Simon Cowell Endorses an Idol Finalist Posted 5/14/2008 9:00:00 AM by Rob Tannenbaum Filed under: American idol, American idol scorecard, David archuleta, David cook, Simon cowell From the looks of disgust on Simon Cowell's face this season, it might seem like he despises each of the American Idol contestants with equal vigor. Not true! As Blender has learned, Simon despises one contestant less than the others. Who do you think deserves to win this season? we asked Simon. "Probably David Cook," he drawled. "I think he's done more to deserve it over the eleven weeks. He's taken more risks, he's done things with certain songs that have been more interesting. If I'm gonna base it on who has done the best performances over the live shows, David Cook deserves to win." Of course it's also true that Simon is coaching Cook this week, which means he'll sing "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face," a ballad also recorded by Cowell's chart-topping X Factor discovery, Leona Lewis. "I love that song! David Cook didn't even know what it was," Cowell snorted. For an obnox - uh, opinionated guy like Simon, nothing is more ruinous to good television than boring contestants. He was clearly not pleased with Jason Castro ("He just gave up - I get frustrated over that"). "There was a classic moment last week," Cowell continues unhappily. "We had these callers phone in and I forget what the question was - 'What do you like?' - and they just sat there. They couldn't talk. It was literally un-be-liev-able." Is it because they're all working to ingratiate themselves with voters? "Of course! It's like they've studied the show and they don't want to put a foot wrong. And that's going to have to change, going forward. I want what I call gobby, talkative people on the show." So, next season of Idol: gobby, talkative singers. We won't say which contestant Simon finds the most boring, but we will mention this: When told that his Blender interviewer bears a resemblance to David Archuleta, Cowell roared, "I would think you have a bit more personality than he does."

http://www.blender.com/BlenderBlogNewPost05132008/Blender-Blog/blogs/1168/25239.aspx

Wednesday's Idol: What You Didn't See

May 15, 2008

Syesha's Swan Song
When the news broke that the two David's had made it to the finals, Jeff Archuleta and his wife Lupe quickly turned to David Cook's mother and father, both sitting right behind them, and the families congratulated each other profusely. Meanwhile, David Archuleta's face was pale with shock as he and Cook made their way over to the couch to watch Syesha Mercado give her final performance of Alicia Keys' "If I Ain't Got You." In the audience, Carly Smithson and Brooke White held each other as they swayed to the song, while Chikezie and David Hernandez stood and pointed to their fellow Idol. As the credits rolled on TV, all the former Idols in the house joined Ryan Seacrest and the judges on stage to bid farewell to Syesha and congratulate the two David's on making it all the way. They posed for photos together and David Cook and Michael Johns ran toward each other, jumped and did a chest high five!

Facing the Music
David A. was the first Idol to watch his emotional hometown visit play on the monitor. Debbie the stage manager came over and comforted the young Idol, who got so embarrassed that he waved to the girls in the pit to start them screaming to break the tension. As his mom's eyes welled up at the touching moments, his father Jeff put his arm around her as they watched proudly.

A Father's Pride
Syesha came out next, casual in jeans, a white tank and white sneakers for her big moment, as she too became emotional as she watched her visit to Sarasota, Fla., on the screen. As she stood there in the dark, watching herself at a town reunion, she laughed as her mayor did a handstand and wiped the %+*$! away from her eyes as her father proclaimed how his daughter had helped him so much in his fight against addiction. Her back to the audience, feverishly drying her eyes before turning to the cameras, Syesha regained her composure before taking a seat next to David A. on the couch.

Brotherly Love
Ryan called Cook's brother Andrew up onto the stage, the person who was partially responsible for the frontrunner's journey to Idol, to stand next to him and watch his brother's Kansas City, Mo., visit play up on the monitor. David held his hand up to his mouth in total shock as he relived the moments and the magnitude of crowds that came out to support him. Andrew continuously patted his brother's back as David tried unsuccessfully to hold back his %+*$!. And David returned the love to his brother, ruffling his hair when he shed some %+*$! of his own. After it was all over Debbie took his hand and personally escorted Andrew back to his chair.

Idol Reunion
First came Ramiele Malubay, then David Hernandez, Kristy Lee Cook, Luke Menard and Chikezie. But as the Idols were filing in, the crowd suddenly broke into hysterics, as Michael Johns made his first appearance since his shocking departure earlier in the season. Then rocker Amanda Overmyer arrived, followed shortly by Brooke White, who took her seat and was later joined by Carly Smithson. But as things were just about to get started, in wandered the most recent to leave, Jason Castro, and the fans went wild with screams again.

Fantasia Leaves 'Em Breathless
Rather than pre-tape it, season three's Fantasia, rocking bright red hair, took the Idol audience by storm as she performed her single "Bore Me (Yawn)." As Fantasia rocked out with her dancers, moving the judges as well as the crowd, David Archuleta seemed the most into it of the three Idols on the couch, as he clapped along and grooved to the beat. After her performance Fantasia fake made-out with Ryan to the delight of the crowd, then waved goodbye to the crowd before producer Nigel Lythgoe walked up on stage and her a big hug and escorted her away.

More Stuff You Didn't See
• After the show, Ryan flipped the Idol coin in the air, with David Archuleta's face on one side and David Cook's on the other, deciding which Idol would sing first in the final performance show next week. David A. won the coin toss and, just like on the Price Is Right, agreed with the audience and opted to go second, giving Cook the opportunity to fire the first shot next Tuesday.

• David Archuleta and Syesha didn't realize that as they were both giving high fives to the fans in the pit at the end of the show. They slowly moved closer and closer toward each other until they eventually collided.

• During the last break, when all three Idols were waiting to find out their fates, David Cook paced on the stage, rubbing his hands together nervously. David Archuleta continuously waved and smiled to his female fans in the pit, while Syesha stood as a makeup artist freshened up her lip gloss. -Jed Dreben