And the Davids live up to expectations

Tulsa's David Cook and the other "American Idol" finalists kicked off their cross-country tour this week, and the early reviews are in: It's even better than the TV show.

Producers ditched many of the show's cheesy group numbers on this tour and decided to let the performers each sing at least three songs, with the No. 10-ranked finalist Chikezie opening the show and winner Cook performing the final set.

Fans of this season's top 10 will get three songs each from finalists Chikezie, Ramiele Malubay, Michael Johns, Kristy Lee Cook, Carly Smithson, Brooke White, Jason Castro and Syesha Mercado.

Fans of runner-up David Archuleta will be treated to a four-song set by the young singer, and Tulsa bartender-turned-"American Idol" Cook will close the show with five songs.

There are only a handful of group numbers, and reviews for the individual performances on the tour, which launched recently in Glendale, Ariz., have been mostly glowing so far -- especially for
the two Davids.

A sample:

"David Cook's set leaves little doubt whether he is truly a rock star. The singer who created so many show-stopping, take-your-breath-away moments in the Idoldome showed he could do the same
before a group of 12,700." -- Los Angeles Times