for you Mr. Pierce? What's the whole point behind your article? When I read it it looked like a jumbled mess of words with absolutely no meaning behind them. You gave everybody's opinion about David Archuleta but your own. Do you yourself or any of these other so-called jounralists even know the boy or have met him? Why is it the media have to go out and hammer a young boy and what he's doing? Is it cause it brings in money for you? For your info he isn't "a giant phony" he has alot of talent. I wish the media would give the kid a break!! Why don't you all go and attack one of your own.

I've liked him from the beginning. His voice is great and he performs pretty well. He's got to work on his stage anxiety/talking to people/taking compliments. I must say that I'm starting to get bored with him! Sorry, it's always the same and the judges always give the same feedback. Raise the bar!

Do all kids have to be edgy, jaded, and batted down with the horrors of the world or their crushing personal problems (that last about 5 minutes), in order to be considered normal?
I don't know of too many late teens having mature manners or without that scowl that indicates everyone around them is an idiot, but I'd like to think that some still exist.
I think David may very well be the exception to the rule.
BTW-Maybe one of the newspaper-types can explain to me why this guy was the only one ever to be titled with the name of the religion they belong too. I don't recall reading of that Baptist (or "Catholic," "Pentecostal," "Agnostic," or "Devil worshiper") boy David Cook. Is it automatically added to every artist, author, writer, singer, corporate CEO, college president, football player, name, if they are a member of the LDS Church as a mocking mechanism or to show that this person is an exception to the long held belief that Mormons are so darn weird and unworldly, they can't have talent. Sort of like the "one armed" baseball pitcher, I guess.

He is great! He is just a seventeen year old kid! Give him a break. He has talent and a beautiful voice.

It's no surprise that a Boston Globe writer can't accept that a Mormon can be genuine,humble, self-effacing, and enormously talented. After all, the Globe never accepted Mitt Romney, who is all of the above, always cynically searching for phoniness where only genuineness existed.

I don't think Davis A. was all that last night. He sounded like he wasn't having any fun at all.Brooke was not at all good on her first song, but got the jod done on her second one. I think both will be back next week. Perhaps this is Jason Castro's last night.David Cook is still the guy to beat.

I don't watch the show. Is he any good? Can the boy sing?

Why can't the critics believe there is a nice kid in the world--a teenager without an attitude?

it saddens me to read that people.... dont think much of david archuleta. i have been in music most of my life and david a has the most pure/quality voice left in the competition. all the finalists are talented..but after listening week after week..archuleta sings on pitch and he always seems to make the song his own. beautiful voice. people are just mean and want to find bad things about these singers. david cook is good but he is the same old rocker i have seen year after year. archuleta's voice is pure and beautiful! sorry to hear he has fallen into 3rd place.

u guys r just jealous because u cant sing and u r not a nice person! do u think jesus will say that about him, or would he focus on the more of life not the less.so for one day be nice, o yeah im only 13 and i know this stuff shouldent u no it by now!!

Is he really too good to be true or a phony as some of these critics seem to apply?

Really hard to see him as more than the good kid next door-who mows my lawn and feeds the cat when I am out of town.

I don't especially care for his dad (or any pushy stage dad or mom), but Davie seems to be the real deal.

Won't be disappointed if David Cook wins it-as his voice is much more mature.

Nonetheless very proud of this local boy making good in the cynical world of entertainment.

Would you want you daughter to marry a boy like David I absolutly 100% would! Go David and don't change for anybody!!!!!!!!!!!

I never knew David Archuleta before I saw him on Idol. Yet I know many kids like him here in the State of Utah. They are raised with an attitude of "Love, Patience, and true humility". It is obvious that those critics who bashed him have never felt what it is like to be really loved. David is what he is and we ought to be thrilled to see someone with his talent and humility in the music industry, as so many of his contemporaries are brash, immoral, self aggrandizing. To those critics who think he isn’t real, go pick on someone else, for me and my house we hope he goes on to have a great career and we WILL buy his music.

Heaven forbid someone could truly be nice, or sincere. Like it was said on "House" the other night, about Dr House believing a mans "niceness" was his main symptom. The Dr on the patients side, sarcasticly said, "He either has the flu, or good parenting."

