I've always thought of Paula as a little bit of a lightweight when it comes to her comments, usually commenting on nice tone or if all else fails, how beautiful they looked. This year, she actually impressed me with a few things she said about David, actually quite eloquent at some points.

As I've read about all of our journeys of discovery of the miracle known as David Cook, I was replaying all of the clips from the show (thank goodness for youtube!) and I noticed that Paula's comments many times reflected the same thoughts and emotions that we cougars have admitted to. So I present for your edification -- Paula is a true-blue Cougar for Cook....

Hollywood Week
“It was soothing, it felt right, everything felt really good.” (yes we all started to fee he was right).

Top 20
“You are the real deal, you got it, you got it, you got it, you got it. ... It was very smart, very fun very relevant to who you are, I loved it. ..(later after Simon bashing word nerds). "women like smart men" (we were first introduced to the word nerd, and we do like our men smart).

Top 16
“I totally love when you come on that stage ‘cause I know that I’m in for a great surprise and great talent. And that was fabulous, it would be a hit today, and it should be a hit today, you change things up and it’s perfect choices, you make perfect choices, I believe that you’re going to be a great big shining star.” (you got me at hello)


Top 12
“I’ve been telling everyone you are the dark horse. This is proving there’s more than one horse in this race. You’re a thoroughbred. I think that you are fantastic, each week you come out. I love seeing you just as a front man here on this stage, we all know you’re the front man with your band, but you are the front man here on American Idol” (after Eleanor Rigby we all started feeling this David Coook fellow had a real chance)

Top 10
“I’m blown away, I can’t sit down, because I gotta tell you, how smart you are, how brave you are and how willing you are to stretch the boundaries and you do it right to the edge without going over. I think you’re brilliant and I think you can beat this” (weren't we all blown away by Billie Jean?)

Top 9
“I like your haircut. I can see your… I like it. ya-ha." (that's all we could think about that week, did he sing LOL)

Top 8
“I think that you are so well defined as being the whole package, the whole package, you’ve got it all, you are it, you are it, and I believe in you so much I can’t… you are so great.” (she's starting to trip over her own words in excitement at this point LOL)

Top 6
“This song just proved more and more that you are so well-rounded as a performer and you have a beautiful instrument. I thought it was fantastic.” (OK, this comment fell a little short, he just blew us away with Music of the Night and all she could say was well-rounded and fantastic? Didn't she melt too?)

Top 5
“David, I’m so proud of you, ... you are the only one that was able to pull that off. I feel like I am already looking at the American Idol.” (we all started feeing it was really possible by this point)

Top 4
“Well, I think your Hungry Like the Wolf has left me with a big appetite for David Cook. To watch you grow and flourish has been truly remarkable, it also makes me realize why I tolerate being the only girl in the boys club.”
(yes, she's hungry for David, aren't we all... and she comments on his growth, which is one of the things we all loved this season, peeling away the multiple layers of David Cook and watching him mature.)

“I just want more, I want more, I want more, I want more Dave Cook. (don't we all!!!) I’m really humbled to sit hear and watch your soul, thanks for sharing it with everyone,” (I loved this comment, we did feel like we were watching his soul, she's pinpointed it exactly).

Top 3
“As an artist I know how hard it is to try to get like a three and a half minute type of a song all into like a minute 30, and the challenge is to the get audience to feel like they got the beginning, middle, and end, and I feel like, as you’re unwinding yourself from your guitar, I just feel like you just got to the beginning when you hit the end of the song, and I wanted more.” (I felt the same way -- Dare You to Move was unresolved, it needed more.)

“David, see ya in the finals, that’s what I predict.” (he nailed it)

Top 2
“Well you may not found what you’re looking for, but we have found David Cook. And we need to look no further. David Cook has arrived Amen, Amen, and you’re in great voice tonight.” (Amen Amen)

“David, a song in your heart, a guitar in your hands and we millions who sit in awe mesmerized by you. This is a great way to take a song we don’t know and fall in love with it. Congratulations.” (word nerd alert -- mesmerized is a good word)

"I look up at you up on that stage and you're standing in your truth and you’re delivering unbelievable songs with integrity and originality and I truly applaud you David Cook, I do." (David Cook inspires eloquence from Paula Abdul -- absolutely beautiful comment).

