David Cook wins American Idol 2008

To me and I suppose many out there it was unexpected but David Cook finally took the title home. One thing I can say without thinking twice is that David Archuleta was better singer but in the end he wasn't the best performer. David Cook, as one of the judges identified, was a much sincere performer especially compared to Archuleta who with his puppy dog eyes and sweet and innocent demeanor was actually more of a drama queen.

I personally found him to be a thoroughbred horse trained for competitions rather than then innocent kid that he pretends to be. The way he roped everyone in and fed on their emotions was surprising for me, looking at this the seventeen year old kid. He consistently chose songs that were "bigger" and did a very good job sticking to his strong areas. For a singer of his capability he did not need that much acting, he could have won easily without it. He had champion written on his forehead. If only he could have gone beyond being a extraordinarily good reproducer of songs to a genuinely talented singer who makes a song his own.

The performances on the finale were absolutely amazing and both of them did a great job but Archuleta was just too good. Its sad that he finally did not make it considering it was a singing competition and he ultimately was a bigger singer than Cook, but I guess Cook was a better performer than Archuleta and much more capable of and comfortable in singing a song in his own style. Probably it all boiled down to maturity.