Leave the kid alone people. From my experience, he is and always has been, just like that.

It's just American Idol, who cares? Your acting like its a political figure that we need to ridicule. The kid is still in high school for goodness sake. You can tell he is a genuine kid, but yeah the world now days would make that seem like thats a bad thing. I hope he wins it just to shut up all those people thinking he's fake.

maybe the mainstream media has never seen a "good" teenager who isn't drinking, into girls, into pop culture etc. I do believe he is sincere and he is incredible talented. Go David!

a critic is a person who knows the way but can't drive the car...something akin to a hypocrite. Journalism to me seems to be nothing more than living life on the sidelines watching others succeed, or fail, and then critiquing them on how they (the journalists) could have done it better.
Give the 17yr old "mormon" kid from Utah some credit for being able to sing, and sing well. Hopefully, when he wins, he still remembers that "modesty, and humility" that Britney Spears, J-lo, Miley Cyrus (however you spell her name), Rolling Stones, etc. - the list goes on - have forgotten. We finally have someone whose life isn't riddled with scandal succeed, and leave it to the Media to decide to break him down to be like everyone else. Some people (the media) seem to like the earth to still be flat at the end of the day, so that their world they built up doesn't come crashing down around them.

I asked my son who has known David for a couple of years,about Davids shy deer in the head lights look. He has informed that this is the real David he is quite and shy at school too. Face it with David what you see is what you get one very talented young man.

Who came up with this awful headline? Eeeeek. Or should I say, bawk, bawk.

I get a little bugged when people criticize Archuleta for being a little shy. When you were 17 how would you act performing in front of millions of people? I'd be a little shy too.

As far as criticizing his doubt of his own talent, that comment OBVIOUSLY came from someone who either has NO musical ability our who has never sought success in that industry. It is a HARD industry. People live in near poverty for good portions of their life trying to make a buck or two and get noticed by someone who has the power to take them to the top. You have no choice but to doubt yourself at times; it's the only way to improve.

So to the writers who sit behind closed doors and criticize those who dare to shine: Go back to junior high where you belong. Meanwhile I'll sit back and enjoy watching 5 people who are far more talented than myself and enjoy every second.

Archuleta should win this thing for sure. The kid has mad talent and shows it every week.

I work with kids everyday and though some try to get away with what they can most are just good kids who like recognition for what they do well and who are humble in response to the praise.

When plenty of teen celebrities can't get enough of the spotlight, and the media can't get enough of shining it on them, it figures that there are plenty of critics who just can't deal with humility. Real or faked, Archuleta's graciousness is too rare in the entertainment world. It ought to be applauded, not criticized. There is not one person on the planet who understands's Archuleta's true feelings or thoughts when he's onstage. How presumptive it is to label him a phony because he's not the usual self-absorbed megastar.

Perhaps these critics and columnists have been out-of-touch with the real world for too long. It apparently shocks them to learn that there are some truly talented, humble teens out there. Amazing. But then, publicly inflating their own egos at someone else's expense is what they do.

I think Archuleta is sincere, but stone-cold boring. I think if you're really into that one-key wonder, Josh Groban, you'll enjoy David Archuleta. I'm not one of those.

All the exciting performers are gone except David Cook. All those others will have huge recording contracts.

I know David and I have known his father ,Jeff, all my life. David is no fake, he is what you see every week. People ( especially critics) have a hard time believing a kid can be happy and humble at the same time, it's a sad reflection of our society.

"Phony", "insincere", "fake", hmmm, where have I heard those words before? Oh yeah, They labeled Mitt Romney the same way. How many more good Mormons will we have to see on the national stage before people accept them as genuine?

And these are adults commenting on a 17 year old kid? GROW UP! You are Embarrasing Yourselves! If his attituded was feigned (I personally believe it is sincere), you'd still look like bullies. Just quit it...you all need a time-out!

