David Cook
performed I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For by U2

Cook came out strong, singing “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For.” He didn't make a lot of changes to the song, but it still had his own feel to it. I think he had a great performance, good energy.

I hate U2. Hate them. Got that? Really, really, really don't like their music. Fitting, then, that David Cook started off the night by singing this one. Sure, he didn't choose it, but...if we can give him credit for being original some weeks for singing songs he didn't choose, why can't I knock him this week for not picking something I don't like? I want to be honest...I came into this finale with my mind made up. I would be objective, not let my distaste for the finalists cloud my judgement. I didn't want this final Idol Chatter predictions column to be a big, hateful letter to the Davids. I've done that. It didn't matter. So, I'm calling it like it see it, as objectively as I can. It was fine. Not great. He's not Bono, and I don't think it's a song you can really change so drastically that anyone will forget Bono ever had anything to do with it. Decent, but it left me feeling like David A would take Round One...not questioning whether or not I might have been wrong about calling Archuleta to win this competition before the finale. Bad sign.

I liked it! It was good. I am coming out..I liked it! Great song choice. Good job, Clive Davis! Now we know why you do what you do! I think it showcased his ACTUAL voice, and it's an anthem that a lot of people know and like. Even the younger generations, I bet. And I think he did it well. He didn't bust out the Our Lady Peace mumbles or hit any MEGA POWER NOTES or anything. So, he kinda' stayed where the song needed him to be. I do think he could've done a bit MORE with it, but it was pretty good. And I do like that song, personally. I don't think he slaughtered it by any means. Good job, song number one! Way to open the show.

David Archuleta
performed Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me by Elton John

Archie came out stronger with “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me” and really got the crowd going wild. I hate to say it, but...round one goes to Archuleta.

Yeah...somebody just got blown outta' the wattah. OUCH. Dude, he just NAILED that, pretty hardcore. That was probably one of his best performances so far. He actually showed some feeling on it, and he actually put a little GRUNT in there, which we've never seen before. OH MY GOD, look at me...I'm getting excited about David Archuleta! He wins!

Great. Awesome performance. This was the first time in WEEKS I've sat through an Archie performance and didn't leave feeling angry at the world. Perfect song choice by Clive, perfect performance. I was swept up in it, start to finish. He may have already won the night based on this performance alone. His. Best. To. Date. Round One goes to Archuleta, no question.

David Cook
performed Dream Big by Emily Shackelton

Cook chose “Dream Big” and rocked it out. It really felt like you were at his concert when he started singing the song. It may not be the greatest song ever written, but he gave the performance his all.

That's gonna' be what his album sounds like. At least THREE of the tracks are going to be just like that. And I'm staying in the column of People Not Buying His Album. It was alright...he stretched his voice a little more in this song. So, that was good. He's got that going for him.

Which is nice.

Totally. Maybe he realized Archuleta wasn't fooling around? So, he tried to show off a little more of what he's got. I don't know if he did a spectacular job, but...it was a'ight.

I thought it was a bad choice, because a lot of it is sung in the lower register, and his vocals are always HORRIBLE when he has to sing low notes. All of these contest songs suck, but it didn't feel like he really listened to all of them and picked the one people might want to hear again and again and again. He picked one I had designated for Kristy Lee Cook, of all people, when I reviewed the Songwriting Contest selections.

David Archuleta
performed In This Moment by Ryan Gillmor

Dude, the kid WINS. What's the point? I mean, that was really gooooooood. He...you know...he's putting his heart into it. Just seems like Cook was coastin' a little bit.

"In this moment, no one can take it away from me." Certainly not David Cook, at this point...har har har. I was depressed by the song choice, but he sang it well. It was a bit shakier than his first performance, but he pulled it out. This is a round-by-round battle, as we're constantly reminded by the judges and producers...and Archie just popped Cook upside the head for another win. He's 2-0, in my book. I can't get over how much I hate this song, though:

It was a good performance, but he came off sounding a little whiny. Again not the best song, but he made it good. I think round two was more of a draw….even if Simon did give it to Archie.

David Cook
performed The World I Know by Collective Soul

For his last song, Cook sang Collective Soul’s “The World I Know.” It was an emotional performance of a song I really enjoy, but I completely agree with Simon. It was the wrong song to end the competition on. He needed to do “Billy Jean” or “Hello,” because that would have been much more memorable and people would have voted for it in higher numbers.

While that was a decent vocal on Cook's part, I don't think it did the song justice. It's a pretty cool song, I like that song...but I think he took something off of it, somehow. Not the best. I mean, it was kinda' cool that he chose something offbeat and not wicked mainstream, but I don't think it was a good song to pick for tonight. Like, "OH MY GOD, I'M GONNA' WIN IDOL TONIGHT WITH THIS SONG, SO SUCK IT ARCHULETA." I'm not sure why he'd go the low-key route for what could be his final performance on Idol. It's bizarre.

