Show Of Hands: Who Cried When David Cook Won Last Night?

Anyone? You in the back? All right, so I admit it's a tad pathetic that I was so moved by a singing competition, but I won't sit around denying it. On the one hand, there were witnesses and, also, it actually pales in comparison to some of the other things I've cried at on television (hint: reality shows on Bravo; you wish I were joking). The thing is, I enjoy television. Not just watching it but becoming involved in it. (Same with movies and music and books and blogs.) I like anything that evokes feelings in me even if those feelings teeter on obsessive and strange.

This season American Idol received a lot of flack—for Carly Smithson having a previous record deal, for the judges apparently setting it up (although only on-air, strangely enough) for a shoo-in win for David Archuleta, for Andrew Lloyd Webber night. I'm not blind or stupid: I know that what goes on behind the scenes would probably dishearten me and it would taint a guilty pleasure millions of us enjoy.

(Aside: have I ever told you how much I hate the phrase guilty pleasure? The way I see it, a pleasure is a pleasure. The only reason you should feel guilty about something you enjoy is if it's immoral, illegal or if it involves abusing animals or voting for George W. Bush. [And a few other things that are too oogey to type.] I don't feel guilty that I listened to the first Ashlee Simpson CD on repeat for months or that I DVR The Hills or that I sometimes Google old pictures of Jennifer Aniston and Brad Pitt. I'm not hurting anyone by enjoying these things—except for Mike, he'd argue he's consistently tortured by the things I derive pleasure from. We can't always be the best versions of ourselves—reading the smartest books, enjoying the indiest music, only frequenting the artsy theater in town. Sometimes we want a plate of nachos, a good chick flick, an US Weekly, and I'm here to say, not a one of us should feel guilty about it.)

(Wow, look at that diatribe hanging out in the middle of what was supposed to be a gushy David Cook post? Sorry about that.)

But what I was getting at is that I totally disagree that this was one of the worst seasons of American Idol. I thought there was a lot of talent this season. I remember watching Ruben's season—and wanting Clay to win, although why? HE IS THE SCARIEST MAN ALIVE—but knowing, full well, I'd never buy a single piece of music either of them put out. I loved Elliot Yamin and Katherine McPhee, also, but, again, only as contestants. I never purchased a single song of theirs. I do think I'd be all about Chris Richardson's music (voting for him one week caused our phone bill to triple; it was a fun day in our house when that particular bill showed up, let me tell you). But most of the people on that show are good because they're on stage and they're done up and they are critiqued after each performance. It's not so much the music you fall in love with but the format the music is offered to us. But David Cook? OH MY LORD. I can't tell you how many times I've watched his Billie Jean rendition on YouTube. (No, really, I literally can't. It's been that many.) His tone! His control! His choices! My sister thought he was a bit arrogant and pompous although I think she was just upset because he didn't more closely resemble Bryan Adams because OH MY GOSH my sister has a secret crush on Bryan Adams, a crush I just found out about last night and it is KILLING me with its hilarity.

(She claimed she wasn't the only one; she said, "Poll your blog! There are plenty of us who appreciate his talent!" So, friends, do you carry a secret torch for the guy who sang that one song on the Robin Hood soundtrack? And if so, please tell us, for Rachel's sake, so I'll stop calling her and managing through entire-body laughs: "Bryan Adams! Seriously, BRYAN ADAMS? Oh hold on, Rachel. I can't breathe again.")

But even Rachel came around on David. As did Mike. This is the true testament to his coolness, I have to say: my husband liked an American Idol contestant. Now, I can't believe I'm going to say this, I'm going to regret it, I'm sure, but Mike's taste in television shows—although similar to paint drying—are of a higher intellectual level than mine are. (Not all of them! I loved The West Wing! And I stand by Veronica Mars' snarky smartness!) But he likes shows that teach him something, that show him the world a little bit. Granted they do all of that without soundtracks or soapy love triangles, so really what's the point, but if he offered his DVR queue and I offered mine, you'd think he was a fairly smart and interesting person. And you'd think I was thirteen. But Mike loved David Cook. It helped that he didn't remind either of us of a really awful Disney Channel reject who made it impossible for us to keep our dinners down when he was on stage. His win last night—by TWELVE MILLION VOTES which has got to be quite the bruise to a certain seventeen-year-old's ego, even more so than being four feet tall—was kind of awesome. So, yes, I cried. It doesn't make me cool, this is true. And neither did the hours of frantic online browsing I did on what David has planned next—any North Texas stops, David? Personal in-house appearances, by chance? No, not cool, but also not embarrassing either. It was a pleasure, David. And I'm not feeling a twinge of guilt about it.

