Simon Cowell guests on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno
- Simon says Fantasia’s performance last Wednesday was like one of those joke first-round auditions (wrong Simon!)
- Simon is taking the fall for Paulagate. Interesting
- He doesn’t care who wins, but if he had to pick someone, he’d pick David Cook, because he’s been around for awhile, he’s paid his dues.
Video after the JUMP…
Simon Cowell Part 1:
Simon Cowell Part 2:
Umm… folks,
Nigel said recently in an interview that both David’s are getting a record deal. The show winner gets a more restrictive contract (and about $500,000-$600,000 in endorsements/deals as a result: at least Taylor did allegedly)
So, do you want David Cook doing the craptacular talk show/private concert circuit, while trying to get out his 1st album, or do you want David Archuleta to do it? Think male Miley Cyrus.
The kid has Disney Channel written all over him. Clean cut, tweens luv him, and he can sing Disney-style music. Face it: Cook Deserves to win like Taylor did in a small way: he paid his ‘dues’ on the road, sure. But do you REALLY want him to have to answer the same questions over and over and OVER instead of having quality time to get his music together? I don’t.
Be careful what you wish for.
Mahler — “big chance” by TPTB — loosely counting the votes in the finale for the Ruben win. I was a big fan of a performer from another talent contest where people voted and the guy’s mother was quoted as “I can’t say much, but let’s just say there’s not much reality in reality tv.”
After listening to Simon talk about who “deserves” the win (not who’s most talented or even “popular”), I’d have to say it’s Cook’s to lose.
All the contestants really worked hard for this: Chikezie, Michael Johns, Carly, Brooke and Archie (etc, etc).. But I felt that Cook really took this competition seriously that I feel every week is like a mini-concert for him: planned and designated to thrill audiences. He even took on a Mariah Carey song. But, Archie is really popular plus the fans of his are really dedicated to make him win.
If you look at Cook’s performances every week, his itunes are more popular and even non-fans (neutral viewers or indifferent viewers) would download his mp3. I even read in his VOTEFORTHEWORST.COM thread that they bought his itunes and they would remark “it is actually good”. For me, that’s unbiased opinion.
Simon actually said in a Larry King interview that Archie would probably win because of the teen and granny votes. I guess in this interview he is just saying that Cook DESERVES to win. He probably still thinks that Archuleta would win this thing.
Personally, I feel that it would be pointless if Cook doesnt win. First, he showed real professionalism (not botching up the lyrics and delivering concert-worthy performances most of the time), creativity and good vocal range (from broadway to rock to cheesy rock songs). If he doesnt win, it’s like it doesnt matter if you perform well anymore. All you have to do is look good and be likable. Those traits would work if this is a beauty pageant. It’s like his hard work are just useless and it would ruin the appeal of the contest for future dreamers who want to use this platform to succeed in the music industry.
Chuckles,
I see your point, but then again isn’t that David Cook’s issue to deal with if he wins? He’s a big boy. He made the decision to go on AI. It’s not like he’ll have a lifetime contract. Sometimes we all have to get down and dirty to go after what we want. We all speculate that it’s a bad thing for the winner, maybe it’s not their feelings on it. So my votes are for Cook. If Archie wins, congrats to him too. This has to be the first year I haven’t strongly disliked my idol’s opponent. But I’m still voting like a mad woman for who I want.
If David A wins and gets the fat prize of record contract (so yesterday) and endorsements, they better tie Daddy down with a rope and shove him in a closet. Can you see the micro-managing behind the scenes. I’m sure all eyes will be watching him while he’s on tour w/ his dad.
I’m sorry but I agree with Simon about Fantasia’s performance. Didn’t understand a word. I’ve been mad at Simon since he asked Jason, “What were you thinking”? Although it did make a great tv moment, “I was thinkin’ Bob Marley”.
Enjoyed Simon on Leno. He is very funny. I almost forgive him for being so obnoxious to Jason.
I’m a Jason and David Cook fan, but I must say that David A. is growing on me. He is a hard worker and has a nice voice. Loved the video of both Davids where DC walks away and leaves DA standing there by himself. I tried to put myself in DA’s shoes last week, trying to perform with all the other stress, on top of people trashing his dad. I thought he handled it well. The more he smiles the more my heart melts, and I’m no teeny-bopper by any means.
I wish both of them the best tonight. They will both be fine.
