American Idol finale warmup: Simon Cowell predicts winner

By M&C Smallscreen May 20, 2008, 20:19 GMT

04/10/2008 - Simon Cowell - Las Vegas, NV, USA © PRN / PR Photos

Simon says it will be David.

Simon Cowell, the American Idol judge reveals to Extra which David he believes will be crowned Season 7’s winner, offers some advice to the final two and comments about the controversy surrounding finalist David Archuleta’s father. Plus, Cowell tells “Extra” what he would change next season on Idol!

When asked which David he thinks will win Idol, Cowell declares, “I think David Archuleta will go in as a favorite, but I think David Cook could win the night.” As for any advice he has for the final two, Cowell responds, “Song choice. Do something different. Do something that’ll make you stand out. Don’t be safe.”

Both finalists are under a lot of stress – Cook’s brother is battling cancer, while Archuleta’s father has been surrounded by negative publicity.

Cowell comments, “You can’t compare the two. Having a stage dad or having a brother who’s very ill. There’s no comparison. That’s total stress, but he [Cook] has got to put that out of his mind on the night.”

As for the media scrutinizing Archuleta’s father for being too intense on set, Cowell says, “I don’t know him well enough…He’s just another stage dad…I’ve had worse from some of the stage mums in the past. Much, much worse…You could just see he’s [Archuleta’s father] got this sort of slightly manic look in his eye about wanting his son to do well.”

Amidst rumors that American Idol viewers should expect significant changes to the show next season, Cowell responds,  “Most important thing in the show is the contestants.

You want a bit of unpredictability, bit of emotion. So it’s just that. It’s casting…I want more oddballs, more characters…I want people to be different.”  Cowell adds, “I can assure you now, nothing’s changing in terms or Ryan or the judges. All that’s staying the same…She’s [Paula] staying…”

Cowell comments about Fantasia’s performance last week on Idol saying, “Fantasia’s a great girl. She doesn’t take herself too seriously. And whether you liked it or hate that performance, at least it was something you could talk about and that’s what I miss.” 

during Fantasia's awful performance

Of course, Simon's face said it all after Fantasia laid that egg on stage.

“Extra’s” Interview with Simon Cowell will air on Tuesday, May 20th.

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