There you have it -- Paula is a bona-fide Cougar for Cook!

You are right. Paula appreciated and supported him all the way.
Thanks, JerseyGirl2, for pulling together all her comments so nicely.

And Thank You, Paula!

She was stuck on his instrument... and I don't think she was talking about his guitar or his voice.

I don't blame her though. She was closer to it him than any of us. If we got Cooked through the TV sets, no way could she be immune only 5 feet away.

Thanks for pulling together all of Paula's quotes. She is clearly the judge who understands what it takes to be a star. I too felt her comments reflected my exact feelings every week...and from previous seasons, I never thought that would be the case.

Does anyone else think that Simon gave Cook bad comments on finale night so that his fans would vote like crazy and Archie fans would go to bed thinking he had it in the bag? That is my theory because we know that Simon really wanted DC to win from the things he said in the media.

yeah she LOVES him sooo much. U could tell she had a crush on him....a little obvious!!! lol oh how i wish i was her

Wow JerseyGirl2, you actually remembered all of Paula's critiques to David!

With these critiques, Paula definitely knew he would win the competition. For once, she knew very well what she was talking about.

If the Cougars for Cook need a leader, Paula's the one they're looking for.

Wow! thats really cool, Its interesting to see all of Paulas comments together!
I think she was right on all along. I however don't think it was a crush, as such...
She admired him as an artist. She is a wonderful example of a classy cougar!
I could follow her lead!

Great topic, wonderful research on the quotes, and analysis. I can't add a thing.

I agree with you completely.

Brilliant.

she is definitelyone.

Thank you so much for posting that. Seeing all her comments together like that, especially after I've grown to feel the way I do about David, was a real treat.

I think the last comment Paula made to David when he had just poured out his heart and soul to us singing World I Know was absolutely beautiful. She knew exactly what he had done. He had just left it ALL on the stage, she recognized that, and then stood and applauded him for it.

That there was respect.

I will always remember Paula for that one particular comment - it was her greatest gift to David.

I think we all in a way underrated Paula ... as to why she is a judge at AI. She may not be good at "speaking" her points... she's even too soft-hearted sometimes... but I believe she's got the eye for real talent. She knows it when she sees it, something I bet even Simon ackowledges.

I love Paula!!!

Paula is the only one who is very consistent in all her comments. She did not say anything bad about DC from the start of the competition up to the finals. And i admire her for that. I think David should ask her out for a date!!!!!ow, just kidding......

I was suspecting the same thing about her after watching DCs performances back and the judges comments. I used to think that with the way she was stammering that maybe there was something going on we didn't see (like something in her cup besides soda). However, now I watch episodes back and realize, she was enthralled by DC and it was probably very flustering to be commenting on him in public without showing that she was hot for him too.
I've always liked Paula too. She's nice (and overly so at times), but she does have an eye for talent and you can tell when her critiques are not her usual "nice" comments. With DC she was always genuinely amazed by his talent.

With her comment about him in his TRUTH, I wonder if she had been listening to some of his pre-idol stuff, like that acoustic version of TRUTH which I love.

Good topic! Thanks for starting it.

I like your kidding. hahaha

Thanks for sharing!! I love Paula!!

Paula is totally cougar, but I think she is a great gal. She has to put up with a lot being on that show, especially after Castro-gate.

To me, Randy *sometimes* seem so out-of-touch. Simon has his moments too, but from what I've read it sounds like Simon follows the message boards and other media outlets to some extent. Paula always struck me as the type that goes home and talks about the show and contestants with her girlfriends. If she was doing that, I'm sure she picked up on all the women just head-over-heels for David. And I bet she had the David-fever as well. Welcome to the club, Paula!