“No first position has ever one the finals”. Sorry but that is incorrect. Season 2 Clay one the coin toss and chose to go second. I remember it well b/c I am a huge Clay fan. I have no idea about the other seasons but that is how Season 2 went down.
MahlerFan,
Actually Carrie Underwood sang first during the Finale. But she still won. Some people compare her to Archie in terms of inexperience. But I dont agree. Archie has a lot of vocal trainings and competition experience. Carrie Underwood was the real competition/vocal “virgin”. However, I understand the appeal to why she has won. She showed amazing range as well. She could sing Heart’s ALONE and Pat Benatar’s “Love is a Battlefield” eventhough it is not country type of song. She can sing ballads. She can sing upbeat (country) songs.
Going by Kelly Clarkson’s statement that “(Being the winner) of American Idol means you can do anything”, the winner should have that quality. I am not against archuleta but he tried singing “My Boo” and it was very disappointing. If he had sung that perfectly and showed that he can sing pop songs to rock— I would be really thrilled or amazed. But he didn’t. I know Archuleta fans would be angry with this…but the truth is, Im just giving my observation. I do not have blind loyalty. For instance, I love JASON CASTRO but I am not blind to his bad performances.
Oops, I meant Clay “won” the coin toss!
deleted to long and boring
Melinda was never TCO. Jordin was TCO from day one and pimped heavily. If Melinda was they would have signed her like they signed Daughtry.
Am I the only one who thinks they don’t even have a TCO this year? Both guys have been endlessly pimped, both have been presented extremely well, both have gotten excessive praise and now this business with them being allowed to pick their own coronation song. That has NEVER happened and TPTB have never played fair like that. If they were so dead set on Archie winning they would simply let DC sing the winning song, as is with no change-ups like they did with Blake last year.
idolfan86, that’s funny. And here I was, agreeing to comments and editorials I’ve read on how they are pimping D.Archuleta to win right from the start of the competition. I dont find that irritating. I mean, DA was really recognizable during the hollywood and top 24 week. But give DC the credit he deserves.
I watched the American Idol 7-repeat last weekend and I felt like Cook wasn’t given that much attention. However, when he showed he can sing and deliver MEMORABLE performances…he got more notice from the media and viewers. So, if he is getting more “pimped” it’s because he’s got the smarts on how to strategically get the heart of the judges, media and viewers.
Actually, I think she toured with a band.
Anyway, I’m voting for Cookie because I think he deserves to win. Of the two remaining guys, I think he’s been the most solid throughout the contest. I’m also more interested in his original music and seeing him on tour. And for those who think 2nd place is the new 1st, it hasn’t done anyone any favors, except for Clay Aiken. It will be interesting to see how this all unfolds over time.
ETA:
I think they had several CO’s and were waiting to see how they did. Some faded fast (Michael Johns), while others hung on a little longer (Carly Smithson). I don’t think they played fair this season at all, however. Maybe for the finale song, but it sucks for those peeps who spent money entering their “contest.”
I think Cookie earned his spot as a CO. I don’t think he was their rocker of choice (that would be MJ), but he outperformed MJ.
As for fair, they definitely threw several contestants under the bus this year.
No, she didn’t. She won the re-do coin toss and chose to go second (that was the year that the coin fell down the grate and Bo and Carrie had take the grate apart).
Here is the recap from TWOP: Coin Toss
The only winner in 6 seasons to sing first is Ruben (and that was the closest vote in AI history). Was that coincidence or does singing last really leave that much of an impression at this point in the competition.
Didn’t Taylor refuse to sing the coronation song and given the option to pick another? I thought Kat sang something different than DIMYP?
What I loved. Jay Leno and Fantasia, Jay , he is funny!! And Fantasia brought so much energy on stage I loved it!! Simon is boring and predictable as usual….yawn……
ah, you are right! I remember now.
No, she didn’t have any vocal training at all. That was so amazing about her.
I’m not sure “My Boo” should be the measuring stick we use for deciding if somebody should win. I don’t think Carrie or Taylor could have sung that song with any conviction either. Ruben might have. Fantasia would have change it up and you probably wouldn’t understand a word she said (so, “My Boo” wouldn’t be a problem).
It was a bad song choice for Archie. He did sing “Waiting for the World To Change” well enough so I do think he can sing songs that are contemporary. He just can’t sing songs about “My Boo” because that’s not him.
