Carmen, I believe you must be mistaken. There is no way that American Idol's lawyers would be so foolish as to take a contestant (such as Archuleta) out of nowhere, spend millions building up his name, and then not lock him into a contract with iron-clad options to sign. If Clive Davis & Co. don't WANT Archuleta (like they didn't want Gracin and Pickler), that's another story -- then he would effectively be a free agent and could go off and do whatever he wants at another label right away. But I doubt very much that our wonderful 2nd place finisher this year is going to be cast aside by RCA anytime soon. Any rumors that Disney or anyone else wants to do anything with Archie will be completely at Clive Davis's discretion (a power no doubt granted him in contracts signed months ago, just in case a finalist became a big deal -- but then didn't actually win).

I'm 61 years old and the "grammy" of an 8 year old who was devastated that David A did not "win" ! I can't tell you how much fun it was speed dialing and competing with my grandson to see who would actually "get in" when the phone lines opened!!! I believe the teens let David down....I've read quite a few articles today that indicated the average age of the viewer this year was 42 :-) DAVID A IS A WINNER IN SO MANY WAYS...MY GRANDSON AND I WILL BE BUYING EVERY RECORD HE MAKES !!!

Kat in Ohio

They are both amazing talents. They were both deserving to win. They will both have wonderful careers. But it is a well known fact that Idol decides what goes on the first album of both finalists. Let's just hope that Idol won't do like they did with Bo Bice. Let's hope they will release an album that will truly reflect Cook's style. As for Archuleta, they probably will make him sing ballads. Which he excells at. And that would be great strategic marketing. I SO rooted for Archuleta to win. But after seing both contestabts reactions, Cook's tears and emotion, and Archuleta's smile big enough to eat us all, you could tell they were both extremely happy with the outcome. Archuleta may not have been able to endure all the press and added pressure Cook will now have to deal with. He'l have a bit more time to rest.
The future will tell us the rest!

I always love our favourite Star - David Archuleta. He is the best. He deserves to win all the way. I felt so bad yesterday the whole day. Even i know that the best doesn't always win. We cannot ignor the fact that so many ppl do believe the result is rigged.

"If Clive Davis & Co. don't WANT Archuleta (like they didn't want Gracin and Pickler)"

They signed Pickler to 19e. Plus the top 2 gets signed by 19e every year.

Personally, I thought that the American Idol writers/producers owe a public apology for their treatment of David Archuleta.

I cringed at every "diaper" and "pull-up pants" reference during the season.

Rarely have I have seen a contestant like David A. who wished the best for his competitors and felt their pain when they were eliminated. To say he was being a good sport seems like a understatement; he exhibited a maturity beyond his years and he is a stunning example of what it means to love your neighbor. Congratulations to both Davids.

I'm glad they BOTH got cars!!

I've loved reading your articles this year. You constantly amaze me with your many talents. I love your album, I love your book, and I've loved your insights to American Idol. Good luck with all you pursue because the sky is the limit for you too!

Disney would be fools not to do all they can to get David Archuleta, they have had so many nice girls go wild. Britney started there, her pregnant 17 year old sister and Mylee Cyris, sorry if I spelled that wrong, there is also the girl on High School Musical. They need a totally real nice kid that sticks to his values. Kids need a nice kid that sticks to their values, David Archuleta would be a great person to put out there among the teens, but can you imagine the awesome firesides he could do? He would of course sing, but talk about peer pressure, he was among people way older and he stayed true to his self. I commend him and Brooke for both staying strong to that, I don't even worry about the effects of fame on them, both of them want to be who they are. Thanks Carmon for your insights, it is always nice to get the perspective of someone that went through the process.

Simon had egg on his face for once again slamming Cook. He only gave Cook props a few times over the final 8 weeks. Prior to that he was down on him, and voted no for Cook during the first sessions in LA. Simon has never been on board with the rockers. He was really down on Chris Daughtrey at first.

