Another quick post from work, so be prepared for misspellings, bad grammar, and incomplete thoughts.

Tonight is a night I usually look forward to, the finale of American Idol. I'm still looking forward to it, but unlike seasons featuring Reuben Studdard, Clay Aiken, Fantasia, Carrie Underwood or Taylor Hicks, I can't really get up about the prospect of watching David Archuletta or David Cooke get crowned.

David Archuletta's voice is actually weak. His voice will only sustain the wistful ballads he specializes in. If he had to keep up with a real Top 40, beat-and-bass heavy backing track, as he'll have to do to have a modern hit, his voice won't cut it. Plus they keep saying he's 17 but he looks and acts 12, and has such a "gee, golly" way about him that I can't imagine he's going to be a regular guest on the View or Jay Leno like, say, Clay Aiken is. Singing is just half the package, you gotta be able to talk and have some personality.

David Cook...if I go a weekend without showering, by Sunday evening I look like David Cook. I do not go on national television and attempt to win a singing competition like that, though. I have a feeling the American CD audience will not pay $15 to own something by a guy who looks pallid and shiny, either. Plus his voice is identical to Creed, Three Doors Down, Third Eye Blind, Nickelback, and most notably, Chris Daughtry. But of course Idol feels foolish for having to dismiss Daughtry early, so they're trying to get it "right" this time.

Just the same, I look forward to the special guests and surprise appearances by previous contestants. This should be fun.