Three big cheers for David Cook and only two swift kicks for David Archuleta! I still want to punt the kid, don't get me wrong, but he did lose, and even I'm not that cruel, to kick someone more than twice when they're down.

::

(Bryan Adams, Rachel. SERIOUSLY?)

Comments

[Maryann]

Now I'm totally sad that I didn't watch AI this season. I feel like I missed out!

And by the way, if you really want to give your sister a hard time, send her this link:

(Okay, I just searched for the link and realized it was of RYAN Adams, so I feel like an idiot but I will include it anyway because I don't want to leave you hanging)

http://www.perezhilton.com/category/mandy-moore/

I apparently have lost some knowledge of pop culture. Who the heck is Ryan Adams? And why does he look so scary? And why is Mandy Moore (who I adore) dating him?

Have I managed to change the topic in just my comment?

Seriously, I loved "Summer of 69," and "Cuts like a Knife." Your sister doesn't have horrible taste. :)

[jodifur]

CARLY IS A PLANT!!!!

I'm done now.

I don't think this season was the worst season of Am Idol. That would be last season. Jordan, really?

[Angella]

As one of Bryan Adams' fellow Canadians, I can attest that he has had many more #1 hits than the one on that Robin Hood soundtrack.

Summer of '69 is CLASSIC.

The dude is actually quite famous and talented. And wealthy from all of his songwriting (and photography!) talent.

I don't blame you for not knowing, though. Canadian culture does not rank high in the US.

We are the little (tiny) sister to the big US of A.

We do know how to bring on the RAWK, though :)

[Jess]

I didn't cry. But I was happy. And I think he'll be a bigger star than David Archuleta is capable of being. I hope, anyway. And also, I hated David Cook at the beginning of the season, and now I heart him. This season was, as Paula would say, a real progression for him.

Also, no, I do not have anything resembling a crush on Bryan Adams. My apologies to your sister.

[Camels & Chocolate]

I totally bawled last night, but you know this already. I also cried when Christian won Project Runway (but not when Shayne won Bachelor or Whitney Top Model, so I still maintain some integrity, right?). I agree: This season was terrible, despite the fact that I think the overall Top 12 was the best yet (besides Danny Noriega, KRISTY LEE COOK gag, David Hernandez and Ramiele). But the results shows each week SUCKED. And overall, I was disappointed with the season -- but not the end outcome! GO DAVID! Can we share him? You can have weekdays, I'll take weekends and holidays?

[Rachel]

Clearly something was lost in translation as you were laughing HYSTERICALLY at me. I DO NOT have a crush on him, I like his music. I like his music a lot and am not afraid to admit it. : ) He is my one guilty pleasure (okay, maybe my second. But the other one shall remain nameless because apparantly you inherited the mean gene) I do not think he is hot, but wait, could my love for his cheesy love songs that all sound the same mask a hidden crush...I am not entirely sure, but I think a correction on your blog is in order. : ) Love you!

[Sharon]

I don't watch Idol, but I thought I'd chime in on the Bryan Adams thing.

Like Angella, I ADORE Summer of 69. I don't have a crush on him or anything, but I will sing along (and loudly!) any time I hear any of his songs. He's one of those quintessential Canadian singers that all of us Canadians are pre-programmed to like, I think. :)

[Rhi]

Um, I love Bryan Adams, but not in THAT way. That song came out when I was in high school and I LOVED IT.

So, I'm with your sister.

[JennyL]

We Canadians have to stick up for our howegrown celebs - even if they can be a little annoying. So yes, Bryan is super cool (he was with Princess Di!!) - and some other awesome, yet occasionally annoying Canadians - Celine, Shania, Alanis...I could go on! :)

[bethany actually]

I don't watch "American Idol" at all. So I have no opinion about that. But I do like Bryan Adams. The dude can sing, even if the main song he's known for south of the border is "the Robin Hood song." :-)

[Jennifer]

I cried. I've been a fan since I first saw him when the top 10 were finally announced. (I can't watch the early shows. The humiliation. The attachments that get ripped from me with such cruelty. But I digress.)

The right man won, and yay!

As for Bryan Adams. Your sister could do soooo much worse. He was *huge* my senior year in high school/first years of college/marriage and I have much love for him. Much love. Beyond his musical talent, he's an amazing human being and a remarkable photographer.

