I sure hope when David turns 18 that he'll be able to break the financial ties with his father....
Or that dad will try to control him forever..

patti

I want David C. to win because he's much greater talent, but I really think David A. is the better investment in the eyes of the producers and record companies. He will draw a lot more money, being that he can appeal to practically all audiences since he's so adorable. Everyone from pre-adolescents to grandmas love him = worldwide mega sales. But, after his father's antics, he'll be lucky if anyone wants to take the chance. His father is trying really hard to ruin his career. I know it isn't deliverate, but that's what he's doing.

I'm not sure he is looking like a good bet to AI.

Remember the summer after Season 2--when they had that cute Idols Kids competition (or whatever it was called). When they showed the audition process, I immediately commented to DD--look what they're doing--they're auditioning the kids for talent, but you can see they're also auditioning the parents. Some extremely gifted children who had truly obnoxious stage mothers were cut, when some who were just nice kids, with slightly better than average voices--but who had more pliable, reasonable parents were allowed on to the next round

Frankly, given the stories about David A's father (and I'm sure we've only heard the tip of the iceberg on that situation), I would be very surprised if AI allows him to win. I've said it before--he's talented, but him being underage, with such a stage father makes him a huge liability.

In all honesty? I wouldn't be at all surprised to see him be sent home this week--it would have great shock value, and would insure that whichever contestant won, they'd be of age and more professional in handling the role of Idol. Not predicting, just thinking out loud.

It's such a shame too because he is really good and I would imagine he'd get a recording contract anyway, win or lose. BUT maybe not until he's 18 so they won't have to deal with his dad. So sad that he has to be so controlling.....poor kid, sometimes I think he looks scared, like he's waiting for the next shoe to drop on him. Maybe if he doesn't get the best results from the judges he hears a load of cr@p from his dad. Sad, sad, sad!

From that article:

"David Archuleta of Murray, Utah, is one of three contestants left as the top-rated Fox show heads toward the Jan. 20-21 finale."

Wow... they're going to drag it out THAT long?!?

Poor David. He must be so embarrassed.

I didn't know parents were allowed backstage. Wonder why they are? I would think the contestants would be more relaxed without their parents around.

When they show David's family and friends for a second on the show, is his Mom there? I've never noticed.

Sue

"David Archuleta of Murray, Utah, is one of three contestants left as the top-rated Fox show heads toward the Jan. 20-21 finale."

Wow... they're going to drag it out THAT long?!?

I think the finale ends May 21st. lol

I think Syesha will go home this week regardless of how she sings. She's no stranger to the bottom 3 and I don't think she can generate the fan base that both the Davids have.

Lydia, I'm thinking like Azzalea. It's kinda hard to believe the show has anything to do with fan base. I remember last year a lot of us talked about there being a disclaimer as the titles roll about the producers having final say.....or something like that. No one wants to be bothered with a pain-in-the-butt parent. I wouldn't be surprised if Azzalea predicted right. Sure would be sensational.

I think David A. is such a great 'young' vocalist-however-there's NO way he's ready for stardom. If he appeared again in 4 years-he'd take it in a heartbeat but think about how 'mature' you were at his age..?? Now-here's the scoop on his 'daddy' interfering with lyrics. IMHO-I cannot believe AI would allow that to happen, but what do I know.
I really think David Cook has this year of Idol in the bag. My choice personally? No!
David C has been nothing but respective and silent when the judges expressed their opinions-methinks he is much more dignified and smarter than he acts, He's a 'rocker' and doesn't pretend to be something he's not. Whereas David A seems to be 'surprised' each time he's been safe..(and like Jason..he has his niche and comfort level)-with inspirational songs. With that babyface & tremendous voice-that's why he's there.. still. I still think they missed the boat on Brooke & Carley. LOVED them both but Brooke, to me, is the next Dolly Parton. A humble, real person with the most personality of all of the Idols...she would've excelled in the music world with a little more professional training. If I heard her voice on a radio station-I'd know it was her...can't say the same about the final 3. Carley would've been my choice..she was 'spot on'- in key every song she sang. BUT..when they showed her DH in the audience with tatoos ALL over his face? Made me ill. Just my view, of course.

TMZ has learned David Archuleta's dad, Jeff, has been officially banned from "American Idol."

Here's how it went down. "Idol" sources tell TMZ Jeff has been a complete pain in the ass, interfering with the entire production. He has badgered producers, the band, vocal coaches and even other contestants. The final straw came this week, when Jeff wanted to change the lyrics to David's first song, "Stand By Me." Jeff insisted on adding a verse from Sean Kingston's hit, "Beautiful Girls." Producers sent him an e-mail telling him the lyrics could not be changed. They were beyond pissed when David sang the song with Kingston's lyrics during the live show.

We're told by changing the lyrics, it created problems with the song's publisher and cost "A.I." a lot of money.

Jeff was ordered to sit with "A.I." lawyers on Wednesday, who told him he was "banned from being in the rooms where David was learning or rehearsing his songs." It's "Idol's" position, since David is 17, he does not need a guardian -- just a teacher. Jeff will be allowed to sit in the audience during the live show but he's 86'd from anything backstage.

Play videoSources say the other contestants were fed up with Jeff and didn't want him near them. Now they have their wish.

