Cowell: Archuleta clear winner in ‘American Idol’ finale

Associated Press

May 20, 2008 11:45 pm

— Each of the dueling Davids raised his game on Tuesday’s “American Idol,” but only one received three glowing reviews from Simon Cowell, who called it a “knockout” performance.
That would be David Archuleta. The doe-eyed teen faced off against David Cook for the “Idol” title Tuesday night, and in Cowell’s opinion, out-performed the 25-year-old rocker. After each David performed three songs in the final performance show, Cowell made his traditional prediction:
“You came out here tonight to win,” Cowell told Archuleta, “and what we have witnessed is a knockout.”
In the first round, Cook and Archuleta received both stellar reviews for their respective renditions of U2’s “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For” and the Elton John anthem “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me.” But Cowell declared the younger David the winner.
Cowell also handed the second round to Archuleta, whose performance of “In This Moment” impressed the judge more than Cook’s take on “Dream Big.” Simon also declared Archuleta the winner of round three.