Wow, amazing timing with this post! I was just watching all DC's Idol performances with judge's commentary last night, and was struck by all of Paula's comments, all the way through. Looking back at them now, I can see how she really got how special David is right from the beginning.

It was interesting to revisit Paula's comments about DC. Thanks for pulling all of that together. Paula seemed to be impressed with Cookie from the beginning of the season and her lust respect for him continued to grow each week. She fell under the same spell that the rest of us did.

I heard that too, but he seemed genuinely disgusted with Cook's performances that night, especially The World I Know, which actually turned out to be one of David's best performances. He poured out his soul. Simon didn't get it. Paula did.

I totally agree with you about Paula Abdul's comments on David Cook. Great write up! Thanks for sharing it with all of us! Christina Cubgar#107

It really shows that Paula was spot on in her reviews with the rest of us. She was honest and fair in her remarks. Remember when she said to Randy and Simon when they were talking after David performed, "This is not about you two, this is about him." Her ego isn't involved in her remarks.

Now I am sure Paula is a cougar, but I think she kept it under wraps. She was appreciative and respectful of his talent.

I never watched AI before now, but I can see why they need her on the judges panel. If it were me, I'd add a second woman on there for balance. To me Randy and Simon go way off base sometimes like their goal is something different in their remarks than truly commenting on the performance as it was. I think they need Ryan Seacrest to help keep Randy and Simon in check, too. Their roles are clearly defined.

No matter what reason Simon gives or what apology he backtracks with, there is no way DC deserved the comments Simon made on The World I Know. His performance was stellar. I really felt bad for DC after that. Thank goodness he won.

Paula knows what she is talking about. But of course, every female in the country over 18 knew it, too.

possibly. you never know....and he also made the comment about him being one of the nicest/genuine contestant or something.
however it went down, he deserved it. did you see on an interview, someone asked him what he thought about people that think american idol people dont have to work as hard, have it easier than people that have struggled in the business. and dave said something like, i have worked at this for ten years and if there is anyone that can come to my face and tell me that i dont deserve this, i welcome that. GO DAVID, GET 'EM!!


you can tell the world i know is a song close to his heart. he has sang it a lot on some shows instead of time of my life. and you could tell he was really pi**ed after simons comment

And don't for a second think that David Cook was not aware of his "hold" over Paula. You can often catch a wink, a wiggled eyebrow or a sexy smirk thrown in her direction after she gushes over his performance. He is a charmer but I think that it comes naturally-it is not a put-on.

During the whole show Paula never said one bad thing about him. It was all so good and sometimes I think she said such beautiful things.
This year Paula got it right. She was the first person to believe him, really believe him. And in the last night, when Randy and Simon called it to Archie she didn't.

I love this one

That's all!

LOL! Actually I remembered the humble to watch your soul and of course the integrity and originality comments, but the rest of them I transcribed as I replayed the clips over and over -- the idea has been stewing in my head for a couple of day -- it was labor of love, definitely!


You're welcome



I think there's a whole other thread on this topic -- opinion seems to be split evenly whether Simon did it on purpose to stir up votes.

I noticed one more thing when I watched the results clip -- while DC is telling the audience to "give it up for David Archuleta" Paula is giving Simon a huge bear hug -- we knew from their expressions they were pleased but this shows it even more.




I don't think Simon was disgusted at all, he did say it was a beautiful song, I think he just wanted to hear Billie Jean again Actually I really think that he was trying to pigeonhole David into all the other AI winner molds, and the real disservice is that he did not recognize that David had to be true to himself in order to be able to live with himself, win or lose. And perhaps that's what he really was apologizing for.

David's quote that impressed me more than anything else he has ever said is when he said that the thing that he was most pleased with about his performances on American Idol is that he never once compromised himself and that that was the most important thing to him.

All right, I'm tired, but you know what I mean.

