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The Idol Countdown: Five Essential Moments From Last Night’s “American Idol”

4/16/08, 3:41 pm EST

Mariah Carey mentored the seven Idol hopefuls last night, and while they were no dog-whistle high notes, there was a dog (see clip, below). Carey lavished praise on the contestants, and the ladies repaid her by performing poor imitations of “Vanishing” (Syesha Mercado), “Without You” (Carly Smithson) and “Hero” (Brooke White), while the guys were applauded by the judges for not being girls. For the night’s best moments, watch these quick clips:

5. An important message from Mariah and her Jack Russell terrier.

4. David Archuleta faces his fears.

3. David Cook nails “Always Be My Baby” on an emotional night (his sick brother was in the audience).

2. Um … did Mariah say she thought Kristy Lee Cook sang “Forever” better than she did?

1. Special sauce, luaus and coconut bras — somebody please call the metaphor police.


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Comments

Mary | 4/27/2008, 2:10 pm EST

well, I think David set it straight about his vocal abilitiesthis past week when he “nailed” Music of the Night by ALW…..but I’ve always loved his voice. His performances are emotional and have feeling, and to the idiot who called him a “drama queen” because he had some tears in his eyes because of his DYING brother….all I can say, is what goes around comes around. Let us know how you feel when someone you love is dying.
I think if you love rock and roll, you’re going to love David Cook. If you’re just a pop music fan……well, that says it all anyway.
and if you want to hear his original stuff, check out his music on Analog Heart…….it’s amazing.

Regular AI Watcher | 4/18/2008, 4:46 am EST

I have no life.

fedupwithcastro | 4/17/2008, 8:34 am EST

I will be gald when they vote off this seasons Sanjaya…. Jas Castro!

He is so bad I have to turn to another channel when he performs! He is the worst in the competition!

Lorie | 4/17/2008, 2:03 am EST

David Cook is super fake. I actually like some of his stuff if I am being honest, but I can’t stand the false humility. He was a big jerk the first couple of episodes until Simon called him smug for the first time. Then he started his little act of acting like he was worried about being kicked off, being appreciative of the criticisms of the judges, comforting the other contestants, etc. Go back and watch the early top 24 videos. Pretty telling. I don’t love Archie either, but since it is going to come down to those two, I will take the genuine over the fake any day.

samrlim | 4/17/2008, 1:32 am EST

David Cook is a DRAMA QUEEN - he cried last night. He is trying so hard to catch attention. What a man? (No Offesen: it just gross me out!)Hey, Dude you need to be strong in all adversity in life that’s the way life is. One time he was hospitalized its kind of publicity stunt I think he is vying for sympathy with the voters it kind of desperation to win AI. Maybe he cannot get much screaming fans like David Archuleta is getting. No wonder Simon Cowell is calling many kind of ADJECTIVES: ARROGANT OR COCKY because it just coming out from his persona its what you call your “AURA” its radiate out of yourself. Tonight he was asked by Ryan Seacrest It took him so long to answer a simple question and you could notice the DRAMA QUEEN will come out again. So Ryan just answer the question himself. Hey, Dude stop being a DRAMA QUEEN it does not fit for MAN and lastly stop being T.H. (Trying Hard).

samrlim | 4/16/2008, 11:19 pm EST

At first I was nervous. I heard he will sing: When You Believe this is a difficult song and its a Mariah C and Whitney H duet and its a girl song. How can he do it in a male version. I was shock he sung and performed and delivered it beautifully this kid can really sing anything. Plus when he deliver his lyrics you can really understand it - no wonder he connect so well with his audience. Randy was correct this is a tough song. Good Job, David. Now it’s FINAL - 6 !

Missy | 4/16/2008, 11:07 pm EST

I think it will come down to David A. and David C. Both have great voices. Thought Carly was going to be in the running but I don’t know if it’s her song choices or what but she hasn’t done very well the past 2 or 3 weeks. I think Michael Johns should still be the instead of Jason C. and thank GOD Christy Lee Cooke is finally gone. She should have been gone like weeks ago. Brooke is good in a Carly Simon kind of way but I think the next to go should be Syesha. But like they say opionions are like assholes everyone has one. Thank you very much.

