American Idol: It's David vs. David

Forget David vs. Goliath. The battle of the century is David vs. David, and the arena is the glittering stage of TV's No. 1 hit, "American Idol."
       In one corner is Utah's own David Archuleta, a sweet, humble, baby-faced crooner full of hope and dreams. Sweating it out in the other is Missouri's David Cook, whose haunting arrangements and too-cool-for-school air has made him a popular counterpoint to Archuleta's optimism and pre-teen appeal.
   
    It's become The Chosen One vs. The Edgy One every Tuesday night. Here's our analysis of how the Davids stack up, from singing styles to fashion design.
   
    Vital statistics:

David Cook (American Idol)

   David Archulta
   Hometown: Murray
   Favorite quote: "You'll never be lonely if you learn to befriend yourself." -- Anonymous
   Musical influences: Stevie Wonder, Natalie Cole, Bryan Adams
   
    David Cook
    Age: 25
    Hometown: Blue Springs, Mo.
    Favorite quote: "Pain don't hurt." - Patrick Swayze (from "Roadhouse")
    Musical influences: Our Lady Peace, Big Wreck.
   
    On-stage style
    Archuleta: He loves music that's good for the soul. He performed John Lennon's "Imagine" one week but dared not sing the verse that declares "And no religion too." David isn't much of a mover and shaker on stage. Most of his song choices have been soulful - too soft to get us off our feet and dancing.
   
    Cook: He's a theatrical rocker who clutches the microphone like he's embracing his lover. And he loves to give off the vibe that he's tormented by just eating a bowl of corn flakes. He turned "Billie Jean" into an emotional ballad that nearly shook the Pillars of Heaven.
   
    Sex Appeal
    Archuleta: Every pre-teen girl wants a picture of him on their beach towel. Just cast him in the lead of "High School Musical 4" right now and put him on the Miley Cyrus Path to Success.
   
    Cook: The kind of guy who would woo girls by telling them how his heart is broken. We think of the emo-angst of Fall Out Boy bassist Pete Wentz, which means Cook likely deserves someone like Ashlee Simpson.
   
    Fashion
    Archuleta: He's so wholesome, the most he can get away with is a beige jacket over a graphic T-shirt. He wore leather-look pants last week, and half the nation had a cardiac.
   
   Cook: Boring. Somebody should tell him that when it comes to looking like a rocker, he needs to take it up a notch to surpass 2006's Rocker-of-the-Season, Chris Daughtry.
   
    Playing an instrument
   David Archuleta: David is a piano player all the way, which makes him perfect for power ballads, school recitals and church meetings.
   
   David Cook: Cook plays the guitar and you know he's just dying to smash it on stage or on an amplifier. Plus he knows chicks dig him when he shreds those chords.
   
    Who would win in a brawl?
   Cook, of course. He could pummel pint-sized Archuleta into sweet, loveable mince meat. But Utah's idol would forgive Cook instantly, making him the better man.