It looks like David Archuleta’s family isn’t taking his recent second-place finish on “American Idol” behind David Cook. The 17-year-old singer’s dad has already been been grabbing headlines for his pushy, controlling antics on the set of the reality show, but now young David’s mom is shooting off her mouth about David Cook’s victory, saying that the voting was rigged.

And you thought David Archuleta’s dad was a problem?

His mom blasted the show as being “fixed” moments after David Cook took home the title of “American Idol.”

“She said her son was the clear favorite, and it was obvious that the voting was fixed so David Cook would win.” said an insider who spoke to Lupe Archeleta. “She said Clive Davis was going to sign her son to a huge recording deal anyway. She was very resentful that David Cook got the title, and she wasn’t shy about letting people know how she felt about it.”

Lupe even took issue with the bright green Ford Escape Hybrid SUV her son won for being in the finals.

“My David can’t drive that car!” she told the insider. “We’re from Salt Lake City - if he drove that car around our town, people would recognize him everywhere!”

[From The National Enquirer print version, June 9, 2008]

Ugh, what an ungrateful cow this woman is. It’s amazing to me that David Archuleta manages to portray himself as such a good-natured, conscientious kid, since both is parents come off as pushy, greedy stage parents from hell. As for her concern that David will be mobbed by fans if he drives his new free car- don’t worry. Two words: Justin Guarini.

In other ‘Idol’ news, if you watched the finale, you may have caught a glimpse of David Cook’s brother, Adam, who is battling terminal brain cancer. Adam wasn’t scheduled to be at the show, but The Enquirer says that an anonymous benefactor stepped forward to help the family pay for Adam’s travel and medical care while he’s in L.A.

A mystery donor contributed more than $80,000 at the last minute so that “American Idol” winner David Cook ’s terminally ill half brother could fly to the season finale in Los Angeles.

The generous gift gave David’s gutsy sibling, Adam, 36, what he values most - more time with his family before he dies.

Earlier this season, Adam was able to attend a taping of the show when friends arranged for a chartered medical jet to fly him to L.A. after doctors had forbidden him to take a commercial airline flight. But it didn’t appear that Adam would be able to make a return trip because of the cost.

At the last minute, an anonymous donor came forward to pay for the private medical jet that flew the ailing attorney and his wife Kendra from their home in the Midwest.

[From The National Enquirer print version, June 9, 2008]

My money’s on Simon Cowell as the benefactor. He’s been doing all kinds of under-the-radar charity lately. In March, Cowell donated $162,000 to a family who fell into a financial crisis after their daughter was diagnosed with cancer.

David Archuleta and David Cook are shown on The Today Show on 5/29/08. Thanks to WENN.

This year’s American Idol finale was watched by more viewer’s than last year’s Jordin Sparks vs. that beatbox kid finale- at least, the last five minutes of the broadcast. In what many are calling an upset victory, former bartender and crossword puzzle enthusiast David Cook beat the odds-on favorite David Archuleta for the crown.

More than 40 million people tuned into to watch the results of the David vs. David battle on American Idol Wednesday night.

The rest of the two-hour show saw an audience of 31.6 million.

(This year’s finale also beat 2007’s Jordin Sparks vs. Blake Lewis showdown, which 30 million turned in to watch.)

In a surprise victory, rocker David Cook beat baby-faced David Archuleta for the title — despite Simon Cowell predicting it would go the other way.

But Archuleta told Usmagazine.com after the show that he “was pretty sure Cook was going to win anyway!”

“You know, he’s such a great guy,” Archuleta, 17, added. “I’m so glad that people really appreciate what he’d been doing because he put a lot of work into this.”

After Wednesday night’s teary announcement that Cook had won (watch the video here), the Missouri native was at a loss for words.

“This is amazing — thank you!” he said.

[From Us Weekly]

Archuleta was heavily touted and featured prominently by the show’s producers and editors from his very first audition. Many felt he was the judges’ “Chosen one,” and that the competition was kind of pointless, since he was such a shoo-in. But the voters proved the producers and the judges wrong - David Cook won by 12 million votes. Not since Carrie Underwood’s victory has there been such a landslide. Archuleta gave his best performances on the Tuesday night broadcast, making it clear that he was in it to win- but in the end it was David Cook’s rocker edge and ability to mix up the arrangements on some very popular songs that gave him the win. Archuleta was gracious, however, to his rival.

David Archuleta says he wasn’t shocked when his name wasn’t called on Wednesday’s American Idol finale.

“Oh, I was pretty sure Cook was going to win anyway!” he told Usmagazine.com after the show. “You know, he’s such a great guy. I’m so glad that people really appreciate what he’d been doing because he put a lot of work into this.

“He’s been my role model,” Archuleta added. “Just a great person to look up to. He’s been my big brother through this.”

After Cook won, “I just said I’m so proud of him, that he’d earned it,” Archuleta said.

What did Cook say to him?

“He just said, ‘I love you,’” Archuleta said.

Awww. Ain’t that sweet? As for Archuleta’s stage dad from hell, David said his father was proud of him. Because if he didn’t he would probably be locked in the basement until the American Idol tour starts.

Archuleta also said his father, Jeff — who has been portrayed by some media outlets as a demanding stage dad — was pleased with his second place finish.

“My dad just let me know he’s so proud of me,” he said. “He’s really happy too.

“He was just always there to remind me what music meant, the real depth to music and what it does to reach people’s lives,” he added. “And my whole family has helped me stay who I am, helped me not change through this.”

Archuleta - who will perform in the Idol tour this summer - said he thanks “all the fans who helped me make it this far. I didn’t think I’d even make it past the first round! This has been such a blessing.”

All in all, I’m glad it’s over. There were a few spectacular train wreck performances (mostly by Paula Abdul), and some clearly talented contestants, in addition to the final two, including Syesha Mercado, the third place finalist, and the oft-bashed but supremely talented Carly Smithson. But don’t expect me to buy tickets to the concert. That’s where I draw the line, people.

Top 9 “American Idol” contestant David Cook was rushed to the hospital with heart palpitations and dangerously high blood pressure after his performance on the show yesterday.

Cook has been lauded by judges for his risk-taking and strong performances, and performed his own arrangement of Dolly Parton’s “Little Sparrow” last night. Dolly Parton praised his voice and talent during rehearsals.

Cook really nailed the performance and looked at ease on stage. All the judges praised him, with Simon tempering it a little by saying it wasn’t as good as his last performance. Cook was taken to the hospital shortly after the show. He has high blood pressure and the stress sent it skyrocketing. Cook was treated by a private physician, given blood pressure medication and released.

Cook’s brother has cancer and suffered a medical setback recently, and that is said to have contributed to his high level of stress. Hopefully he’s ok now and will be able to find ways to keep his blood pressure down.

Meanwhile dancer Derek Hough, Shannon Elizabeth’s professional partner on “Dancing With The Stars” wrenched his neck during rehearsals yesterday and was taken to the hospital. He recovered, and was back to work.

It’s not an easy job having to preform new material in front of millions of people every week.

Here’s David Cook performing “Little Sparrow” last night. You would never know he was having a problem, and maybe he felt ok until after his performance:

And here’s Derek Hough doing the jive with Shannon Elizabeth on Monday. You can see how he might throw something out with all those moves he’s doing.