Both David's were outstanding. Either could have won and deserved it in mind. Good luck to both of them.

did anyone see Simon say he wanted Cook to win on "Ellen"?
I think Simon is hard on someone for two reasons...one: you stink (think sanjaya) or two: he really wants you to be better, to push yourself and not settle for average (think Cook)

From the beginning of the show the comments that were being made, I knew that David Cook was going to win. It was like they were trying to sell him as the winner all through the program. I'm sure both will do well but Cook does not have the talent that Archuleta has. If you go back you can totally see from all the pictures of the interviews and the constant remarks about the votes we were being led up to this big surprise. I'm sure Idol will make more money from Cook with his age and lifestyle! I don't think I will be as big of a fan in the future of this show.

Thanks for the insights Carmen. I look forward to your next project. We've enjoyed all you've done so far. Good luck.

Simon said a similar thing on Leno the night before the final competition. He said he thought that Cook would win.

Carmen, I have enjoyed your articles during AI. I wish David A the best. #2 is a wonderful place to be. His voice is so clear and true. I was totally impressed with how David C was with David A. I felt like it was genuine. I have a hard time believing
12 M votes separated them, however. I would like to hear if anyone had the trouble that I and my friends had. We used land phones because we found out that they got through every time and cell phones were getting busy signals. Anyway, many times we dialed and it would just be nothing. About every 3 times it actually came through. It was discourging. I would like to know if others had the same problem. I said 4 weeks ago that David C would be the winner. I just got that from the judges. He is also a fine musician I just don't like "rocker" singing at all. I thought his words were hard to understand and some of it was like yelling. But I wish him the best.

I was not happy that Simon felt he had to apologize to David C. The look on David C.'s face told me that he wasn't all that interested either. I just felt it was dumb after all of the terible things he has said to all the other contestants and only apologized to one other during the entire time, Carly for the way she was dressed the one night.
Yes, I was shocked that on national TV he would say he thought David C should win.

Carmen-I just got on YouTube and saw your music video "Nothing Like the Summer" and was in total shock. You are so amazing! You have grown so much and I just think you are incredible. Way to go. And for anyone reading these comments, I suggest you go take a look.

First - to someone - I feel very strongly that the apology to David C. had nothing to do with anything except that Simon was fully aware of who was going to win that night, and had to back pedal from his comments the previous night. He was covering his "you know what" and that is all.

And jw...I also have a hard time believe the 12 million vote margin. I tend to be a bit cynical about the votes counting at all...I just don't buy it. But I definitely think the 12 million spread was a fabricated number.

Carmen...good job this year on your reporting. I enjoyed reading the vast majority of your articles.

Congrats to David C. fans. He is very talented. And congrats to David A. and all his fans. He is SUPER talented and will go far.

I wonder if Season 7 results will turn out to be like those of Season 2 where Ruben won the title but Clay got the CD sales and adulation from the fans. That was the only year that we have had 2 males in the finals. Kind of makes you stop and think!

I think David Archuleta is super-talented and in retrospect I am glad that he didn't win (although I was desolate Wednesday night)because he is like an entirely different person once the weight and pressure of competing is out of the way. Honestly, that boy is so humble. He really doesn't realize what a great singer and performer he is and and what potential for growth he has. I can see SUPERSTAR written all over him and he will be deserving of any honor that he receives. I think the tour will be great for adding a little polish to his performances since so many of the Season 5 group really benefited from it.

not gonna happen archangelia

DA at his age has the whole world open to him and his career.

I wish his dad wasn't so messed up, I think that hurt him.

David Cook is not anything special that you can't go see at the Roxy or HOB in LA, the Suede, Port-o-Call or palledium in PC/SLC.

DA is special, and will pull in the big bucks as a male Miley Ray Cyrus.

Carmen and David should do a show together. That would be awesome! I'm sort of kidding but sort of not. She's seriously developed into a great country singer. I'd go watch.

David A. is a great talent and David C. is good as well but not as talented. However, beyond that, the voting is skewed. Everyone should have ONE vote rather than vote all night long. The real truth of who was voted on the most should only come from individual persons who voted once rather than how many times a person voted or how long they stayed up to vote. That doesn't give you the true numbers of how many chose which contestant! In reality, it doesn't matter, they will both have great careers and live out their dream. Good luck to both of you (but I will buy David A's cd - David C doesn't sing my choice of music.)

