Coming in second place on 'Idol' could work in Archuleta's favor

It's been one amazing season, with many surprises and twists. To say I was shocked that David Archuleta didn't take the "American Idol" 2008 crown is an understatement. I nearly fell off the couch.

However, David Cook is certainly talented and unique enough to be a very deserving winner. Rumor has it that they've both been offered deals — no surprise there! Really, the only thing Archuleta is missing out on is the title itself (and a few extra songs on tour).

Like Clay Aiken, runner-up for Season 2, Archuleta is every bit as popular as the winner and has nothing to be bummed about. In fact, this could actually work toward his advantage.

Archuleta can now do one of two things: He can choose to go with his own label in his own direction (I'm sure he'll have his pick — I've even heard a rumor Disney has approached him) or sign on with Clive Davis at RCA like Aiken and Blake Lewis (last year's runner-up) did. If RCA picks him up, he'll be well-promoted and taken care of.

He'll be in good company. The label is home to several other "Idol" contestants (Chris Daughtry, Kelly Clarkson, Fantasia Barrino, Blake Lewis, Aiken, Jordin Sparks and Carrie Underwood), half of which were winners, half of which were not, but all have had great success at the label.

If Archuleta chooses to go with another label, as Kelly Pickler of Season 5 did (she's with BNA Nashville, a sister record company to RCA), or Josh Gracin of Season 2 (Lyric Street Records), he'll also be in a good position. Not only do the other labels want to compete with RCA in selling records, sometimes the independent labels have more time and money available to spend on individual artists.

Both Gracin and Pickler are on major labels and have had gold-selling records and have had top 20 hits on the Billboard charts. Gracin has had three songs hit the top 5 and a No. 1 single, "Nothin' to Lose."

Obviously, they've both been able to stay in the public eye several years after their seasons ended and have had very successful careers. Either way, because of the popularity of Archuleta, he'll be able to build successfully a career with — or without — the help of the RCA label.

I'm really happy for Cook. I didn't think he needed the show to win because of his talent and experience. But now he has a great opportunity to be the first-ever rock singer to have won the show. I think he'll put out a very genuine album and that the fans will love it.

He is original, creative and innovative. I don't think he was a wrong choice to win.