'American Idol' Banter: Which David rules this playground?

In a 2006 talk about America's obsession with precociousness, "New Yorker" writer and noted Big Idea guy Malcolm Gladwell made an interesting observation about what it means to be an adult.

"What a gifted child is, in many ways, is a gifted learner," he said. "And what a gifted adult is, is a gifted doer. And those are quite separate domains of achievement."

I can't think of a better summation of the difference between the two nascent stars who stepped into the "Idol" ring for the final time Tuesday night. (That, by the way, will be this piece's only reference to boxing. Framing this episode as "Rocky VII" really didn't work, though one understands why the producers found it irresistible).

David Archuleta is this season's Wonder Kid, a prodigy so innocent he seems like he fell out of a book by J.D. Salinger. He's awash in natural talent: there's that gorgeous vocal tone, and his stunning instinct for finding a song's melodic contours. But he's also proven himself adept at absorbing guidance. Allowing Andrew Lloyd Webber to persuade him to open those fluttery baby browns  -- a happy life lesson revisited tonight -- was an obvious case. The influence of his forceful dad, Jeff Archuleta, has been more fiercely scrutinized. But Archie's performances are what really prove that he's a gifted learner.

From his breakthrough "Imagine" (also reprised Tuesday, as a show-topper), to his reverential readings of Dolly Parton and Mariah Carey, to the uptempo numbers that foundered because he's just too uptight, Archuleta showed himself to be the ideal teacher's pet.

And his teacher? Certainly not judge Simon Cowell. No, it's pop itself, the clear source of all of this kid's comfort and emotional understanding. He is the latest embodiment of that wondrous, somewhat sad figure, the young dreamer who lives inside his chosen art form. The fondness many viewers feel for him reflects not only his singing talent but also the otherworldly aura that comes from Archie's utter absorption in the world of song. (That same quality makes others find him a bit creepy.)

David Cook, on the other hand, is a red-blooded, baseball-loving, starlet-dating, all-American doer. He came to "Idol" fully formed, his alternative rock credentials forged in the bars of the dusty Great Plains. The judges like to call him "original," but the gift that kept pushing him forward this season was savvy.

He unearthed the little-known bar-band trick of interpreting R&B songs indie-rock style (Cincinnati band the Afghan Whigs might have started this tradition way back in the mid-1990s), chose relatively obscure numbers by mentors Neil Diamond and Parton, and promoted his favorite just-under-the-radar bands (tonight's was Collective Soul) whenever he could.

His demeanor is cool; his favorite vocal strategy is to pull the notes out ever so slightly, lagging behind a song's beat, to create a sultry kind of tension. America thought he'd learned this from Eddie Vedder, maybe, but during Webber week, Cook admitted he'd been into high school musicals, and that's probably where he picked up his impressively understated style of raising drama.

Cook did develop during this season; his fashion sense has improved, for one thing, though is a faux-hawk really better than a post-Beatles mop comb-over? More important, he figured out a way to negotiate success on "Idol" without compromising his commitment to whatever vision of "alternative" he's living. (Given that he's consistently chosen to cover songs by bands with a spiritual if not overtly Christian bent, I'd wager he's not the super-decadent type.)

It's important for Cook's career that he has fully taken on the maverick role that the "Idol" judges thrust upon him early on. "For me, this whole thing has been a progression," he announced in the face of Cowell's criticism that he hadn't reprised a past episode's hit. "Why do something I've already done?" That is how a rock star thinks, at least when he's young. There will be plenty of time for Cook to revisit past glories in a mid-life comeback, circa 2028.

Anyway, following Gladwell's logic, the doer should have outclassed the learner in this ultimate test of "Idol" prowess. For weeks, Cook has been the front-runner, growing ever more assured as Archuleta trembled, getting ready for his next role as Chris Daughtry's little bro on the meat-and-potatoes rock circuit.

But it was Archuleta's night. Cook was credible singing U2 and enthusiastic with the songwriting competition number he chose, and (I discovered, returning to the moment on YouTube.com), his cover of Collective Soul had more panache than the original. But this final contest just didn't seem that important to him, even when he dropped a few tears mid-show. "I'm playing in front of 7,000 people," he said. "I feel great." You could feel his anticipation of many more thousands of fans to come, and that confidence somehow lifted him away from the role of "American Idol."

Archuleta, on the other hand, went deep inside tonight, completely focusing on those ridiculously short performances, letting the world slip away. When he started to sing "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me," selected for him by Clive Davis, it seemed slightly ridiculous. One of Elton John and Bernie Taupin's most stentorian ballads, a favorite of Clay Aiken when he wanted to pull out his big gospel notes, the song expresses the despair of a tired, endangered lover, not a 17-year-old kid who murmurs "gosh!" when surrounded by cheerleaders.