At risk of sounding like his PR agent, I just adore him. He's one of the good guys.

[Jane]

Love David Cook.

I admit I own the Bryan Adams greatest hit CD... but I own a lot of Greatest Hit CDs from the days, I'd join BMG, then quit, then rejoin...

And I think looking back on all the season's of Idol, that this one had one of the best finale's. Season 5 was pretty sad once Daughtry was voted off. And Season 3 with Diana Degarmo and Jasmine... yawn... although that season also had Latoya and Jennifer Hudson, and Fantasia won, but it totally sucked the last few weeks. yeah, sad to know I can name the seasons and the contestants that went nowhere.

[NGS]

Dude, seriously. Bryan Adams rocks. Summer of 69? Everything I Do (I Do it for You)? It comes on the radio and YOU HAVE TO sing along.

[Sarah]

I did not cry last night-but I have been known to cry at many tv related things-like commercials. But you now what, I agree, I love having intense emotions, it makes me feel alive-like those people that swim in arctic water.
So yeah, no tears last night but I was super stoked! (yes, I said stoked-Hi I'm Sarah and I'm a Californian)

[Danielle-Lee]

Hiya lady! I tagged you on my blog, like you have nothing more lovely to write about! :)

[She Likes Purple]

Because I can totally admit when I'm wrong, I was apparently way out of line with all my laughter and finger-pointing. But I promise all the jokes were not because of where he's from! I love Canada! Rachel lives there; my nephew is Canadian! The drinking laws allowed me to be tipsy—at 20—at my sister's wedding! I just thought this particular singer was kind of like ... um ... yesterday's news or something like that?! I totally stand corrected, though ;)

[Yasser]

You have to listen to Bryan Adams tracks of the carton Spirit, Sound the bugle track is amazing ..

by the way I contacted you more than once on your mail but I got no response :(

[Nicole]

Um, I love Bryan Adams. I wouldn't say it's a crush, but his voice. Oh my.

You know I got all choked up. Now, I'm off to google David Cook some more...

[Mom]

I yelled when David Cook was announced as the winner as I was so happy for him (and happy that the other David -- he needs to learn a few more facial expressions -- did not win). And, I was a bit teary-eyed when at the very end of the show the camera flashed on David Cook's brother, and you saw him mouth "that's my brother". What a sweet moment!

[Ally]

I haven't even finished reading you post yet but had to stop and tell you that I am the Founder, President, and Sole Member of the fan club entitled:

Thank You, Bryan Adams

[ali]

i *might* have cried like a friggin' baby...

[Jemima]

I can't watch American Idol. I get really embarrassed watching shows like that, and get all red and hot and worried. Seriously, it's a CONDITION.

My friend Rachel says that if she worked from home like me, she would spend all day reading trashy novels and eating cheese dip. And you know, it sounded like the BEST. DAY. EVER. But it would definitely be a guilty pleasure, because I ought to be working. So I guess blogging is one too. Maybe guilty pleasures should mean "anything you can get fired for at work."

[Catherine]

David Cook.....mmmmmm
This man has talent and style and it is so refreshing when somone who is supposed to win....wins? He will do great things. Kudos David, stay humble and keep rockin'
Love ya babe!
Bryan Adams........ahhhhhh
This man has been pumpin' out hits for decades! I'm Canadian and have to say that he's considered one of our greats!

[K]

David Cook is a winner in my book and I didn't even watch AI... but they showed a clip of him on The Soup trying to get Ryan Seacrest to say "Chicks, Man" for Joel McHale. So great!
As for Bryan Adams, he's a great singer. I haven't listened to it in a while but I do have one of his greatest hits albums (I think I got it from BMG like Jane- those were the days).

[Pinkhighheels]

I loved this whole season.. but especially David Cook!! He's been my favorite since the get go.

And btw.. I've had a thing for Bryan Adams since I was young. I even had a folder in the 5th grade with him on it!! =)

[Kristabella]

OMG, I LOVE David Cook. He was the ONLY one this season that I loved and thought had any talent. I did think is was one of the more boring seasons. I mean, Suckesha was horrible in the beginning and should have been kicked off early, but thankfully she wasn't because she turned out to be good. But DC, man his voice makes he swoon and melt into a puddle. I downloaded a few of his songs this season to my iPod. And also, that first Ashlee Simpson CD was AWESOME! I don't care what anyone says!