American Idol (season 7) American Idol (season 7) The seventh season of "American Idol", the annual reality show and singing competition, began on January 15, 2008 and concluded on May 21, 2008. Ryan Seacrest continued to host the show with Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul, and Randy Jackson returning as judges. David Cook was announced the winner of the competition on May 21, 2008, defeating runner-up David Archuleta by a margin of roughly 12 million votes out of over 97 million, which was at that time the highest recorded vote total ever recorded in the show's history. The split was 56% to 44%. The seventh
American Idol Rewind the original series. A highlight of the audition episodes was the first-ever screening of Kelly Clarkson's full audition in Dallas, which never aired in the original run of the show. On the episode aired the weekend of October 14–15, Clarkson singing a portion of Madonna's "Express Yourself" was shown. Brian Dunkleman, who was co-host with Ryan Seacrest season one but left under sour terms, adds new commentary. The second season showcased the same season of the original series. The second season, described by the show's producers as "the year that put American Idol on the map with legendary talent and