The best night of my life

FIFTH ROW seats. Yes, I said FIFTH ROW. Gaspy's Mom and Dad were 4 rows up, Fantasia was across the aisle, the judges were just over in the next section, Teri Hatcher was two rows up and the stage was FIVE rows in front of us. I never had to look at the screens because I could see all of the people on stage perfectly. I can't describe the euphoria.

Other sightings in audience? Camryn Manheim, Ace Young, Sanjaya (oh and some girls went up to him crying like losers), Blake Lewis, Ashley Tisdale, Holly Robinson Peete, Gary Marshall, etc. In other words - tons of random people sitting with the Super VIPs Ed and myself.

So we settle in to watch the show. I was ready for the outcome, assumed Gaspy was going to be crowned victor. But it didn't matter - Cook was a star and would be able to make an album and I could buy it and that was all that mattered. So I was ready to just enjoy the performances. And what a night. Hands down, best finale ever.

Nigel Lythgoe and team listened to the criticism of last year -- the show went back to being about the top contestants -- not random artists who had no connection to the show, but the reasons that we all watched all season -- the contestants. So Cook and Gaspy did Nickleback (anyone besides Ed and I notice that Gaspy is wearing a chain on his jeans like Cook? He adores his big bro). And Syesha sings with Seal - good job Syesha! And Carly and Michael sing together (remember when we thought that was going to be the finale?) And the girls sing with Donna Summer who was amazing. And the boys sing with Bryan Adams which was phenomenal. I can't even explain the memories I have of singing Bryan Adams, Cuts Like a Knife in my bedroom when I was little.

Oh and side note of MOST importance. While the boys were setting up for Bryan Adams medley, Michael Johns was on the floor of the audience next to the stage in front of us. I was smiling at him and he totally smiled back and winked -- AT ME! Or maybe it was Justin Guarini who was sitting behind us, but Ed and I both thought it was at me. I was psyched.

David Cook with ZZ Top - he was awesome, but deserved a better partnership. David A with One Republic -- so smart -- if he had only done a modern song like that in the competition I would have understood the kind of album he could make. Jason Castro solo'd and was genuinely shaking with nerves (I could tell because I was that close). Brooke's duet with Graham Nash was awesome. Really good. Interesting that Kristy Lee Cook who was kicked off after Michael Johns didn't get to sing solo or duet. Top 12 sang together (anyone think Amanda Overmyer did not want to be there?) She doesn't get to go on tour so she was probably like, why bother?

And then there were the guest singers. Jordin Sparks who did a good job. As I had to explain to my date for the evening, I don't have anything against her, but her types of songs are not at all the kind of music I personally listen to (especially when she says Tattoo in the most annoying way ever). Carrie who will do anything for Idol. She looked amazing. Weird chiffon thing behind her, but this girl has a rocking bod and a voice of gold.

And then, although I had heard a hint of this today, I was still so excited when I spotted The man. The man whose concert in Philly I, at age 16 was allowed to go to with 5 friends in a limo from Jersey. Yes, I am talking about GM himself, George Michael. His voice was just stunning. So glad he didn't do anything new. Unfortunate that Carrie just did that song on Idol Gives Back (unfortunate for her) because he is AMAZING.

And they did look back a little on the funny moments and the guy in the bird suit came out and sang which was funny. Ryan was on stage the whole time -- on the sidelines or even sitting on the steps of the cool towers. I know his job isn't that hard, but he wasn't hiding in his dressing room or anything. The judges got LOTs of touch-ups which I thought was weird. But also, they talk to each other a lot -- lots of discussion during the show and during commercial breaks. And I decided that I liked Paula this season -- I know she had some weird moments, but I actually liked her opinions better than Randy this time round. And she is actually very pretty in person. And teeny tiny!

So two hours pass by at such a nice pace -- the show was chock full of great vocal moments. But then it was time for the decision and my stomach knotted and churned and I realized what was about to come -- the results. Can we give shout outs to Cook's outfits tonight? He looked great - as did all of the contestants except Amanda Overmyer. TV really adds weight to people, because they are much thinner than they look on TV.

Then Ryan cuts to judges and Randy says blah blah and Paula says blah blah and then Simon. Simon says that he re-watched last night's show at home and it was not as clear cut as he had thought and that he was disrespectful of David Cook for calling the night so absolutely, AND that it was a great season, and they were both "triers," whatever that means, AND that it doesn't matter which one wins because they are both winners. And then I knew. Cook won. I don't know if the judges know before the announcement, but Simon had to back off from his absolute statement behind Archuleta because Simon does not like to be wrong - ever. So part of me knew what was to come.

But wait, that's ridiculous. Yes, I read a lot of message boards and they were all about Cook but I figured little kids were not on the message boards and had voted for Gaspy. Could it be possible? No, come on Rach don't get excited over this, of course Gaspy is going to win. Everyone thinks so, right? Okay, I didn't really have this much time to think because the results came fast, but this definitely describes the state my mind was in.

And then Ryan said it DAVID COOK. Amazing. My rocker won. We, the people who wanted the rocker, who wanted originality, who wanted the Man, we won. And what a dignified man he is. The strength in his crying -- his shout out to Gaspy, his all inclusive behavior with the rest of the contestants, the song sang perfectly to the end, no breakdowns. And can we talk about that song? The Time of My Life. So this was the one that won the online voting. Totally worked as a finale song for Cook - he could have done that the night before perfectly well and not made us all so worried.

Cook sang, the contestants gathered, the pyrotechnics went off (did I mention that we felt the HEAT from the pyro throughout the show because we were that close?), the confetti fell (I kept some of it) and Season 7 came to an end. And what a season it was. For all those (AMY) who wondered if this show could end with the "cool" winner -- even after those surprise ousters of Carly and Michael Johns, could someone like David Cook win? YES. I said YES people. This is American Idol and the people voted and Cook won - despite Simon basically saying he would not win if hell froze over. WOW.

I give a HUGE shout out to Gaspy who has provided me with much to write about this season. He kicked it in the finale and tonight and had amazing moments this season. And for all the gasping, I give him this -- he was not upset about being the runner up. He smiled and graciously stepped to the side and cheered on his big bro. Classy - super classy.

More tomorrow everyone -- highlights from the after party. All I can say is this -- we met 8 out of the top 12 (like met and had conversations with) plus other KEY VIPs and I need to give you all the details.

Plus I will list my top 10 performances of the season. Oh gosh, what will I do until January?

What a night - all obsessions satisfied. And gosh darn it...

I was by no means ashamed of my obsessions... GO COOK!