this is MY now

So the live posts might be over for a couple months, but rest assured I'll still be updating this blog regularly with news regarding album sales, upcoming concerts, TV appearances and AI-related reality shows. Also, by Friday, I hope to compile a list of this season's most memorable moments, so please drop me some comments along those lines.

More importantly, though, I want to take a moment and thank anyone who's ever perused this blog. The comments have been amazing, and I always look forward to seeing the hit climber soar on Tuesday and Wednesday nights.

Along those lines, I can't wrap this season up without thanking my boss Dawn and her husband Jeff, who let me blog at their house for the entire sixth season. I'd like to think I made AI addicts out of both of them, but that's probably not true.

Finally...on a more random note, if you're wondering what Blake whispered to Jordin right before Seacrest gave the results, I have an answer. According to this article, he said, "I love you, Jordin Sparks" and "If it comes down to me singing the last song, will you do a duet with me?"

There you go.

still feeling the spark...

Wow. AI is over. For now.

Preliminary results indicate this season's finale ratings were down 19 percent from last year's, according to this article. That doesn't mean much, though, since the unofficial numbers only measured the 8-10 p.m. time frame and the show reportedly wrapped up at 10:03.

Still not surpised about Jordin's win, although it does prevent me from repeatedly uttering the infamous "I told you so." I think I'll survive.

I won't dissect Jordin's win, but I will note that this season's finale noticeably gave the 12 finalists considerably less face time than finalists of seasons past. Not sure if this was because of the pack's lackluster vocal quality, or a deliberate change in direction.

But I didn't really love it. I remember earlier finales when virtually every one of the 12 contestants got to do a duet with a celeb. Wasn't it weird that Sanjaya got his own number and Lakisha didn't even get to duet on "Wind Beneath My Wings"?

We didn't even get to see Blake and Jordin that much. And how come Jordin, who basically everyone knew would win, got stuck doing her duet with Ruben Studdard? Seriously. Could they not have pooled anyone cooler?

Anyone else think we were treated to two hours of B-list overdrive?

final thoughts. for now.

So Jordin won.

I'm very devastated right now. OK, not really. I think I kind of knew this would happen the instant I heard Blake utter a song lyric that included a phrase like "surrounded by love." Not an incredibly shocking finale, but I still kind of wish Blake would have taken the prize.

But the outcome isn't horrible. Things could have been worse. And the real telling sign, I guess, will come in record sales.

OK, I'm dropping the mic for tonight. What did you think? Are you happy with the outcome? What about your overall impressions of the seasons? Think there's any truth to the rumors that Blake threw Tuesday's finale?

JORDIN WINS!!!!

OK, results time. Some 74 million people voted.

Judges give final thoughts. Randy goes with Jordin, Paula says nothing coherent, Simon says Jordin.

What did Blake just whisper to Jordin?

Results...

JORDIN WINS!!!!

overtime

Wow. It's 10 p.m. and still no results. Just saying.

beatle mania

Time for an AI tribute to Sgt. Pepper. Kelly Clarkson sings, accompanied by Joe Perry. OK, Joe Perry is very old.

They leave the stage and Taylor Hicks comes on. Looks like we're going to be treated to a block of Beatles covers. Taylor looks like he's constipated.

And now Carrie's on. She looks super hot. Sorry I don't know any of the titles of these songs. Awww...all the girls from this season come up behind her. A good performance, one that solidifies why Carrie won.

Ruben goes last, and sings "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds." And all the kids join him.

Ruben leaves, and it's time for the big finale with this season's top 12. They sing "A Little Help from My Friends." How cute. I almost believe that they like each other.

bette makes jerry cry

And now the show goes downhill. Bette Midler just hit the stage. Random. She sings "Wind Beneath My Wings," in a metallic getup that's possibly more horrendous than Jordin Sparks in a trapeze dress.

I could totally do without this performance, though. It wouldn't be as bad if Bette didn't decide to do a seductive hip swirl mid-song. Inappropriate.

But the shot of Jerry Springer crying at the end? Priceless.