Wednesday, May 28, 2008

David vs. David

Archuleta wins by losing ‘Idol’

By Mark A. Perigard / Television
Tuesday, May 20, 2008

If you care about “American Idol” finalist David Archuleta, please vote for David Cook.

The dueling Davids face off tonight at 8 on WFXT (Ch. 25) for the championship of the No. 1 show on network TV.

It’s the Kewpie doll vs. the scruffy rocker.

t also appears to involve a frightened boy overwhelmed by the demands of an overbearing stage father and in way over his head.

When “Idol” narrowed the field to 12, it was easy to peg Archuleta as the ultimate victor. He has a pleasant voice and appears cut from the same nonthreatening pinup material that “Idol” viewers go nuts for. (Remember Sanjaya?)

Even before reports surfaced of musician father Jeff’s browbeating over the years, savvy viewers were worried.

Although he is 17 - the same age as Jordin Sparks when she won last year - he carries himself as if he’s years younger.

He had to be admonished to open his eyes when he sings. That perpetual grin seems so pained, it’s as if he’s trying to suppress gas. Even last week, his eyes darted about the stage as if looking for an escape.

At 25, Cook, a poor man’s Chris Daughtry, is old enough to understand he’s making a deal with the devil.

If Archuleta wins, he is locked into a recording contract, the expectations of an aging franchise and perhaps several more years of his father acting as manager. (“Idol” producers banned Jeff from backstage, either because of his stage parent ways or because his help was giving his son too much of an edge, according to various reports.)

If Archuleta loses, he still will be besieged with offers. But at least then he gets a slim chance of regaining some sort of control over his life.

He recently told one reporter that he’s not even sure he wants to be a singer. He’d like to try other things. One gets the sense Archuleta hasn’t had much opportunity to live outside his father’s dreams.

Do we really need another celeb teen train wreck? The path from “Idol” to “Celebrity Rehab” is a short one, as ex-contestant Jessica Sierra demonstrated.

Archuleta is a minor for another seven months. Give him the space to retreat, however briefly, from the public spotlight.

Coming in second is not the worst thing that can happen to someone on “American Idol.”

It didn’t hurt Clay Aiken.

peili hugged at 3:15 PM