Winning Strategy: Sympathy Votes!
Filed under: TV News > American Idol
American Idol contestant David Cook will have a very special guest in the audience Tuesday and Wednesday night — his brother Adam Cook who is battling brain cancer.
Adam will be traveling all the way from Indiana to see his bro perform.
Do you think this will inspire David to get more votes give the performance of a lifetime?
Idol's mouthpieces declined to comment, but sources close to the show confirm that Adam will indeed be there with a doctor and nurse on standby.
We can't wait to see which Mariah Carey song David will perform for his bro tonight!
Can we get a Hero???
[Image via WENN.]
Posted: April 15, 2008 at 5:00 pm
Perez, you really need to shut up until you know what you're talking about.
David Cook has NEVER addressed his brother's illness. Even tonight on the show when he teared up, not once did he mention his brother even though you know AI wanted him to.
There's also a story behind the orange bracelet he always wears when he performs that could get him sympathy votes, but guess what, HE's never mentioned it b/c he's not that person.
NOPE!!! Instead of "Hero", you get the best damn version of "Always Be My Baby" that anybody has ever heard….EVEN BETTER THAN MARIAH'S!!! I mean, honestly, the man does not need any sympathy votes whatsoever when he performs like THAT!!!!
his version of mariah's "always be my baby" was AMAZING. He brought that rock star thing of his & his version sounded as fantastic as the original, maybe better. he managed to take that song & make it sound macho & it was very cool. if this guy can do that, what else can he do???
Yeah that's pretty bad to say Perez… proud moment for his family especially since he was amazing tonight… I think you need to apologize to the family… I thought you had a good heart… disappointing!!!
how is this still up?
note: ive never commented on this site before, but i'll "donate [my vote] to a worthwhile cause" AGAINST you on this one.
I don't know why I keep coming back. You really are an asshole. Karma is a real bitch Perez. Be careful.
I am a big fan of his and that is kind of harsh saying it's a sympathy vote because his brother is battling cancer. Should maybe look at the positive and think "my family is healthy" and I hope his brother gets better instead of saying he's trying to get sympathy votes WHICH he does not need..because he can sing.
Perez, tipo, tu eres un cabrón, como vas a decir eso!!!
That's really wrong Perez. My parents both had cancer and from the look of him, David's brother doesn't have long. David Cook doesn't need the extra votes and it was really special for his brother to see him perform. Shame on you:(
oh my god do you people have ears?
that was the WORST FUCKING SONG i have ever heard.
he is a CHEESEBALL. seriously.
always be my baby?
seriously david needs to do us a favor and shut the fuck up.
he's such a pompous pretentious dick too with his stupid tie and bad emo kid haircut. i can't stand the motherfucker and can't wait till his ass gets booted. you people need to wake up and vote for real talent. SERIOUSLY. that little gay boy who couldn't dance was better than him.
UGH gag.
Uhm, well, I think cynics should step back and realize that he wants the opportunity to see his brother perform live, particularly in light of his health situation.
Unbelievable. The guy invites his terminally ill brother to watch him perform ONE WEEK and doesn't even mention it on stage, nor has he ever mentioned it, all to PREVENT anyone for voting on him based on sympathy, and you attack him for using it as a cheap ploy.
Mighty I add that you have not once mentioned anything negative about your favorite, David Archuletta, who is surrounded by far more controversy, and is far more insincere than any other contestant on the show. Give it up. You've chosen the greatest phony on the show and you've resorted to low-blow attacks to get HIM votes. Despicable.
Idol is one of the most bullshit shows in the history of TV.
It would be pretty sad if his brother couldn't come and watch him perform - just that nobody would think it would be just for the votes…
I can't believe you would say such a thing. I love David Cook. And I love you. But today I love David more.
