Those damn texting tweens did it again.

DeWyze was overcome with emotion, falling to the ground. If there was a competition for being humble and grateful, he should win it. But a singing competition? The sleepy-eyed paint store worker spent the season looking like a deer caught in the headlights, offering bland performances week after week. Sure, he learned to smile a bit, started to look a little more relaxed and hit a few crazy notes. Too bad they were never on key.

Sitting near his family, I had to be careful. I didn’t want to be rude. But as the crowd clapped and as DeWyze launched into his new (cringe-inducing) single, U2′s “Beautiful Day,” all I could think was: I hate “American Idol.”

I said the same thing after last year’s shocker upset, when Kris Allen (whose debut album had the worst sales of any “AI” winner) beat out Adam Lambert, but I was sucked in by a season that initially seemed promising. Loopy Paula Abdul replaced by likable Ellen Degeneres. That might shake things up, right? Instead, the five months were a slog, capped off by a final insult: Mediocrity trumps talent, once again.

Really, did Crystal ever have a chance? With her dirty blond dreadlocks, a casual style that verged on flippant, self-confidence that was often interpreted as cocky, and god forbid, teeth that didn’t blind you on sight, she was a different kind of role model: She didn’t seem to give a rip about anything besides her music. She was tough, took criticism without flinching. She stood by her artistic decisions, even after Simon inexplicably went turncoat two-thirds into the season and started propping Lee DeWyze up like a ventriloquist. She’ll have a career despite coming in second place. That’s one thing Jennifer Hudson and Chris Daughtry have made clear. When it comes to life after “Idol,” winning really isn’t everything.

Back at the finale (where I was lucky to be, thanks to an anonymous benefactor), the real story of the evening was that it was Simon’s last show. He’s off to follow his own dreams of bringing his British show “X Factor” to the States. The evening was appropriately packed with tributes (including, bafflingly, one from Dane Cook) to the man who has become shorthand for withering criticism but whose legacy is something else: He made celebrities out of ordinary people. The man is a force to be reckoned with. Paula Abdul showed up all pretty in pink (and slightly slurry), trying to convince him — and us — that the show would go on without him. She wasn’t convincing.

It’s almost impossible to imagine “American Idol” without Simon Cowell. Oh, the show won’t die any time soon. This lackluster season and this lackluster winner will not be the demise of “American Idol.” The ratings may be diminishing, but it’s still the No. 1 program for the seventh year in a row by huge margins. It is still the most viewed program ON THE PLANET. But it’s hard to deny that it’s lost a great deal of its magic.

Will I watch it next season? Maybe. I’ve said no before, and still been snagged again by the dream machine, by the promise of young talent finding the spotlight, risking disappointment and humiliation for their one shot at fame, all the toil and agony and triumphs. In the immortal words of Homer Simpson, “If you really want something in this life, you have to work for it. Now quiet! They’re about to announce the lottery numbers!”

See you next January.

Lee and Crystal each sang three songs which meant the hour long show went at breakneck speed … it was “American Idol” on steroids.

The first song was chosen by the contestants, a song they had previously sung. Simon Fuller, the creator of the “Idol” franchise, chose the second song. The third song was the debut song the winner of “American Idol” will sing on Wednesday night’s finale show and will be their first single released.

Lee sang “The Boxer” and when he was done, he had made himself vulnerable for a knock out. He was just OK. Pitchy at spots, Lee actually looked relaxed, maybe too relaxed. Those sleepy eyes of his had me wondering if he was dozing off or trying to make some attempt at looking sexy to make up for the mediocre nature of his rendition of the song.

Randy: “Yo yo. Listen. That was not an energetic kind of thing. Pick it up. Pick up more energy.” Hey, a six-pack of Red Bull wasn’t going to help Lee.

Ellen: “I couldn’t be prouder if I had birthed you myself.” I wouldn’t have been surprised if Ellen had tried to nurse Lee on the spot.

Kara: “Punch harder.” I would have been happy with a punch.

Simon: “I’ve got to be honest with you. This is the big one. I would expect a lot more passion, excitement. That was a kiss on the cheek and not a kiss on the lips.” Lee needed Viagra and he needed it quick.

Crystal sang “Me and Bobby McGee” and Crystal didn’t let the size of the audience or Lee bother her one bit. Her voice was sweet and clear, she got the audience pumped up and hit all the high notes.