I read an article just a few weeks ago where they interviewed his close high school friends. Everyone had the same thing to say- shy, super nice, everyone's friend, amazing voice (the choir misses him) etc. Don't you think the ones that know him would be a better judge? I think he's completely sincere. He's a humble teen that sings in front of millions of people each week. I'd be a little quiet and smile nervously too. I think he believes he sings well, but I also believe he feels like a little fish in a more mature pond and that makes him sincerely humble. I can't believe how the media is slaying him, but then unfortunately enough I can.

He is a preformer and will con everyone for his own good. Life is but a sstage play for him to use his preforming skills to get hs way.

To the Anonymous commenter who said "He is a performer and will con everyone for his own good" you are as wrong as you can be!! Do you even know him?? Most likely not. So don't judge him. He is all genuine or do you have a hard time accepting the fact that a teenager who can really sing can be modest and genuine?? Give him a break!!

He's boring. He's a competant singer, but there is no personality/character that shows star quality.

BTW, the reason his religion is mentioned is that this publication is always pointing it out in headlines (along with Brooke). Plus LDS is not a mainstream religion in America, so naturally it's newsworthy to mention.

Dislike his performance if you will, but CLOWNS like Anonymous just prove Scott's headline of old hens just clucking away in the hen house... "Pick a little, talk a little, cheep, cheep, cheep..."

David is a very good singer. That's obvious. It's also clear he'll get better. What he'll perform in the future is a mystery of life, but, he seems to have the grounding to overcome the snippy and rotten people who love to destroy someone to make their own miserable lives seem better.

What's more pathetic - a nationally televised karaoke competition, or people who take it this seriously?

If you want to talk about false humility, let's talk about David Cook. Does anyone remember the judges criticizing him in the first few weeks for his arrogance? After that it was week after week of slight bows with hands pressed together and gushing "thank you's" while the subtle smile on his face betrayed his "yeah, I know I'm good" attitude. If anyone is feigning humility, it's him.

And really, did anyone see David Archuleta at the results show last week? The kid was practically hyperventilating when him and David Cook came out because he was so worried about being kicked off. And after Seacrest told him he was safe I swear he was going to pass out from the relief. There's no way he's that good of an actor. Somewhat annoying -- yes. Fake, afraid not.

This young man is a natural. He's got a wonderful gift to inspire millions.
There is nothing phony about him at all.....his singing captures
the beautiful things in life. Sounds like the naysayers have lost their
ability to 'feel'. Only the BEST talents out there are able to bring
on the 'goosebumps' with their amazing spirit, zest for life and the
personality to pull it all off. What an amazing person David Archuleta is!

What's American Idol?

Just kiddin'.

Seriously, don't anybody forget why critics write -- it's to make money. And to make money, they have to attract readers. The best way to attract readers is to write something controversial. Critics would pan Moses, Gandhi, Jesus and even God himself if they thought it would bring more readers. It's easy to write critiques if you have good writing skills. You do not need a musical ear to write music critiques, just a facility to criticize or even to praise in a way that is likely to draw criticism. You need to know very little about acting to criticize actors. And what do you need to get a job as, say, a sports columnist. It's not sports experience or knowledge -- it's just an ability to write clearly.

Have you ever noticed how movie critics seldom recognize a true blockbuster classic movie when they first see it? That's because they're worried about their peers, their editors and their supposed status. To fawn over a great movie is to invite criticism of the critic. And critics can't handle that. They invite criticism of their critiques but not of themselves. (P.S., Pierce is a critic).

I think that David Archuleta is sincere in his humility and passion for music. As Neil Diamond put it last night, he’s “a prodigy". The following segment of a quote by Mother Teresa illustrates the negative criticism portrayed in this article really well,

"...If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish ulterior motives.
Be kind anyway..."

Go David! Keep it up! He is kind and humble. It's as simple as that. Support him for being a down-to-earth celebrity heaven knows we could use more of them!!

To also bored. If you don't like singing don't listen to it. Go hard rock and deaf along the way.

I think it is really sad that people can't just see what is right there in front of them. They have to find fault or something wrong if someone is honest and sincere!! I challenge those people to sit down and talk with David for a few minutes and feel his personality and then tell me he isn't what he portrays!! A sincere, honest, talented person!!