But Archie pulled it off. Climbing the song's long crescendo as if it were a stairway to the throne, he left his student's desk for a few minutes and unleashed something visceral. Maybe the motivation behind Archie's reading was just his burning need to win, but whatever it was, it belonged 100% to him.

The rest was frosting -- two more excellent interpretations, and three moments with Ryan Seacrest, during which poor Little David could hardly speak. But as most "Idols" past know, it only takes one instance of convincing transformation to become the final Chosen One. Making the leap from learner to doer, David Archuleta grabbed that ring. No matter what the voters decide about the contest, which can't be summed up in one night, Archuleta was your "American Idol" this hour.

-- Ann Powers

Photos courtesy of Fox

Comments

[Vicky]

Archuleta did not play it safe. Why would he want to sing a new song and have to learn three? He took the pressure off of himself. Anyway, that is what most of the former Idols have done. It would be a little silly not to repeat his best performance of the season. . It all comes down to taste in music. I happen to think that we need more ballads. There are too many rockers out there. David Cook is a really good performer, but he doesn't move me with his music, as does David Archuleta when he is singing from his heart and soul.

[pups]

David Cook performed with such class, style and dignity...why pander for the votes...a true artist doesn't. David A. vocally is good but big deal, have anyone seen that Filipino 15 year old belting out a song that is circulating in youtube? David A style is boring...for his age - won't be interested with his CD.

[Simon Says]

Thousands and thousands of people paid $10.00 each for a chance to enter the 2008 American Idol Songwriting Contest, And look what they got.......So how many will it take till someone calls this fraud? 1. Top 20 American Idol Songwriting Finalist (Andy Zulla) is an engineer on Clay Aiken, Kelly Clarkson, Diana DeGarmo CD's. 2. Top 20 American Idol Songwriting Finalist (Windy Wagner) is a backup singer on the NEW Clay Aiken CD. 3. Top 20 American Idol Songwriting Finalist (Ryan Gillmor) wrote the theme song for the Fox television show "Unhitched". 4. Top 20 American Idol Songwriting Finalist (Dan Yessian) wrote jingles for Ford Motors. 5. Top 20 American Idol Songwriting Finalist (Luke Ebbin) is a producer on Austalian Idol 1st place runner-up Shannon Noll's CD. 6. Top 20 American Idol Songwriting Finalist (Regie Hamm) (FYI...USAToday.com has named him the Songwriting Winner), is a co-writer on the NEW Clay Aiken CD and he's also a co-writer of the winner of 2007's American Idol Songwriting Contest Scott Krippayne......Anybody see a pattern Yet? 3 of the 2008 American Idol Songwriting Contest Top 20 songwriters get credit on Clay Aiken CD's. Out of thousands and thousands of entries, 3 out of 20 work with Mr. Aiken. and nobody has a problem with this? The 2008 American Idol songwriting winner and 2007 American Idol songwriting winner are song co-writing partners and that's fine with everybody? If not then please visit ....... http://americanidolexposed.weebly.com .......for all the facts.

[Kenny]

Well the one thing to look at is that Simon Cowell has predicted the outcome of the voting every time this season with the exception of the Michael Jons upset. And last night I do have to agree with this article Archuleta did win for sure, and I think that David Cook should have finished up with "Elanor Rigby" or his rendition of "You'll Always Be My Baby" which is AWESOME. Either way no matter who wins they are both off to be super stars and they BOTH deserve crowns.

[Kim]

Hopefully, all of last night's praise for Archuletta won't create a backlash and have Cook win by default.

[Trish]

A true star is some one who takes a song and makes it their own, who changes it and makes it different, takes a risk and that is what David Cook did last night and has done all season. In my opinion he is the American Idol. What song so far has David A changed and made his own. His Elton John song sounded like an Elton John copy cat and his other two choices were boring and sounded like all the songs he sang all season. If America could not see the true talent here, then why have American Idol in the first place I say David Cook Rules and I am an adult, with kids of my own.

[Lydia Gomez]

I loved your article. Even a Cook fan as you seem to sound, understood what David Archuleta accomplished last night. He even made you a believer, as I have been from the beginning. David A is more than just a beautiful voice, he should be the voice of old wholesome values. Music is one place where everyone can "voice" their own opinion, but there are some fans out there that need David A right now. Please let David Archuleta be tonight's American Idol and always.

[Myra]

I totally agree with eric. I really do like DA, and he has a wonderful voice, and he is just adorable, but where is the versatiliy??? I wanted to hear him sing an upbeat song, other than the same old ballads. What I heard Dave A sing on Tuesday was what I have heard him sing since the beginning of AI season. I hate to say this, but I am a bit bored. DC on the other hand is extremetly versatile, has great stage presence, and is very charismatic. He always had me on the edge of my seat wondering how he is going to pull this song off. DA will win AI, guaranteed, but DC will make the millions, and will truly be a America's Superstar.