Randy: “Yo. So, Round 1, duel to the finish. It was dope dude.” Far out.

Ellen: “You and your guitar filled up this entire room. Stunning.” This was true.

Kara: “You have fire in your belly tonight.” Kara had too much mousse in her hair.

Simon: “This brought me back to the time we absolutely fell in love with you. That was terrific.” This was Simon’s second to last show and he was feeling nostalgic.

After Round 1, it was no contest. In fact, it felt like two different competitions. Lee represented Amateur hour and Crystal represented actual talent.

Round 2:

For Lee, Simon Fuller chose “Everybody Hurts” by R.E.M. Lee had a great opportunity here because Fuller had chosen a song that tugs at people’s hearts. Lee looked either terribly earnest when he sang the song or extremely constipated. The background singers and the musical arrangement drowned him out which may have been a blessing. Lee tried to sing with emotion but all I could see were his puppy dog eyes searching the audience for some kind of sympathy. Lee froze.

Randy: “Better, I could feel your passion. It was pitchy in the intro.” Passion? Really?

Ellen: “I felt that you went off a couple of times, but I don’t care.” Apathy seems to be the emotion of this season.

Kara: “What makes you great as a performer is that you are emotionally available. It wasn’t a perfect vocal but I love that about you.” Okay, now I was laughing. If that’s what criteria Kara uses, she should have promoted Tim Urban a hell of a lot more.

Simon: “You went a little bit off melody at parts. What I’m feeling form you tonight is that you’re nervous. For your next performance, I want a 10 out of 10 because you’re capable of it.” Simon was persisting in his irrational promotion of Lee, for what reason I have no idea.

Fuller chose “Black Velvet,” a groaner of a song but Crystal figured out a way to make it her own. She started at the top of the stairs and initially seemed preoccupied with making it down those stairs in high heels in one piece. Once safely on the stage, she made the best out of that song and showed us all her great vocal range and talent.

Randy: “Yo yo mamasox. This is what I’m talking about. Mammasox is in it to win it. That was hot!” Randy was making some sense.

Ellen: “The wardrobe changes, it’s like a Cher concert in here.” Relevant.

Kara: “Crystal, tonight is the night to give it your all. To kill yourself on that stage, that’s what you were doing.” With those heels, Crystal was lucky she didn’t.

Simon: “I have a little bit of a problem; I’m almost allergic to that song; a song where people have absolutely murdered it. You took that song and you absolutely nailed it.” True, true but such violent language on Simon’s part.

Round 2: Ding ding. Crystal once again, solidly.

Round 3:

Lee’s final song was “Beautiful Day” by U2. This was Lee’s final chance to, remember what Simon said, make it a 10 out of a 10. This song was custom made to inspire and provoke celebration. Lee sang it like an obligation, a resignation. He looked like a little boy with his red sneakers on pretending to be a rock star.

Randy: “Yo yo. Dude. Good on you.” Good on you for what?

Ellen: “I’m so proud of you. Great job.” Mothers can be so blind.

Kara: “I think you got swallowed up a bit in that song.” I thought he got swallowed and flushed down the drain.

Simon: “Lee, I think you made the most of it. Look, this is my final time I’m going to judge this show.” (Let’s just hope Simon doesn’t turn out to be the Brett Favre of judges.) “This is what the competition is designed for, someone who needs a break. You worked at a paint store and remained a very nice person throughout. I wish the best for you.” I swear Simon has brought up that paint store job a dozen times over the past several weeks. Why is working at a paint store such a compelling story? Given this economy, Lee’s lucky to be working anywhere.

Crystal sang “Up To the Mountain” by Patty Griffin. I wasn’t familiar with the song but it didn’t matter. This song was simple and didn’t have any bells or whistles. Crystal didn’t need any. Her voice was beautiful, clear, and she sang with passion and emotion. Crystal, unlike Lee, really took it up a notch on Tuesday night, leaving Lee and his pitchy notes far behind.

Randy: “An amazing song by an amazing singer.” No bells and whistles to that.

Ellen: “There’s no one else to compare you to. If you make a salad, I’ll eat it.” Ellen was living in her own special little world.

Kara: “You really blossomed with that song.” No, Crystal blossomed at about age 13.