Brain cancer is nothing to joke about, regardless of circumstance. My mother died of brain cancer less than a year ago, so I have a soft spot in my heart on the issue. Please don't make fun of what we cannot cure. I adore you, Perez, but you made me sad on this one. My mother would not be proud
I really fucking doubt that David was like, "Oh, will you please come to my show to get me more votes cause you have cancer?" My mother died last year of brain cancer, and I will never forget how sick she was. It's a blessing that David's brother was able to attend the show given how draining the treatment can be. You can go fuck yourself on this one, Perez. You are usually a favorite of mine, but after this, I feel so sad. Please remove this from your site. www.legacybrainfoundation.com
this may sound bunk, but i've known david as a familiar face and even friendly competitor since high school. he and i competed against each other at forensic and debate tournaments every weekend for four years. i can attest that this is not a publicity stunt. as far as i have heard it, he only auditioned because his brother wanted to give it a shot before he got too sick. david went with his brother to the auditions for support, and here he is now. we have mutual friends still, and everyone who knows him knows that he has been working hard towards this for many years. it is unfair to accuse someone of something so outlandish and ridiculous, even if in a snarky tone. on a side note, davids acting abilities mirror his singing talents. look out for that…he's all around talent and good guy.
What did it matter that he had his brother with a brain tumor in the audience tonight? Whatever he's battling, I think it's awesome that he was able to be there to see his brother perform tonight and I'm sure that's all David wanted was to make him proud. It's not like he needed the sympathy vote anyway because his performance tonight was pretty much brilliant!
Re: kg – are you fucking serious? We all agree that this post is out of line but no need to bring David Archuleta into it, he has no affiliation to perez at all and the boy is NOT a phony. leave him out of it, he's one of the top 2 most talented and can do well on his own without perez's help
I don't think David Cook brought his brother to watch INTENDING to get sympathy votes, but I think he will get more votes BECAUSE of the fact that his brother is sick, which is unfair. I wouldn't consider it a "winning strategy" though. America is just naturally sympathic, which is normal for sick people. David isn't using his brother to win, Adam probably just wants to watch David perform.
First time I have commented. Your comments are extremely rude and uncalled for!!!!!! My husband just passed away from brain cancer. I would give anything for more time with him. Do you not think that David wants his brother there so that they have more time?That cancer could take him at any time. Brain cancer is a devistating disease. My husband only live 9 months after he was diagnosed. Not everything is about votes.
You have reached a new low Perez…….congrats.
Perez, you're a dick. Why post this? He doesn't need sympathy votes. He is, BY FAR, the best singer in this competition. Mark my words, he WILL win this. This just proves you are nothing more than an uneducated queer.
We should all submit Perez on "Vote for the Worst" for SOMETHING regarding this post. Asshole.
im sorry but david doesnt need sympathy vote,
he's very good and he deserves to win
Sympathy my ass!!! I'm no Mariah fan but David did You'll Always Be My Baby and it was fucking awesome!!!
Who the hell needs sympathy when you can sing like that anyhow….
I'm amazed at most of the American's who've tried to play that card - shame on you - he's obviously not needing it - he is THE REAL THING…
Perez I love your site, but this was just rude. His brother has cancer. Having a sick loved one is hard, saying that he will get sympathy votes for this is just cruel. Shame on you
I do not think that he needs any sympathy to get votes….he is awesome and I think it is nice that his brother can share in something as special as this! By the way he has not 'exploited' this situation at all in order to get votes either, it is just a brother and a brother supporting each other?????
Whoa - my son, who is now 28 and a truck driver, lost 1/3 his IQ to leukemia, which was in his brain, as well as his bone marrow. My late husband died of sarcoma (cancer) of the leg, which left 13 tumors in his lungs. I think I'm through reading your site, Perez. Cruelty "jokes" went out long ago. And, yes, I'm 58, so I belong under "OLD" people. Too bad you lack my compassion, wisdom, and peace. Away, away with the material world . . .
Sometimes I cannot believe how evil and hurtful people can be (i.e. you).
Re: Sydney – i AGREE. HE IS COMING TO SUPPORT HIS BROTHER. BRAIN CANCER IS SERIOUS, IT'S NOT SOMETHING YOU JUST SWITCH ON AND OFF. VOTES HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH IT. HAVE A HEART.
THIS WINNER NEEDS NO SYMPATHY!!!! HE HAS TALENT. SOMETHING THAT YOUR FAT NASTY ASS HAS NONE OF. YOUR JUST A HATER CAUSE YOUR A LOOSER.
