"American Idol" Finale: David Vs. David

(AP)  It'll be David vs. David.

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

Mercado, a 21-year-old actress from Sarasota, Fla., was the last woman standing on the top-rated Fox contest. The big-voiced belter surpassed a more accomplished singer (Carly Smithson), a fan favorite (Brooke White) and a statuesque country crooner (Kristy Lee Cook).

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Photos: "American Idol" Season 7

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While other contestants floundered, Mercado challenged herself with ambitious song choices like Sam Cooke's "A Change Is Gonna Come." She showed more personality - and lots of leg - while swiveling her hips in a glittery gold minidress for a rendition of "Proud Mary." She cried when Paula Abdul gave her a standing ovation last week.

Abdul held the sugar on Tuesday's performance show, telling Mercado that she thought her performance of "Hit Me Up" wasn't "good enough to get into the finals."

With Mercado out of the way, "Idol" can now fully hype the David vs. David match-up.

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.
By Erin Carlson

[hissteps4u]

Cook will likely win, The Young David will also have a great life get a contract with someone and will likely go on to be very famous in his own right. He is a bit young but he will blossom as his experiences increase I hope he gets a good Manager and grows up rich and famous he is a great Kid.

HS Dad needsto take a step back and allow professionals to handle him yet I am sure he loves his son and only wants the best for Him

[samthetvcat]

I can''t decide who to vote for! Part of me thinks David Cook is too cool to be stuck with the AI title that usually goes to pop singers - plus it''s been like a ''curse'' to the careers of the guys who have won!

Then again, didn''t the little David already win Star Search Juniors or something like that? And he''s got that freaky dad . . .

I don''t know . . . although it sounds like David Cook is the favorite, right?

PS Those home-town visits were so nice to see with the warm greetings that they all got that brought them (and me) to tears - waaaaah! :)

[excoachken]

This is news? Anybody who didn''t see these as the two most talented from the start must have hearing issues. I don''t kow who will win, but they both have a world of talent. Only a very stupid person would claim that either of these guys lacked real professional ability!

[lorinkundert]

If that little weenie Archuleta wins, that will certainly be proof that talent has nothing to do with winning, he is only capable of ballads and I would expect him to end up singing in cruise ship lounges.

[arohanui-2009]

why read these posts if you do not care byeneocons???...weird! And more to the point why waste even more time telling the world you do not care. We really don''t care if you don''t care lolol
And yes...GO DAVID COOK!

[byeneocons]

Who cares?