AP - The duel between two Davids brought an estimated 30.6 million viewers to the Fox finale of "American Idol," Nielsen Media Research reported Thursday.

Reuters - The upset "American Idol" victory by rock singer David Cook drew nearly 32 million U.S. television viewers on Wednesday night, up 3 percent from last year's finale, Nielsen Media Research reported on Thursday.

AP - Political operatives who were involved in the most dramatic election of our lifetimes say HBO's "Recount" brings back the intensity.

AP - A look at the winners of Fox's "American Idol" and what they've been up to since taking home the prize:

E! Online - Welcome to Bizarro World. Emily Post must be rolling over in her grave.

E! Online - People might still be talking about "my Blake incarcerated" and Herbie Hancock's surprise Album of the Year victory, but the Recording Academy has started looking ahead to next year.

E! Online - Can there really be someone on The Hills who doesn't want drama in their lives?

E! Online - Just as you suspected, someone named David has been named the winner of the seventh season of American Idol. Find out which one, Big or Little, wound up standing tall...

Reuters - For its final performance episode of the season, Fox's "American Idol" showed some growth Tuesday after weeks of record lows.

AP - Did Simon Cowell know David Cook would win? Or was he — gasp! — just being nice?

Reuters - Rocker David Cook won the coveted title of "American Idol" on Wednesday, dealing an unexpected but decisive defeat to a silken-voiced teenager, also named David, on the most popular U.S. television show.

AP - For fans of Utah crooner David Archuleta, the seventh season of American Idol was a fairy-tale ride without the fairy-tale ending.

AP - On a night when "American Idol" viewers were focused on two young singers named David — Cook and Archuleta — the Fox singing competition's seventh-season conclusion had plenty of appearances from a few older idols.

AP - David Cook is no professional athlete, but he celebrated like one after winning "American Idol" on Wednesday night.