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

Carmen, I believe you must be mistaken. There is no way that American Idol's lawyers would be so foolish as to take a contestant (such as Archuleta) out of nowhere, spend millions building up his name, and then not lock him into a contract with iron-clad options to sign. If Clive Davis & Co. don't WANT Archuleta (like they didn't want Gracin and Pickler), that's another story -- then he would effectively be a free agent and could go off and do whatever he wants at another label right away. But I doubt very much that our wonderful 2nd place finisher this year is going to be cast aside by RCA anytime soon. Any rumors that Disney or anyone else wants to do anything with Archie will be completely at Clive Davis's discretion (a power no doubt granted him in contracts signed months ago, just in case a finalist became a big deal -- but then didn't actually win).

I'm 61 years old and the "grammy" of an 8 year old who was devastated that David A did not "win" ! I can't tell you how much fun it was speed dialing and competing with my grandson to see who would actually "get in" when the phone lines opened!!! I believe the teens let David down....I've read quite a few articles today that indicated the average age of the viewer this year was 42 :-) DAVID A IS A WINNER IN SO MANY WAYS...MY GRANDSON AND I WILL BE BUYING EVERY RECORD HE MAKES !!!

Kat in Ohio

They are both amazing talents. They were both deserving to win. They will both have wonderful careers. But it is a well known fact that Idol decides what goes on the first album of both finalists. Let's just hope that Idol won't do like they did with Bo Bice. Let's hope they will release an album that will truly reflect Cook's style. As for Archuleta, they probably will make him sing ballads. Which he excells at. And that would be great strategic marketing. I SO rooted for Archuleta to win. But after seing both contestabts reactions, Cook's tears and emotion, and Archuleta's smile big enough to eat us all, you could tell they were both extremely happy with the outcome. Archuleta may not have been able to endure all the press and added pressure Cook will now have to deal with. He'l have a bit more time to rest.
The future will tell us the rest!

I always love our favourite Star - David Archuleta. He is the best. He deserves to win all the way. I felt so bad yesterday the whole day. Even i know that the best doesn't always win. We cannot ignor the fact that so many ppl do believe the result is rigged.

"If Clive Davis & Co. don't WANT Archuleta (like they didn't want Gracin and Pickler)"

They signed Pickler to 19e. Plus the top 2 gets signed by 19e every year.

Personally, I thought that the American Idol writers/producers owe a public apology for their treatment of David Archuleta.

I cringed at every "diaper" and "pull-up pants" reference during the season.

Rarely have I have seen a contestant like David A. who wished the best for his competitors and felt their pain when they were eliminated. To say he was being a good sport seems like a understatement; he exhibited a maturity beyond his years and he is a stunning example of what it means to love your neighbor. Congratulations to both Davids.

I'm glad they BOTH got cars!!

I've loved reading your articles this year. You constantly amaze me with your many talents. I love your album, I love your book, and I've loved your insights to American Idol. Good luck with all you pursue because the sky is the limit for you too!

Disney would be fools not to do all they can to get David Archuleta, they have had so many nice girls go wild. Britney started there, her pregnant 17 year old sister and Mylee Cyris, sorry if I spelled that wrong, there is also the girl on High School Musical. They need a totally real nice kid that sticks to his values. Kids need a nice kid that sticks to their values, David Archuleta would be a great person to put out there among the teens, but can you imagine the awesome firesides he could do? He would of course sing, but talk about peer pressure, he was among people way older and he stayed true to his self. I commend him and Brooke for both staying strong to that, I don't even worry about the effects of fame on them, both of them want to be who they are. Thanks Carmon for your insights, it is always nice to get the perspective of someone that went through the process.

Simon had egg on his face for once again slamming Cook. He only gave Cook props a few times over the final 8 weeks. Prior to that he was down on him, and voted no for Cook during the first sessions in LA. Simon has never been on board with the rockers. He was really down on Chris Daughtrey at first.

Both David's were outstanding. Either could have won and deserved it in mind. Good luck to both of them.

did anyone see Simon say he wanted Cook to win on "Ellen"?
I think Simon is hard on someone for two reasons...one: you stink (think sanjaya) or two: he really wants you to be better, to push yourself and not settle for average (think Cook)

From the beginning of the show the comments that were being made, I knew that David Cook was going to win. It was like they were trying to sell him as the winner all through the program. I'm sure both will do well but Cook does not have the talent that Archuleta has. If you go back you can totally see from all the pictures of the interviews and the constant remarks about the votes we were being led up to this big surprise. I'm sure Idol will make more money from Cook with his age and lifestyle! I don't think I will be as big of a fan in the future of this show.

Thanks for the insights Carmen. I look forward to your next project. We've enjoyed all you've done so far. Good luck.

Simon said a similar thing on Leno the night before the final competition. He said he thought that Cook would win.

Carmen, I have enjoyed your articles during AI. I wish David A the best. #2 is a wonderful place to be. His voice is so clear and true. I was totally impressed with how David C was with David A. I felt like it was genuine. I have a hard time believing
12 M votes separated them, however. I would like to hear if anyone had the trouble that I and my friends had. We used land phones because we found out that they got through every time and cell phones were getting busy signals. Anyway, many times we dialed and it would just be nothing. About every 3 times it actually came through. It was discourging. I would like to know if others had the same problem. I said 4 weeks ago that David C would be the winner. I just got that from the judges. He is also a fine musician I just don't like "rocker" singing at all. I thought his words were hard to understand and some of it was like yelling. But I wish him the best.

I was not happy that Simon felt he had to apologize to David C. The look on David C.'s face told me that he wasn't all that interested either. I just felt it was dumb after all of the terible things he has said to all the other contestants and only apologized to one other during the entire time, Carly for the way she was dressed the one night.
Yes, I was shocked that on national TV he would say he thought David C should win.

Carmen-I just got on YouTube and saw your music video "Nothing Like the Summer" and was in total shock. You are so amazing! You have grown so much and I just think you are incredible. Way to go. And for anyone reading these comments, I suggest you go take a look.

First - to someone - I feel very strongly that the apology to David C. had nothing to do with anything except that Simon was fully aware of who was going to win that night, and had to back pedal from his comments the previous night. He was covering his "you know what" and that is all.

And jw...I also have a hard time believe the 12 million vote margin. I tend to be a bit cynical about the votes counting at all...I just don't buy it. But I definitely think the 12 million spread was a fabricated number.

Carmen...good job this year on your reporting. I enjoyed reading the vast majority of your articles.

Congrats to David C. fans. He is very talented. And congrats to David A. and all his fans. He is SUPER talented and will go far.

I wonder if Season 7 results will turn out to be like those of Season 2 where Ruben won the title but Clay got the CD sales and adulation from the fans. That was the only year that we have had 2 males in the finals. Kind of makes you stop and think!

I think David Archuleta is super-talented and in retrospect I am glad that he didn't win (although I was desolate Wednesday night)because he is like an entirely different person once the weight and pressure of competing is out of the way. Honestly, that boy is so humble. He really doesn't realize what a great singer and performer he is and and what potential for growth he has. I can see SUPERSTAR written all over him and he will be deserving of any honor that he receives. I think the tour will be great for adding a little polish to his performances since so many of the Season 5 group really benefited from it.

not gonna happen archangelia