Leave it to Utah to have biased reports On David A.. He's a great contestant, totally humble, good voice, but he didn't blow the competition out of the water Tuesday night. So Simon's apology was very much needed. David is great, but sings the same ballads time and time again. Enough with the slow songs. And enough with the Utah bubble reporting and mentality. It makes normal "Mormons" look bad.

Carmen, all over the internet, DA fans had an idea who the show wanted to win the whole time. For weeks DA was denied songs he first requested. Simon and Paula declared Cook as American Idol weeks ago.

He downplayed Cook and praised DA on purpose. He knew how to get his favorite to win. He never hide that DC is his favorite, he said that everywhere, on Larry King, Ellen, Leno, Oprah. I didn't believe one bit his praise for Archie on monday was sincere, even thougu Archie was really outstanding.

I am not trying to take anything away from DC. He deserved it, they both are great. But just to tell you that I am not surprised at all our boy didn't win. They wanted a rocker so badly to make up for Daughtry loss.

I am happy to see little David so lifely again. Yes, I agree that finishing second might actually work in his favor, if he and his camp know how to work their card.

Please, don't go Disney David!!!

The winner should be the best singer with the most experience. David C. has paid a lot more dues than David A. I don't think anybody should be upset because he didn't win. He'll be be making more money than most of us will EVER see. He'll be just fine.

The voting for four hours up to 1:00am was to David Cooks advantage. The people at AI are all aware that David A.'s fan base are mostly made up of teens and under. These kids never had a chance voting after 10:00pm on a school night. This is the true reason David A.lost. Not because of fan base, but because of unlimited voting, bedtimes and next day school. If AI continues to offer this type of entertainment geared to our young people they should make it fair for all fans. Having a contest that goes on half the night on a school night is just not good form. I saw a message from one child that said if their parents made them go to bed at 9:00pm they would get under the covers and vote for the rest of the night or until they are caught. A.I. you are not sending a good message to the youth of our country.

I think the voting was a techno-race. I know I had a hard time getting my calls through for Archuleta. I agree that viewers who are younger are limited in voting because of bedtimes and because parents might limit calls due to $$$. I also think viewers who are much older would not be as likely to stay up phoning again and again especially if lines are busy. Seems to me every call should be received.

At any rate, fan mail gets received...Archies, let's overturn the techno-race with a fan mail race! I have great hope that David Archuleta will be the talented musician that will turn the tide of non-virtuous/worldly-minded stars around. He is a breath of fresh air!!! David, stick to what you're all about. Perhaps someday you'll be at the front of new stars who keep their integrity and still have success and oodles of fans. I'll stand by you for as long as you stay the you that you are!

I can't believe archie came in second place!but to me archie will always be the true american idol of season 7,even the judges thought so.There must have been a mistake.Anyway,it doesn't matter that he didn't win because the only thing that matters now is that he will soon record his first album.I am so looking forward to hear it and watch his video clips.Always love him!

American Idol and the voting are as crooked as a dogs hind leg....but it has all been very entertaining, David A. will be fine...the little sweetie. We all love him. David Cook is a nice guy too. As long as I get to hear David A. sing, I'm happy.

I have loved watching DA this season with my 3 teens. It's been a delight to see a shining example of goodness who shares his gifts and talents and who is making a difference for good in the world.

David--if you ever have time to read all these comments, Thank you for standing for truth and goodness. Our children are watching you and as a Mom, I appreciate your example. I suspect that some of those judges had a hard time dealing with someone who was so un-worldly. You don't fit their mold, and thank goodness for that. Stay true to who you are and sing out to the world! We applaud you.

Are you kidding me with DA. The judges were crooked?????? No way the true David won. DA has no charisma at all. He is a one emotion kid. No doubt he can sing. That is not in question. He could sing this blog and make a #1 hit. But to say that he is the American Idol is fallacious at best. With some more maturity and some street smarts he could be a winner. I hope that Disney signs him, because they know how to market sappy ballads.

I have to say, I absolutely could not get through on my cell phone but could get through on my land line. Cell kept getting a message that said lines were busy, try again later. Since more teens would probably use cell phones, I bet it was hard to get multiple votes in for teens. Not sure about texting. didn't try it.

Big fan here!