Crystabyl | 4/16/2008, 10:54 pm EST

Last night was a blast! I just love little David and the way he belts it out. Too bad that I was not able to see the show tonight –doing paperwork!! Also I see something in the cards for Jason C. Yes,he has something different that I haven’t seen/heard in awhile, something like the Moody Blues? Maybe I’m the only one to hear this. As far as Carley is concerned, she is also great!I really don’t like the whole Kristy and Brook thing — they both whine too much for me, but then again I am not a judge, thank goodness.

Redblayz | 4/16/2008, 10:39 pm EST

David Cook is not all that. He mumbles and pitch is off. David Archuleta has great control of his voice, but is still quite young and needs to be more outgoing. Jason has good audience contact, but also mumbles. Brooke is attractive, but has not really improved the last few weeks. Syesha has a good voice. Kristy just stands there not much audience contact. I like Carly’s voice, but she didn’t do that well last night.

whatshesaid | 4/16/2008, 10:38 pm EST

It’s nice to see diversity in opinions. I think like more of you–boys better overall, girls cuter overall, and a David or two will be successful indeed.
Cheers!

Breezey | 4/16/2008, 10:14 pm EST

I think Carly is not as good as David A.

Nostradamus2k | 4/16/2008, 7:56 pm EST

Syesha Mercado was easily the finest performance of the night, and Mr. “I can’t sing so I’ll moan, whisper and groan my way through everything”, Jason Castro was his usually Train Wreck self.

Daniel | 4/16/2008, 7:56 pm EST

David Archuleta is INCREDIBLE

Jason Castro is boring..sorry. And David Cook’s performance wasn’t THAT great. he was a little off key during the chorus

keith | 4/16/2008, 7:54 pm EST

nobody has forgotten JC. He is improving, but he messes up the microphone & we hear his breath too often. Gets annoying even in 120 seconds. He’s still middle-of-the-pack.

Henry Chinaski | 4/16/2008, 7:45 pm EST

My Five Essential Moments of American Idol:

1) I kicked my TV over.
2) I caved in the top of it with a baseball bat.
3) I shot the screen out.
4) I set the fucker on fire.
5) I took the fiery TV set in wheelbarrow and dumped on my neighbor’s lawn.

Fuck Simon. Fuck Alvin. Fuck Theodore. And fuck you, too.

sean | 4/16/2008, 7:34 pm EST

every one forgetting jason castro , hes unique and differnt from every one ,

dave | 4/16/2008, 7:04 pm EST

Jason needs to go! His whiny 70’s acoustic guitar act is so old! I used to like Carly as the best female, but she hasn’t done anything the past 2 weeks. Who will win? IMO:
1)David Cook
2)Archie
3)Brooke (she’s just 2 cute, not that great of voice)

DICK | 4/16/2008, 6:59 pm EST

BROOLKE AL THE WAY CLASS ACT SINCE THE BEGINING AND SHE HAS THE GREAT LOOKS TO SELL ANY TYPE OF MUSICF SHE WANTS TO GO BROOKE

auramac | 4/16/2008, 6:57 pm EST

I love Brooke’s voice- she needs the right material. MC sucks, and I could care less about the other contestants. Bad night of music.

Chris | 4/16/2008, 6:46 pm EST

Does anybody out there seem to mind that the judges are telling us David Cook IS the next AI? You’re IT. You’ve got the “whole package”. Dude you’re the one to beat. And Simon’s before you the whole night was like being at a Kareoke Bar!! What about the other contestants?? This is fishy.

kathy | 4/16/2008, 6:44 pm EST

If you close your eyes and listen, the singers with the most recognizable voices are the 2 Davids, Brooke, and maybe also Jason. That said, the person who most looks and performs like an “idol” is David C.

kris | 4/16/2008, 6:42 pm EST

Frankly, I haven’t been the same since Fantasia. I measure everybody by her. But aside from that, I know Jason Castro won’t win this, but he has a really neat way of expressing himself in a song and I love it. It isn’t about screaming anymore. It’s about sincerely putting yoursself out there, and he does it better than anybody on the season 7.