[Pam]

I voted for David Cook every week - numerous times when he changed his "look". He's quite handsome now. But I was very disappointed in David C last night - he should have done the "rest " of Baba O'Riley or another wonderful change-up cover in the Billie Jean genre... Whatever happens, though, they both will have a career. David C's will be bigger. Good luck to them both.

[yjeep93]

Artist = someone capable of creating something orriginal
American Idol = fans who can text 500 times in two hours = girls under 13

There's no doubt about it and .it's not a secret that Archie has a better voice than Cook...but...Cook will be famous and make original music that will sell well because people will actually want to hear it. Archie will be famous because a producer and manager will spend 100 million a year advertizing his album and forcing him to go on public tours and interviews. Archie is too imature for this business...who wants to go see im perform just to spend the whole time crying? HE'S TOO YOUNG....he should have waited 3 years to do this show....The kid doesn't even know what he wants, he just does what everyone tells him to do. He is nice, i'll give him that....but that doesn't sell albums or make you a great musician/artist. Would you want to hear someone original, or do you want to keep hearing a young kid do the same old ballads that have been done over and over again?

I can't believe the judges wanted Archie to win, time and time again the judges have always brutalized contestents who were old ballad singers and unoriginal....I found it all a little odd?

[Last Time]

The AI producers have the right to "saddle" any of the finalists they want with a "cheezy pop" recording contract, so losing doesn't help them. That said, I watched last night, excited about the fact that I, unlike the tweeners, could stay up until 1 AM and vote for David Cook multiple times. He's been my favorite contestant ever and I really can't stand David A. But I couldn't do it. David A blew David C away. Cook looked and sounded tired and how do you compete against "Imagine" with Collective Soul? Go ahead and give David A. the AI crown -- David C. is going to get the career and that's a much better prize.

[Dee]

Just because David A. had a good night, does not mean that he will win the title. David Cook has done better on a weekly basis, and has a strong fan base. In season 2, Clay Aiken did amazing in the final show, yet Ruben got the title at the finale. I think David Cook will be the winner tonight. He is the more all around talented performer. David Arch sings nice ballads, but Clay Aiken already has that market cornered, and he is a much better vocalist than David Arch. (listen to Clay's version of Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me) And with Michael Buble out there also and Josh Groban, the ballad market is pretty well covered. Plus these guys are all ENTERTAINERS also, whick David Arch is not. I think David Cook has got the win.

[CatGirl]

'Cute' David Archuleta will win AI because of the popular tween vote.

Smart, classy, talented David Cook will be the album I want to buy.

[Bill]

David A. should win, if not only for the reason that he needs the guidance of the team he will get. David Cook is going to have a career no matter what the outcome tonight...

[Akex]

I think the only reason David A. is still on the show is because a million little girls think he's cute. Yes, he can sing, but he can't sing things people wanna listen to. David Cook on the other hand, has talent. He can sing anything, and personally I think David Cook is extremely cuter than David A. Plus people will buy David Cook's albums.

[Amy]

I'll agree that Archie won the night and will win the title. Great, then what? Cook was and is a true musician and is definitely in the real world. Glad he was able to explain his last song choice. Can't say I agreed with it, however I am a fan of his and for that I support his decision. He has vision and will have longevity. That's maturity and wisdom at work. AI was Cook's platform and he made the decision last night to start to move away from it. Archuleta is very gifted, but if he actually faints or vomits onstage tonight, I won't be surprised. That is itself was quite an act! Good God get that boy an acting coach!

[Carol Cherman]

I like the edge in David C.'s voice, but I don't care for his somewhat arrogant demeanor. And I don't think he would like being saddled with an AI contract. On the other hand, if David A. wins, I'm worried about the effect on him of so much attention hitting one so young all at once. I'd hate to see him go down the path that some young celebrities have taken.

David A.'s "Imagine" was PERFECTION!!!!

[Omar]

Won't this show just DIE already?

UGH!

[Sarah]

DC IS GOING TO WIN.. and if he doesn't i will still love him and buy his album

[ann]

Ann - sounds like you have well and truly drunk the AI kool-aid. Last night was such a scripted sand-bagging of DC it was ridiculous. Don't at all agree that DA was the best, though Simon & Co's opinions/sucker punch is widely trumpeted throughout the media as gospel. The judges were so obviously manipulative, as they have been all season, that it dishonored both contestants, who have worked hard to get to the Final Two, and deserved to be treated as more than a punchline in a scripted reality show.