Video Beat SPECIAL - DAVID COOK WINS AMERICAN IDOL

James Loving - National Radio Text Service

Following the previous days competition where David Archuleta and David Cook faced off in a head to head competition with each singing three songs for America to decide who they would vote for to be the next American idol it appeared that Archuleta was the odds on favorite to win - NBA ON TV - Recommended TV Listings

Los Angeles, California USA - Wednesday May 21, 2008

COOK SURVIVES SIMON COWELL'S CRITICISM

Following the previous days competition where David Archuleta and David Cook faced off in a head to head competition with each singing three songs for America to decide who they would vote for to be the next American idol it appeared that Archuleta was the odds on favorite to win. AI judge Simon Cowell repeatedly championed how great Archuleta's performances were stating that he won rounds one and two and the entire night. Throughout the evening he continually criticized Cook's performances.

The performance night's show had a boxing theme with the two performers coming out on stage after a boxing match type of announcement by famed boxing announcer Michael Buffer. The two contestants wore boxing attire with gloves and robe to square off against each other. This was in part over production and not necessary as well as being somewhat in bad taste putting unneeded pressure on the performers and giving the show a carnival type atmosphere. It raised the question, Is someone losing the plot?

In truth Archuleta gave the best showing in performance and choice of songs that evening. After winning a coin flip before the show Archuleta chose to sing second . They each sang three songs, one each from recording company president Clive Davis who is responsible for signing Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey and Alicia Keys. As we've mentioned in the past Archuleta reminds us of a young Elton John and Davis chose Elton's "Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me" for the young 17-year-old high school student to sing whereupon he did an excellent job. Davis chose "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For" for Cook and the judges praised his performance.

For their second song both David's chose one of the top 10 songs entered in the American Idol songwriting contest. Cook sang "Dream Day" and didn't impress the judges. Cowell gave him a 6 ½ out of 10 rating and noted that he chose the wrong song but added "You made the most of what you had." Archuleta sang "In This Moment" to which Cowell said that the song, "Was in keeping with the night." He then added, "Round two goes to David Archuleta."

Each chose the song they wanted to sing for their third song. Cook chose for "The World I Know." Cowell said,"You are one of the nicest singing contestants we've ever had." He then commented on the song as being "The wrong song for you on the night." Archuleta sang "Imagine" a song he previously did earlier in the season that resulted in it being the most downloaded 2008 American Idol song on iTunes.

In his closing critique judge Randy Jackson pointed at Archuleta and said, "The best singer in season seven if right there." Cowell said to Archuleta , "You came out tonight to win and what we have witnessed is a knockout."

The following day when the judges gave their closing comments prior to the winner being announced Cowell admitted to Cook on camera that after he reviewed the tapes of the performance show, "I want to take this opportunity to apologize to you. Last night I was verging on disrespect for you, I don't think you deserved that."

Well America voted and they proved that they were bigger than Cowell and Jackson when by a 12 million vote margin of victory of the 97.5 million plus votes cast they chose David Cook, 25 as the 2008 American Idol as he received 56% of the vote to Archuleta's 44%. Cook broke out in tears with the announcement as his mother came on stage and leaned her head on her sons winning shoulders. The 17-year-old Archuleta smiled and took the loss graciously like a man.

Cowell's knockout statement was in keeping with the theme of the show but obviously America did not agree with Cowell and Cook is the 2008 American Idol champion.

LARRY KING DOES AMERICAN IDOL

It seems to be an annual event as TV talk show host Larry King interviews judges and contestants from American Idol. This past week his guest was American Idol host Ryan Seacrest. King asked the question we often ask is there a third impartial party that monitors the American Idol voting. Seacrest replied that there was but he couldn't reveal who they were due to instructions from the show and network lawyers.

Then came the big blast when king asked if it were true that Simon Cowell wanted to rid the show of fellow judges Randy Jackson and Paula Abdul as well as Seacrest in order to inject some new blood into the program. Seacrest's answer was no but this is an issue worth watching for future development.

As the supposedly number one television show in America popularity grows so does Cowell's ego. It's to the point where it appears that he feels that he's BIGGER THAN THE SHOW. Stay tuned….

King is scheduled to interview the American Idol winner on his show this coming Friday that will be televised in America and interview the other contestants the following episode.

NOTE: The Larry King program airs on a delayed basis in Southeast Asia. King's schedule is below so the best bet is to check in at the top of the show and see if the American Idol contestants are appearing on that day.

AMERICAN IDOL RESULTS

12. David Hernandez

11. Amanda Overmyer

10. Chikezie Smith

9. Ramiele Malubay

8. Michael johns

7. Kristy Lee Cook

6. Carly Smithson

5. Brooke White

4. Jason Castro

3. Syesha Mercado

NBA GAMES ON TV

NBA (National Basketball Association) playoff games are televised in the Southeast Asia region on the Star Sports television Network on Friday and ESPN Saturday's. Start times vary depending on the start time in the region of the USA from where the games is televised. Playoff games are now being televised Wednesday morning's on Star or ESPN Sports. The networks are related and they flip the programming around. Check your local listings for the time.

TV SCHEDULE

Note: The shows listed are for the Cambodia - Thailand time zone. Check your local listings for time and date in your area.

MONDAY

5:00 PM - LARRY KING - CNN - Airs daily

TUESDAY

5:00 PM - LARRY KING - CNN - Airs daily

WEDNESDAY

??:?? AM - NBA Playoff GAME - Star or ESPN Sports

5:00 PM - LARRY KING - CNN - Airs daily

5:00 PM - AMERICAN IDOL FINAL - Star World

7:00 PM - AMERICAN IDOL FINAL - Star World - repeat of 5 PM telecast

10:30 PM - AMERICAN IDOL FINAL - Star World - repeat of 5/7 PM telecast

THURSDAY

12 NOON - AMERICAN IDOL FINAL - Star World - repeat of previous day

5:00 PM - AMERICAN IDOL ELIMINATION SHOW - Star World

5:00 PM - LARRY KING - CNN - Airs daily

7:00 PM - AMERICAN IDOL ELIMINATION SHOW - Star World - repeat of 5 PM telecast

10:30 PM - AMERICAN IDOL ELIMINATION SHOW - Star World - repeat of 5/7 PM telecast

FRIDAY

??:?? AM - NBA GAME - Star Sports

12 NOON - AMERICAN IDOL ELIMINATION SHOW - Star World - repeat of previous day

2:00 PM - TOP MODEL - CYCLE 9 - Channel V

5:00 PM - LARRY KING - CNN - Airs daily

9:00 PM - NBA GAME - Star Sports - Replay of earlier game)

SATURDAY

??:?? AM - NBA GAME - ESPN

7:30 PM - HI NET WORTH - (financial magazine show) - CNBC

9:00 PM - JAY LENO - CNBC

SUNDAY

5:00 PM - LARRY KING - CNN - Airs daily

8:30 PM - HI NET WORTH - (financial magazine show) - CNBC

9:00 PM - JAY LENO - CNBC

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