David vs. David

The ‘Idol’ finale is near, but do we care ... much?

By NATASHA DERRICK - nderrick@thestate.com

Since our “American Idol” finalists came in a pair this season — two Davids, two different styles — I figure we can make a case for pairs of good, bad and (because this is “Idol”) shameless.

Overall, Season 7 was a bit of a letdown even when compared to Season 6. Once we reached the top 12, viewers just twiddled their dialing thumbs while every contestant not named David was booted. The competition was laughable — people who cracked under pressure (Brooke White), people who lacked motivation (Jason Castro) and people who were generally forgettable (Ramiele ... something).

Now, unlike last year, we have two talented, yet flawed, finalists. David Archuleta has the pipes but seriously lacks stage presence and confidence. David Cook has the rock star swagger down but could use a few lessons on pitch.

Who will win out? The 12-year-old girls with pink cell phones or folks like me who are suckers for the Cook swagger?

THE GOOD

Instruments — This year “Idol” decided to let these budding stars show off their range and musicianship by playing instruments. It was a mixed bag. For some it worked well (see anything David Cook performs with a guitar) and for some it was a piano train wreck of epic proportions — did you catch Brooke’s abysmal performance of Mariah Carey’s “Hero” or her equally abysmal “Every Breath You Take” fiasco?

Helping hand — No matter how you dissect it, Idol Gives Back still raises millions for needy people around the world. Even the most bitter “Idol” critic can’t argue with feeding starving children or helping prevent malaria.

THE BAD

Hour-long results — You have the highest-rated show on television, and you’re raking in money hand over fist. So what do you do? Wear out your welcome by bloating the results show to an hour. In seasons past a half hour seemed like overkill, but this year’s results show has seemed pointless, boring and stuffed with inane filler like the call-in segments. Apparently, Fox has seen the error of its ways and will downsize the results show next season.

Lower ratings — Most shows wouldn’t whine about having only 22.9 million viewers. But I guess if you run “American Idol” and you are used to a fat 30 million, an over 7 million drop can seem like a bit of foreshadowing. But even at that rate, the show will be around until at least 2011. Quit freaking out!

THE SHAMELESS

Stacking the deck — Did “Idol” rig the auditions to include a line up of semi-professional singers for this amateur singing competition? More than half of the top 12 already had strong industry connections. Perhaps it was a coincidence or maybe “Idol” thought they would get away with trying to give us the best season ever — and they still failed.

Is the judging rigged, too? — Sure, it could just be an honest, booze-soaked mistake, but how do you explain Paula Abdul’s preemptive critique of a Jason Castro performance? I believe, after watching the judges tear into quality contestants for no reason, that “American Idol” producers know well ahead of time who they want as the winner. They do their best to make it happen. Come on. We all know Abdul is just reading a handwritten sticky note from Nigel Lythgoe.