
May 20 - By Craig Berman, msnbc.com - Only on msnbc.com
Every year sees “American Idol” hopefuls mimic what worked the previous year, and what led David Cook to victory in season seven was tweaking the arrangements to fit his own style rather than doing a glorified karaoke routine each week. That carried over to season eight, and both finalists succeeded putting their own spin on songs. Having Kris Allen ignore the disco theme and sing “She Works Hard for the Money” as an acoustic guitar solo was a lot better than if he had shown up in John Travolta's white suit and tried to strut.

May 20 - By Andy Dehnart, msnbc.com - Only on msnbc.com
Summer’s incomparably ridiculous, frequently abhorrent, maddeningly inane, and surprisingly addictive reality competition “Big Brother” returns July 9 for its 11th season, and fans cannot wait.

May 3 - By Associated Press
Adam Cook, the eldest brother of "American Idol" winner David Cook, has died from brain cancer. He was 37.

Feb 16 - By Ree Hines, msnbc.com - Only on msnbc.com
Despite his reputation as “American Idol’s” tell-it-like-it-is dream dasher, Simon Cowell is popular with the show’s past contestants. A new report in reveals Cowell’s tough talk earned him the respect of country queen Carrie Underwood and last year’s winner David Cook.

Jan 14 - By Craig Berman, msnbc.com - Only on msnbc.com
Season seven "American Idol" champ David Cook proved that musically speaking, everything's up to date in Kansas City. Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul, Kara DioGuardi and Simon Cowell traveled to Cook's hometown for this season's auditions in the hopes that there was more talent where he came from.

Jan 11 - By The Associated Press, Only on msnbc.com
Was it really only 8 months ago that David Cook was crowned King of the World, or, at least, American Idol 2008? It was, and now a whole new crop of hopefuls, from the divine to the desperate, will blast into the spotlight when the new season of begins. New this year: Fourth judge Kara DioGuardi, 36 instead of 24 semifinalists, the return of the wild-card round, and no Thursday episodes. And, of course, endless rumors about whether or not Paula Abdul is leaving the show. (Jan. 13, 8 p.m., Fox)

May 29 - By Associated Press
David Cook's "American Idol" win is already paying dividends on the music charts. The 25-year-old singer raked in 942,000 digital downloads in just a week, according to figures released Thursday by Nielsen SoundScan. The numbers are from the week ending Sunday.

May 27 - By Erin Carlson, AP Entertainment Writer
David Cook isn't a rules guy.

May 22 - By Andale Gross, Associated Press Writer
The mood was surprisingly low-key Thursday at David Cook's high school a day after his "American Idol" win.

May 22 - By Derrik J. Lang, AP Entertainment Writer
The duel between Davids brought an estimated 31.7 million viewers to the Fox finale of "American Idol," a million more viewers that last year's showdown between Jordin Sparks and Blake Lewis, Nielsen Media Research reported Thursday.

May 21 - By Derrik J. Lang, AP Entertainment Writer
Did Simon Cowell know David Cook would win? Or was he — gasp! — just being nice?

May 21 - By Associated Press
David Cook is no professional athlete, but he celebrated like one after winning "American Idol" on Wednesday night.

May 21 - By NBC Nightly News
From the moment Michael Buffer began the show with his trademarked “Let’s Get Ready to Rumble,” it was apparent that “Idol” was going to milk its battle of heavyweights for all it was worth. David Cook and David Archuleta came out in boxing robes, the theme from “Rocky” blared, and the show got down to the business, in its own hokey way, of selecting its champion.

May 18 - By Associated Press
Grown-up rocker David Cook has triumphed over smooth-voiced teen David Archuleta to become the new "American Idol."

May 16 - By NBC Nightly News
It would be easy to end this discussion quickly by saying David Cook will win because he's better. But instead, I'll use the balance of my time and say that Cook will win "American Idol" because Chris Daughtry didn't.

May 16 - By Associated Press
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.

May 15 - By Lynn Elber, AP Television Writer
For an "American Idol" season so flat and lifeless, the end sure rocked: Ex-bartender David Cook virtually body-slammed teen prodigy David Archuleta in a surprising landslide Wednesday night, capping an energized finale filled with big stars and polished performances.
May 14 - By NBC Nightly News
All is right with the “American Idol” universe. It’s an all-David final, as the judges and producers have seemed to want for weeks.

May 14 - By NBC Nightly News
With just one week to go until the “American Idol” season finale, Ryan Seacrest made it clear that it’s anybody’s competition to win. Each contestant was reportedly within a million votes of each other a week ago, so it wouldn’t take much to make a difference.

May 12 - By NBC Nightly News
This will sound incredibly ridiculous to just about every single person reading this, but it’s actually my job to sit on my couch and watch “American Idol” with my friends. I’m sorry if you have a really boring sales meeting coming up in 15 minutes and you’re just killing time on the Internet until then and I just made you start daydreaming about how awesome it would be to get paid money to watch TV. But that’s my job. Really.

May 7 - By Erin Carlson, AP Entertainment Writer
It'll be David vs. David. Syesha Mercado was voted off "American Idol" Wednesday night, paving the way for the expected showdown between David Archuleta and David Cook.
Apr 29 - By NBC Nightly News
It's been an odd spectacle, to say the least. The seventh season of "American Idol" has, predictably, forced its way to ratings domination, bulldozing anything foolish enough to wander into its path. Resting comfortably atop the ratings heap, it continues to generate controversy — Carly Smithson already had a record deal! David Cook is just copying other bands' arrangements! — and maintain its water-cooler bona fides.
Apr 17 - By NBC Nightly News
Kristy Lee Cook survived on "American Idol" much longer than most expected when the finals began. So it's ironic that the week she was eliminated was one in which she spent most of the night looking like she was safe.

Mar 14 - By Sean Murphy, Associated Press Writer
OKLAHOMA CITY — Beneath the shaggy hair and mild-mannered demeanor of "American Idol" contestant David Cook is a seasoned musician who's rocked his way through the gritty club scene in America's heartland.
Jul 2 - By Kelli Kennedy, Associated Press Writer
The family of Ron Goldman has purchased the rights to O.J. Simpson's canceled book, "If I Did It," from a court-appointed bankruptcy trustee in a settlement reached Monday.