund Stuffer is getting harder to please.

I was looking for something special, something that screamed at me that said he or she was extraordinary. I felt that in a few performances, but not to the extent where I any clear-cut favorite  emerged going into the finals.

ONE MORE THOUGHT

Before we get started, did anyone other than myself think Paula had some Botox work done lately?

ORDER OF SONG SELECTION:

Here was the order of the evening:

Song 1: Judges’ Choice.

Song 2: Idols’ Choice.

Song 3: Producers’ Choice.

DAVID COOK

Song No. 1: “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face,” Roberta Flack, selected by Simon Cowell.

Performance: The sight of his mother standing above the crowd as he sang this classic was the stuff of legends. Cook is on his way to becoming an American Idol legend, and this will be remembered as one of his top three efforts in a catalogue of great performances. Score: 9

Song No. 2: “Dare You to Move,” Switchfoot, personal choice.

Performance: I had to agree with Randy, it actually was a little pitchy. And it felt much like his “Baba O’Riley (Teenage Wasteland)” from the previous week. Just when it appeared to hit its zenith, it was over. Score: 7

Song No. 3: “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing,” Aerosmith, producers’ choice.

Performance: When he hit that last power note, I felt what Simon said moments later, “David Cook wins the night.” Score: 8

Total: 24.

Comment: He came from nowhere, was not even considered a factor when the round of 24 began. Now he is the man to beat, and that is going to be tough. Very tough.

DAVID ARCHULETA

Song No. 1: “And So It Goes,” Billy Joel, selected by Paula Abdul.

Performance: Just about flawless, although a little more musical accompaniment would have accented his vocal even more. The kid can sing. The kid can definitely sing. Score: 8.

Song No. 2: “With You,” Chris Brown, personal choice.

Performance: Wow. It was so refreshing to hear the teenager sing a teenage song. This went a long to further establish his credibility. It may not have totally worked, but a less-than-perfect Chris Brown offering may have been better than nailing a Michael Bolton or John Tesh effort. Score: 7.

Song No. 3: “Longer,” Dan Fogelberg, producers’ choice.

Performance: Diminutive David’s best performance of the night. I was never a big fan of Dan Fogelberg or his lyrics, but he made me like this song. Score: 8.

Total: 23.

Comment: Give him credit, especially with all of the trouble surrounding his overzealous father. He came through in style. There were no MOMENTS, but there were three solid performances. We’ll see him in the finals next week.

SYESHA MERCADO

Song No. 1: “If I Ain’t Got You,” Alicia Keys, selected by Randy Jackson.

Performance: Rather boring. Nothing special. Guess I’m a majority of one, because Randy, Paula and Simon all provided positive feedback. Sorry, the performance did little to change my mind that Syesha is No. 3. Score: 4.

Song No. 2: “Fever,” Peggy Lee, personal choice.

Performance: This one really surprised me — I loved it. Absolutely loved it. If nothing else, it showed more and more her future is on Broadway. This was everything “Proud Mary” wasn’t the week before. Simon may have had a point about the song not as contemporary as it could have been, but he was wrong when he said the performance was lame. I have a feeling that Lord Bulbous, Andrew Lloyd Webber, was watching and smiling. Score: 10.

Song No. 3: “Hit Me Up,” Gia Farrell, producers’ choice.

Performance: Better than the first, much weaker than the second. Score: 7.

Total: 21.

Comment: I tried to think of a season in which Syesha might have won the competition and I couldn’t. I think she may have finished second to Fantasia Barrino in season three, but she could never have finished first. That said, it doesn’t mean she can’t — or won’t — have a great career.

THIS WEEK’S RANKINGS
Last week’s rankings are in parentheses

1. (1.) DAVID COOK: Meet your next American Idol.

2. (2.) DAVID ARCHULETA: But the little guy will make it interesting.

3. (3.) SYESHA MERCADO: She fought a good fight.

READY, SET, GO: Syesha, it’s been a great journey.

There were no tears, only
smiles after Jason Castro’s
elimination on Wednesday.

He handled it well.

Jason Castro left the American Idol competition the way he came in — with a smile and having a good time. In between, he provided us with some of the season’s top performances.

And unquestionably, some of the worst.

When he was told he had been eliminated Wednesday night, there were no tears, only smiles.

He knew it was time.

“Next week we would have had to sing three songs,” he said. “I don’t know what I would have done.”

We don’t either, Jason.

Admittedly, I was pretty hard on him in yesterday’s blog, but fact was he was terrible Tuesday night.

In parting fairness, however, when we look back at season seven of this marvelous show, Jason Castro will definitely be one of the highlights, and not only because of those crazy dreadlocks. His interpretations of “Hallelujah” by Leonard Cohen and “Somewhere over the Rainbow” by Israel “Iz” Kaʻanoʻi Kamakawiwoʻole were tremendous.

