Some take notice of the brightening of spotless skies or the ungodly blasting of watered-down pop rock from convertible stereos. For others, it's the scary overabundance of frisbees and little children or the sudden two-to-one ratio of rollerbladers to pedestrians. Hey, for some prestigious places, it's the annual emergence of ice cream socials and powwows.
But for 33 million reality television devotees nationwide, nothing is so clear a signal for summertime as is the impassioned belting of the top three finishers on annual ratings juggernaut American Idol.
For over eight weeks, David Archuleta, David Cook and Syesha Mercado have weathered all manner of musical theme nights, crazy elderly mentors and silly controversies. But with only two weeks remaining in season seven of FOX's popular karaoke competition, tonight the top trio will try to put all the distractions, pitfalls and memorable lyrical gaffes behind them. They'll be singing their hearts out for a chance to appear on next week's finale, when one of them will be crowned this season's victor and receive a $1 million record deal from a major record label, along with the chance to produce an album.
Sounds like a lot of pressure, doesn't it? For this year's finalists, however, basking in the spotlight should feel no stranger than soaking up some sun. Mercado, the versatile Afro-Cuban model-singer-actress, has won awards for popular theater productions and starred in Ford commercials, as well as competed on a since-cancelled televised singing contest. Archuleta, an adorable 17-year-old wunderkind with two parents in the music business, was Junior Vocal Champion of 2003's Star Search 2. Meanwhile, the brooding David Cook, this season's all-around master of innovative, rock star arrangements, has already tasted critical acclaim -- his 2006 solo album was named among the year's best by underground fan web site Music Equals Life.
"David Cook is the best by far, and should win," Audrey Gradzewicz '10, a longtime Idol fan, said. "He brings originality to the show with his arrangements, and I must admit to downloading several of his songs from iTunes."
Cook has been wowing the viewing audience as well as judges Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul and Simon Cowell since the very beginning with his takes on songs once considered untouchable, such as Michael Jackson's "Billy Jean" and The Beatles' "Eleanor Rigby." At the peak of his ascent to Idol greatness, Cook even made a smoldering, gritty ballad out of Mariah Carey's "Always Be My Baby" that sounded so professional it could have doubled as the anthem for a movie trailer.
"But, despite the fact that David Cook has the best singing voice and is the most innovative contestant, I believe David Archuleta will probably win," Gradzewicz continued. "He will get the vote of teens across the nation who've been infantilized by the Disney Channel, as well as the vote of sad old women in retirement homes who just need a little eye-candy."
After Archuleta's slightly off-putting turn with "Love Me Tender" last week, Gradzewicz might have a disturbingly accurate point with that latter idea.
The dulcet-toned Mormon from Utah has an undeniable cross-demographic appeal that has for the past two months assured the bitter taste of the bottom three has never crossed his compulsively self-licked lips. With his aw-shucks laughing and nervous blushing, he's the kind of boy a gray-haired lady wouldn't mind seeing push a corsage onto her granddaughter's wrist.
But even if Archuleta weren't as cute as a Tickle Me Elmo doll, he can glory-note and melisma his way through any vocal curveball the show throws at him, and he has earned the right to be a fan favorite based on talent alone.
"David Archuleta is definitely where the smart money would be [to win]," Jen Gaudette '10 said. "I've only caught a few episodes this season, but each time I watched the show, he was the only one who really stuck out to me. Not to mention my younger sister thinks he's hot."
Mercado may not be as romantically exciting for most of America's prepubescent females, but she carries an appeal all her own. For weeks she has quietly built momentum with heartfelt performances. Having tackled classics by Whitney Houston, Tina Turner and Idol alumna Fantasia Barrino, Mercado has made noticeable vocal strides, learning when to boom her big voice and when to reign it in. As a plus, she's even become the consummate entertainer -- twirling, gyrating and head-swishing her way to success.
After landing in the bottom three for five weeks out of seven, Syesha's golden trajectory comes as a surprise to most Idol fans, to say the least.
"Syesha has never had a brilliant voice, but she is talented," Gradzewicz said. "I think she lacks the likability and personality to sell records, but she might make it on Broadway."
Fourteen days away from musical destiny, which of these three will be America's next pop star? Tune in tonight, when we'll be one step closer to the answer.
