The Finale

First let me start by saying that for me tonight was a real night of American Idols. I just spent 4 hours in the new Meadowlands Stadium -- first night anyone had been in there for an event. Today they announced that we had won the bid for the 2014 Superbowl -- first time ever I believe. Bon Jovi performed to open the stadium. Train opened - amazing. Then JBJ and Richie, Tico and David came out for 2 and a half hours. These guys know how to please a crowd. And knowing their history -- original Jersey boys who had a small dream that grew into a bigger dream that became history, it was amazing. Over 50,000 people filled a stadium in Jersey and sang along loud and proud for the WHOLE night. Fireworks, energy of people, in an open air stadium. It was beautiful. He was beautiful. We were beautiful. Jersey, the Jovi and me and my best friends. Amazing.

Back to NYC and the Idol finale. Tonight is historical for another reason. It is Simon Cowell's farewell to American Idol. Randy did not boo tonight when Simon was introduced. He stood up and cheered. Ryan opened explaining that going into the finale Lee and Crystal were only separated by 2% of votes. Wow. Lee and Crystal joined him and got to see the crowds in their hometowns. What a moment. Top 12 came out in prep school uniforms (Ed, did you notice? We are so on target for someone's Sept celebration!) Opened with a bang with Alice Cooper singing School's Out for Summer. In the audience - -Carrie with fiance Mike Fisher, Bo Bice, Taylor Hicks (wow I thought they had diswowned him), Jordin Sparks.

Idol finally acknowledged last season's winner Kris Allen who got to perform The Truth. The judges mics were on over him. I like his current single Live Like We're Dying. Not the best song ever, but it has really gotten to me. This one proved a singer songwriter type can deliver a song. Not the best, but well done.

Tribute to Simon's professionalism. Funny old clips with commentary. Sad how many of those moments I have seen.

Siobhan Magnus and Aaron Kelly perform How Deep Is You Love by the BeeGees. She did her weird slow soft voice in harmony with Aaron. No question she was probably the best singer this season, but her style was a whole different story. Then the real BeeGees came out! Or the BeeGees who are still alive. They all sang together. So weird and dated.

Blake Lewis and Matt Giraud in the audience.

Michael Lynch came out to sing Taking It to the Streets and then Michael McDonald joined him. Taylor Hicks must have been kicking himself -- that was his Idol!

Dane Cook came out and did a weird song compilation of Simon's insults -- note Ellen did not think it was funny at all. Then he was joined by past Idol audition freaks and one of them went crazy and they cut to commercial. Bad but fast.

Top 12 girls -- Lacey, Didi, Katie, Paige, Siobhan come out singing Christina Aguilera's Beautiful -- not a good choice considering Mercedes's Glee version. But of course Crystal can sing it. Then into Christina's Fighter. Much better. Katie was actually really good. Even Paige redeemed herself. I think I know who is coming out next...Christina!!! And she blows them out of the water. Step back Top 12 girls - -you are now background singers. I would have been psyched to see this in person. Christina solos a new song. Gorgeous, gorgeous vocal.

Ricky Gervais comes on via satellite praising Simon and making fun of how much money Simon makes -- funny as always.

Lee comes out singing Hall and Oates. Andrew, Casey ,Michael, Aaron and Tim join him. Wonder who is coming out next? Tim and Casey rock it, Aaron and Mike are so so. Hall and Oates come out with You Make My Dreams Come True. I love this song. I'm rocking and bopping along as we speak. Umm but I have no actual voice because I just tried to sing louder than all of Meadowlands Stadium for 3 hours. Good news for my neighbors.

Crystal comes out with Ironic by Alanis. Nice pairing her with Alanis. This is what Crystal could do commercially. And let me add that my karaoke version of You Oughta Know rocks. God Alanis has such an amazing voice. Crystal did so well with her. So cool.

All these stars have already performed as we hit one hour mark. Wow.

Carrie!!!!!!!!!!!!! With Undo It which is going to be a smash penned by Kara DioGuardi. Five years ago I sat in that audience when she was crowned winner of American Idol. God this is unbelievable. Carrie is gorgeous.

Casey sings Every Rose Has Its Thorns and Brett Michaels who just almost died of a brain hemorrhage comes out to sing with him. The song is a classic, but I would have stood up for Brett anyway. You gotta give him credit for fighting.

Lee comes out to do a Chicago medley with Chicago. I am a HUGE fan of Chicago. I know it is dated, but Lee as always puts a modern spin on it with his voice. God I wish Peter Cetera would come out. That would be crazy. But no it is the Peter wanna be. Come on I want some You're the Inspiration. Does Lee really know Chicago? I am 10 years older than him and I only know the old songs from my older sisters. He did really well! Cool.

