Archuleta is way outside my demographic, but I understand his appeal to the right demographic. He’ll be a big hit. But to the critical music listener, he’s singing the same song over and over again, both literally (”Imagine”) and figuratively. Bo Bice had a similar problem. He reprised his masterful a capella song with exactly the same arrangement a couple of weeks later. Fantasia didn’t suffer the same problem - her second rendition of “Summertime” had a subtly different interpretation that underscored her mastery of the song.

On the other hand, Cook’s performances are a kaleidoscope of musical interpretation. He could tell you what songs he’s going to perform, and you wouldn’t be able to guess how he’s going to perform them. He could almost perform the same song ten times and give you a different version each time. Unfortunately, Archuleta could perform ten different songs that you’re going to remember as just one long song.

Quick - how many different songs can you name that Archuleta performed? Now try the same exercise with Cook. You can probably name more songs that Cook performed, and you probably remember something different about them. You can likely recall how the tempo and style was different from some other version of the same song, can’t you?

This was an excellent season of Idol. I hope they have the “Brothers Forever” guy on the finale - they’ve been teasing a number of images of him in various clips. It would be a laff riot if they’d bring out Il Divo to sing it with him.

Props once again to Augie. Thank you for blogging yet another season.

Quick anecdote: Sometimes I will pose a question about performers, “Would you go across the street to watch them perform?” That became a reality for me last summer, when Taylor Hicks gave a lunchtime show at my workplace, literally across the street. It was hot outside, and I was busy. I didn’t go.

“I am still in shock that David A is still standing. He’s a good singer. NOT a great singer. I see right through it. It’s a Fox Political thing, and has to do with David A being mormon, to counteract FLDS and help Romney at the time he needs it most….THE NEW OSMOND. HOW PREDICTABLE.”

But this still raises the question I have been asking all season - do you vote for who you like, or do you vote for who had the “better” night? If it’s the latter, Archie will win hands down. If it’s the former, it might actually be close.

Totally agree that the very nature of the Idol song suits the type of singer Archie is better than Cook. Which is why I’m glad they at least let them have some selection in choosing their song. However, I’m surprised at Simon - he has midly griped all season about Archie continuously choosing treacly gooey ballad-type songs, but when Archie does that for his Idol song, Simon treats it as a better song choice.

BTW, did anyone notice that when they did their short little montage of “one of these guys can join the bands of legends,” they showed Kelly, Carrie, and CHRIS DAUGHTRY? :)

If FOX wants to change the show, they should let Kimberly Caldwell host for a week.