I heard somewhere that David Archuleta was looking at signing with Jive Records. I've never heard of the company. Does anyone know anything about them? I also read a comment someone made that indicated that David had gotten a better contract than Cook. Does anyone know if that's true?

I have really enjoyed this season of American Idol because of the awe I feel for David's talent and the excitement of watching him on his way to the top. I don't know if I'll watch the show in the future.

I can't wait to see David in concert in July and be able to purchase his CDs. I admire him so much and his talent defies description! He's the definition of "incredible". Love the kid! He's stepping up to the plate in the interviews I've seen, too. Facing his fears and doing well. Go, David A.!

"Any rumors that Disney or anyone else wants to do anything with Archie will be completely at Clive Davis's discretion"

Not true. Clive Davis is no longer head of RCA. He has been politely pushed aside and given a meaningless title. He no longer has the power he previously had. In addition, a 2nd place winner, if signed by 19R, is only obligated to them for one year, as opposed to the 5 yrs. of the winner.

It could very well happen that coming in 2nd could be to his advantage. IT worked for Clay Aiken, who in my opinion was tons better in talent and everything to the second season winner Reuben (don;t know his last name). Clay is tons more popular then Reuben. I think that David Archuleta has more talent then David Cook when it comes to singing - so good things could happen. He just needs to brush up on his interviewing skills and he's set.

David Archuleta was winning until about 2 hours into the 4 hour voting period, and then many of David's younger fans had to go to bed because there was school the next day. David Cook's bar fans voted until midnight and won the title for Cook. Remember, normally AI allows only 2 hours to vote, so the younger fans can vote the entire time, AI extended the voting period to 4 hours for the last voting period.

It is my belief, that this season was navigated by money projection. Duh! However, I so wanted to believe that David Archuleta would get a genuine fair shake. I mostly was angry at Cowel because I heard him state on Leno that he felt Cook worked so hard and deserved to win. I feel Archuleta worked just as hard, being a child prodigy, especially, and equally deserved to win. It was distasteful to me that Simon gave near "fluorescent" accolades to Archuleta on finale competition night, and then, in order to make himself, (Simon) appear astute and "humble", retract his opinion so blatently, the finale night. We all knew he knew ahead of time, obviously! Cowel's fan base was bolstered all season with the childhood kiss caller, agreeing more with Paula, and many other transparent strategies. We, the public, are not stupid.We know when something is fake or genuine. As for the show's outcome, I am glad for Cook, but, he wasn't my favorite. Archueta just has that distinctive one of a kind voice. I am in my fifties, and I will listen to him sing on my way to work, at home and in the stillness of my heart

Jive Records is the record company that brought us Aaron Carter, Nick Carter, The Backstreet Boys, and I think NSYNC (not sure about NSYNC). In other words their clients have consisted of boybands and teenybopper fluff... that's what they like to promote.

David Archuleta should avoid Jive AND Disney if he wants to be taken as a serious recording artist appealing to the masses and not just people under the age of 18. Yes the kids and teen market is a big target area for him, but he needs a record lable that can also successfully market him to adults... mainly to adults in order to get and keep long term crediblity.

Don't send him to Disney unless you want him to be part of the Jonas Brothers, Miley Cyrus/Hannah Montana crowd. NOT the place to be (with no disrespect to the Jonas Brothers as I feel they have true talent and should escape the clutches of Disney as soon as they're able).

And now Carmen's articles are done. Good.

Hopefully now that we have a NEW and much more popular local "Idol" contestant (David Archuleta) we'll see the Utah media (FOX 13, Deseret News, etc.) FINALLY turn to someone besides Carmen. That they'll give us a new and fresh perspective rather than a stale one from someone whose time on "Idol" was about 6 years ago.

David Archuleta now has several months (until January 2009) to gain some interviewing skills, to become much more articulate when addressed by the media/a reporter, etc. Time to eliminate the "gosh's" and gain a much better flow of wide ranging descriptive words and such. He should be able to do this after the hundreds of interviews he'll be doing over the next few months or so.

Then come January he'll be ready to be the official and ONLY "go to" person for "American Idol" commentary here in Utah. Maybe he will be the one with the column in this newspaper early next year.

I certainly hope so...

Carman, Thanks for your articles and insights. I have enjoyed every word.
Sincerely, Vickie