David Archuleta

Who is David Archuleta, really? Aside from the next American Idol, that is. In this second round of boys' night, the dewy teen pulled out so far ahead of the competition that we might as well all go to the gym Tuesday evenings for the next few weeks and skip the show. Risking "Imagine," a song forever wedded to the Liverpudlian nasality of a certain martyred Beatle, Archuleta defined what "Idol" means by "making it your own."

Though it's still - on some nights - the most-watched show on television, "American Idol" is by all accounts a smaller proposition than it once was, with fewer viewers, less cultural clout and a seemingly diminished ability to produce megastars on the order of Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood. The retrenchment appears to be affecting veterans of the program too: At the South by Southwest music festival this month, Season 8 winner Kris Allen and Season 9 winner Lee DeWyze could both be seen sharing cozy club stages with the kind of up-and-coming acts SXSW was designed to spotlight.

Whether it's David Archuleta or David Cook who wins "American Idol" next week, both singers will be part of the show's annual concert tour. Tickets for "American Idols Live! Tour," which features the TV show's top 10 contestants, go on sale today. With more than 50 stops, the tour is scheduled to begin July 1 in Glendale, Ariz. It travels to San Diego July 2, to Fresno July 3, to Las Vegas July 5 and then to the Staples Center in downtown L.A. on July 7.

A list of upcoming concerts across the Southland, with on-sale dates in parentheses. Pantages The Christmas Music of Mannheim Steamroller by Chip Davis, Nov. 25 (Sat.) Gibson Amphitheatre Brian Setzer Orchestra, Dec. 17; Enrique Bunbury & Zoe, Nov. 17 (Fri.); Hot Chicano Soul Legends, Dec. 2 (Sat.) The Wiltern Kyuss Lives!, Nov. 18; Asking Alexandria, Oct. 31; Pimpinela, Nov. 20 (Fri.) El Rey Theatre Pajama Men, Oct. 19 (now) Orpheum Theatre Chris Cornell, Dec. 16 (Sat.)

A list of upcoming concerts across the Southland, with on-sale dates in parentheses. Pantages The Christmas Music of Mannheim Steamroller by Chip Davis, Nov. 25 (Sat.) Gibson Amphitheatre Brian Setzer Orchestra, Dec. 17; Enrique Bunbury & Zoe, Nov. 17 (Fri.); Hot Chicano Soul Legends, Dec. 2 (Sat.) The Wiltern Kyuss Lives!, Nov. 18; Asking Alexandria, Oct. 31; Pimpinela, Nov. 20 (Fri.) El Rey Theatre Pajama Men, Oct. 19 (now) Orpheum Theatre Chris Cornell, Dec. 16 (Sat.)

Wednesday night saw a tearful end to the "American Idol" journey of singer/songwriter Brooke White. The husky-voiced songstress broke the traditional "American Idol" mold by being the first performer in a low-key, Carly Simon-inspired vein to reach the top ranks of the competition, ultimately finishing in the fifth-place spot. Pared for elimination with Syesha Mercado, White was perhaps best known for her hyper-emotional reactions on past elimination nights. She stayed true to form, breaking into tears during her farewell song -- Neil Diamond's "I Am I Said" -- and retreating to the rear of the stage.

David Archuleta David Archuleta Jive * 1/2 Why do "American Idol" fans consistently reward male pop singers for being entirely sexless on the show? Pouty lips and flirty lashes are practically entrance requirements for female singers, and "rocker" guys can bellow and strut to their content. But there's a kind of elfish contestant who always does well despite the possibility of vanishing in a cloud of unicorn glitter were he to sing something arousing.

America does indeed love a winner, showering "American Idol" winner David Cook with a download deluge following his coronation last week. Cook has landed 11 songs on Billboard's Hot 100 singles chart, the most from a single artist since the Beatles put 14 on the listing in April 1964. He also registered 14 tracks on Billboard's Hot Digital Songs chart, which did not exist in 1964 -- but then neither did Cook. His highest-ranking song on both charts is his recording of "The Time of My Life," which logged 236,000 downloads, to place it No. 3 on the Hot 100 and No. 1 on the digital songs list.

The all-David "American Idol" finale sparked a flood of congratulations, disappointment and debate. I am FLOORED and THRILLED with David Cook's victory. . . . Seriously, I am so thrilled I was crying. I loved it when his brother closed the show, mouthing, "That's my brother!" AWESOME, AWESOME, AWESOME!!!! I can believe in "Idol" and America again. -- Jazz Our entire family took great pleasure in speed dialing our votes for David Archuleta. Our ages range from 8 to 61!

The Early Show Jenny McCarthy. (N) 7 a.m. KCBS Today Michael Eisner; Cat Cora; Mira Sorvino; Tina Knowles. (N) 7 a.m. KNBC KTLA Morning News (N) 7 a.m. KTLA Good Morning America Alton Brown; Jennie Garth. (N) 7 a.m. KABC Regis and Kelly Diane Lane; David Archuleta. (N) 9 a.m. KABC The View Patrick Stewart. (N) 10 a.m. KABC The Doctors Skin cancer; baby questions. (N) 11 a.m. KCAL The Oprah Winfrey Show A mother with 20 personalities; a follow-up on Truddi Chase.

