*REFRESH FOR FRESH CONTENT*

08:49AM: Finally! I got the American Idol feed now! This live blog coverage is a few minutes (around 30 to 40 minutes) behind the live Idol show. This is the best that we can have here in the Philippines. Anyways! On with the show!

08:53AM: Steve McMahon is doing the introduction spiels. As reported earlier, the show’s theme is indeed BOXING. David Cook in red while David Archuleta in blue. Sorry, pictures are a bit blurry.

08:59AM: The judges are now being introduced and a video being shown about tonight’s show. David A vs David C. The show is being shot in Nokia Theatre in Downtown Los Angeles.

09:01AM: David Archuleta won the toss coin. He decided that David Cook will perform first while he comes next. “May the best man win,” Paula said. David Cook will open the show after the BREAK!

09:06AM: First Round – song picked by Clive Davis. David Cook sings, “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For”

Randy: “I’m gonna call you DC. It was a great way to start off this duel of 2007. It was hot baby!”

Paula: “You may not have found what you’re looking for but we have. David Cook has arrived amen amen.”

Simon: “You looked very tense, very emotional. So taking all that together, I thought it was phenomenal.”

David Cook numbers are 1-866-43657-01, 03 and 05.

[audio:http://www.brinknotes.org/mp3/davidcook-istillhaventfoundwhatimlookingfor.mp3]

09:12AM: David Archuleta takes the stage with the song “Don’t Let The Sun Go Down on Me”

Randy: “It doesnt matter what happens right now, this is one of the best performances of the season. That was flawless and unbelievably molten hot! Crazy vocals”

Paula: “The sun is never gonna go down on you. I got chills up my arms. That was a beautiful exciting performance.”

Simon: “It’s easy to get overexcited tonight. Last week I thought you were ok. I thought tonight this is the best you’ve been so far [applause] taking everything into account, round 1 goes to Archuleta.”

[audio:http://www.brinknotes.org/mp3/davidarchuleta-dontletthesungodownonme.mp3]

09:21AM: Round Two – Songwriter’s Song. David Cook chose Dream Big while David Archuleta will sing “In this Moment”

David Cook takes the stage with “Dream Big”

Randy: “The beginning of round 2. The song was just ok but you were singing your face off. Nice, nice.”

Paula: “We sit in awe mesmerized by you. Congratulations”

Simon: “Using the boxing analogy it was bit of a lightweight. It’s supposed to be a winning song, it didn’t sound like a winning moment. That was a 6.5 out of 10.”

[audio:http://www.brinknotes.org/mp3/davidcook-dreambig.mp3]

09:27AM: David Archuleta sings “In This Moment” on the centerstage.

Randy: “Right now, once again the song I wasn’t crazy about the song but right now you are so in the zone that you could sing the phonebook.”

Paula: “Another magical performance. That is why you are here. Congrats.”

Simon: “I love the egotistical lyrics. You chose the better song. Much more in keeping with the night. Round 2 goes to David Archuleta”

[audio:http://www.brinknotes.org/mp3/davidarchuleta-inthismoment.mp3]

09:32AM: Third and Last ROUND! David Cook chose “The World I Know” by Collective Soul while David Archuleta chose “Imagine.”

09:34AM: David Cook takes the stage with The World I Know. David Cook is crying!!! Paula gives David C a standing ovation.

Randy: “One of the cool things about you is you’re showing different sides of Cook. This is the kind of record you could get by with. Very nice job.”

Paula: “You’re standing in your truth and you’re delivering performances with originality and integrity. I truly applaud you.”

Simon: “You are one of the nicest and most sincere contestants we’ve ever had. It was a beautiful song, but it was completely and utterly the wrong song for you. You should have sung “Billie Jean” [boos] you understand what I’m saying?”

[audio:http://www.brinknotes.org/mp3/davidarchuleta-inthismoment.mp3]

09:40AM: It’s David Archuleta’s turn! He is sing “Imagine.”

Randy: “I’m really happy it’s the two Davids. You are exactly what the show is about. The best singer of season 7 is right there!”

Paula: “You left me speechless. You were stunning tonight. This is what it’s all about.”

Simon: “You know, we’ve taken a bit of stick this year but at the end of the day, this show is about finding a star. My opinion David, you came out here tonight to win, and what we have witnessed is a knockout.”

[audio:http://www.brinknotes.org/mp3/davidarchuleta-imagine.mp3]

09:44AM: The recap of tonight’s show is being shown.

David Archuleta’s #s are 1-866-43657-02, 04 and 06.

David Cook’s #s are 1-866-43657-01, 03 and 05.

VOTE LIKE THERE’S NO TOMORROW! You’ve got 4 hours to vote for your favorite.

09:46AM: Ruben Studdard closes the show with “Celebrate Me Home.”

09:49AM: That’s all what we got tonight today! See you tomorrow for the results show! We are bringing it to you LIVE! Thanks for viewing!

*MP3s courtesy of Rickey.org