'American Idol': David Cook heading to 'SNL'
Last May David Cook made history triumphing in the greatest upset in "American Idol" history. Now the reigning Season 7 champion is about to break another sound barrier: On Nov. 1 he will become the first idol to appear as the musical guest on NBC's "Saturday Night Live" immediately upon release of his debut album.
Cook will become the fourth idol to appear in the prestigious slot. However, the three previous "American Idol" graduates who took the 30 Rock stage did so later in the runs of their albums or in their careers. Clay Aiken and Carrie Underwood both appeared after their albums had been out for several months. Kelly Clarkson appeared in support of her second album.
Cook's eponymous debut album is set to hit stores Nov. 18. He will perform the first single, "Light On," in his "SNL" appearance, which will mark the first televised performance of the song, as well as Cook's first public outing with his new band. The song is already available for download on iTunes. His publicity tour in support of the album will also include a live, open-to-the-public performance on "Good Morning America" booked for Nov. 17. Cook plans a national tour early next year.
-- Richard Rushfield
(photo courtesy of Fox)
Interesting, David Cook is a great artist! I'll be looking forward to his television appearances and his upcoming album. Thanks Richard!
Posted by: Widya | October 16, 2008 at 11:23 PM
Idols really crank out those albums fast. I like Cook, never got around to voting for him (left that to the girlfriend), but pretty cool he scored Saturday Night Live already.
Posted by: Don | October 17, 2008 at 08:52 AM
Oh Rushfield, I loved your Idol columns, they were informative yet ever-so-gently sarcastic.
Are you teasing him by using this photo with the Hogwarts scarf? Poor cutie, his fashion update on the show was a good idea.
But mostly I just love hearing him sing. This SNL thing should be awesome!
Posted by: DCFFCC | October 17, 2008 at 09:48 AM
I'm really looking forward to this. He's extremely talented.
Posted by: shila | October 17, 2008 at 10:55 AM
Kelly, Clay and Carrie all earned their SNL gigs with huge sales and hit songs before they were on the show.
David Cook's album could tank just like Taylor Hicks and Blake Lewis did after all that hype. His single is doing poorly and dropped like a stone on iTunes. Hell, the guy isn't even cute.
Totally undeserved booking.
Posted by: Dharma | October 17, 2008 at 11:43 AM
Well, let's see, his Idol coronation song has sold 934,000+ copies to date and he had a record 11 songs in the Hot 100 in May, first person since the Beatles. So I really don't think this is an undeserved booking. We'll see how his album does but I really like Light On. It has dropped on iTunes but it will go up once airplay increases. Plus SNL and the upcoming appearances certainly can't hurt!!
Posted by: Linda | October 17, 2008 at 12:15 PM
Oh let me post before the haters start posting..lol.........LOVE DAVID COOK...this is a huge booking for him. Hes such a down to earth person, and a fabulous talent.
Posted by: sam | October 17, 2008 at 12:33 PM
This is very exciting news! David Cook is well liked, even by the non-idol fans. He's basically just a likable guy, and geez can he sing! It's fun watching his career flourish. I highly doubt this album will tank. I'd love to know what his presale #'s are.
Posted by: cathy | October 17, 2008 at 03:05 PM
Not cute??? *****choke***** I would have a heart attack if he was any cuter. Try his music from 3 to 5 years ago...some written when he was just 19 years old if you think he isn't talented.
Posted by: Vickie | October 17, 2008 at 03:51 PM
Great writeup...but do you guys need a more current photo of David??
;-)
Posted by: Mandy | October 17, 2008 at 06:59 PM
snl people wouldn't guest him if he were a loser. his voice is charismatic, he is witty and he cares about other people, especially his fans. enough said.
Posted by: dulz | October 17, 2008 at 07:34 PM
SNL is known for promoting hot talent and they've certainly done that by putting David Cook on their show. I don't really get it why so many people, who probably aren't musicians themselves, get off on throwing barbs at someone who is just trying to live his dream and follow his bliss! Is it just jealousy? Ugh!
Posted by: Skylar | October 18, 2008 at 08:06 PM
David cook is one the most talented guys I know & not to mention the hottest! He will be a great success, Oh wait' he already is!.......Candi
Posted by: Candi | October 22, 2008 at 03:25 PM
david cook was the worst idol and can't believe he won... his new song is absolutely horrible.. why he finds it necessary to scream off pitch notes throughout the song is beyond me. he sounds like a cat getting ran over. I can't believe people actually think it sounds good. give me a break. david archuleta is the true artist.
Posted by: JT | November 06, 2008 at 10:51 AM
Great and kudos to Cook. Cook's A.I. song Time of My Life also hit Platinum this week! Way to go magic rainbows!
He brought back life to American Idol and changed American Idol forever. I feel really sorry for these next contestants. How are they ever going to top Cook? It's the only reason I continued to watch A.I. at all. There was nothing on TV due to the writers' strike and I tuned in week after week to just hear what Cook was going to do. He never bored me that's for sure. One week after the finale Cook charted 11 songs at the same time on Billboard 100 a record not seen since 1963 by the Beatles with Miley Cyrus holding the previous record at 6. Archie's fanatic fans managed to get him to 3 only. All Archie fans did was vote and voting is over now and the competition is over now and both are in totally different genres.
I will always be grateful for the mute button during Archuleta's performances. That kid was so boring. He can sing but man was he boring. I can't believe he went as far as he did. No doubt those tweens will vote for anyone just because they are young. If Archuleta was 24-25 singing the same way he did, the same songs, he would have never gotten to top 10. Archuelta an artist? Please, he managed to write only 2 songs on his album. Great job showing what he can really do. It's easy to sing songs proven artists write for you such as Crush. Cook wrote/co-wrote 10 of the 12 tracks on his album and tracked with with only 2-3 takes. Cornell wrote Light On and though I like the song--it's not Cook but he still rocks it.
Cook has the whole package and he's made me like music again. I even bought an iPod just so I can listen to him at work. AMERICA FINALLY GOT IT RIGHT!
Posted by: reinharv | November 23, 2008 at 01:57 PM
David Cook's TOML went Platinum! Not bad for magic rainbows!
Posted by: reinharv | November 23, 2008 at 02:00 PM
David Cook is the best Idol yet and who cares what he looks like to the one poster who said he isn't cute(I think he is beautiful and so is his voice.I love what the poster said about how he brought life back to american idol.I so agree with you.The night he won was the happiest night of my life.I thought David A was so boring but then again i am a rocker.I have written this after his new cd and i love every song on it.I lsitened to it a few times and could not stop listening.
Posted by: Brenda Taylor | January 18, 2009 at 08:05 PM