Kelly, now I think that she can sing anything.
Cook has had his disasters too. Hungry Like The Wolf. That Switchfoot song. He’s been pitchy. He’s messed up the lyrics. He’s had bad hair days. He has had a few fashion faux pas.
I think it’s a mistake to judge based on one performance. I really do think both Cookie and Archie have done enough to make the Final 2. I would be happy with either of them winning and I think that whoever has the best performances tonight should win.
But, I think Cook will win.
Based on comments I’ve read on several message boards, Cook seems to have the largest fan base and they are promising to power vote until their fingers bleed. Rickey’s is the only site I’ve seen that seems pro-Archie (and, of course, they will be power voting too). But, there is the big voting block of people who do not go on the internet. That’s the one unpredictable factor.
Ummm. I dont feel that the changes in the coronation song selection has something to do with winner set-up. I think it is more of rebuilding AI image to viewers (due to the slide in ratings)
The coronation song has been heavily criticized for being too adult contemporary. Judges are always pushing for a pop singer or someone who could compete in the music industry. Plus, they always push contestants to “make it ur own!”. The “twist” in the coronation song might be a way for them to showcase the ability and musical taste of the contestant to choose a possible hit.
I don’t think any of the results would have been different had the coin toss gone the other way. Kelly, Fantasia, Carrie, Taylor and Jordin were all going to win (can you imagine ending the finale show with “My Destiny”or Blake’s version of “This is Jordin’s Now” and Kat or Blake winning?)
I think DC could break the coin toss curse and win if he has a good night, and I think he can break the runner-up curse of the poor sales if he loses.
And don’t forget Archie’s got VFTW voters behind him as well. While I’m a Cook fan, I think Archie’s fans have the power voting nailed. IMO, I think Cook’s fans ages tend to be 20-somethings going up, and if they even bother to vote, it might be once or twice. I can’t see them texting, and/or power-dialing for hours. That’s not to say that he doesn’t have a devoted fan base, because from what you see online he does, but I think a large chunk of his fans aren’t exercising their dexterity today in anticipation of tonight’s voting.
As for the pimping, I agree with the poster that said its all a wash. If we’re going to be honest, they’ve both had their fair share of pimping throughout the season. And yes, Simon said that he thought Cook deserved to win, but let’s not forget the snide comments he’s made to Cook throughout the show. I believe it was after he performed Daytripper that he told Cook he didn’t think the performance was “as good as you think it was”, he’s said he found him arrogant (pot, meet kettle), copycat, just above average - really, until the last show or two he didn’t seem completely sold on Cook at all. Conversely, Randy seemed more positive until last week. So who knows. I definitely believe its anyone’s game, both have their fan bases and both have been heavily favored at different times (hasn’t Randy said on the show that Archie is the one to beat?). Also, judging from comments I’ve read in various blogs online, Cook has quite a lot of people who dislike him, calling him a wannabe, phony, cocky, a sell-out, etc. so even those who don’t like Archie but hate Cook will be voting against him tonight. So to me, he is the underdog.
But both finalists come across like nice guys, I don’t think either one of them is feeling overly confident that they’re going to win the whole thing, and at the end of this competition, they’re both getting contracts so I wouldn’t feel too badly for whomever loses.
Sorry for the long post.
I don’t really care who wins. David Cook is my favorite and he will do well regardless if he wins or not. The winner usually gets stuck singing the coronation song on their TV appearances. That may not be an advantage for David Cook. I could see Archie doing it with no problem. He’s got it like that.
I am still chuckling at people waaaaay underestimating Cook’s fanbase texting/voting skills.
LOVED watching Simon be made uncomfortable during Jay Leno’s interview!
THAT’S great television!
I loooooove that it’s underestimated. They have no idea just how psycho we are. Hehe.
And, I think Ryan pulled the wool of lots of people’s eyes about the vote totals being so close. I don’t believe that for a second.
Interstingly enough, it’s Cook’s own fanbase that seems to be the ones that doubt their own texting/voting skills. Is that wishful thinking, self-doubt or unawareness, I’m not sure.
It seems that the Archies are fully prepared to do battle. They seem to respect the competitions voting skills.