The Early Show Jenny McCarthy. (N) 7 a.m. KCBS Today Michael Eisner; Cat Cora; Mira Sorvino; Tina Knowles. (N) 7 a.m. KNBC KTLA Morning News (N) 7 a.m. KTLA Good Morning America Alton Brown; Jennie Garth. (N) 7 a.m. KABC Regis and Kelly Diane Lane; David Archuleta. (N) 9 a.m. KABC The View Patrick Stewart. (N) 10 a.m. KABC The Doctors Skin cancer; baby questions. (N) 11 a.m. KCAL The Oprah Winfrey Show A mother with 20 personalities; a follow-up on Truddi Chase.

It's an annual ritual -- the flooding of the music market with dozens if not hundreds of holiday-themed titles, and this year is no exception. Plenty of artists are releasing festive recordings, and labels are hoping all that good cheer will translate to some sales uplift. In the mix are offerings from a crystalline-voiced would-be American Idol and from a sandpaper-throated bona-fide American icon. Sting does some musical time-traveling, and one adventurous experimentalist beams the spirit of the season into the vastness of deep space.

David Archuleta David Archuleta Jive * 1/2 Why do "American Idol" fans consistently reward male pop singers for being entirely sexless on the show? Pouty lips and flirty lashes are practically entrance requirements for female singers, and "rocker" guys can bellow and strut to their content. But there's a kind of elfish contestant who always does well despite the possibility of vanishing in a cloud of unicorn glitter were he to sing something arousing.

What do Jennifer Hudson and David Cook have in common, besides attention-grabbing new singles and an "American Idol" past? They're famous -- fashioned into celebrities before our eyes within reality television's metamorphosis machine -- and yet vividly human, with edges most "Idol" alums lack. Their charisma comes from a rare combination of assertive vocal talent and an underdog mystique. You root for Cook and Hudson because they are Little Engines That Can: imperfect, homey people with extraordinary gifts.

A few long months ago, 10 singers shared hotel rooms on the other side of downtown with a couple of hundred other aspiring superstars. Monday night, those 10 entertained an ecstatic, filled-to-the-rafters Staples Center as the "Idols Live" tour came home to Los Angeles. The most frequent criticism a professional "Idol" watcher hears of the show is the old "this is not real stardom" saw, that these singers did not rise organically from the grass roots along our mythical (and largely no longer existent)

America does indeed love a winner, showering "American Idol" winner David Cook with a download deluge following his coronation last week. Cook has landed 11 songs on Billboard's Hot 100 singles chart, the most from a single artist since the Beatles put 14 on the listing in April 1964. He also registered 14 tracks on Billboard's Hot Digital Songs chart, which did not exist in 1964 -- but then neither did Cook. His highest-ranking song on both charts is his recording of "The Time of My Life," which logged 236,000 downloads, to place it No. 3 on the Hot 100 and No. 1 on the digital songs list.

A few long months ago, 10 singers shared hotel rooms on the other side of downtown with a couple of hundred other aspiring superstars. Monday night, those 10 entertained an ecstatic, filled-to-the-rafters Staples Center as the "Idols Live" tour came home to Los Angeles. The most frequent criticism a professional "Idol" watcher hears of the show is the old "this is not real stardom" saw, that these singers did not rise organically from the grass roots along our mythical (and largely no longer existent)

When "American Idol" sneezes, American culture catches pneumonia. Every inch of each week's show is subjected to scrutiny worthy of an International Atomic Energy Agency inspection team. Every misstep comes under a remorseless spotlight. And of all the iffy decisions each contestant makes, none -- not picking a terrible song, forgetting a lyric or flubbing an interview segment -- is as likely to earn a singer the wrath of the nation as a bad fashion choice. "Pitchy" singing can be forgiven.

The all-David "American Idol" finale sparked a flood of congratulations, disappointment and debate. I am FLOORED and THRILLED with David Cook's victory. . . . Seriously, I am so thrilled I was crying. I loved it when his brother closed the show, mouthing, "That's my brother!" AWESOME, AWESOME, AWESOME!!!! I can believe in "Idol" and America again. -- Jazz Our entire family took great pleasure in speed dialing our votes for David Archuleta. Our ages range from 8 to 61!

Whether it's David Archuleta or David Cook who wins "American Idol" next week, both singers will be part of the show's annual concert tour. Tickets for "American Idols Live! Tour," which features the TV show's top 10 contestants, go on sale today. With more than 50 stops, the tour is scheduled to begin July 1 in Glendale, Ariz. It travels to San Diego July 2, to Fresno July 3, to Las Vegas July 5 and then to the Staples Center in downtown L.A. on July 7.