[SBRforum Staff]

American Idol: Betting the David's a bit crazy

By: Robyn & Bread

According to the judges, the finale of American Idol's Season 7 was no contest with David Archuleta drawing rave reviews from Simon, Paula and R.J. Despite that, the tote boards at bet shops bounced around like a butterfly with hiccups and eventually cast David Cook as the -175 favorite two hours after the final note was sung. So which David will it be? Tune in tonight for the big announcement.


When it comes to American Idol, there is always some kind of cross promotional agenda. With Bruce Buffer announcing the two remaining contestants, we couldn’t help wondering if FOX will be introducing a new boxing themed reality show.

Looking a bit like Chris Crocker, Ryan Seacrest said, "Coming up on American Eyeliner...oh, wait," and then burst into tears because Buffer stole his thunder.

This was to be the great Battle of the David’s. Not much of a battle. If you TiVo’d the show, don’t bother watching. It can be summed up with the following two words: Phone Book. According to Randy Jackson, both David’s can sing the entire phone book and we hear about it every single week.

Randy, Paula and Simon pimp Archuleta from the word go and Bread’s cheerful mood immediately turned sour. An Archuleta victory will be a difference of $420 in our wallet. Somewhere, Jason Castro and Chikezie just smiled.

First Round: Clive Davis’ Song Choice

David Cook – I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For


Not sure how they did it, but this was the first time in Idol history that U2 has allowed a contestant to sing one of their songs. Super duper!

Although the arrangement is exactly the same, Cook did an excellent job working the audience and looked like a seasoned pro on stage.

Randy said that it was a great way to start out the night – hot baby!

Paula said, "David, you may not have found what you are looking for,but we have!"

Simon thought the performance was phenomenal.

David Archuleta – Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me


Shockingly, as he has done many times before, Archuleta did not tell us that he had never heard the song before. Because there really isn’t much to write about, I am going to pay homage in each round to David’s constant outstretched robot hand and all of the neat things we can find balancing on it.

Randy said that this was one of his best performances all season.

Paula said that her heart was pounding and he gave her chills.

Simon said that this was arguably the best he has done so far.


Second Round: Songwriter’s Contest

This is always my least favorite part of the finals. There are so many great writers out there and we are always stuck with finale songs like this:

A Moment Like This – Kelly Clarkson
Flying Without Wings – Ruben Studdard
I Believe – Fantastic Burrito
Inside Your Heaven – Carrie Underwood
Do I Make You Proud – Taylor Hicks
This Is My Now – Jordin Sparks
David Cook – Dream Big


Terrible song choice. It kind of makes you wonder what the rest of the contest songs sound like. Due to the overwhelming love for Archuleta, Bread was pretty much done with the show at this point. He did manage to look up from the Tigers game long enough to say something derogatory about Cook sounding like Bon Jovi. I didn’t like the song and couldn’t for one second imagine pyrotechnics exploding all around him as he performed it.

But did Paula give it away? After the judges’ critiques, she DID say something about that not being the winning song (see the youtube video above). Hmmmmmm…I think the producers may have something up their sleeves.

Randy thought the song was just ok, but that David sang his face off.

Paula said something about a song in his heart and a guitar in his hands.

Simon thought that he made the most of what he had, but it didn’t feel like a winning moment.

David Archuleta – In This Moment


Yay, we had a Constantine sighting! I don’t know why this excites me so, as Constantine is a permanent fixture of the show. He may even be the mascot for all we know.

If you compare Archuleta’s song choice to that of the past winners, this was definitely more of a "winning song." I don’t remember a single thing about it, except for the fact that we now know why Castro hasn’t been in the audience the last two weeks.

Randy said that David can sing the phone book.

Paula thought that he was on fire.

Simon said that he picked a much better song than Cook.


Third Round: Contestant’s Choice

David Cook – The World I Know


This was an excellent song choice for this David. Week after week, he has continued to solidify the fact that there is definitely a niche for him in the industry.

Randy was impressed that he is showing different sides of himself

Paula gave him a standing ovation and said something about him standing in truth and that she applauds him

Simon thought it was a bad song choice and that he should have chosen Hello or Billie Jean.

David Archuleta – Imagine


It seems fitting that Archuleta chose the song that put him on the map. Need I say more?

Randy said, "Dude, you are so good tonight. Best singer of Season 7!"

Paula said that he was stunning.

Simon said that he came out to win and he witnessed a knockout.

Final Word
If the texting/phone calling public truly does control the outcome, Archuleta will win, no doubt about that. While extremely talented, Archuleta will literally vanish from the face of the earth only to be seen performing some uncomfortable single during a results show on Season 8.

It would be in the best interest of 19 Entertainment and Clive Davis to silently veto the popular vote and choose the contestant who will make the most money for the duration of their contract. If that were to happen, David Cook will be crowned the next American Idol.

It was made abundantly clear that the judges feel Archuleta won the night. Generally, like good little sheep, the public tends to agree with everything the judges say. But tonight, something very strange is happening as I type.

Bread pulled the odds earlier today. Archuleta has been a clear favorite for weeks, but before the show started, he was +210 while Cook was favored at -160. Immediately following the show, Archuleta went to -900 (no big shocker, considering the praise from the judges) and then not even 20 minutes later went to -190.

But get this. Two hours after the show ended, Cook was favored at -175 and Archuleta was +150. What the hell is going on? What do the books know that we don’t? Bread was certain that he lost both bets. I started looking around and found that a lot of the on-line polls are favoring David Cook as the winner. Could this be?

We have a lot to look forward to tomorrow. Apparently "the biggest star in the world" will be making an appearance. We are hoping that star will be none other than Nick Nolte or maybe even Billy Zane. Paula Abdul will debut one of the singles from her new album. We will also be treated to an AI reunion performance from former contestants throughout the years. If Constantine Maroulis and Justin Guarini are not involved, I will never watch the show again.