Yo, Jason, thanks for the ride. Parting is such sweet sorrow, dude.

THE FINAL THREE

Looking at the final three from all seven seasons, I’d have to rate this year’s trio No. 2 all-time.

Post-Idol success was not considered in the following rankings, simply that season’s overall quality of performances.

Here are my rankings, see if you agree:

1. 2003: Ruben Studdard, Clay Aiken, Kimberly Locke.

2. 2008: David Cook, David Archuleta, Syesha Mercado.

3. 2005: Carrie Underwood, Bo Bice, Vonzell Solomon.

4. 2006: Taylor Hicks, Kat McPhee, Elliott Yamin.

5. 2002: Kelly Clarkson, Justin Guarini, Nikki McKibbin.

6. 2007: Jordin Sparks, Blake Lewis, Melinda Doolittle.

7. 2004: Fantasia Barrino, Diana DeGarmo, Jasmine Trias.

UPON FURTHER REVIEW

Best No. 2 finishers

1. Clay Aiken
2. Blake Lewis
3. Bo Bice
4. Kat McPhee
5. Justin Guarini
6. Diana DeGarmo

Best No. 3 finishers

1. Kimberly Locke
2. Elliott Yamin
3. Melinda Doolittle
4. Nikki McKibbin
5. Vonzell Solomon
6. Jasmine Trias

I have seen a vision.

And it is good.

If ever there had been any doubt who will — well, make that SHOULD — be in the American Idol finals, that question was settled Tuesday night.

David Cook, meet David Archuleta. See you in the championship round.

Syesha Mercado, meet Jason Castro. Could we have a double disqualification Wednesday and be rid of both of you, reminiscent of the 1988 unification pro wrestling bout between Jerry "The King" Lawler and Kerry "The Modern Day Warrior" Von Erich? Sometimes a double-DQ can be just what is needed.

Why put us through another week of waiting for the David vs. David matchup we have been talking about and waiting for months to materialize. We are THAT close.

David Cook, 25, is so confident, so intelligent of a musician and so aware of what is needed to be a rock star it will be a crime if he is denied a chance to vie for the championship .

David Archuleta, 17, possesses none of Cook’s natural savvy, but the boy can sing. And in recent weeks, Little David has shown us some different sides of himself, levels of talent we had begun to question and wonder if they even existed.

While I graded Cook slightly better (see below) than Archuleta during Tuesday’s quarterfinals, the night was realistically a toss-up. We could spar about who had the better night between now and next week and would not get anywhere. It would resemble one of the conversations with my life coach and blogging cohort, Kelly Wilson. We go round and round about something almost every day — and even though I am most certainly right about whatever the subject might be — there is never a true winner in our verbal volleys.   

Let’s break down Tuesday night:

DAVID COOK

First song: "Hungry Like the Wolf," Duran Duran.

Song selection: 9. It would be difficult for Cook to screw up a song selection too badly because of his incredible versatility.

Performance: 8. For Cook, it was not spectacular, but it was solid. On Cook’s worst nights he is normally better than any of the other competitors. He seems to have this incredible feel for the stage. That is one major, major advantage he has over Archuleta. More than anything else, it comes from experience.

Second song: "Baba O’Riley," The Who.

Song selection: 10. A great, great choice. The song is often referred to as "Teenage Wasteland," but by whatever name you know it, David Cook nailed it. I only wish he could have sang more of it.

Performance: 9. Not a "10" because I thought he slightly muffed one line in the middle, but I realize that’s like criticizing Rod Stewart if he blows one lyric in a two-hour concert.

Total: 36

DAVID ARCHULETA

First song: "Stand By Me," Ben E. King.

Song selection: 9. This was a natural selection for his style. I was impressed that Archie went retro on us with a pair of older selections. He often says he is not that familiar with some of the older music, but I think he might be trying to fool us by playing the young-and-innocent card.

Performance: 7. It wasn’t awe-inspiring, nor on par with either of Big David’s, but it was light years ahead of the night’s third male contestant. More about that in a minute.

Second song: "Love Me Tender," Elvis Presley.

Song selection: 8. This was a strange one for me and I wondered what he would do with it, play it straight and add his own touch.

Performance: 9. He added his own flair and it worked well. While not as adept as Big David when "making a song his own," he is learning and learning rapidly. He remains the best balladeer of the bunch, which could come in handy in a couple of weeks.

Total: 33.

SYESHA MERCADO

First song: "Proud Mary," Tina Turner.

Song selection: 10. A tremendous song for her to do. I was genuinely excited and thought the Syesha roll might continue for a third week.

Performance: 3. I was wrong. It was stilted and lame from the start and I simply wanted it to end.

Second song: "Change is Gonna Come," Sam Cooke.

