MANILA, Philippines - Well, it looks like our prediction weeks ago that David Cook and David Archuleta would emerge as “American Idol’s” last two “final-finalists” has come to pass.
Who will win the “Idol” crown this week? We’ve already placed our bet on Cook, but of course Archuleta’s many avid fans have a lot to say about that!
Before we focus on the “final-finals,” can we just take a moment to compliment third-placer Syesha Mercado on her improvement in the course of the AI competition? In our book, she’s the 2008 edition’s “most improved finalist” award-winner. She looked rather scruffy at the start, but she eventually got her act together.
Tight fight
In last Wednesday’s three-pronged square-off, she looked really professional and polished in her three shimmering performance outfits. Gone was her “signature” Afro-ish hairstyle, which was replaced by a more sophisticated ’do.
In the process of her gradual transformation, Syesha has shown that, aside from singing well, she’s also a good actress—so, a career in musical theater would be a natural for her, especially now that AI has sort of made her a star in her own right.
Finally, now that Syesha’s facial features are no longer upstaged by her frizzy hairstyle, it turns out that she looks quite a lot like Diana Ross. So, if a producer decides to do a stage or film musical about Ross’ life, Syesha would be exactly right for the role!
As for the final “title fight” between Cook and Archuleta, the older David is clearly the more versatile and experienced performer-but, latest American Idol will be chosen by means of votes, so Archuleta could still emerge as champion, especially if he can lock up the “empathetic youth” vote.
Well, we’ll have to leave that to the tilt’s millions of viewer-voters—and to the fickle finger of fate, of course. So, let’s end these ruminations by reflecting on the entire AI process that’s just now hitting its climax:
It’s instructive to recall that, only a few months ago, 24 young talents were chosen, from ten upon tens of thousands, for the singing tilt’s finals. Not much time has since elapsed, but it’s difficult to clearly remember early dropouts like Joanne Borgella, Robbie Carrico, Amy Jean Davis, Asia’h Epperson and Jason Yaeger.
Which just goes to show: The perks of “fame” can be fleeting indeed. And, more significantly: You have to get into the tilt’s Final 12 to get the ghost of a chance to be remembered strongly enough to get a musical career going, even if you don’t “survive” much longer in the competition.
By that standard, the likes of Carly Smithson, Jason Castro, Brooke White, Kristy Lee Cook and Michael Johns may be down, but definitely not out.
In Johns’ case, he’s very definitely a potential singing star, despite his unexpected defeat. Some fans even think he had a good shot at the title, so his departure came much too soon for comfort. Well, other “rejects” like Jennifer Hudson and Clay Aiken have bounced back in a big way, so Michael Johns can still make it on his own. Ditto for Smithson and Amanda Overmyer, who have niche (rock) appeal going for them.
As for our Ramiele Malubay, she can also keep her career going—especially if she goes on a performance tour of the Philippines. But, she should do it soon, because some local music fans have a notoriously short attention span.
HBO standouts
Next month, watch out for these standout viewing prospects on HBO: “All the King’s Men” with Sean Penn, Jude Law and Kate Winslet. “Always” with Richard Dreyfuss and Holly Hunter. “Goodfellas” with Robert De Niro, Ray Liotta and Joe Pesci. “Mr. Bean’s Holiday” with Rowan Atkinson.
“Planes, Trains & Automobiles” with Steve Martin. “Saving Private Ryan” with Tom Hanks, Tom Sizemore, Matt Damon and Edward Burns. “Spider-Man 3” with Tobey Maguire.
“Steel Magnolias” with Julia Roberts, Sally Field, Dolly Parton and Shirley Maclaine. “Taxi Driver” with Robert De Niro. “The Good Shepherd” with Matt Damon, Angelina Jolie and Alec Baldwin.
