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American Idol 7

David Archuleta’s “Crush” has the best Hot 100 chart debut in 18 months, besting David Cook’s

by Andy Dehnart 22 Aug. 2008 | 8:06 am

David Archuleta’s first single, “Crush,” was released Aug. 12, and it debuted at #2 on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart, better than David Cook’s #3 debut position on the same chart for “Time of My Life” in June.

Archuleta’s single had 166,000 downloads, and represents “the best chart debut in more than 18 months” and “the best opening by an ‘American Idol’ finalist with a song not performed on the show,” Billboard reports.

However, as E! News reports, “his show single ‘Imagine’ actually underperformed with a No. 36 debut,” and David Cook’s “did better in the download department, selling 236,000 digital copies in its opening week.”

Still, David Archuleta is higher on the chart than David Cook was, and while this would be the perfect occasion for Archuleta to tell Cook to suck it, he is as humble as always, although at least not on television. “I was like, maybe it will get to the top 40. I just can’t believe it,” he told the Los Angeles Times. He’s presently working on his album. “I used to have days off, but now when I have a day off, I have to just work on the album. I don’t feel overwhelmed or anything. I’m finally living my dream,” he said.

Rihanna Fends Off Archuleta Atop Hot 100 [Billboard]
Exclusive Interview: David Archuleta’s ‘Crush’ tops charts [Los Angeles Times]

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about Andy Dehnart

Andy Dehnart’s writing and criticism about television, culture, and media has appeared on NPR and in Vulture, Pacific Standard, The Los Angeles Times, and other publications. He has covered reality television for more than 18 years, and created reality blurred in 2000.

A member of the Television Critics Association who serves on its board of directors, Andy, 41, also directs the journalism program at Stetson University in Florida, where he teaches creative nonfiction and journalism. He has an M.F.A. in nonfiction writing and literature from Bennington College. Learn more about reality blurred and Andy.

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reality blurred is your guide to the world of reality TV and unscripted entertainment, with reality show reviews, news, and analysis. It was created in 2000 by Andy Dehnart. He's still writing and publishing it today.

reality blurred is regularly updated with highlights from the world of reality TV: news and analysis; behind-the-scenes reports; interviews with reality TV show cast members and producers; and recaps and reviews of these reality TV shows, including Survivor, Big Brother, The Great British Baking Show, Shark Tank, The Amazing Race, The Bachelor, Project Runway, Dancing with the Stars, Top Chef, and many more.

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