Coach’s Corner

It’s the round we’ve all been waiting for. This is the one that will determine this year’s belt holder… the 2008 AI Champion. It seems a bit of a mismatch. If this were a real boxing match, the tale of the tape would look pretty ugly for David Archuleta. I think Cook has at least 8 inches of height advantage and probably at least that much of a reach advantage. Plus, he plays the guitar… which is way better than the piano in this competition. Ah… but Little Man Archie from Utah has the secret weapon in this round… it’s not a razor blade hidden in his shoe or a folding chair ringside that he can slam against Cook during the last song… it’s speed-dialing teenies that are absolutely in love with him. And it is the phone-dialing public that will ultimately determine the wearer of the championship belt.

As I mentioned in yesterday’s post, (by the way… it’s a good read if you’ve got a minute) I think DC should be the run away winner based on talent and potential. He has held the top spot in my rankings since Round 2. Archie has been near the top as well, but I would not put him in the same category as Cook. What makes the finale interesting is not that Archie is really the equal of Cook, but that his voting block may be enough to get him there.

I’ll be live with the competition tonight. Come back over to enjoy it together.

10 Minutes to game-time. I can only imagine what this must be like for the Davids. I played sports and there’s nothing like those last few minutes before gametime. But that was always with a small number watching. Knowing that it’s game-time and 25-30 million people are watching would be unreal. We’ll see who has their game-face on in just a few minutes.

The whole family has gathered to give me a few extra insights…

HOLY COW! THESE GUYS HAVE BEEN READING MY BLOG…I SWEAR THIS IS UNREAL (BUT IN A VERY COOL WAY!)

I can’t believe they just came out and completely did the whole boxing championship announcer thing. Somebody finally realized that I’ve been on the right track all season long. OH HECK… Now they’re doing like a tale of the tape kind of thing and a head-to-head comparison. What a hoot.

Archuleta just does not look like an AI Winner standing up there beside DC. As the judges share a few last minute thoughts, Cowell kills me with the “hate your opponent” comment. He’s in character tonight.

DAVID COOK

• Clive Davis Song Choice - Interesting observation for this choice for Cook as Davis talked about spiritual exploration. “Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For” I know that he can’t sound like Bono or U2, but he has a chance to make a statement here. He has a totally confident look about him as he kicks into the 2nd verse. It’s like he is totally in his element here. This is no U2 version, but it’s not lacking. I think it’s a strong opening flurry for DC.
• New Song Choice - Singing something called “Dream Big” sounds about right for DC. The gunslinger has his six-shooter out for this one and has a chance to bring a little rock-flavor to the annual winner’s ballad. This song really suits Cook’s voice and almost sounds like it belongs to him… which makes for a good winner’s song. Another good performance. Simon, though, isn’t digging it all that much.
• Contestant’s Choice - The World I Know is not a song I know… but it’s his last shot at securing the championship. I like the acoustic guitar and sound. This really gives DC three completely different sounds for the night. Archie will finish up with another ballad, “Imagine”, which means he will not climb out of his box all night. This is probably the best effort for Cook tonight. It’s a strong, intense, but controlled sound. It really showed his full range and versatility. A great finish. I’m really surprised at Cowell’s remarks. I TOTALLY DISAGREE with his assessment of it being the wrong song. Why would doing something he’s already done be better? Whether he wins or not, I thought it was an awesome finish.

DAVID ARCHULETA

• Clive Davis Song Choice - A good choice by Davis for the strength of Archie’s voice… the ballad. Elton John always handled these ballads with a lot of flair and even power. This is the kind of song that DA shines on. This is actually the most animated I think I have ever seen DA. We just might be in for a fight to the finish here. BTW - I think Randy is pulling for DA.
• New Song Choice - In This Moment HAS TO BE A BALLAD. First of all it’s the typical “victory” song for AI, and it’s the only kind of song DA does well. And to no one’s surprise, it IS a ballad. I really did think that the first song was one of his better performances of the year. But this it the typical boring schlock that DA typically sings. The judges will probably slobber over themselves, but I wasn’t all that thrilled with it. It almost seems as if the judges are leaning toward DA. My oldest son, Zach, just said he thinks it may be because he thinks DA has more long-term potential than Cook. I don’t see it… but maybe he’s on the same page the judges are. Somebody help him before he completely falls apart in teary-eyed amazement.
• Contestant’s Choice - Finishing up with the song that established him early on as a favorite, Archie stays entirely in his comfort zone for the whole night. He’s as good as anyone has ever been on this show with these types of songs, but I just don’t see him becoming a major star. He probably has a Clay Aiken-type future. Randy finally makes it clear that he is and has been pulling for DA…. and Simon goes slightly overboard by declaring the night a KO in Archie’s favor.

FINAL ANALYSIS

It was no surprise to have the DvD finale we just had. I would have preferred someone else to go up against DC since we all knew that everything that DA did would be a ballad. I will grant you that DA did what he did with great chops tonight. He was good. But I don’t believe he’s a pop star. He can’t sing ballads forever.

Cook has been my leading contender since Round 2. He has shown week in and week out far more range, ability, skill, courage, and originality. He has been and should be the favorite. But it is clear to me after tonight that he has an uphill battle to win this thing. The judges are squarely in DA’s corner. So Cook will have to not only overcome the speed-dialers (which is hard enough), he will also have to beat the judges too.

I haven’t changed my mind about who SHOULD win… but I think I have a new name for who I think WILL win. I think DA is now the prohibitive favorite to be wearing the belt at the end tomorrow night. But DC may be totally OK with that. Somebody get him Daughtry’s phone #.