Cook burns Archuleta to win ‘American Idol’

David Cook

Rocker David Cook won the coveted title of "American Idol" on Wednesday, dealing an unexpected but decisive defeat to a silken-voiced teenager, also named David, on the most popular U.S. television show.

Cook, 25, who was tending bar and playing in a band before he auditioned for the singing competition, stood back to applaud rival David Archuleta, 17, and then bent over crying after host Ryan Seacrest said he had won by 12 million votes.

Winner Announced, American Idol 2008

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Tonight at 08:00 pm FOX (ch 14)
The winner of Season 7 is announced.

American Idol 2008

"American Idol" gets down to its final 2 contestants.

It'll be David vs. David.

Syesha Mercado was voted off "American Idol" Wednesday night, paving the way for the expected showdown between David Archuleta and David Cook.

There's Archuleta, the 17-year-old singing prodigy from Murray, Utah, with the overly involved stage dad. And there's Cook, the 25-year-old former bartender from Blue Springs, Mo., with an emo edge that the angelic Arculeta lacks.

Who will snag the title next Wednesday?

One thing is for sure: His name will be David.