David vs. David

It's the big night.... Am blogging live for the final two of their three songs.

Oh gosh, they start and bring in that idiot boxing announced, Jim Lampley from HBO, the them is going to be a three-round boxing match. Wow, they actually have them coming out in boxing robes; David Cook looks ok, David Archuleta looks like he's in his bathrobe.

Ryan must be thrilled FOX decided he's not good enough to open the big show. It's the big theater, Ryan looks like he's got extra makeup on. Big David and Little David Ryan calls them; Lampley opens the video part, this is really dumb. The weird thing--does FOX even carry boxing?! 7,000 people says Ryan; training will be key claims Ryan--so Clive Davis and Andrew Lloyd Webber are going to advise them.

Dare that little bit more and you'll win, says Webber. Davis thinks this will probably be the most-watched performance competition in history. Okay... I doubt the ratings will hit last year's, or the one before. Not to mention Eurovision.

Archuleta won the coin toss, will go second; smart. Ryan is just peppering them with questions, Cook says he has a tall order trying to keep up with this kid. Every cliche is trotted out by Randy; hmm, they must be contractually obligated to mention the Nokia theater, Randy says it, then Paula too. Simon says you have to hate your opponent, to laughter. Ryan asks Archuleta if he has anything to say to Cook, he says he's awesome; Cook says Archuleta has been consistently one of the nicest people.

Ahh, Cook after the break; so they learned from last week. Really, Ryan is wearing a ton of makeup; Clive chose I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking for Cook; Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me for Archuleta. Cook starts out well, I like how he bends the lyrics, it's cool; he's not changing too much, which is good. Then rocks it in the second half, still very in control, goes into the audience; I like it, not electric or anything but well done. Randy says not bad; Paula says you've arrived, in great voice; Simon says you looked tense and emotional, calls it phenomenal.

David Archuleta, Clive picked well for him too I think. He's a bit nervous, the song isn't just soaring; ah, but then the chorus... wow, he really just explodes into it, high energy, voice is good. Man, he's really into it, the kid's in it to win it tonight; it's infectious as he bobs up and down on stage--his voice really isn't strong enough yet to really wow on this song, but it's really good. Audience is totally into it; Randy oddly talks right over them, Simon is saying let them cheer, Randy says one of the best performances of the year, flawless and unbelievably hot; Paula says her heart is still pounding, chills, David looks like he's going to cry; Simon says easy to get overexcited, last week you were okay, tonight was arguably the best you've done so far, Archuleta looks stunned, Simon says you won round one.

Oh no, next is their choice... it's all so over the top, the video intro is just dumb (and poorly lit).

Dream Big, David Cook from the song competition; song's not great, the lyrics fit but it's just okay, at best. He totally seems like a star, and the song has good energy; but it just sounds like something you'd have on in the background as you're jogging. Crowd likes it; Randy says song was just okay, but the voice was strong; Paula says we're all mesmerized, made an unknown song ours; Simon says bit of a lightweight, end was ok, not a winning moment. The arena's totally dark, 6.5 says Simon.

Ooooh, four hours to vote tonight. 'Archy' after the break says Ryan. David Archuleta doing In This Moment; both of these songs are just melds of popular ones--it's okay, nothing memorable. Good choice for his voice, but there's only so much you can do with a not-great song. Randy says not a great song, but sung well; Paula says another heartfelt performance, on fire tonight; I think Archuleta's trailing in the vote totals so all the judges are going to pump him up tonight. Simon says you win round 2 as well, such an egotistical song though.

One song left says Ryan. Cook's doing The World I Know, which he says he's never sung before. Archuleta's doing Imagine, again. I really hate the crazy videos; you don't have to overhype something that's truly good. Cook seems out of it tonight, like it's not just flowing out; can't understand his lyrics, song's not that great. He's emotional when he finishes, the crowd cheers, Randy says a nice sensitive side, you can make this kind of record; Paula stands up for him; Simon says you are one of the nicest, most sincere contestants ever, beautiful song but the wrong song choice tonight, you should've sung Billy Jean or Hello. He says he didn't want to do something he's already done, the whole thing's been a progression. Yeah, but sometimes you go back to build upon it--he has a lot of integrity, I wonder if it's cost him the crown.

Archleta's good on Imagine; it's something that's going to motivate his peeps to get out and vote a billion times, I think because he was smarter about it he'll win. It's not great, but good and very representative. Randy says it's great it's the two of them, you were so good tonight, exactly what this show's about, you're the best this year; Paula says I'm speechless, you were stunning, as the audience applauds again; Simon says this show is about finding a star, tonight's been one of the great finals, but Archuleta came out tonight to win, and it was a knockout.

Ruben Studdard gets trotted out to sing us out; it's okay. They show highlights from the season behind him... man, and what a long journey it's been. One more night, and then we're free!