Archu-let-down: 'Idol': Utahn finishes 2nd, says 'it's a big relief'

"It wasn't quite so clear-cut as we called it," he said, addressing Cook. "I would take this opportunity to apologize because I think I was verging on disrespect for you, and I don't think you deserve it."

Archuleta said he's "glad (Cowell) apologized to Cook, because I don't think anyone realizes how much work we put into this."

And both Davids received the highest of praise from the toughest of the "Idol" judges.

"You're both very nice people," Cowell said. "And for the first time ever, I don't really care who wins. I think you're both terrific."

Cook was magnanimous in victory.

"I didn't really know that the apology was warranted," he said.

"I thought what he said was an opinion, nothing more. But at no point did I feel disrespected. But ... an apology from Simon is a pretty rare gem."

While some Archuleta fans — particularly the young ones — left in tears, nobody was crying tears for Archuleta's future, which singer Graham Nash said will be bright.

"He has a beautiful voice. I think he's going to have a big career," said the man whose own career has spanned more than four decades. "Both these Davids are going to make a fortune. As they should."

"I think he'll do great," Summer said. "He has an amazing voice."

"At the end of the day, this is seen all over America. ... It's such an instant fan base that you get from the show," said Bo Bice, who knows something about finishing second on "American Idol" — he was the runner-up in Season 4. "So, it doesn't matter if you win or lose. And to make the Top 2 is a big achievement."

As for Archuleta, he's got the "American Idol" tour this summer and, other than that, he's playing it by ear.

"Right now, I just hope to see what happens. I really want to make an album and see how that turns out. And if music doesn't go as far as I was hoping it would, then I will focus ... education," he said. "It would be nice to make a living off (music), but you never know."

As for his current heart-throb status, Archuleta has yet to adjust.

"I don't really see myself as that. That's kind of weird," he said. "I still think I'm David."

With two hours of broadcast time to fill and only minutes of material that were essential to the show — the announcement of the winner and his rendition of what will be his first single — "Idol" producers had a lot of time to fill.

The show opened with the Davids singing a duet, then a bunch of them doing schtick with Mike Myers that was nothing more than an extended commercial for Myers' upcoming film, "The Love Guru."