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American Idol 7: Which Idol Will Fall Tenth?by Sting7 & David Bloomberg -- 05/13/2008
View Printable version of this article So it’s down to the final three. Two men, one woman. Two men with extremely loyal fan bases. One woman who came on strong, late. Of the two men, one has a decidedly female demographic, the other a decidedly male demographic. The woman has undeniable talent, but it is it just too late? Sounds like we’re talking about Ruben Studdard, Clay Aiken, and Kimberley Locke, doesn’t it? 
But no, it’s the Davids – Cook and Archuleta – and Syesha Mercado we examine. And as always, when our David is speaking here, it is in boldface;, when it’s Sting, it’s in plain text. Last week wasn’t the shocker that so many people thought it might be. Thankfully, I was right last week when I said Jason would be eliminated with Syesha standing next to him. But does that mean the shocker will hit this week? Neither David has ever been in the bottom two/three. Syesha has spent enough time there to start offering timeshares. It definitely seems like we are being primed for a David vs. David finale. David Cook only needs to keep doing what he’s doing, just hike it up a notch. At this point, it is important to look like you want to win! I’ve said in my ranking the Idols articles that he seemed to be coasting a bit. Last week, he wasn’t coasting, but that active brain, always ready to shake up the formula, didn’t strike gold with his choices. Can’t win them all! I would bet he has big ideas for this week to make up for last, and that is the attitude he needs to go all the way. I sure hope he has big ideas and realizes he can’t – and shouldn’t – coast. I’d hate to see David Cook turn into Jason Castro 2.0, deciding that the competition is no longer for him and letting that show through in his performances. I don’t think that’s happening, but how many times have we heard rockers say they were glad they didn’t win because it would have damaged their credibility? Could such thoughts be creeping into David Cook’s head now? I hope not. David Archuleta sort of faded in the last few weeks… until last week, when he seemed to return full strength. While David Cook isn’t afraid to take a clean song into the grit, David Archuleta wants nothing to do with dirt. Maybe a product of his upbringing, or his own ideas, or his father’s (we may never know for sure), but Archuleta’s penchant for clean, uplifting, inspirational song choices have been loved by some, loathed by others. But you can’t hate the hustle – what he’s been doing has been working! 
And if history is any guide, that sort of song is exactly what many Idol fans want. I mean, fans voted for that horrible single Jordin and Blake had to sing last season – a clean, uplifting, inspirational song (at least in theory). But with all that’s been going on in David Archuleta’s life (if reports can be believed, his father basically being told to stay away from the show except during performances), I have to wonder if that will affect him. He may seem to be a consummate professional, but there is still a young boy in there who I’m sure has been used to relying on his father. For Syesha to crack this duo, she is really going to have to summon all the gifts she has and bring together to create not one, but two Idol moments. If the numbers Ryan gave last week – only a million votes between first and third, Syesha could actually pull it off. But, for Syesha, her finale starts now. She’s going to have to be spot-on and perfect. She’s going to have to leave people wet around the eyes in one song, and leaping to their feet with joy in another. Like a baseball player having to hit a grand slam to win the game, it is a LOT to ask for. I agree. And even if she does that, I’m still not sure it would be enough. I think one of the Davids has to be just mediocre – not horrible, which will inspire the fans to dial, just mediocre. All the stars have to line up perfectly for Syesha to make it – but it’s possible, as Sting noted the vote totals from last week. So, which Idol goes next? I would love to be wrong, but I think it is Syesha. I wouldn’t be as upset to be wrong, though I do think she’s been doing a great job lately, but I also think it will be Syesha. That said, it wouldn’t really shock me if it’s not. We’ll find out Wednesday night! If you haven’t already, be sure to check out these other recent articles on Foxes On Idol:
Sting7 has been a respected published writer for many years, as a music editor, entertainment critic, columnist, and interviewer. He currently lives in Europe, loves cold lemonade, ice cream and kittens! You can email Stinger at stingseven@yahoo.com. David Bloomberg is the Editor of Foxes On Idol, and can be reached at RNO@pobox.com. Be sure to sign up for the RealityNewsOnline/FoxesOnIdol e-mail update so you can stay informed about new articles on both sites! Also make sure to check out RealityNewsOnline for recaps and articles covering other reality TV shows. For even more news about reality TV, be sure to check SirLinksALot: American Idol and Reality TV Fever! View Printable version of this article
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