Simon: “Crystal, since it’s becoming a bit of a love fest, that was by far the best performance and song of the night.” Brilliant.

As far as competitions go, this was a shut out, a slam dunk, 3 strikes and you’re out. Crystal was the clear winner, but this means nothing.

After the show aired, polls showed Crystal and Lee neck and neck, with some polls showing Lee ahead. While it may be Crystal clear to me who should be the winner of “American Idol Season 9”, I’m not naïve enough to believe that the best man, or in this case woman, will end up on top.

But I will be at the Nokia Theater Wednesday night, live and in person, to witness and report on the results and announcement of the newest “American Idol”.

Look for me in the audience. I’ll be the one with the sign that says, “I survived Season 9 of ‘American Idol’.”

“It’s been hard to imagine.” “It’s been a crazy ride.” “It’s been a lot of work.” “It’s made me a better person.” 

Casey was predictably low-key saying that he had never fantasized about winning the show. Crystal and Lee were more ambitious. Both expressed strong desires to win the whole thing. Thank God there wasn’t the predictable, “My parents told me that I could become anything I wanted if I worked hard enough. Boys and girls, you can do the same thing.” Good thing no one said that because I have news for you boys and girls: No, you cannot become whatever you want if you only believe in yourself hard enough. It takes talent, a ridiculous amount of work, rejection, disappointment, disillusionment, connections and YouTube.

The hometown visits were next on the schedule. Again, hate to be a broken record but this lackluster season necessitates it: The visits were, you guessed it, predictable. Casey was first and there were the expected screaming and hysterical teenage girls who were losing their vocal cords and ripping out their hair at the sight of him. I had a strong visceral response to those girls and Kara, who had also been seen looking desperate and lusting over Casey the entire season. She may still have her vocal cords, but surely she must have hair extensions by now.

The first celebrity performer was 20-year-old Travis Garland, supposedly discovered by Perez Hilton who said he found an online video of Garland and thought he was better than Justin Timberlake. Instead, Garland’s performance was bland boy toy stuff.

The next hometown visit was to Crystal’s Toledo, Ohio. Crystal’s disbelief at the size of the crowds was all taken in stride. “It’s really weird,” she said with that nonchalant shrug of her shoulders and go with the flow attitude. Crystal was just so un-American Idolish, which is something I find so endearing about her. Mercifully, there was not one sign of a hysterical tween.  

Lee Dewyze was next with his visit to hometown Chicago. Not only were there a gazillion katrillion histrionic tweens, teenagers and cougars, but even the pre-tween girls were going insane at the sight of Lee. Hell, there were toddlers going crazy. Lee got very emotional and started crying when he was singing to the crowd. Lee’s father was crying, his mother was crying, and damn it all, I was crying and there was no Kleenex to be found. Thank God for long-sleeved shirts.

Speaking of fevered and delirious tweens, Justin Bieber was next to perform. Who is this kid, and why is he the most popular pop star on the entire PLANET? In case you still haven’t heard the backstory, Bieber’s mother had been posting youtube videos of him practicing in his room and the videos went viral. And guess who discovered him? Perez Hilton? No, Usher and Justin Timberlake. I got more than creeped out when Bieber was singing “Baby” looking like a mini-Donald Trump. The scariest part? Not only was I familiar with the song, but I knew most of the words!

Oh yes, back to the results. Dim the lights time:

Ryan said, “After the nationwide vote, the first person in next week’s finale is:  Lee Dewyze.

No surprise there.

And, since time must have been short (thank God), Ryan continued,  “Joining Lee for a shot at the title is: Crystal Bowersox.”

Shocker! All the tween votes, cougar votes, Texas votes, and Kara’s vote … none of them were enough to save the golden boy. And as it should have been, as it needed to have been, Lee and Crystal will go to the Final Two next Tuesday because sometimes, if only rarely, life is actually fair.

And as I was drying my eyes, I had this sudden premonition that next Tuesday night’s showdown between Crystal and Lee was going to be a mere formality. Given that there were no crazed fans at Crystal’s homecoming as opposed to Lee’s domination of almost every woman in Illinois, Lee could sing off-key for every song he sings next Tuesday night and still win. Why not? He’s been doing it all season.