Rock n Roll Hall of Fame week Cookie had a lot against him. It was the week of the infamous Daughtry!Shock!Boot! He went first, gave two performances that were seen as bad or simply ok, got mediocre reviews, Syesha pulled out the tears, Archie was told he crushed the competition while performing in the pimp spot, and Jason who was known to have a massive fanbase that has saved him each time he got slammed got ripped a new one…yet Cookie was at the top of DialIdol by a pretty comfortable margin. Yeah his fanbase is beyond lazy.
Twenty something can’t text vote? Oh, they can. How do you think Taylor Hicks won? The Soul Patrol chuckled when Kat fans were spending money sending flowers to her dressing room finale night. The SP were spending their hard earned cash buying Go Phones by the dozen and passing them out.
If the these adult fans didn’t know how to text vote, they know now. I’ve said this before, kids can’t manage the dedication, financial resources, organizational skills and time to power voting like the invested adult fan can.
A contestant with mostly young fans vs a contestant with adults fans? I’d give the win to the adults.
Having said that, I think Archie has plenty of adult fans voting for him.
As far as Archie’s viability as a current pop star? So far, taking his Idol performances as a whole, he’s proven to be the most adept at AC ballads. Top 40 hitmaker? Not from what I’ve seen so far, imho.
“Cook has had his disasters too. Hungry Like The Wolf. That Switchfoot song. He’s been pitchy. He’s messed up the lyrics.”
HLTW was an odd song choice and it was sung so-so. It wasn’t a disaster, it was just, as Randy would say, “ok.” Switchfoot was way pitchy to start, I agree.
I am kinda nuts about lyrics. I didn’t notice DC missing any lyrics. What lyrics did he mess up (if he did at all).
How about I just say both fanbases should not underestimate each other? That sounds good.
Sp’rs know how to text? heh We go to bed at nine, are not rabid voters, don’t know how to text, surely don’t have any tips this season.
Heheheh. Heh. Rumor has it that he flip-flopped the words “floating/falling” (or “falling/floating”) when he sang MoTN. Hee.
Also, I think he might have stumbled and said “day stripper” while singing “Day Tripper”… not that I’m complaining.
I got two Go Phones for season 5 and my son and I got in over 1200 votes for Taylor Hicks. That’s what we’re doing tonight for David Cook.
I can clear this up. In the Beginning of August, David and Andrew went to Round one in Omaha so Andrew could Audition. David ended up auditioning as well, and he passed Round one and Round 2 that day. Andrew did not.
Then in September (2 months later) David went to Audition for round 3 (Nigel, etc) in the morning and Randy, Paula and Simon in the Afternoon.
In between him passing the first couple of rounds in August and getting ready for the September tryouts, Cook watched the Daughtry audition, etc. in order to prepare.
Its not just one audition on one day in order to get to see the trio.
Milajoy! You have my email address, right? :)
mjsbigblog@gmail.com…
I’m amazed that there are still people in the world that think the three stooges are actually at the big 20k stadium cattle call auditions.
LOL, well I can own up to being misguided about the devotion of the adult fans. And in this case I’m definitely happy to be in the wrong. My opinion was based (mistakenly) on the people I know that watch the show, comments I’ve seen by some fans posting online, and by a comment made in an entertainment segment on my local Fox channel when MJ was voted off (she blamed it on the fact that older fans aren’t the ones that call in and they were his most staunch supporters). Before this season, I’ve only watched one other several years back so I am by no means well versed in the machinations of fans getting their favorite to move on.
AInoob, it’s ok! I will even admit to us SP’rs taking it to a whole different level in Season 5 with voting. I was not referring to you really. I have seen so many sites for the Archies that think Cook just has older fans and that the older fans don’t vote. Ummm yes they do, and rabidly.
Wow, young Jay and young Simon look like they were separated at birth!
I kind of wish that Simon wouldn’t tell us who he would like to win at every given opportunity. If he says it often enough it makes the result look like a foregone conclusion. Which kills the excitement somewhat. Anyway, I’m pretty sure that every year he picks the contestant most likely to win, just so he can look like a wise old sage when they do!
I’m not sure if anyone has ever posted this picture of a very young Simon with his first true love, but I have to say the “Simon is the greatest” t-shirt made me smile.
…….he hasn’t changed much has he?
This clip of Simon and Jay was so hilarious. My husband and I were just dying with laughter.
I think Simon was so shocked with Fantasia because that girl could never sing. He’s just finally realizing it. All she seems to do is scream.