Frank Micelotta/Getty Images

…DAVID COOK! Last night David Cook became the next American Idol, winning by over 12 million votes. Comments made by the judges the night before clearly favored David Archuleta and based on those comments Cook’s win has been labeled an upset, however instead it should be called a landslide. One Republic made a guest appearance, performing their hit song “Apologize” with David Archuelta, however before the big announcement was made judge Simon Cowell was the one apologizing. He said that after going home Tuesday night and reviewing the show, “it wasn’t quite as clear cut as we had called it” and he thought he was “verging on disrespectful” with his comments to Cook the night before. Cowell concluded that for the first time he didn’t care who won and thought they had both done a terrific job. But America did care and in a very clear cut victory David Cook won with over 60 million votes (5 of which I can personally take credit for). Congratulations David, we’ll see you in concert! I’ll be the one holding the sign “David Cook is Off the Hook!!” or something equally catchy.

Click here to watch the BIG ANNOUNCEMENT!

Click below to watch a few guest performances

Donna Summer

ZZ Top

Seal

Carrie Underwood

(Top Right, Top Left, Bottom Right)F Micelotta/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images (Bottom Left) Ethan Miller/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images

Last week America narrowed their Idol picks down from three to two, making it the predictable battle of David squared. David Archuleta (pictured above), 17 yr old pop singer from Murray, UT and David Cook (pictured below), 25 yr old rocker from Blue Springs, MO have been the contestants to beat throughout the season. Last Tuesday their popularity was confirmed. Be sure to watch the two part finale beginning tonight 8/7c and ending tomorrow night 9/8c. Here are a few links of past performances to help you catch up in case you fell a little behind this season. Don’t forget to vote!

David Archuleta/Imagine

David Cook/Always Be My Baby

David Archuleta/Smokey Mountain Memory

David Cook/Billie Jean

(Above Left) Kevin Winter/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images (Above Right) F Micelotta/American Idol 2008/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images (Below) Michael Caulfield / WireImage/ Getty Images

Syesha is performing in the top three tonight of American Idol. Sandwiched between the two Davids, Syesha has held on and is the last girl remaining. But it wasn’t an easy road getting here for this young lady, who found herself in the bottom two week after week. She has been recently called the “dark horse” of this competition, however this underdog label by the judges seems to be compensation for dismissing her early on. Continually giving her backhanded compliments they seemed to be grading her on a curve. Last week she sang Tina Turner’s Proud Mary and while once again getting inconsistent remarks from the judges, I thought she fit the part perfectly. Working her Beyonce whiplash moves and her Tina Turner sass she fits right in. Doesn’t she look like a star? Well she sounds like one too. While I don’t always vote for her (I have to admit, often my votes go to David Cook or are at least split between the two of them) I do think she should get the credit she deserves. Congrats Syesha!

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He may look BFF with Simon Cowell (L) but it was not enough to keep American Idol contestant Phil Stacey (R) from getting the boot off Idol. After singing “Blaze of Glory” by Bon Jovi, Stacey was eliminated along with resident hottie Chris Richardson in Los Angeles.

Photo by Frank Micelotta/American Idol/Getty Images for FOX

Trading in beat boxing for a more rock chic style, formerly highlighted contestant Blake Lewis sang “You Give Love A Bad Name” by Bon Jovi on American Idol in Los Angeles.

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Michele Fox, Sanjaya Malakar, and Sarah Greenberg posed at the after-party for the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner at the Columbian Ambassador’s residence in Washington, DC, hosted by Capitol File. The ex-American Idol contestant said of his future plans, “I want to go into acting or modeling, maybe Broadway.”

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Jennifer Lopez performed “Que Hiciste” onstage on American Idol in Los Angeles. Never one to forsake fashion, Lopez’s gravity defying boots, bold Roberto Cavalli caftan, and masses of bangles were the real star of the show!

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American Idol contestant Sanjaya Malakar sang “Besame Mucho” live on American Idol in Los Angeles. Malakar has continually stunned judges with his large following and ever-changing looks. Last evening, Malakar sported shorter hair and barely-there moustace.

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American Idol host Ryan Seacrest wore a wig in the style of contestant Sanjaya Malakar in Los Angeles at their most recent live show taping. Malakar has become known not only for his large fan base, but his weekly hair styles, which can only be described as “colorful.” How did the wig stay put on Ryan? What do you think?

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Sporting a mohawk of ponytails, American Idol contestant Sanjaya Malakar sang “Bathwater” by No Doubt live onstage on American Idol in Los Angeles. Malakar has continually stunned judges week after week with his large following of voters.