American Idol finale: David versus David

Two hopeful singers are about to make an all-out sprint to the “American Idol” finish line at the Los Angeles NOKIA Theatre stage Tuesday night for the Season Seven overall title and a one-year recording contract with X19 Entertainment, Ltd.

It’s a lock that a David will win American Idol.”

That’s because after more than 56 million votes last week, the field was trimmed to a much-anticipated match up between a pair of Davids: hard-rocking David Cook of Blue Springs, Mo., and cool crooning David Archuleta of Murray, Utah.

So who will take it all?

A case could be made for either David.

IS ARCHULETA YOUR CHAMP?
If you’re a betting person – literally, then going with Archuleta is where the safe money’s at. According to Chattahbox.com, Wynn Las Vegas Resort in Las Vegas, Nev., has the prodigious 17-year-old listed at a very favorable 5:6 – meaning the odds are at less than even money. That makes putting money on Archuleta equivalent to investing in ferrous metals. After all, panelist Randy Jackson has reminded us numerous times this season that Archuleta “could sing the phone book.” And he’s right – because Archuleta (and his notoriously overactive father) have converted some of the most debatable directory pages (i.e. Fogelberg’s “Longer”) into predictably flowing reproductions.

Bookies aren’t the only ones comfortable with Archie because contrary to popular wisdom, parental-aged voters (viewers 35 years old and up) are shown to be the largest show population. Data from the Nielsen Company on Friday showed that 52 percent of American Idol viewers in the current season are between 35 and 64 years old. Only 15 percent of viewers are aged between two and 17 – the group thought to make up the biggest fan base for Archuleta.

That could mean parents feel comfortable with Archie, the bashful, wholesome lad who has been an introvert when not performing and the kind of youngster you’d invite in for milk and cookies. Meanwhile, Archuleta has also captured their bubblegum-chewing early adolescent daughters’ hearts. He could be the next Ricky Martin – Pepsodent smile and all – without all the gyrations.

Beneath boy Archie’s baby face lies experience. In 2003, at the age of 12, Archuleta worked his way through a similar maze of contestants to the final round of singing show “Star Search,” so he knows what the pressure of “the big stage” is all about.

The Beatles’ “Long and Winding Road” and Ben E. King hit “Stand by Me” showed Archuleta’s penchant for thoughtful, sincere lyrics and a big voice that thrives on long, breathy phrasing – an old soul packaged in a smallish youthful frame. Given the right musical content, the Golden Archie may be the last one standing Wednesday night.

COULD COOK TAKE IT ALL?
Those who look away from Sin City odds makers and lean toward online feedback believe Cook’s your man. At BetCRIS.com, Cook gained a noticeable upper hand with a 74 percent chance of a victory sweep. A poll at E! Online agrees with BetCRIS odds makers that Cook has about a 75 percent possibility of winning.

Could it be that David Cook’s fans are accessing the Internet more? If so, they’ll tend to hammer their computer keypads to vote for D.C. from K.C.

And like his computer counterparts, Cook will be pounding away – on his trusty Les Paul. Not only is Cook a confident musician with an edgy emo, but one that’s not afraid to take risks. Overhauling Beatles workaday “Elanor Rigby” and Michael Jackson pop hit “Billy Jean” into dank, stony reposes was unabashed genius that the mutton-chopped rocker delivered with pinpoint accuracy and a rugged, gravely timbre.

Cook is a total package that encompasses growling mid-range and serrated upper register vocals, instrumental prowess, and writer/arranger wizardry. One of the Missouri native’s many intangibles is his performance knack: like another “Idol” rocker who became an industry vanguard, Cook has the innate ability to perform biggest when the stakes are highest.

Tuesday’s showdown in Los Angeles is for all the marbles, all the pressure is on and David Cook wouldn’t have it any other way. He’ll be toting a pocket full of genius, have the AC-emblazoned axe across his shoulder and be ready to grab the Season Seven title.

HOW ARCHULETA COULD FALTER
Factors that could cause Boy David to struggle would tie to stage presence and past controversy.

Critics of Archuleta have found his performances robotic; resembling the stiffly leaning front row swaybots that lovingly adore him. The experience of “Star Search” and a full season of “Idol” – replete with professional instruction the show offered – should have been enough to get beyond stage delivery resembling Archie-3PO.

There’s also a chance that Archuleta’s father’s past actions may impact voters attitudes. Show producers booted Archuleta’s father, Jeff Archuleta from backstage recently for being highly overactive, a general nuisance and lyric tampering that cost the show royalty fees. If fans begin seeing the singer as an overbearing father’s puppet son, Archuleta may suffer.

HOW COOK COULD FALTER
Factors that could cause problems for Cook would be fan expectations and health.

In some ways, Cook’s toughest competitor isn’t the soft crooning adolescent he’s stood on stage with since January – but himself. With all the intricacies put into a season’s worth of routines, Cook’s ability to provide a new, fresh twist to classic musical scores has raised audience expectations to near-dizzying heights. But how many times can Cook pull a rabbit out of the hat? It will be a daunting task, given his creative past.

Voters could be drastically disappointed if he fails to do so, viewing his efforts as a fizzle – even if the resident rocker outperforms his stand-on-the-X-and-sing opponent.

Another concern for Cook is his health. He was taken to a hospital in mid-season following an “Idol” performance because of blood-pressure problems and his voice box appeared worn after singing “If Ever I Saw Your Face” on May 6. Cook quickly bounced back after the hospital visit with no recurring symptoms reported. Little rest time during the most demanding, pressurized week of “Idol” could leave Cook without some of the vocal dynamics necessary to deliver a winning product.

TRENDS:
According to the Dial Idol Web site, which traces voting patterns, Archuleta was leading the race after the first shows, but he was later surpassed by Cook, who was the top Idol in the rounds of 10, seven, six, four and also during the May 6-7 round of three.

So who’s going to stand under the May 21 storm of ticker-tape a victor?

Looks like David is a sure thing to take it all.

Hopefully it’s a championship worth watching.