NEW YORK -- When he was on “American Idol,” David Cook - as cool as a cucumber for much of last season - fought back tears after performing for a studio audience that included his brother Adam, who’s fighting brain cancer.

The steady takeover of the music industry by "American Idol" was on full display Sunday night at the American Music Awards.

NEW YORK -- When he was on “American Idol,” David Cook - as cool as a cucumber for much of last season - fought back tears after performing for a studio audience that included his brother Adam, who’s fighting brain cancer.

NEW YORK -- When he was on “American Idol,” David Cook - as cool as a cucumber for much of last season - fought back tears after performing for a studio audience that included his brother Adam, who’s fighting brain cancer.

NEW YORK -- When he was on "American Idol," David Cook -- as cool as a cucumber for much of last season -- fought back tears after performing for a studio audience that included his brother Adam, who's fighting brain cancer.

NEW YORK -- When he was on “American Idol,” David Cook - as cool as a cucumber for much of last season - fought back tears after performing for a studio audience that included his brother Adam, who’s fighting brain cancer.

Doylestown-bred American Idol runner-up Justin Guarini has much going on: appearing Thursday on a Disney float at the Thanksgiving parade (for which he recorded the vocals of "Love Train" on Friday at Philadelphia International Records), a reprise in January of his TV Guide Network hosting work, a shot on the CMT series Gone Country, and a role coming up at a still-under-wraps attraction at Walt ...

Sure, David Cook beat David Archuleta on "American Idol," but now they enter their next arena, battling over music

Ever wonder who would win a fistfight between former “American Idol” runners-up Clay Aiken and David Archuleta? Ever wish you could go back in time just so you could stage a footrace between William Howard Taft and Fatty Arbuckle. Ever yearn for a dunk contest between Wee-Man and Mini Me?

NEW YORK -- When he was on “American Idol,” David Cook - as cool as a cucumber for much of last season - fought back tears after performing for a studio audience that included his brother Adam, who’s fighting brain cancer.