Thanks, everyone, for all of the David Cook questions. I haven’t met a more down-to-earth, good-natured, scene-free artist in ages — no small feat considering winning American Idol means, at the very least — front-page news, a spot on Saturday Night Live, and a national TV spot featuring you dancing around in your skivvies — he seemed truly touched that so many DC fans submitted so many thoughtful questions.

Of the many things David discussed in the interview today, he shared his favorite author (that disemboweling scene’s a CLASSIC!), boiled down his experience on American Idol to just three words, told us that he’s THISCLOSE to getting a dog (aww!), and told us about one fan gift he may be regifting to Mom. Or not.

Check back next week for the video footage of David Cook’s Buzzworthy interview. And until then, watch his new video, “Light On” — shot at L.A. Valley College in Los Angeles.

+ Jordin Sparks admits she used to have a thing for American Idol judge Simon Cowell. “I did have a crush on Simon before going on the show,” she confesses. Then, presumably, she met him and immediately came to her senses. (ICYDK)

+ Barack Obama has reportedly picked Jennifer Hudson to sing the national anthem before his DNC acceptance speech. (Entertainment Weekly)

+ Jo Bros fend off Kid Rock, hold onto the album charts’ top spot a little bit longer. (MTV)

+ The juicy story behind Kelly Osbourne’s black eye? A wayward kitchen cabinet fell on her face. But hey, you should see the other guy! (Starpulse)

+ Lil Wayne misses a court appearance due to an emergency orthodontic-related mishap. (TMZ)

+ Meanwhile, DMX does show up to court, and manages to get himself a plea bargain … despite dropping the F-bomb. (MTV)

+ Tropical Storm Gustav (not to be confused with Tokio Hotel drummer Gustav Schafer) continues to wreak havoc near the coast of Mexico. Dios mio/ Oh mein gotte! (MarketWatch)

+ Bow Wow has a feeling his between-the-sheets Entourage cameo will resonate with female fans. “The ladies are gonna go crazy when they see Bow Wow’s first sex scene,” the rapper/actor predicts, admitting, “I stun myself sometimes, I can’t even front.” (MTV)

+ Selena Gomez admits she has a thing for car-crashing Transformers star Shia LaBeouf. (Usmagazine.com)

+ Meanwhile, Demi Lovato and her soon-to-be-ex-boyfriend say they’re not doing the long-distance thing. (Entertainment Wise)

+ Idol runner-up David Archuleta has released his first single, “Crush.” Check it out and decide whether the feeling’s mutual. (Z100)

+ And while you’re at it, have a look at iCarly star Miranda Cosgrove’s first video. (People)

+ Hilary Duff finds the healthy balance between scary-skinny and “Duff Puff.” (OK!)

+ Panic At The Disco might be self-directing their next music video. “We want to make it ourselves,” says bassist Jon Walker. “I’ve been Googling ‘music video direction.’ I think they have one of those ‘Dummies’ books on it.” (MTV)

+ The Rolling Stones are suing rapper Lil Wayne for copyright infringement — and for putting out a much, much worse version of their ‘65 classic “Playing With Fire.” (MTV)

+ Meanwhile, we’ve always thought “I’m a venereal disease” was up there with Lil Wayne’s most questionable line. But that was before we remembered this gem: “Listening to Lil Wayne is like picking up a Bible.” Amen, brother. (Spinner)

+ Metromix NY draws a highly editorial parallel between Maroon 5’s Adam Levin and Counting Crows‘ Adam Duritz, and it’s not just their first name. (Metromix NY)

+ Meanwhile My Chemical Romance frontman Gerard Way has announced he’s got a “pretty freakin’ cool” Bob Dylan cover track on the way. (NME)

+ David Cook’s reportedly been sporting an “I Love David” bracelet on the American Idol tour. The weird part? It’s really in reference to Idol runner-up David Archuleta! “I’m actually a pretty big Archuleta fan,” Cook admits. (Billboard)

+ 50 Cent changes the lyrics in “My Life” to something that doesn’t scream “I hate Eminem.” (MTV)

+ Simon & Schuster sues Lil’ Kim and Foxy Brown for taking hefty book advances without ever delivering the books. (Idolator)

Everyone knows what last season’s American Idol winner (a.k.a. David Cook’s predecessor, Jordin Sparks) has been up to this past year or so. But while Jordin’s kept herself busy staving off rumors of a career-ending vocal cord injury — and teaming up with Chris Brown for the asphyxiating slow jam, “No Air” — what has 2007’s Idol runner-up Blake Lewis been doing since the show?