"The World I Know" is not a "song I know." After that performance, which, oddly, ended on kind of a low, boring note - not how you want to end your final song on the Idol stage - I won't exactly be rushing to the iTunes Store. It was a bit dreary, to me. Cook wasn't on his game, and I don't think this one did him any favors. Unless there are millions of Collective Soul fans out there simply dying to call a reality show several hundred times each at a moment's notice whenever they hear someone sing one of the band's songs.

David Archuleta
performed Imagine by John Lennon

I was fully expecting Archie to bring back “Imagine” for the finale –it was arguably his best performance and he knew it. I didn’t expect him to make any changes in the song, so that was interesting. I still hate this kid, but he takes round three.

Good man, Archie. This is the song that brought him to the dance, made him a true frontrunner. He nailed it. The kid's got pipes, and his smart, strategic decision to go second (securing the final song of the night) means this sweet, memorable peformance is the one everyone's going to remember when they reach for the phones and start voting. David Archuleta wins the night by TKO. 3 unanswered victories in 3 rounds. Done. The end. Crown this kid.

That was the least-impressive of the night, for him. I give that half a vocal cord out of a possible one. Going back to the well...really? Actually, I agree with what David Cook said about this being a "progression." I agree with Cook picking a song he hadn't performed before...he just didn't pick the RIGHT new song. Picking something safe kinda' backfired for me. Nothing fresh, nothing new...boo, David Archuleta. You're still gonna' win, though.

Based solely on last night’s finale performances Archie wins it, but if you take the whole competition into mind, I think Cook has it. Since most people’s memories are that of a goldfish, I think Archie is probably gonna be this year’s Idol, and it pisses me off. That stupid, gaspy, whiney kid is going to be the winner and he’ll probably sell a bunch of records, but I’ll never buy them. Cook on the other hand is going to end up like the next Daughtry and I’m sure that he will outsell Archie every step of the way, and history will remember him as the better performer. Cook spent the whole competition singing songs that he could actually release on a CD. Archie spent his time singing songs that were too old for him or not in his genre, but everybody just fawned all over him telling him how great he is. The only way I can properly describe what will happen to Archie in the future is best stated by the great Michael Myers in an SNL skit entitled “Phillip the Hyper-Hypo:”

(Archie = Grace)

Phillip: Wow. You're surrounded by a lot of positive support.

Grace: What?

Phillip: Nothing.

Grace: I'm gonna sing a song for you. ("Tie me kangaroo down, sport" song) That was fun!

Phillip: Whatever, okay.

Grace: Don't you think I have a pretty voice?

Phillip: I gotta say you know, when you get older, people aren't going to support you so much.

Grace: Why not?

Phillip: My cousin was a cute kid and then he hit puberty and his face exploded. Now he looks around and he's wondering where all the people who said he was cute went to.

Oh, someone's just bitter her boy doesn't have a chance. I made my call weeks ago, and I'll stand by it. David Archuleta will win Season 7 of American Idol. It didn't matter who won the night. Though, incidentally, I think Little Archie completely and utterly DESTROYED Cook at every turn. Outclassed. The only way Archie can lose is if all the little kids in his fanbase were forced by mom and dad to go to bed before the 4 hours of voting ended. Let's look at the facts:

David Cook, Overall: He showed up. He sang three songs and didn't forget any lyrics. He was pleasant during interview segments. He didn't get rattled when Simon pointed out how badly he was botching the night after every song. Still, never really looked like he wanted to win this thing at all. Failed to knock it out of the park even once.

David Cook's Fans Might Not Have Voted Because: Totally drunk, dude. Passed out after leaving embarrassing phone messages for old flames.

David Archuleta, Overall: He showed up...to WIN. Every song was a perfect choice. His interview segments were...still horrible. But he looked like he geniuinely WANTED to win. He looked like he NEEDED the compliments of the judges and the roar of the crowd - lest stage-dad pop HIM upside the head back at home. Hate on him if you must...but his voice is pretty great. For a kid.

David Archuleta's Fans Might Not Have Voted Because: Past their bedtime. Mom and dad won't spring for unlimited texting. Totally got caught up in a High School Musical 2 sing-along karaoke encore on Disney Channel, forgot all about Idol. Hell has frozen over.

I think it's time I raise the question - Did David Cook buy into all that "he'd be better off if he DIDN'T win" nonsense and actually THROW the competition? It really seemed like he wasn't even trying. I mean, maybe I absolutely don't get him and there's some kind of genius at work...but I doubt it. Simon echoed my thoughts all night (except for the part about Cook being one of the most sincere contestants ever...I still don't buy that), and Cook took some much-deserved Battle Damage. I just don't think he can win...and last night certainly didn't go his way. I think he may have taken a dive. Archie was flawless, and even I was actually pulling for him after the Elton John song. Brilliant performance, brilliant choice by Mr. Davis. Archuleta wins.

David Archuleta. Wins. Dogg.

***** DISCLAIMER *****
The opinions expressed by the three "FOX43 Idol Experts" do not necessarily reflect the opinions of FOX43, Tribune Broadcasting or FOX.
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