Good luck to all the bettors out there! This has been an interesting season with plenty of talent. It has been fun writing for you week after week, but alas, we must bid you adieu.

Robyn & Bread

[Wrigley]

dialidol has Cook winninmg by 11 percent

http://www.dialidol.com/

[Sportsgirl]

Originally Posted by Wrigley

dialidol has Cook winninmg by 11 percent

http://www.dialidol.com/

But that doesn't count the 13-year-olds who texted their fingers bloody all night for Archuleta.

[Wrigley]

Originally Posted by Sportsgirl

But that doesn't count the 13-year-olds who texted their fingers bloody all night for Archuleta.

True SG

But DialIdol has accurately predicted the winner of every American Idol season it has covered.

[Willie Bee]

Gonna' miss reading yours and Bread's articles, Robyn

[Wrigley]

Originally Posted by Willie Bee

Gonna' miss reading yours and Bread's articles, Robyn

I forgot to mention that been great reading your AI columns Robyn and Bread

Great Job

[Nicky Santoro]

boys, i am a big AI follower since day 1 and have been betting on this stuff from day 1 and i will tell you this... be careful even though dialidol has Cook as the winner, it means squat..i know dialidol is accurate, and i am not saying that he won't win, but there is a reason why Cook is only -235.. and not -1500.. it could be possible that everyone just assumed that archuleta will win based on their performances so everyone and their grandmother voted for cook to keep him alive assuming archie doens't need the votes because everyone else is voting for him..


no one knows who is going to win tonight. don't assume because cook won Dialidol that it is in the bag. this thing could go either way..

If i had to put my life on the line, i would take Cook, but IMO, it's going to be a very close one tonight. I will not touch this thing. This is not going to be a blowout like Taylor Hicks in the past, or even last year with Jordin Sparks. i am really looking forward to the finale tonight..

[XFactor09]

They're both gay.

[Bread]

lol. I agree! GAY!!!!!!!!!

[BadNina]

A spammer desecrated the Sacred American Idol thread?


And Nicky loves AI. That just clinched it for me.

[bigboydan]

Originally Posted by BadNina

A spammer desecrated the Sacred American Idol thread?


And Nicky loves AI. That just clinched it for me.

caught it as you were making this post Nina.

[onthewhat]

New season starts this week I believe

[BadNina]

Isn't it exciting????

[Bread]

Nicky and Onner in the AI thread. I woulda never ever ever believed it if I didn't see it.

[Robyn]

Bread, if people like to bet, they will be on anything and everything. Those who say it is gay to bet on American Idol are just passing up on another opportunity to win money.

[onthewhat]

I do not bet it however watch show for the hot girls on there. Everyone watches it is highest rated show in USA

Do you two write articles for SBR for AI frequently?

[Bread]

Originally Posted by onthewhat

I do not bet it however watch show for the hot girls on there. Everyone watches it is highest rated show in USA

Do you two write articles for SBR for AI frequently?

Yes. That should add to the gay fire going on around here. LOL.

[Robyn]

Originally Posted by onthewhat

I do not bet it however watch show for the hot girls on there. Everyone watches it is highest rated show in USA

Do you two write articles for SBR for AI frequently?

We wrote all last season....this is the archive:

http://www.sbrforum.com/Handicappers...byn-Bread.aspx

[Nicky Santoro]

i am such an AI junkie, you have no idea.i have never missed an episode in 7 seasons. i would watch AI over a habs game, but nowadays, i dont need to because i always download the show 2 hrs after and watch it on my computer and avoid reading the threads so i dont find out the results.

i have been called gay by everyone for watching this show. i am an addict of AI.. i swear that i have made a ton of money betting AI. Season 5 when Taylor Hicks took it all, i saw something that no one else saw. At top 11, no one knew him yet and i noticed by reading the AI message boards at fox.com that he was soooooooooooooooo popular..everyone had like 11,000 threads about em, Taylor had 124,000 threads about him. the world fell in love with taylor cause he was so loveable, and as you all know, this ain't a talent contest, it's a popularity contest. so i bet taylor +700 or so (documented at MW) and cleaned up. i did hedge a bit at the finale cause katherine mcphee made me a tad nervous. The only season i lost was when i picked Melinda Dolittle to win it season 6 but realized i made a mistake taking her when i knew she wasn't well loved, but had the best voice.


i look forward to AI this year.. can't wait.. starts soon.. should be a fun year.

[Robyn]

Hey Nicky, if Bread and I write the AI articles again this season and he is unable to do the write-up with me one of the weeks...would you like to be his stand in?

[Bread]

Nice Nicky. I started betting on it 2 seasons ago. Cleaned house with Jordin Sparks...had her early on too when she was not a frontrunner. How can you not bet on an NFL player's daughter? Plus, I wanted to touch her.

[Nicky Santoro]

i would, but i have a terrible vocabulary and english is not a strong language for me. i have a hard time understanding rogie's posts. i swear there are about 23 words per post i dont understand what they mean. i can give opinions of each poster in 1 line, but not a writeup of 2000 words on each poster, plus, i am lazy to do writeups..

[Robyn]

Nicky, all you would have to do is talk about the gambling aspect and the value of each contestant. I know you can do that.

[Nicky Santoro]

that i could do

[Robyn]

Nicky, your inbox is full. This is what I was going to write:

If we are going to write again, it won't happen until after the Hollywood shows are over (not until the live shows start). I, too, pay attention to the FOX boards. I have been participating since season 1 (but just lurking the last three seasons). 19Entertainment is very smart for maintaining that board as I truly do think they pay attention to what the fans are saying, for the most part.