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Team coverageThe stage is set, and the singers are ready for tonight's final showdown between David Archuleta and his competitor David Cook.
Some people in Hollywood woke up early. One woman said she's been waiting in line since 4:30 in the morning, while a man behind her said he arrived at 6:15 a.m.
A couple with Utah ties, who recently move to L.A., made a special sign for anyone who might be confused on who to vote for. The sign said: "Choose The Right. Vote David Archuleta."
As for the rest of the crowd, they seem about even as to whom they want to win. Some fans said it would be nice if the Davids tied tomorrow, and then everyone would be happy.
One young woman said, "My plan was to vote for both of them that way my votes cancel each other out."
That makes sense in a nonsensical way.
David Archuleta fans in Utah in will be watching "American Idol" tonight to cheer their favorite singer and to vote for him.
"David Mania" is not a sickness, but it is something the Utah Department of Health may want to look into. We're talking about "David-Archuleta-itus."
It seems a lot of Utah residents are experiencing "David Mania" and can't stop talking about the "American Idol" finalist. We went to Murray today, David Archuleta's hometown, to see what the big deal is all about.
Kiera Warren is one of those Murray residents who seems ready to make David Archuleta king. She says, "I mean, we're in Murray, he's from Murray. How can you not love him? He's adorable!"
She's also a waitress at the Chinese Gourmet restaurant, where they are ready to feed him for life, for free. Kiera says, "We're waiting for him to come in, claim his prize [and] eat here! Sit in my section!"
Yeah, it seems everyone in Murray has "David-Archuleta-itus," including students at his high school, people in his neighborhood and the workers at a car dealership.
Zach Stilson, who works at LaPoint Ford, says when people ask him if he knows Archuleta, he tries to have a little fun with it. He says, "It depends. Occasionally I say I know him, maybe sometimes I say I don't. It depends on who's asking. If i feel I can get away with it, of course I know David Archuleta!"
Then there are those who actually know him, those from his neighborhood, like Jennifer Davies. She says, "Everyone is just so excited for him in Murray. They're just such a great family, and he really is just such a talented kid, and it's fun to know him and his family."
Then, there are those teenyboppers. Lexi Davies says, "It's just so fun to watch him and vote for him and stuff."
Natalie Pyper says, "It's so awesome because it's bringing attention to the [LDS} Church and he's the perfect person for it."
"I think it's really cool because they're a really nice famil, and they're fun, and he deserves it, really," Holly Vance says.
A big party is also planned tonight at Murray High School. The finale rally for their favorite Idol will include dazzling lighting and special TV hookups.
At the school there is also a look and feel of a political war room, a war room for David. "We're learning how to vote on the computer, we're learning how to use our texting as well as telephones," said Assistant Principal Debbie Sorensen.
Sorensen says they have special AT&T phones to help put David over the top.
After talking to all these Archuleta fans, here's the conclusion we came to in trying to figure out the hysteria over him: It just seems with all the tragedies and major concerns going on in the world today, people just want to cheer for something fun for a change.
E-mail: pnelson@ksl.com
E-mail: acabrero@ksl.com
E-mail: tcallan@ksl.com
