Kris Allen and Jay Leno

As has been the tradition following the American Idol finale, the winner appeared on the Tonight Show.

Kris Allen, Season 8 Idol winner, was Jay Leno's guest on Thursday night.

He said he was tired, running on only 2 hours of sleep. He didn't look tired to me.

Leno brought up the "upset" issue, that Kris won rather than Adam Lambert.

Kris agreed that his win was an upset. He said, "Adam is amazing."

"He's seriously probably one of the most gifted performers that I've ever seen, and probably ever been on the Idol show."

That's very generous. Kris doesn't suffer from an inflated ego.

Leno mentioned that the judges favored Adam. He wondered if that bothered Kris.

Kris said it didn't. "Kudos to him. He totally deserved it."

What a likable, humble guy!

Kris and Adam had discussed that they both deserved to win. Clearly, Adam is also a very nice guy. Kris said, "We have a great friendship."

I really didn't know much about Kris' background, other than the bits and pieces I picked up during the season watching Idol. So, the interview was kind of an introduction in a way.

Leno talked about Kris' wife and Simon's comment that it was a mistake for Kris to bring her out so early in competition, that he should have kept her hidden.

Kris said Simon's remark didn't bother him. In fact, he said his wife, Katy, agreed, thinking it would be smart for Kris to keep quiet about her.

Kris added that his wife said, "Don't tell anyone about me." "We gotta get votes somehow." Very cute.

They were high school sweethearts. They've been together 7 years and married 8 months.

Leno asked if his father-in-law was concerned about Kris dropping out of school and trying out for Idol. They joked a little bit about that. His father-in-law is obviously OK with that plan now.

Kris started playing the viola in 4th grade and played it through high school. He talked about friends teasing him because he played the viola.

He told the story of going to audition for Idol. He and his brother and his friend went to Louisville, driving 9 hours from Arkansas.

Leno asked Kris why he waited until he was 23 to try out. Why not the year before, or the year before that?

He didn't really answer directly, but he described their decision to go to Louisville as a "road trip thing." He also mentioned that he almost didn't get in. They were the very, very last" people to sign up for the Louisville audition.

Leno asked if Kris planned on finishing school?

He said, "I hope not. That's not the plan, man."

Kris had been a business major. He just wanted a degree so he could get a "real job," and provide for his family. It didn't sound like his heart was in that career path.

Leno wanted to know if Kris proposed to his wife before or after dropping out of school. Before.

As with past Idol winners, Kris did not perform during this appearance. It was just a brief interview. As brief as it was, I don't think I've ever heard him talk so much before.

Congratulations to Kris.