Idol Chatter & Voice Views

Last night’s show restored my faith in American Idol voters.

Heck, watching Ryan Seacrest announce David Cook as the new Idol made it worth watching a two-hour show with too many commercial breaks, plus in-show plugs for Ford, Donna Summer and some silly-looking film called “Love Guru” that I’ve already vowed never to see.

You could tell David Cook was stunned by his victory. Why shouldn’t he be? Idol judges pretty much proclaimed David Archuleta the winner during Tuesday night’s show. Simon Cowell called it a “knockout.”

Yep, Simon, is was a knockout. David Cook received 56 percent of the Idol vote, 12 million more than Archuleta. Way to go, Idol voters.

Clearly someone clued Simon in to what was about to happen. Why else would Simon backtrack on his “knockout” comment right before the results were announced?

Next, the Idols head off on tour (Baltimore on Aug. 12, Philly on Aug. 13, D.C. on Aug. 14). Then it’s out into the big bad real world, which has been kind to some former contestants, indifferent to others who seem to be desperately clinging to their Idol fame. (See Mikalah Gordon as exhibit A, the incredibly annoying season four contestant who somehow made it onto last night’s show interviewing fans back in David Cook’s hometown.)

So let’s look into a crystal ball and guess at what the future might hold for this year’s final 12.

1. David Cook: Should be interesting to watch what happens with the Idol crown resting on a rocker’s head. After all, Mr. Cook will likely be saddled with recording the winning Idol song, whether it fits him or not. Then he’ll be trying to sell CDs to rock fans who aren’t enamored with the pop-music machine that is American Idol. Still, I expect him to enjoy more success than the previous two guys to win Idol — Taylor Hicks and Ruben Studdard. The key: Avoid the sell-out label, something Chris Daughtry managed to do despite his Idol roots.

2. David Archuleta: He’ll release a CD filled with mind-numbing pop ballads, and it will be hugely successful. Then, if his handlers are really smart, they’ll rush him back into the studio to release an album of Christmas favorites. And it will be hugely successful. And then he’ll slowly fade into pop semi-oblivion like Clay Aiken and other teen heartthrobs.

3. Syesha Mercado: I wouldn’t be surprised if we hear a lot from Syesha in years to come, perhaps as an actress as well as a singer. She seemed incredibly comfortable on stage, displaying talent, beauty and personality. One of this season’s pleasant surprises.

4. Jason Castro: What to do with Jason? His voice won’t wow you; he can barely string two coherent sentences together in an interview. But he’s got a look the ladies love and a goofiness many find adorable. He got his start in reality TV (the 2006 MTV series “Cheyenne” about folk singer Cheyenne Kimball). Maybe that will be his niche, following the path of Ryan Starr (good looks, less talent) from season one.

5. Brooke White: Love, love, love that voice. But can a folk singer make it on pop radio today? Wholesome Brooke would make the ideal host for a kids’ TV show. Heck, she’s a former nanny. She could flash that big smile, strum her guitar, sing pleasant songs and be the perfect role model for a whole generation of youngsters. And there’d never be a need for her to shed a tear.

6. Carly Smithson: With that big voice, Carly is guaranteed a second shot at pop stardom. As we all know by now, her debut album (“Ultimate High,” made seven years ago) was a gargantuan flop. My guess is, she’ll have much better luck with her post-Idol followup. And then, like David A., she’ll fade away.

7. Kristy Lee Cook: Don’t be surprised if you see much-maligned Kristy near the top of the country charts one day. Nashville loves former Idols, especially attractive blonds with spunky personalities (Kellie Pickler, for example). And Kristy should be proud of her Idol run. She defied the one-week-and-gone predictions and showed marked improvement over the course of the show.

8. Michael Johns: Surely there’s a soap opera out there somewhere that could use a handsome guy from down under as part of its cast. You look at this list and wonder how Michael left us so early. Maybe it was his ill-advised attempt to imitate a Steven Tyler shriek. Maybe it’s because we still don’t know who he is musically — rocker, pop star, crooner, blues singer. The next Rick Springfield, perhaps?

9. Ramiele Malubay: If Kleenex is ever looking for an adorable spokeswoman, company execs should dial Ramiele’s number. Before Brooke and Syesha turned crying into an Idol art form, it was Ramiele who had the tear ducts working overtime. Was there ever a year we saw more tears on Idol?

10. Chikezie: Now coming to a theme park near you … Hey, Chikezie was a blast when he was having fun on stage. When he slowed things down and sang a ballad … well, he turned two minutes into an eternity. His exuberant, half-crazed performance of “She’s a Woman” was one of this season’s highlights.

11. Amanda Overmyer: Hopefully, Amanda will ditch the Janis Joplin impersonation, go back to one hair color and return to nursing. If she does the latter, she going to scare lots of patients back in Indiana.

12. David Hernandez: Who? Yeah, it seems like ages ago that the competition started and David’s supposedly scandalous past was the show’s big controversy. David used to sing on cruise ships; now he plans to make an album. Why not? Dozens of other former Idol finalists have. My guess is people will still be asking ‘who?’ a couple years from now.