OMG - I'm going to LA

So I am extremely excited. I was hopping a little in the office. I have been listening to my personal Idol 08 mix that I made off of iTunes. For those of you who might want to share in this, buy those downloads now -- they will go off of iTunes when the show ends. God these Idol producers should pay me. Okay, so as I pack my suitcase I wanted to give you a little re-cap on my thoughts before the finale of David vs David. I did re-watch the top 12 for my analysis and I have to say that this was an incredible season. So many more moments than the one Blake Lewis Bon Jovi moment from last season. So much talent. Okay, enough already, let's analyze week to week - The David Face-off!

TOP 12 BEATLES
David C "Eleanor Rigby" vs. David A "We Can Work It Out"
Simon Says: S+ for Cook and S- for Gaspy
My verdict: David C all the way, his fresh spin was far better than Gaspy trying to do Stevie Wonder's version of a Beatles song and forgetting the words.

TOP 11 BEATLES
David C "Daytripper" vs. David A "The Long and Winding Road"
Simon Says: S- for Cook and S+ for Gaspy
My verdict: Simon thought he looked smug, but David C's version was much more fun than Gaspy's boring "masterclass" as Simon called it. Gaspy sang well, but Cook wins.

TOP 10 THE YEAR THEY WERE BORN
David C "Billy Jean" vs. David A "The Up with People Song"
Simon Says: S+ for Cook and S- for Gaspy
My verdict: Look I don't even remember the name of Gaspy's song. Even though Cook didn't invent this version, by god there were definitely no animated animals in the background. Cook rocks.

TOP 9 DOLLY PARTON
David C "Little Sparrow" vs. David A "Smoky Mountain Memories"
Simon Says: S+ for both
My verdict: It's a tie. Love Cook's inventiveness, but Gaspy sang his heart out.

TOP 8 INSPIRATIONAL
David C "Innocent" vs. David A "Angels"
Simon Says: S- for Cook and S+ for Gaspy
My verdict: Gaspy wins by a landslide. Perfect song choice done really nicely.

TOP 7 MARIAH CAREY
David C "Always Be My Baby" vs. David A "When You Believe"
Simon Says: S+ for both the boys
My verdict: Upon listening to the season again, Cook's original haunting version of this Mariah song may be my favorite performance of the season. Gaspy sang alright, but cannot stand up to Cook.

TOP 6 ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER
David C "Music of the Night" vs. David A "Think of Me"
Simon Says: Just an S for Cook and a S- for Gaspy
My verdict: Cook showed an amazing range while Gaspy tried to modernize the song. Still prefer Cook sticking to the original when it should be stuck to. (Carly really won the night).

TOP 5 NEIL DIAMOND
David C "I'm Alive" and "All I Really Need Is You" vs. David A "Sweet Caroline" and "America"
Simon Says: Just an S for both David's on their first round and then S+ for Cook's second song and S+ for Gaspy (but Simon called Cook BRILLIANT).
My verdict: Cook's I'm Alive rocked, but it was the acoustic guitar on All I Really Need Is You swelling into a rock anthem once again blew me away. And I am so upset that they didn't put this single on iTunes. I bought the video, but why did they do this to me? Gaspy was cheesy. He tried really hard, but it solidified my idea of what his album will sound like. Cook wins the week.

TOP 4 ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME
David C "Hungry Like the Wolf" and "Baba O'Riley" vs. David A "Stand By Me" and "Love Me Tender"
Simon Says: S for Duran Duran and S+ for Stand By Me, S+ for Cook's Who and S+ for Gaspy's Elvis
My verdict: Love that Gaspy's Stand By Me got his Dad kicked out of rehearsals. And he sang it really well. Was not Cook's best week since he didn't have any surprise transformations of a song. But that just points to how good he has been -- when he just performs 2 songs well, it isn't enough compared to how great he has been. Gaspy pulled a very tender Love Me Tender. I'm giving the week to Gaspy but barely.

TOP 3 JUDGES CHOICE
David C "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" "Dare You To Move" "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing" vs. David A "And So It Goes" "With You" "Longer Than"
Simon says: Cook got a S+, S and S+ and Gaspy got an S, S and S-. And Simon said Cook won the night.
My verdict: I am again pissed at the producers for not putting Cook's version of The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face on iTunes. I absolutely loved it. Although the Switchfoot song was not great, the choice was and of course I Don't Want to Miss a Thing was dramatic and moving and perfect. I give Gaspy credit for a nice Billy Joel, will not speak about his boo song and he did the best he could with Longer Than. Cook wins hands down.

So the tally? 7 weeks to Cook, 2 weeks to Gaspy and 1 tie. COOK WINS (and the crowd goes wild!!!) From my poll last week (which 5 of you responded to!) There were 4 for Cook and 1 for Gaspy although I think Adam's intentions were questionable. I will definitely be blogging tomorrow and Wednesday and also expect a TOP 10 performances from the season after I return. I would ask you for your votes for highlight performances but I doubt you will answer. Whatever, I'm going to see David Cook live tomorrow and you (except for Ed) will not. So no matter what, I win. Whew, I need to stop now because I am going out of control. My gosh everyone,

don't be ashamed of your obsessions...