DAVID COOK
''Hello.'' Need we say more? David Cook took Lionel Richie's classic from lite-radio staple to emo anthem by combining a few choice strums of his electric guitar with powerfully gritty vocals, turning in a rendition as single-worthy as (dare we say it?) Blake Lewis' ''You Give Love a Bad Name.'' This season's addition of instruments helped the 25-year-old Missouri boy rock early and often, including a pitch-perfect cover of Free's ''All Right Now'' during '70s Week. The fact that he also revealed that he's a crossword-puzzle fanatic only adds to his appeal. Seriously, isn't it high time we had an Idol who could sing, jam with the band, and pen a decent lyric? Now, about that comb-over... —Jennifer Armstrong