seattlerob | 4/16/2008, 6:33 pm EST

David A. looks terrified like someone is going to beat him. Heard his dad is an ‘over the top’ stage parent. What has dad told him. Doesn’t have the maturity to be an upfront star. Give it a couple of years and get rid of the domineering dad.
David Cook will win hands down because of his creative approach.
Carly has the best voice in the competition but not the ‘complete package’. Kristy is going to make some money with voice, looks, and the country style.

mel | 4/16/2008, 6:33 pm EST

are you guys kidding me? david cook was best of the night. i think billie jean was better but i preordered the studio version the same night. i used to not like him but i’m really digging the ast few weeks. i think u just haveto catch the vibe first. if u don’t like it, it’s not because he’s not awesome. it’s because u dont get it.

maria | 4/16/2008, 6:27 pm EST

I love “Archie’s” voice, but would rather not watch him sing. He lacks personality- David Cook has a pretty good voice, but sometimes he does come across as arrogant and smug. He’s also a little too rock for me. Jason is just plain goofy and doesn’t have the same vocals as the other guys. NONE of the girls hold a candle to the guys. The girls should all be voted off first. Carly looks like she’s constipated everytime she belts out her songs and Brooke is REALLY boring boring boring and sappy. Syesha has a good voice and probably will do very well on Broadway- Kristy is a spoiled brat who can’t take criticism. She has good vocal moments at times.

Jean | 4/16/2008, 6:27 pm EST

I think David Cook should have been gone a long time ago. I like to be able to understand the words of the song and not just some crazy sounding noises. He really disconnected with me last night and I hope he goes off soon. Your act is getting boring and old.

Wowzers | 4/16/2008, 6:26 pm EST

David Cook made a fan of me last night. Can’t stand the Christian music or country-fried idol (Archie and Kristy) but wow, I can’t stop thinking about how David Cook sang the most annoying pop song ever and made it good.

Gargoyles | 4/16/2008, 6:18 pm EST

I will grant you that David Cook sings more original arrangements and that he takes more risk. He gets points for that. But I don’t think much of his singing skills and I don’t see myself ever purchasing an album of his. Although David Archuleta is young I think he has the most talent as well as the most potential.

Mike | 4/16/2008, 6:17 pm EST

Kristy Lee Cook needs to go! She needed to go three weeks ago!

Nancy | 4/16/2008, 6:15 pm EST

I think that David Cook did a great job with his song—and many others. David A. is a great singer too, but soooooo nasal all the time that it doesn’t suit me. I am tired of the same ole stuff from Jason and the blonde. I guess I think that David Cook and Michael John’s were the best two contestants. I was so sorry to see him go. Cook is the most versitile, tries his best to change things up because the judges encourage him too, and has the most confidence.

DanTheMan | 4/16/2008, 6:08 pm EST

David Cook holds the microphone like a girl!

JGP | 4/16/2008, 6:06 pm EST

Cook was good, not great, but neither was anyone else last night. I am tired of hearing how great people think Cook is. They thought the same of Aussie boy who got his butt deservedly booted off and yet everyone was oohing and awing him. Right now, I’m not sure anyone is really standing out. Maybe Kristi Lee, she is gorgeous and in today’s market that seems to matter more than talent. Archletta needs to go back to the valley. Guess we’ll see.

keith | 4/16/2008, 6:05 pm EST

Michael Johns is gone, because he is too Australian.

Carly Smithson will go, because she is too European.

Next to go are Kristy Lee Cook, Syesha Mercado and Jason Castro in no particular order.

Leaving Top 3 as Brooke White, David Cook and David (Archie) Archuleta.

Brooke White will go, because one of the three has to go and a female won last year.

David Cook will go, does not have enough of the 12 year-olds voting demographic.

David Archuleta in a landslide.

—–

My favorites are 1st Brooke White and 2nd KLC.

My *least* favorite is Archie. Archie will win, but will have a limited career. Where is David Cassidy today? 12 year-olds grow up quickly!

David Cook will sell records to the samne demographic as Daughtry. iPod heavan for David Cook.

