The American Idol 2008 finals were a slugfest between David Cook, 25, and David Archuleta, 17, and if you'd seen the final performance night on Tuesday, you'd have bet your cash on the kid.
Judges Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson and Paula Abdul had showered Archuleta -- nicknamed Little Archie -- with constant praise, Cowell constantly undermining Cook's efforts and saying Archie had "delivered the knockout punch" that evening.
Yet Cowell -- among the most disliked men in America -- was clearly in a minority as disgruntled Cook fans took the opportunity to deliver a punch all their own, and made the relatively tougher looking rocker win by 12
Rediff Entertainment Bureau
Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images