Song selection: 3. This was a night to rock, and this was not a song to pick. This was not a night to make a political statement. Yes, there is plenty wrong with the world where we live. But I don’t want to have to think about it between 7-8 p.m. on Tuesdays.

Performance: 8. Nothing technically wrong with her pipes or the performance, but I would have rather heard her sing "Band of Gold" by Freda Payne.

Total: 24.

JASON CASTRO

First song: "I Shot the Sheriff," Bob Marley.

Song selection: 2. It’s a stupid song. It was always a stupid song. It will always be a stupid song. 

Performance: 2. You saw it. You get a "1" for just finding your way to the stage. I gave him a "2" because he didn’t forget any of the words … at least I don’t think he did.

Second song: "Mr. Tambourine Man," Bob Dylan.

Song selection: 1. Another terrible selection for this stage of the competition. It boils down to little more than a sing-a-long.

Performance: 1. He forgot the words. It’s the final four and he forgot the words. Overly critical? I don’t think so. We pummeled Brooke White earlier in the competition for the same thing. "Jason, I’d pack your suitcase," judge Simon Cowell said. Couldn’t have said it better myself.

Total: 6.

THIS WEEK’S RANKINGS
Last week’s rankings are in parentheses

1. (1.) DAVID COOK: This guy might be the most accomplished artist EVER in this competition. He’s not as over-the-top as Bo Bice was and he has a better stage presence than Daughtry did.

2. (2.) DAVID ARCHULETA: I still think that 10 years from now we will be talking about him as the second coming of Josh Groban. And believe me, that’s not a bad thing. I don’t think Archie will be a rock star, but he will be tremendously successful. He will immediately be a major star on the adult contemporary scene.

3. (3.) SYESHA MERCADO: A year from now, Syesha will be starring in an Andrew Lloyd Webber production somewhere. And believe me, that’s not a bad thing either.

4. (5.) JASON CASTRO: He may have turned in the worst overall night in the seven-year history of American Idol.

READY, SET GO: Jason Castro. Anyone else would be a travesty.

Brooke White was adorable and a sweetheart,
but her performances had tailed off
noticeably in the past month.

I’m sad today.

I’m sad because I’ll miss Brooke White, the latest American Idol finalist to be ousted.

Sure, it probably should have been Jason Castro, but Brooke deserved to go, too. For the most part, her performances have tailed off noticeably during the last month.

But through most of the season she was adorable, a sweetheart. For one three-week period, I even wanted to marry her.

The casual watcher of American Idol cannot understand the emotional attachment that develops. We’ve been living and dying with these people for more than three months, sometimes as many as three times a week.

It’s not easy being an Idol fan. At times, it can be excruciating.

The final five minutes of Wednesday night’s show represented some of the most heart-stopping television I have ever seen. Brooke’s final song was tough to watch, and when she turned and walked away I didn’t want the show to end.

I’ll miss you, Brooke.

NEXT WEEK

Supposedly, the theme will be songs that shaped/inspired rock and roll. The finalists will have a catalogue of 500 songs from the Rock Hall of Fame — in beautiful Cleveland, Ohio, home of Grady Sizemore, C.C. Sabathia and the Cleveland Indians — to choose their material.

At last, and in fairness to the Idol finalists, this is something that could provide some awe-inspiring efforts. Of course, with Jason, you never know.

IDOL THOUGHTS

More from Wednesday night:

• Neil Diamond’s “Pretty Amazing Grace” was pretty amazing. I listened to it twice after getting home from the Deery Brothers Summer Series event at Quincy Raceways (this is what you call a shameless cross promotion).

• Natasha Bedingfield was pretty sweet, too. Let’s make her a regular.

• 45 million votes this week. Holy crap.

IDOL MOMENTS

Here’s my top 20 performances of the season to date:

1. David Archuleta: “Imagine.”

2. David Cook: “Hello”

3. Syesha Mercado: “Hello Again.”

4. Jason Castro: “Hallelujah.”

5. Jason Castro: “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.”

6. Ramiele Malubay: “You Don’t Have to Say You Love Me.”

7. Syesha Mercado: “One Rock and Roll Too Many.”

8. Kristy Lee Cook: “God Bless the U.S.A.”

9. Brooke White: “Here Comes the Sun.”

10. David Cook: “Billie Jean.”

11. Brooke White: “Every Breath You Take.”

12. Amanda Overmyer: “I Hate Myself for Loving You.”

13. David Cook: “I’m Alive.”

14. Asia’h Epperson: “I Wanna Dance With Somebody.”

15. Michael Johns: “We Are the Champions.”

16. Asia’h Epperson: “Take Another Piece of My Heart”

17. Michael Johns: “Light My Fire”

18. David Archuleta: “The Long and Winding Road.”

19. Jason Castro: “Daydream”

20. Neil Diamond: “Pretty Amazing Grace.” (What a great song!!)

Free Asia’h Epperson.