It's Me | 4/16/2008, 6:03 pm EST

I spell “TIRED” David Archuleta, nice young man but TIRED…ZZZZZzzzzz
At least David Cook sounds like he understands music…Great Job David C!!

someone's old lady | 4/16/2008, 6:02 pm EST

i guess i’m feeling my age… i thought the entire evening was a bore. :(

roni | 4/16/2008, 6:02 pm EST

kristie lee NO, but look at her, there’s your answer

cBc | 4/16/2008, 5:58 pm EST

Mr. Cook is the only one who consistently takes the boring crap they are given to sing each week & makes it interesting. The rest do not.
How the Castro kid is still on this show escapes me. Oh wait..it isn’t about singing talent anyways..never mind!

Rebecca | 4/16/2008, 5:56 pm EST

Um, let me just say that David Cook is awesome and super talented and deserves to win it all and if ANY of you who criticize him can DO BETTER, then get up there and do what he does Otherwise- shut the F*&^ up and let us enjoy his performances- the man is amazing and that is all that needs to be said..

Tara | 4/16/2008, 5:54 pm EST

I’m so glad someone else has finally said what I’ve been thinking about David Cook. David has a great way of being able to transform a song, but his vocals grate on my nerves. As someone else put it, it seems like he could simply walk out on stage, and they’d say he was brilliant. I’m so tired of hearing the same thing from him week after week. I don’t want some of my favorite pop songs being butchered by this guy and having it called outstanding. Please Paula, sit down.

seattlesu | 4/16/2008, 5:44 pm EST

I’m hoping Rolling Stone will repeat its brilliance (Clay vs Ruben) by inviting David Cook to be on the cover before David Archuleta chokes on the confetti from his presumptive win. Not since Bo and Constantine have we had a contestant that creates such excitement about what he has chosen to perform. And what’s wrong with singing like Eddie Vedder? I’m sure Eddie is proud to pass the torch.

Review of Reviews | 4/16/2008, 5:41 pm EST

Opinionated people, the last note of Cook’s song was brilliant. I would buy a ticket to his rock concert. The rest are good singers, nothing more.

sabrina | 4/16/2008, 5:35 pm EST

Noone can sign it as good as Mariah. Well, maybe only Whitney Houston.

elaine | 4/16/2008, 5:34 pm EST

I think David Cook’s performance last night was outstanding. He is a very talented young man.

naitch | 4/16/2008, 5:28 pm EST

David Cook is pretentious and predictable. There was nothing awe-inspiring of his rendition of Always Be My Baby and those folks who think this guy is the second-coming need to listen to more music. The version presented last night was very by the numbers, it was the same as any arrangement he has already done, same tempo, same build-up, same use of orchestration, BAD use of orchestration by the way. The Verve make good use of symphonics, David Cook does not. He sounds like a mediocre Lifehouse, which is bad because they aren’t that great to begin with.

Anonymous | 4/16/2008, 5:20 pm EST

2 DAVID AND JASON ALL THE WAY!

EJ | 4/16/2008, 5:15 pm EST

How is singing like Eddie Vedder being true to himself?

greg | 4/16/2008, 5:14 pm EST

Comments saying that David Cook needs to change his style are ridiculous. Kristy Lee Cook changes every song she sings into a country song, even a pop song by Mariah last night, but she doesn’t get any flack for it. I think if it wasn’t for David Archuleta, who I personally hate, David Cook could win the whole thing.

mike | 4/16/2008, 5:02 pm EST

How do you figure he totally murdered the last notes of the song? He totally nailed a tasteful and creative ending phrase.

jim | 4/16/2008, 4:56 pm EST

So far David Cook has proven to be the most versatile singer of all contestants. Hats off to him for being the best of the night.

nicole | 4/16/2008, 4:42 pm EST

Yes, I agree. I don’t think he was so brilliant either. Definitely not the best performance I’ve seen from him. While he’s good, I think sometimes he could just walk out on stage and stand there, and somebody would say he’s brilliant.

suzie | 4/16/2008, 4:40 pm EST

Rosie- He is a rock performer! Therefore, whatever genre of song he is given to sing it will be a have a “rockness” to it. Contestants are supposed to be their true self and sing what they are. Would you rather him make it country?

rosie | 4/16/2008, 4:35 pm EST

I hate how everyone thinks David Cook was so brilliant last night. He has been brilliant before - “Hello” was awesome, but last night he was flat and entirely murdered the last notes of the song. He was way over praised for that performance. Yuck. And he needs to stop the whole turn a pop song into a brooding rock song game. It is getting really old.

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