WOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Taylor Hicks is the winner of American Idol.

Did I watch most of the shows this season? Yes, I did.

Did I watch the two and a half hours of the Idol finale tonight? Yes, I did.

It's true. I think it's a fun show.

I don't just veg out in front of the TV when Idol is on the air. I'm multi-tasking, but I'm tuned in. Even tonight, I didn't devote my exclusive attention to the show for the entire evening. Nonetheless, I count myself as a fan of the show.

The thing that I think is interesting about it is its appeal to audiences of all ages.

Burt Bacharach and Dionne Warwick are hardly a draw for the bubble gum pop crowd. They must be in their 70s.

There were some surprises, like Meat Loaf singing with finalist Katharine McPhee.

And Clay Aiken-- He was unrecognizable with the different hair. A family member thought he gave off kind of a k.d. lang vibe. I can see that.


And Prince-- I couldn't believe that Prince, the artist too cool for a name, performed on the show.


Where else but on American Idol can you see Prince and then see David Hasselhoff crying in the audience after the winner was announced?

A few questions:

1. Why was the audience treated to a close-up of Hasselhoff? Is he starring in a new FOX show?

2. Were those tears of joy?

3. Was he dreaming that he had just been crowned the American Idol?

I don't know what the deal was, but Hasselhoff was moved. I guess he's the male version of Paula Abdul. Maybe he was auditioning to be a guest judge.

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) -- Gray-haired soul singer Taylor Hicks won the 2006 "American Idol" contest on Wednesday, capturing the hearts and votes of millions of viewers in the fifth edition of America's top-rated TV show.

Hicks, 29, who was told in auditions that he had the wrong image for a pop star, beat balladeer Katharine McPhee in the climax of a nationwide contest that attracted tens of thousands of wannabe performers.

Hicks and McPhee sang for the title and the winner was announced on Wednesday at the end of a star-studded finale at Hollywood's Kodak Theater. The show featured guest performances by Prince, Dionne Warwick, Mary J. Blige, Burt Bacharach, Toni Braxton and Meat Loaf.

Alabama native Hicks, beloved for his trademark manic dancing, is the oldest "American Idol" in the reality TV series that has become a ratings juggernaut for Fox TV attracting some 30 million viewers a week since January.

Harmonica playing Hicks, who spent years singing in local nightclubs trying to break into the business, wins a coveted recording contract and will release his first single "Do I Make You Proud" in the next few days.

"Thank You America! I'm living the American Dream," screamed Hicks as he sang out the show.

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From TIME:

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice took time out from matters of war and peace to catch this week's finale of American Idol. Unlike many adults who claim they watch the show only because their kids commandeer the TV, Condi is an unabashed fan.

Rice was rooting for fellow Birmingham native Taylor Hicks and will soon send him a congratulatory letter, says a State Department official. The Alabama connection helps explain why she has long been glued to the show: last year's runner-up Bo Bice is also a 'Bama boy, as was the winner of the second Idol competition, Ruben Studdard. But Condi is also part of nationwide Idolmania...

All I can say is "Condi for President!"