Angelo Cataldi’s FINAL Idol Blog
Update: Oops! We’ll this should tell you how much I know about pop culture. David Cook won the vote by an incredible 12 million voters. He was so happy, he cried when he won. So much for my theory on “street cred.” Hey, what can I say? I’m an idiot. At least the two Davids were great finalists, and the last American Idol of the season was one of their best shows ever. That final song by David Cook, with the confetti falling all around him, was the perfect way to end a great season. Now I’m going to crawl back into my hole, never to be heard from again.
— Angelo Cataldi
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Angelo Cataldi’s earlier prediction: ”I am writing this just a few hours before the American Idol is revealed, but I really don’t need to see the final show to know who has won. How it came about during the intense last round of competition was fascinating, though. By all appearances, David Cook tanked the final night. He handed the title to David Archuleta, and it really makes perfect sense for both of them. Cook is a rocker. How much street cred would he have if he was crowned the American Idol? Winning would actually hurt his sure-to-be humongous CD sales. So he picked songs that were outside the mainstream, even ignoring his biggest crowd-pleaser, Billie Jean.
Meanwhile, Archuleta put it all out there on the last night, picking better songs and closing with his amazing rendition of Imagine. The kid won it. I would never buy one of his CDs — and I fear others will be just as reluctant — but he is an amazing talent. He is more in keeping with the idea behind American Idol, a goofy kid with a stunning talent coming out of nowhere and captivating the country.
So, it will be official in just a little while, a happy ending for everybody. David Archuleta will be the next American Idol. David Cook will be a huge star, along the lines of Chris Daughtry. And we all got to enjoy the best season ever of the nation’s most popular show.”
— Angelo Cataldi
Popularity: 39% [?]

Comment by Kerri-Lee on 22 May 2008:
It’s Thursday morning, and I was just on Angelo Cataldi’s Radio Show– He’s horrified that he looks bad for blogging that Archuletta was going to win. I was cracking up, because I thought it was so sweet how serious he takes his KLTV Idol Blogging. But I have good news– HE’S GOING TO BLOG WITH A FRESH OUTLOOK LATER TODAY! Standby, this is not his LAST BLOG, there is one more coming.
Comment by Tom on 22 May 2008:
I believed like the rest of the country DA would win but DC would cash in. But, how does anyone buy this was the best season ever. Count how many times the show told you that. I think this was the worst season ever. Top 12 there was not one person who I said “Can’t wait to hear X sing tonight” I could not wait until last nights show was over. Pathetic former greats trying to sell new music to us. Rest on your classics. In fact it was so bad I shut it off @ 9:00.
Comment by Daphne on 22 May 2008:
I just linked here from Philadelphia Will Do and I too Angelo am eating my words. I got this thing wrong as well. You are not alone if that makes you feel any better
Comment by Kerri-Lee on 22 May 2008:
I was on the phone with my mom when the announcement was made, and she said, “I can’t believe it, I wanted the little guy to win!” She loved Archuleta, but then reminded me of Cook’s struggles with his brothers health, and I saw his tears and how overwhelmed he was by emotion and we were both really happy for him. Let’s face it, they’re both highly talented and major superstars and both will, and should do very well.
Comment by Mugwump on 22 May 2008:
Hey bignose…looks like you were wrong again.
You gonna gather up a crew of hoodlums, fly out to Idol studios, and boo the selection of David Cook?
Comment by Coolerbyamile on 22 May 2008:
America definitely got it right!!! Yes, David A. has a great voice, but David C’s got the whole package!! I don’t think David A. could have handled winning. He looked like he was going to pass out every time the judges commented on his singing.
I also thought Simon was using a little “reverse psychology” on America with all his negative comments about Cook. Remember when Carly got voted off???!!! Say great things – they get voted off. Say not such great things and the votes pour in!
I thought it was so cute at the very end of this show when you could read David’s brother’s lips as he said, “THAT’S MY BROTHER” with tears in his yes. He was so proud.
Great show last night!
Comment by Kerri-Lee on 22 May 2008:
That was an amazing moment, Cooler. My eyes welled up too… touching story and his life just changed forever, both of theirs did.
Comment by steve odabashian on 22 May 2008:
TOLD YOU ANGELO!
If there were any street cred to worry about, just entering American Idol is enough to lose it. Once you’re in it, and get to the final 2, why tank it? Might as well win it at that point.
Cook is the one that came out of nowhere. Arhculeta won Star Search, and has been doing this for years. He has been groomed (most likely by his overbearing Bonaduce-clone father) to do this.
Cook wasn’t even planning to enter at all.
There’s your story.
Enjoyed my gig as the WIP morning show Idol expert, and glad I guessed Cook, despite all the judge’s pre-coronation of Archuleta (Mr. Peepers) the night before.
Steve O
Comment by shaikens on 22 May 2008:
I am so glad DCOOK won. I got really excited. I wrote a letter to him on my blog! woohoo! haha
Comment by IdolTube.net on 28 May 2008:
Hello,
I would like to invite you to this website, IdolTube.net. It’s a combination of American Idol and YouTube! You can find music videos from many different countries or you can add your own. Thanks for checking out the website. Please spread the word. Have fun!