"American Idol": And Then There Were Two

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NEW YORK (AP) _ It'll be David vs. David. Syesha Mercado was voted off "American Idol" Wednesday night, paving the way for the expected showdown between David Archuleta and David Cook.

Mercado, a 21-year-old actress from Sarasota, Fla., was the last woman standing on the top-rated Fox contest. The big-voiced belter surpassed a more accomplished singer (Carly Smithson), a fan favorite (Brooke White) and a statuesque country crooner (Kristy Lee Cook).

While other contestants floundered, Mercado challenged herself with ambitious song choices like Sam Cooke's "A Change Is Gonna Come." She showed more personality _ and lots of leg _ while swiveling her hips in a glittery gold minidress for a rendition of "Proud Mary." She cried when Paula Abdul gave her a standing ovation last week.

Abdul held the sugar on Tuesday's performance show, telling Mercado that she thought her performance of "Hit Me Up" wasn't "good enough to get into the finals."

With Mercado out of the way, "Idol" can now fully hype the David vs. David matchup.

There's Archuleta, the 17-year-old singing prodigy from Murray, Utah, with the overly involved stage dad. And there's Cook, the 25-year-old former bartender from Blue Springs, Mo., with an emo edge that the angelic Arculeta lacks.

Who will snag the title next Wednesday?

One thing is for sure: His name will be David.

___

On the Net:

http://www.americanidol.com/

Comments

[Bulbul]

David cook should be the winner...
The other Dave needs time to grow up a bit.
Seysha has a bright future also, better singer or not she is definitely noticable. I paid attention to her early on during the audition, has the stunning look and sweet personality, and now she is one of the top three. The other ladies looked pale compared to her...
Also she is graceful never talked back to the judges. A plus there...

So I think all of the three are the winners.

[TurgidCaterwauling]

Artichoke is an over-achieving high school crooner. His songs all sound the same, and he has no stage presence. The tweenies voting for him may love him, but an idol he's not. If he wins, he'll get more than his fifteen minutes of fame, but he'll always be a B performer. Cook has the potential to be the real album maker here. Regardless of the outcome, Cook will end up as the real winner.

[SharonB]

Go Cook.

Archuleta's voice is still a little immature and not nearly powerful enough. I always feel like his lungs are gonna explode after he gets finished. (Maybe he is just on the verge of hyper-ventilating because of fear of his dad's criticism...?)

If Syesha can't win it, I hope Cook does.

[tutmoo]

syesha got as far as she did by wearing sexy clothes and wiggling her little ass while making goo goo eyes at randy. it almost worked as randy gave her rave reviews.

[Binea]

Young David A. is a talented singer,he will do good things. I Hope Obama invites him to sing "Your the voice" at the Democrat convention ..and I hope the producers of the show let him ?
David Cook is a superstar already.I find myself looking forward to hearing what he does the following week.Simon picked a great song for him to sing,MY Goodness that was great ! Thanx David and David for making watching American Idol with my kids something to really look forward to :)

[CammyV]

Time for a rocker to win this contest. Cooke all the way.

[observing]

Can someone tell me what "emo" means?

[pbfishtaco]

And then there were two. Is that in reference to the number of people still watching?

[robertsandimas]

American Idol is a competition for adolescents and a few adults, not children. Archuleta looks, acts and sounds like a child when he talks.

[MJD615]

I like both Davids...but, David A's father is a hot mess!

[karenann]

I dunno folks, but for me, David A sounds like "MUZAK" -- background music that you hear in elevators or in the supermarket. The kid has a fine voice, to be sure, but everything coming out of his mouth sounds the same -- almost like an endless drone (for me, anyway).

David C on the other hand puts himself into his singing and has tons more polish. He's the kind of performer who makes you want to hear his next installment, because you know it will be original, and that it'll grab you.

Will be interesting to see how America votes next week! Good luck to all!

[dartagnan]

The voters made the right choice; the two Davids are better singers and better performers than Syesha. That said, Syesha also is tremendously talented and I'm sure she has a great career ahead. Best of luck to her.

[DrJimmy]

It's simple! The wrong person was voted off last night!!!!

[WIpatriot]

Did Mr. Jim tell you to say that?

[67bug]

Oooooh....I detect "Quadrophenia" references here!

[hartkid]

Archuleta is a fetal-alcohol muppet baby. He couldn't sing his way out of a wet paper bag. I declare Brooke the winner.

[SharonB]

Hmmm....

[TopazTopazTopaz]

Go David A....He is so humble, so talented and adorable...Cook is too smug for me especially in the beginning when he was rude to the judges...David A is the best talent....=0)

[kellygrrrl]

Word Nerd for the win!!!!

Cook 08

[kellygrrrl]

Syesha is a talented and beautiful girl.
I think she's be great on Broadway or in the pop scene.

Best of luck to you, Syesha!

[jadez]

she will achieve much more then these other two.

she was the only actual performer on the whole show.

david A. hasnt matured a wit the whole time and i doubt anyone over 13 can appreciate his immaturity very much.

david C. ego has grown faster then a MACY's day balloon on roids.
he is very smug and is in for a very rude awakening.

he simply is not nearly as good a singer as he thinks he is.

but, does that kind of stuff ever matter now a days?

[SharonB]

I agree, kellygrrrl...
I do wish her every success. As goofy as some people think this show is, giving a boost to people like Syesha is a great thing.
Take away her singing ability, gorgeous body and lovely face and what do you have...

Just that 100,000 mega watt smile.

[GeoNorth]

I knew this was going to be the finals. It's unfortunate. Syesha is so much better than David A. The kids is technically great, but he has a reedy voice and lacks emotion. David Cook has it all.