The world braces for the duel of the Davids.

An "American Idol" finale in which sweet pop singer David Archuleta and rocker David Cook face off has been inevitable for months now. If you didn't see this coming, turn in your remote right now and hang your head in shame.

The two Davids will get a chance to win over the home audience one more time (8 p.m. EDT Tuesday, Fox) before the results are tallied and a winner crowned (8 p.m. Wednesday, Fox).

Now all that's left is deciding between the two. These guys are coming from two different places.

At 17, Archuleta is the youngest contestant of the final 12. The Utah native got his big break on "Star Search." With his big, booming voice, he has an endearing way of making even syrupy pop ballads delightful.

Cook is 25 and a Dallas native who grew up in Blue Springs, Mo. He has made a name for himself in the Midwest as an independent rock artist. On "Idol," he has impressed judges with his ability to take ordinary pop songs and turn them into dramatic rock pieces.

The guys have had their share of drama this season.

Archuleta's father was barred from "Idol" rehearsals as of last week. Some reports suggest the elder Archuleta has been too eager to share his opinion on his son's song choices.

Cook has had health issues. He was taken to a hospital following one "Idol" performance because of blood-pressure problems. Also, his brother, with whom he is very close, is dealing with cancer.

Who'll win this season? Even judge Simon Cowell says it'll be a close race.

"It will come down to song choice," Cowell says.

And, of course, the mood of the voting public.

Other highlights for the week of May 18-24 (listings subject to change; check local listings):

SUNDAY

-- "Law & Order" (2 p.m., TNT). An 11-hour marathon highlights the episodes with Jesse L. Martin.

-- "Academy of Country Music Awards" (8 p.m., CBS). Entertainer of the Year should be Brad Paisley, plain and simple.

-- "Desperate Housewives" (9 p.m., ABC). Will the ladies go time-loopy "Lost" on us?

-- "Carlos Mencia: Performance Enhanced" (9 p.m., Comedy Central). Here's one the comic spouts off in his new special: Vegetarians are annoying hypocrites. (His words, not mine.)

-- "Mystery of the Crystal Skulls" (9 p.m., Sci-Fi Channel). NBC personality Lester Holt is looking for those crystal heads and explains what they have meant to folklore.

MONDAY

-- "Two and a Half Men" (9 p.m., CBS). Charlie meets his "cougar's" offspring.

THURSDAY

-- "So You Think You Can Dance" (8 p.m., Fox). It's "American Idol" for the fleet of feet.

-- "Last Comic Standing" (9:30 p.m., NBC). The word is that the comedy is a lot tamer this season.

-- "Reno 911!" (10:30 p.m., Comedy Central) ... And, now, for the rest of the season.

SATURDAY

-- "Final Approach" (8 p.m., Hallmark Channel). Dean Cain is on a plane that's going down. I smell disaster!

(E-mail Terry Morrow of The Knoxville News-Sentinel in Tennessee at morrow2(at)knews.com.)