Re: fuckingdavidcooksucks. – One word for you: JEALOUS. You REEK of it. So transparent.
God forbid someone you love is diagnosed with cancer and someone writes that you are just trying to get sympathy viewers for your website. I'm glad you rewrote above how sorry you are that his brother has cancer, maybe you should take this post off. Not at all humourous if that's why you were going for.
Hmm…funny thing…I read this article this morning AFTER I watched the show last night, and I didn't have a clue that his sick brother was in the audience until I read the article and rewatched the video on here. Who is exploiting this? I think it is you Perez. Go on a diet.
Perez, Confess your mistake.
I don't agree w/him using his brother for sympathy votes. I actually think that was a rude comment.
shame on you for being so mean - just because you've gotten a couple of real stars to comment about you - doesn't mean you get to be an ass!
Perez totally changed this post and made it less mean. What a two-faced piece of shit he is!
ok perez, now i kno you are an asshole, but have a little bit of a heart for this one, his brother is dying of brain cancer for christ sakes. everyone else's family is always there to support their family and i'm sure his brother wanted to do the same. david cook is going to win regardless, so just back off!
YEa…he pretty much blew me away last night with his performace and he doesn't need any sympathy notes you jerk! He's amazing and I can't believe you would say that!
i don't think this is true at all. they all have good voices but i truley believe david cook is the only one that i would wanna buy a cd from. every week he makes the song into his own hit and i think people would vote for him even if they didn't know his brother was ill. obviousley this is gonna be a rumour but only because he's the favourite to win!
your kidding, right? the poor guy has brain cancer, and you take this to be a ploy to get votes? I doubt if David thinks the voting audience is that stupid. why can't he do something memorable for his brother whose life is in the balance, filled with miserable cancer treatments, etc. give us a break P.H.
Re: Patty –
yes, patty, i am so jealous of david cook.
god i wish i could be him….
by the way, i'm a girl you dipshit.
david cook sucks. mmmk the end.
where's my post from yesterday, Perez? I commented how I just watched my little brother die in November of a spinal tumor and let me tell you what a great way it would be for YOU to lose a ton of weight QUICK!!!!! When it comes to bullshit like American Idol, winning the lottery or celebrity status, having that family member safe, healthy and back in your arms would be all that matters. Why don't you think about someone other than you and your gullet for once!!!!!
Your a dick man. some guys brothers dying and all you can do is talk shit. Grow up.
THAT IS AWFUL! HIS BROTHER IS COMING TO CHEER HIM ON!!! YOU ARE MEANNN!
The brother is probably going to die, he wants to see his lil bro perform before he passes on. You have NO respect for sick and dying. If it was madonna or kylie minogue you'd have updates twice a day saying "get better!!"
DIAL perezzzz
a cold dark one
DROWN BITCH
DROWN IN A LAGOON
Re: Not Gonna Be Fooled –
I honestly cannot believe you Perez or any of the ones who can sympathize with you. I'm sure he never wanted anyone to focus on his brother or his problems. This is the last time I visit this site..
Have a heart, Perez…if that's possible. David has not ONE time tried to get sympathy from anyone on his brother, I havn't really even heard him talk about it! Unlike Kellie Pickler who wanted the whole world to feel sorry for her because her momma left her and daddy was in jail, welcome to reality girl, gosh! It happens! But dang, give David a break, at least he's talented and if he wants to dedicate a song or all of them to his brother, then so be it! He doesn't NEED sympathy votes, he freakin rocks!
wow, you're a tit
don't make fun of david cook perez!! hes the hottest in the competition not to mention the most talented and deserves to win
my heart goes out to him and his family
fuck you perez!
david doesn't need sympathy votes.
why the hell do you keep on saying this!?
david cook is an extremely respectable man and all of his votes come from people who know real music, and from people who want him to win. NOT PEOPLE THAT FEEL SORRY FOR HIM.
god perez…you've really crossed the line on this one.
wow perez,
his poor brother has brain cancer, and this is how you talk about the guy??!
seriously wtf is wrong with you??
you really need to get your head straight.
GO DAVID COOK
No way! He's the best artist on the show! I download his music all the time. He's truly amazing.
that was a disgusting accusation perez