There is just one word for Pierce's vicious diatribe agains David Archeleta.
Chuzpah!
Shame on you, Pierce.
The judges and all of the mentors think David is not just a wonderful singer but also a real fine human being.
I believe them over Pierce. And I believe my own heart.
When David sings, he speaks to our hearts.
Go David!!

His sincerity and humility are what make him genuine. It is a shame that some, distrusting of the world they live, have not met people like this. The cold and calculating world is use to something different. Some will only be satisfied once a person falls from grace and becomes a part of the hardend world. Let's let David be David and enjoy him for the pure unadulterated human that he is. Humanity is something we are all born with. May we all find our own humanity by believing in the best of others. Go David, stay true to who you are. You will continue to grow and mature, just be wise and don't make the mistakes of most who obtain fame. The artist Enigma gave us a great song, "Return to Innocence." - The young boy wonder, David, may need to sing it to us all to help some understand. If he doesn't, I challenge you to google the lyrics. Lastly remember Jesus said, "Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth”

I've been in the music industry for years myself! I know a great singer/performer when I see one! David Archuleta is most gifted! The last song he performed truly expressed his personality! He put a beat into his movements and the song's choice was perfect for his voice! Way to go David! Don't take the media personally! They are the fakes of our modern society! Simon Cowell needs to ban them from the "American Idol" as the finalists perfect their talents! David will win, no doubt about it!

People - Read the article before you call-out Pierce. He was just reporting what other jounalists around the country were saying. He didn't insert his own opinion in the article at all...

Anti-Mormon comments - Just plain silly/ignorant.

Pro-Mormon comments -Just plain silly/ignorant.

He's great! In an industry full of scandal, sex, and drugs he is like a breath of fresh air.

When high school age Nolan Ryan made his first appearance in front of major league scouts, he looked awkward, nervous and "really skinny" but as one pro scout put it "the kid can pitch"! Ryan went on to be one of greatest pitchers ever. Pure talent makes up for a lot of superficial stuff that eventually washes out anyway. David has "pure talent" and doesn't need all the other superficial stuff that most singers today get caught up in. His tone, pitch and range are amazing but because he doesn't have green hair or ear rings he is somehow labeled as phony by the fickle media. Because his personality is just "nice" he must be faking it ..right? The kid is most likely VERY nervous and holding his emotions inside and just smiling is his way of dealing with it. I'm sure the fact that he is a Mormon that doesn't smoke, drink or act immoral with the opposite sex doesn't help either.

We se here how so much of the entertainment media is so self-important that they are out of touch with the everyday realities of the "common" person who, being less sophisticated than they, could not see through the phoniness of a talented yet sincerely humble performer like David A.

David you are so awesome. I hope you win. You are really a good singer and you are cute

The kid is like 17 years old. Give him time and his personality will blossom. You can't expect the kid to automatically be as charismatic as the other contestants because he doesn't know the first thing about marketing yourself as a superstar. The same thing happened to Kelly Clarkson and many others. Just wait a few months after the competition. He'll have an agency and promoters behind him who advise David on how to develop a likeable and genuine personality. Give him time.

David Archuleta shouldn't win, but he will.

Now before you start yelling at me in response, I think he can sing good... he's got a great voice. But he's not well rounded like David Cook and Carly are... those two can sing BOTH rock/up-beat and ballad/slow songs equally as well (really selling them and making them believable and come across as natural). But David Archuleta is only strong in the ballad department... of the about 4 up-tempo songs I've seen him do he's failed to sell them, make them seem natural.

My first thought last night with the Neil Diamond songs were, "Cool, he's finally going to do up-beat". But as he performed them I thought "Wow, he's actually managed to make an up-beat song sound like a ballad". By that I mean he over sang both of them, there was no deep register or "rock" sound in his voice... the words were delivered in the same manner as his ballads were. This further cements my belief he's a "one trick pony" (can only do ballads) and is why he shouldn't win and David Cook should instead, but the avid fanbase will probably push him through.

I have more talent in my left pinky finger than the entire Mormon Tabernacle Choir.