"integrity" (to quote Paula )

I don't think Simon was so much disgusted with Cookie's performance as he was with his strategy. That's where all his comments went. I don't know if he was being manipulative or genuine and we'll never know what the heck was going on that night. But I don't think it's a coincidence that Cookie busts out The World I Know every chance he gets

I have a soft spot for Paula. I loved her in her '80s days and Forever Your Girl was the second CS I ever had for myself, back when I was 9 years old (yes, young 'uns, I said CS! As in a *tape*!) Paula wasn't ever a great vocalist, but she was a fabulous dancer and really hit her niche in those video-heavy days. If you didn't have her, the show would be twice as mean and much less entertaining.

haha! she definitely love our cookie!

go paula!

You're right, Simon disagreed with the strategy, but guess what, do you think next year's final two will be doing repreises of their best song, or trying to come up with something new and original?

HILARIOUS!!!!

found this video after the finale night, Paula called David the "quintessential rocker"....
She did call it for Archie based on song choice, but she "loved" that David Cook did not go back and sing something from archives, something no other Idol finalist ever did, it was more challenging and risky, but that risk solidifies him with a career .... maybe as bad as Chris Daughtry's...


http://video.accesshollywood.com/player/?i...#videoid=253936

We should start another strand with a transcript of Simon's comments. All season -- over and over -- Simon said he liked it when DC "took risks." He applauded him for being "brave" more than once. Andrew Lloyd Webber coaching in the Top 2 show said the same thing to him --- you don't win by not taking risks. Even Randy applauded him and told him to be himself more than once. Well, he took a BIG risk and it looked like Simon punished him for it, but I don't think so. I don't think so at all. Have you seen Simon's wink at the end of his "completely wrong song choice" interaction with DC? I don't think he wanted to hurt DC, he just wanted him to win.

By then, Simon liked him a lot. I think he sealed the deal with those comments, and he knew exactly what he was doing. The anti-kiss-of-death.

I might be up for that challenge -- give me a couple of days to work on it... Plus it'll give me an excuse to go back and watch all the clips on youtube again -- not that I really need a reason!!!!

In the finale they had a video collage of Simon's one-word critiques. Most were negative and not directed at DC, but I thought it was pretty funny.

OK, I've done it -- take a look at the Simon's Comments, responses to Paula -- an Original Cougar

http://www.david-cook.org/index.php?showtopic=8848

Funny, I thought Paula fell under David's spell very early on in the competition. She saw what all of us were seeing when Randy and Simon didn't have a clue -- an extremely talented musician with incredible stage presence. Remember Simon's saying that David had no charisma and her immediate reaction? I know Paula has taken a lot of criticism but she got it right from the beginning and she only fell more in love with each performance. I loved her comments after David sang The World I Know. She knew that contestants always repeat their best song and for David to go out of the AI "mold" and do something original was huge (and I think rubbed Simon the wrong way). "You're standing in your truth and you’re delivering unbelievable songs with integrity and originality" -- way to go Paula!

Wow..
Thanks for sharing that interview.

It made me appreciate Paula more as a judge.
Althought she is not the most articulate,
she really knows where the true talent is!
Maybe Simon tried to play with fans' anger,
but Paula just clearly pointed out her admiration for DC's courage, creativitiy and refusal to "stick to the rule of a talent show"...

This interview trully solidify the value of Paula in the Americal Idol program.

I adore Paula for understanding what David was doing and applauding him for it. Sure he could have sung "Billie Jean" and wowed us yet again, but that would have been the safe thing to do. He showed us he is an artist, not a safe singer doing whatever he had to do to win a competition. He sang the song that he wanted to sing and took the risk that we fans (voters) would get what he was doing. Simon missed it totally, as did Randy partially. Paula got it, and so did we!

Thanks for putting all this together, JerseyGirl2. Very cool of you!

You're welcome!

I will never again doubt Paula's judgement again.....

Paula was right on the money for DC

I got the feeling that Paula liked him a little too much - like many of us! It was a little too apparent and I wondered if others were picking up on it. Susan

I think Paula was "cookified" long before the term was in popular use!

Do you think she was blinded to the point of being un-objective? No, I don't think so. She had really spot-on comments about Syesha and Archie as well, and in one post-finale interview she called it for Archie based on the night's performance.