Well, besides clearing up false reports that he was dropped by his record label, Blake “The Beatboxer” Lewis has evidently been working hard to perfect his acting skills. Check out this funny (but arguably NSFW) clip, in which he puts his “#2 status” to excellent use.

(Hey, if Sarah Silverman’s “I’m F—ing Matt Damon” can get nominated for an Emmy, who’s to say that “Blake Lewis Is S—ing In My Bathroom” won’t be next?)

+ Apparently, not everyone enjoys getting clocked by Amy Winehouse. And her latest victim isn’t pulling any punches in today’s tabloids. “She was in front of me at the bar and suddenly turned and walloped me three times across the face. It really stung,” says 29-year-old Wayne Lindsay of the slap-happy singer. Meanwhile, a “source” close to Winehouse counters: “She’s not a shrinking violet and isn’t afraid to stand up for herself.” Well, obviously. (Mirror)

+ If you thought Usher was serious about his music, wait till you hear what he has to say about fatherhood. (Essence)

+ Maroon 5’s frontman Adam Levine proves he’s not exactly the outdoorsy type by suggestively gripping a garden hose. (Popwrap)

+ Without the thesaurus-wielding Tim Gunn on hand to guide her, rocker-turned-designer Avril Lavigne has trouble “making it work.” (Idolator)

+ You may have already known that Taylor Hicks (a.k.a. the prematurely grey-haired American Idol winner) just landed a plum role in the Broadway production of Grease. But here’s something you probably didn’t know: Hicks says the inspiration behind his costume came from “doing séances to channel Elvis, [who] told me that I needed to wear a midnight-blue, rhinestone-studded suit.” Okay then! (MTV)

When you look as good as Jennifer Hudson does in almost-impossible-to-pull-off gold lipstick and a sleek bob, you do NOT need to stay home and field some controlling dude’s obsessive phone calls. Watch Jennifer assert her fabulousness just seconds after Stargate brings that beat back in her smooth, sophisticated, most un-Idol-esque new video for her brand-new single, “Spotlight” (which was co-written by Ne-Yo.)

And if that dude’s the reason Jennifer’s long-awaited debut album isn’t coming out until September, then we’re about to call him up ourselves…

+ Chris Brown sort-of elaborates on his relationship status with Rihanna, explaining: “We started off as friends and we’re getting a little bit closer now.” But don’t expect these two kiddies to be walking down the aisle anytime soon. “I don’t want to let down all my girlfriends,” adds Chris, “so all the ladies out there, I still love y’all!” (Neon Limelight)

+ Take a sneak peek at the Jonas Brothers‘ reverse-British Invasion. (Yahoo)

+ Meanwhile, watch as the suddenly political Christina Aguilera encourages young people to vote by appearing on a very old person’s talk show — Lizard Larry King. Because the Depends set is really the demo that needs to Rock the Vote. (Red Lasso)

+ American Idol auditions are coming soon to a city near you! Think what you’ve got it takes to be the next Ruben Studdard?? (Usmagazine.com)

+ Former Spice Girl Mel B to co-host this year’s Miss Universe Pageant with the always-classy Jerry Springer. (E! Online)

After almost not making it onto American Idol and facing a serious, potentially career-ending voice injury, Jordin Sparks has bounced back big-time. In between collaborating with singer/undisputed Dance-Off champ, Chris Brown, careening onto #3 of the Billboard Hot 100 chart with “No Air,” and hanging with big-time celebs like Rihanna (and, er, yours truly) Sparks has been busy showing the world that she — and her vocal chords — are here to stay. Speaking of which, feel free to alleviate any lingering doubts about her voice by checking out “One Step At A Time,” the third single off her self-titled debut album.

+ Can’t get enough of Sparks’, well, spark? Re-read what Jordin had to say when we caught up with her back in November and catch the no-longer-vocally-challenged singer this summer as she opens for Alicia Keys on the “As I Am” tour.

+ Vanessa Hudgens is quick to shoot down rumors that she’s dating “The Smelly Kid” from High School Musical. (Usmagazine.com)

+ Amy Winehouse’s pack-a-day habit may have caused her career to go up in smoke. The singer’s dad claims Winehouse has contracted Emphysema. (MTV)

+ Surprisingly, the synergistic higher-ups over at the Fox network are championing the relationship between two former American Idol stars. (E! Online)

+ Meanwhile, those kind folks over at Arista Records have already dropped Idol runner-up Blake “The Beatboxer” Lewis from their label. (Idolator)

+ Before he made it big with Vampire Weekend, Ezra Koenig was an 8th grade English teacher. The VW frontman’s former students reminisce about how they “Punk’d” their professor. (MTV)