Simon montage as the flirt. I am so glad they kept in all the Paula footage. Then the new footage of him and Ellen. Funny.

Larry Platt comes out with Pants on the Ground with dancers from So You Think You Can Dance. This was voted as most remembered performance of the season. Yes, probably right.
Oh my god, William Hung came out. Larry Platt was doing sit up teasers on the stage. So ridiculous but people do love those crazy auditions.

Paula Abdul came out to give a dedication to Simon. In her crazy loony way, which now I miss, she fumbled through her speech, and made it a point to call out the issues with her having left the show, but she genuinely does have a relationship with Cowell and I think it was real for her to have been there. And as she said from experience the show can go on without a certain judge. Is she Simon though? No. But as Simon said, he got to go out his way, on his terms and having made his mark. He is a superstar thanks to us watching this show but also thanks to him and this character he created. He thanked us (and me) for the best 10 years of his life.

Season 1 Winner Kelly (looking amazing) comes out followed by Ruben, Fantasia, Carrie, Jordin, Taylor, Kris. WHERE IS DAVID COOK???? Wow, the past seven winners singing "Together we are one". What amazing talent. What great singers. WOW WOW WOW. Now who is going to deny this show has created stars? COME ON! Then tons of other finalists join the group in their signature white. David Archuleta, Ace Young, Justin Guarini, Kimberly Caldwell, Michaela Gordon, Blake Lewis, Alison Iraheta, Melinda Doolittle, Constantine Maroulis, Michael Johns, Jason Castro, Brooke White, Diana DeGarmo, Bo Bice, Elliot Yamin, Chris something, Matt Giraud, this year's Top 12. Paula sat on Simon's lap to watch (and she stole some of his thunder, but knowing she is genuinely his friend makes it okay). He goes to the stage. "I didn't think I was going to be this emotional, but I genuinely am...You know what the truth is, when everyone asks, who's gonna replace me, who is gonna be the next judge? The truth is you guys (me) are the judge of this show and you've done an incredible job over the years." Well said Simon. Well said as always. He is right. We vote, we control who wins in the end. He has been there for entertainment and for me in particular to feel right about my critiques. Can the show go on? If people can sing, yes. It can. Will I cry over another judge leaving? No. Did I cry over Simon, yes. Am I over emotional after Bon Jovi? Yes. Is it late? Yes. Whew.

Top 12 on stage and then JANET JACKSON comes out. Love her short hair cut. Love the gown. She sings -- I don't feel like I have heard her sing without tons of backing tracks in so long. Quiet sweet voice. Not dynamic, but sweet. Then she changed into a catsuit number and performed Nasty Boys. I mean...so cool.

Back to the story of Crystal and Lee who both auditioned in Chicago. Idol clearly reminded us of the story of this show -- two ordinary people who make this journey to superstardom.

Nice duet of Lee and Crystal singing I Get By With A Little Help From My Friends -- I don't know the real title right now. Then Joe Cocker comes out. Crystal steals it from him. Oh no, Joe takes it back. I love these finales because it must be so cool for these contestants to be around and sing with all of these legends. Even past winners are legendary for them.

Okay before the winner is revealed, let me reiterate my thoughts on these two. First, these are the correct top 2. Second, Crystal has an amazing instrument. Third, Lee has a more commercial, modern voice and style. Lastly, for me, either can win, but Lee will be a bigger success. He is a person to root for, there is something in his personality that has touched me and I think millions of others. Crystal is such a talent and could win without question and would be deserving of it, but for me it is Lee.

Lee WINS (by the way, I have been right every single season with the exception of Ruben and Clay - I thought Clay would win). Lee is overwhelmed. Oh god, I hate to see Crystal's face, she is so good. What a genuine guy. He sings Beautiful Day. Better than last night. Lee Dewyze is the American Idol.

Another season is over. I have been honored to guide you through another season of pop culture ecstasy. I know, it wasn't the best season of this show, but we made someone's dreams come true, and in my mind, there can never be anything bad about that. Thank you Simon Cowell for entertaining us and thank you all for reading this.

The blog is not over yet! I have much to say about Glee next week -- I have been saving it all up. Plus, more Lost thoughts to come!

Good night and one last thank you Jon Bon Jovi, you made it a great night for me out in Jersey. I love my pop culture obsessions, so don't be ashamed of yours...