Laura MacCorkle Christian Blog and Commentary

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Idol Chatter: David Cook Wins!

EDITOR’S “EDITOR’S NOTE”:  In a word:  Conspiracy.  In another word:  Unbelievable.  Yes, after seeing David Cook win the title of “American Idol” for Season 7 last night, it’s time to revisit a conspiracy theory or two.  And it’s also a time to celebrate his unbelievable triumph over David Archuleta.  Read on as Coworker Chad and I wrap up this chatting package as nicely as possible.  With double-sided, two-opinioned tape.   

Laura Mac says:  Two words, Coworker Chad.  Two words.

Chad says:  Coffee please?

Laura Mac says:  Yes, those are two good words, too.  But I was thinking more along the lines of "conspiracy" and "unbelievable."

Laura Mac says:  Especially after David Cook's win last night on American Idol!!!!!  Score for the scruffy and humble bar-band singer!

Chad says:  Oh my word.  I was absolutely shocked.

Laura Mac says:  I know.  I couldn't believe it ... which leads me back to putting on my conspiracy theory hat from a couple of weeks ago.  I just have to wonder if the judges' slobber-fest over The Archuleta on Tues. night wasn't intentional ... in order to throw off the American voting public.

Laura Mac says:  They knew that The Cook was getting the most votes all along.  But they wanted America to think otherwise and let last night truly be a shocker.  That’s my theory.

Chad says:  That's a pretty good theory.  Looking back it's a little easier to see now that a lot of the Archuleta momentum must have been more hype than substance.  I think there were also a lot of people like me who said to themselves, "Archie is a nice kid with a great voice, but Cook is the real artist of the two.  I'm not going to let a bunch of tweeny-boppers steal this."

Chad says:  I'd love to see the weekly vote totals to see where things actually shook out.  All that being said, I want to reiterate the fact that I think Archie really does have a fantastic voice, but America definitely got it right this season.

Laura Mac says:  Yes, The Archuleta is a pleasant young balladeer.  And I mean him no ill will.  I think he will have a good career.  In fact, I could see him going the Phil Collins route and end up scoring some music for animated, family-friendly films.  You know?  Maybe he’ll be more successful behind the scenes than onstage.

Chad says:  I've got another prediction that I don't think will be popular.  He seems like a good kid and I hope he does well, but I don't think he will be the recording star everyone is expecting.  While there are artists out there who make a career of singing nothing but sappy ballads, it's a bit harder than just singing other people's music really well.

Chad says:  He sings the heck out of a lot of these songs, but I have questions about his ability to do original music and become an artist in his own right.  You know what I mean?  I predict his first CD will have moderate sales, but they will be disappointing.  His second will flop.  Unless there is some original substance hiding somewhere waiting to be discovered, he's going to have trouble.

Chad says:  But, I'm probably wrong. 

Laura Mac says:  No, I actually think you're on track.  He could definitely pull a Guarini.

Chad says:  A who?

Chad says:  Just kidding.

Laura Mac says:  Awww man.  I thought I was gonna have to come over there and smack you to reboot your pop-culture recall.

Laura Mac says:  Okay, so let’s move on and discuss any of the performances from last night.  I must say that George Michael's buzzed-out performance (he assured us it was just a cold) was severely lacking.  Who wants to see him on tour this summer after that sad, uninspiring performance?

Chad says:  First off, I want to say for the record that I was a little worried going in last night after the surreal boxing theme on Tuesday, but that was a FANTASTIC show last night.  With the exception of Lost, that was some of the most entertaining TV I've seen in a long time.  Great performances, unbelievable lineup of stars, and very funny moments.  I laughed, I cried, it moved me.

Laura Mac says:  Take a breath.

Chad says:  I was really surprised that it seemed almost completely geared for us Gen Xers who were all asking ourselves how our music heroes got so old.  We are that old, are we?

Chad says:  OK - breathe in and out, in and out.  I'm better now.

Laura Mac says:  Yes, Coworker Chad.  I’ll go ahead and confirm it:  we are old now.  We have gray hair, and we must take our daily multi-vitamins.

Chad says:  Sadness.

Laura Mac says:  Now, let me say what my two favorite moments were from last night.

Laura Mac says:  LOVED David Cook rocking out with ZZ Top.  I thought that was so much fun, and The Cook seemed so relaxed.  The Z's poked along, and they somehow still look the same after all these years.  But I guess 3-ft. long beards can cover a multitude of sins.

Laura Mac says:  And then I really loved the Gladys Knight & the Pips sketch with Ben Stiller, Jack Black and Robert Downey Jr. as "Pips" in the background.  They were a riot!

Laura Mac says:  I surely needed that laugh.

Chad says:  Oh my, I was in tears by the end.  That was downloaded this morning at my house.  I thought the ZZ Top performance was “crazy lava bomb hot.”  And I loved the Seal/Syesha duet. 

Chad says:  There were screams at my house when Bryan Adams emerged to rock out.  We love our northern neighbor.  In fact, that is a cassette I literally wore out in high school.

Chad says:  All in all, I thought it was an amazingly entertaining show.  There must have been a terrible mess backstage from all the moth balls, though.  I couldn't believe some of the stars they pulled out of storage.

Laura Mac says:  Yeah.  How convenient.  I guess "timing" and "coincidence" and "new recordings available at a retail store near you real soon" somehow just all worked together in one night.

Chad says:  Creepy.

Laura Mac says:  Hey, before we wrap up, I think we should give some props to Regie Hamm.  He wrote the winning song, "Time of My Life," that David Cook performed last night after being named the winner.

Chad says:  Go Regie!!

Laura Mac says:  He's a noted Christian singer-songwriter/producer out of Nashville.  So, thumbs up to him. 

Chad says:  Woo hoo!  I also downloaded that song, so I hope it is his ticket to even greater things.

Chad says:  One other observation before I have to get on a conference call.  Last night reminded me how good this season really was.  With one exception, I was really happy to see and hear the other contestants that had been voted off.  It was a really good top 12 this year. 

Laura Mac says:  Me, too.  Me, too!  And to the critics who have said it's been a "flat" season, I totally disagree with that.  There were loads o' mountain-top moments and memorable vista experiences throughout.   

Laura Mac says:  Don't know where they were looking or what they were watching, but AI was good this time out.  Except for last week when we got bored.  That's the only exception. But maybe that was just post-lunch indigestion.  Hard to tell.

Laura Mac says:  Regardless, it's been fun chatting w/you each week about AI.  Perhaps we'll find something else to chat about this summer.  You think?

Chad says:  I hope so.  It's been fun to find a kindred spirit in the office.  Now comes the hard part:  the long wait for the great music from great contestants.  I'll be first in line to download albums from Cook, Michael Johns, Brooke White and a couple others I'm forgetting at the moment

Laura Mac says:  Maybe Chikezie?

Chad says:  Yeah, I really like him.

Laura Mac says:  Well, as long as he doesn't reach out for your hand, while you're rushing the stage and swooning like a little girl.  Then, it's okay.

Chad says:  Good call.

Chad says:  Alright, I'm off to my conference call.  Talk to you later.

Laura Mac says:  Peace out, my brotha.  Until next season. ...