All in all, sources say Jeff is the stage dad from hell. BTW, he was banned on the set when David did "Star Search" a few years back.

Just to clear up the presence of David's Dad--by law, when a minor is involved in anything like this, they HAVE to have a guardian with them. That's across the board--not just for Idol, and is so that kids can't be taken advantage of. So his father has legal rights--as far as seeing to his child's safety, hours, etc. But he certainly SHOULD NOT be interfering with the song-selection, rehearsal, taping, and other production areas of the show. That's not his place. And the reason why I don't believe there's a shot in you-know-where that AI is going to want to have to deal with him more than they already are committed to (Idol tour)--I can't see them letting this man have any control over this year's Idol.

David embarrassed? Maybe--but keep in mind, he's grown up in this situation. From all reports, his father has always been this way. Poor kid doesn't know any other lifestyle, I'd bet--to him this is 'normal'. That's probably the saddest thing of all. With or without AI--what chance does a kid raised like that have at a normal adult life.

I like his voice, myself--and he has his cute moments--I'm just looking at the whole and can't see him winning, no matter how many vote for him. Because AI DOES control the votes when they want to.

I agree with a lot of the comments here. There's been a lot of hinting that David's dad had been behind the scenes influencing the song choices, like when David sang John Farnham's "You're the Voice." If it's true, then it shows how much influence Jeff really has over David, if David A is willing to face the wrath of the American Idol producers to please his dad.

I also agree that Brooke and Carly should have been around longer. I personally think Carly should be right there in the top 3 with her booming voice... I think the controversy about her already having failed record deals hurt her, along with the judges, particularly Simon and Randy, taking shots at her every week.

David Cook is a "rocker" and that might end up hurting him...Remember Daughtry got voted off before his time...Why? Because the hardcore Idol fans aren't really the hardcore rock fans. This is the main reason I think David Archuleta will win the thing. His fanbase are the kind of people who vote like crazy for Idol. Also, Simon declared last week that David A had crushed the competition, and Simon, like it or not, does have influence on the voting. There is a nice article on David Archuleta and what a victory for him on American Idol might do for music here http://jviz.blogspot.com/2008/04/young-stars.html

Here is a link that might be useful: More on American Idol and David Archuleta

There's NO WAY Idol is going to let David Archuleta be top dog with a Dad like that. David Cook....congratulations....you weren't MY pick, but you WILL be the winner. And that's okay. Better than most.

I haven't voted since the sham of Season 2, Clay/Ruben.

Yep, that was a big sham. Clay was clearly the better singer in my opinion, but he didn't win and they had no business announcing essentially two winners. Then, they invested heavily in Clay, who gets a mega career, while Ruben ends up pigeonholed within a certain genre and job hunting. Don't know if that's what you meant, but it's my opinion.

Same thing with Fantasia.

I was tempted to start a new thread for this, but I'll just add it here, since it's sort of on topic.

David Archiletta just totally blasted off the creep factor scale for me. Our local Fox station just aired an interview one reporter did with D. A. back in January. She kept asking him questions about the contest, then sequed into, "have you ever been to ____ (city she where she works), what do you know about (city)?" In EVERY case--this was totally odd for a 16 year old to do--he started talking about his FATHER. How wonderful dad was, how he was so lucky to have him helping him, working with him on his music, etc, etc, etc--even when that had absolutely nothing whatsoever to do with the question being asked. They played quite a long stretch of the interview--it wasn't one or 2 questions, and they hadn't spliced it together. It just kept getting more and more peculiar, listening to his off-topic, father-worshiping responses. Don't get me wrong--I think every child should have a good relationship with their father and Dad should be their #1 hero--but this went way beyond that. The reporter herself said she was getting creeped out, having to do the interview with him and trying to pull actual responses from him.

In opposition to my opinion voiced in a previous post--the reporters on the show think this week's problems will push DA into the finals, because of all the publicity. We'll see, won't we? I still think, that this way, they can can him this week, and put out the 'excuse' that the bad publicity did him in--whether or not it really did.

David C--who was never my favorite--is looking better and better. He's mature, he's extremely talented, he's respectful, and also has proven to be very creative with the choices he's made. He's definitely grown on me.

I have to really wonder how much the voting public's opinion actually does count. I remember one talent competition that was on TV where it was let out that the producers and judges each had a vote and the public only got one vote counted in the end. I wonder if the public voting is all hype and a way that gets the public spending $$$ on text messaging and cell phone usage. Call me sceptical.

I wish David C. would shave! He would look so much nicer not being scruffy looking.

Dacid Cook has more diverse/and mature talent. But he lacks the loveability and "oh golly goshness" of Archuleta. Neither of them "need" AI anymore....they'll do awesome on their own. I think if Cook wins, he'll be creatively stiffled by AI. I always think that Archuletta is going to pee himself onstage...he's so nervous! But the singing part is fine.

Heather...I'm with you on the "Scruffy" look....I hate that dirty face look the guys are doing....

patti

I heard that the reason his dad was back stage to start with is because David is a minor and so has to be accompanied by an adult-the news also said the reason his dad was asked to leave was because the producers didn't think it was fair to the other contestants that David's dad was there helping him with song choices and the like. I don't know, but his voice coach said he had been around the family a lot and he had never seen his father act like a bad stage dad. Who knows.