This year’s American Idol finale was watched by more viewer’s than last year’s Jordin Sparks vs. that beatbox kid finale- at least, the last five minutes of the broadcast. In what many are calling an upset victory, former bartender and crossword puzzle enthusiast David Cook beat the odds-on favorite David Archuleta for the crown.

More than 40 million people tuned into to watch the results of the David vs. David battle on American Idol Wednesday night.

The rest of the two-hour show saw an audience of 31.6 million.

(This year’s finale also beat 2007’s Jordin Sparks vs. Blake Lewis showdown, which 30 million turned in to watch.)

In a surprise victory, rocker David Cook beat baby-faced David Archuleta for the title — despite Simon Cowell predicting it would go the other way.

But Archuleta told Usmagazine.com after the show that he “was pretty sure Cook was going to win anyway!”

“You know, he’s such a great guy,” Archuleta, 17, added. “I’m so glad that people really appreciate what he’d been doing because he put a lot of work into this.”

After Wednesday night’s teary announcement that Cook had won (watch the video here), the Missouri native was at a loss for words.

“This is amazing — thank you!” he said.

[From Us Weekly]

Archuleta was heavily touted and featured prominently by the show’s producers and editors from his very first audition. Many felt he was the judges’ “Chosen one,” and that the competition was kind of pointless, since he was such a shoo-in. But the voters proved the producers and the judges wrong – David Cook won by 12 million votes. Not since Carrie Underwood’s victory has there been such a landslide. Archuleta gave his best performances on the Tuesday night broadcast, making it clear that he was in it to win- but in the end it was David Cook’s rocker edge and ability to mix up the arrangements on some very popular songs that gave him the win. Archuleta was gracious, however, to his rival.

David Archuleta says he wasn’t shocked when his name wasn’t called on Wednesday’s American Idol finale.

“Oh, I was pretty sure Cook was going to win anyway!” he told Usmagazine.com after the show. “You know, he’s such a great guy. I’m so glad that people really appreciate what he’d been doing because he put a lot of work into this.

“He’s been my role model,” Archuleta added. “Just a great person to look up to. He’s been my big brother through this.”

After Cook won, “I just said I’m so proud of him, that he’d earned it,” Archuleta said.

What did Cook say to him?

“He just said, ‘I love you,'” Archuleta said.

Awww. Ain’t that sweet? As for Archuleta’s stage dad from hell, David said his father was proud of him. Because if he didn’t he would probably be locked in the basement until the American Idol tour starts.

Archuleta also said his father, Jeff — who has been portrayed by some media outlets as a demanding stage dad — was pleased with his second place finish.

“My dad just let me know he’s so proud of me,” he said. “He’s really happy too.

“He was just always there to remind me what music meant, the real depth to music and what it does to reach people’s lives,” he added. “And my whole family has helped me stay who I am, helped me not change through this.”

Archuleta – who will perform in the Idol tour this summer – said he thanks “all the fans who helped me make it this far. I didn’t think I’d even make it past the first round! This has been such a blessing.”

All in all, I’m glad it’s over. There were a few spectacular train wreck performances (mostly by Paula Abdul), and some clearly talented contestants, in addition to the final two, including Syesha Mercado, the third place finalist, and the oft-bashed but supremely talented Carly Smithson. But don’t expect me to buy tickets to the concert. That’s where I draw the line, people.