After the announcement, Casey stood there with that perpetual smile on his face. Nothing seemed to faze that guy.  He said softly, ”I’m so thankful for the opportunity. It’s been an amazing journey and I’m just so honored that I’m here and it’s amazing.”  You gotta admire a humble winner. 

And, yes, Goldilocks wasn’t the best of singers or performers, and he was damn lucky to have lasted as long as he did, but maybe there’s something we can all learn from Casey James. Casey James, the same young man who had a wild and reckless youth with two DUI’s, a stint in jail and a marriage that lasted only three years. Casey James, the same young man who nearly died from a near-fatal motorcycle accident, spent six months in a wheelchair and had been told by his doctors he may never be able to use his left hand again, let alone play the guitar. 

Casey learned early that he was mortal, life is short and second chances that come in the form of still being able to breathe and eventually be able to play his beloved guitar put every criticism, every denunciation, every put down from the judges and idiots like me in clear and balanced perspective. He’s alive and that’s all that really matters.

Casey James didn’t win “American Idol,” but maybe we can all agree that placing third and winning Mr. Congeniality ain’t so bad. Casey may be riding into the sunset, but his grace, gratitude and southern charm won’t be forgotten for a long long time.  

Casey sang Eric Hutchinson’s “OK, It’s Alright With Me.”  Already I could hear the inevitable comparison by one of the judges. His performance was robotic as he stood there stuck on the stage as if he was a magnet and the stage was metal. His delivery was sluggish, almost as if he was bored.  His vocals were good, but nothing to write home about.

Randy: “The funny thing about those lyrics was that song was kind of just all right with me.” (Yup, the inevitable comparison.) “I wanted to hear something more unique, interesting. This is down to the wire.  You just can’t do an easy song like that.”

Casey stood there listening in his purple shirt looking like the cat that had swallowed the canary.  I have no idea why. Randy was right.

Ellen and Kara were equally underwhelmed, and Simon had plenty to add. He said in a solemn voice, “This isn’t going great, is it Casey?  It’s arguably the most important night of your life. If you were having dinner, that was the salad. There’s something more substantial hopefully to come. It sounded like you were busking for a couple of dollars instead of competing for ‘American idol.’”

Attitude reflects leadership, Simon.

Crystal Bowersox was next and had chosen Melissa Etheridge’s “Come to my Window”.  Crystal chose it because it was a song about “passion and love and things like that.”

Crystal started off with the harmonica, and I enjoyed Crystal’s take on the song. There was purity in her voice, a purity that showed passion and boldness. “I don’t care about what they think, I don’t care about what they say” Crystal sang with confidence. Good song choice because Crystal has never cared about what the judges have thought about her, and I’m pretty sure she doesn’t care what I think of her or you for that matter. I find that extremely appealing.   

Randy didn’t find the arrangement compelling, and Ellen (who was wearing nautical gear, apparently waiting for California to drop in the ocean) added:  “Good song choice.  Melissa would be proud of you.” Real helpful, Ellen.

Kara: “You got lost in the arrangement, and you weren’t strong acoustically. It was a good vocal.  You’re capable of  ’a moment,’ but this wasn’t it.”

Simon: “I agree with the other three. This was not the most stunning version. What I like about you and what you did tonight, you haven’t compromised yourself as an artist. I have a lot of respect for you for that. You decided what is you and it was an honest performance. You made the right choice, congratulations.” Exactly my point!

Lee was next and sang Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Simple Man.” Lee started out great. He had come a long way since the beginning. He even managed a smile mid-song. He had a minimal amount of pitchiness, but the last two notes sounded weak.

Randy: “Yo, uh, so Lee, great song choice. Brilliant song choice, dawg. You sounded amazing, somebody here is feeling like they could win this!  Lee!” Hey Randy, it wasn’t that great! 

Ellen: “That’s what we’re talking about. You took this thing seriously. In the beginning, you were like a little baby lamb, shy, gentle, and quiet. Now you’re like a gazelle or an impala.” OK, again, not helpful.

Simon: “I’m being honest with you Lee, I think the contestant song choices have been OK, but that song was absolutely on the money. I don’t think you won Round 1, I think you just crushed the other two.”

OK, kind of vague. Where’s Rocky Stallone when you need him? Someone needed to knock some sense into these judges. Lee was very good but so was Crystal. 

Round 2:

Randy and Kara picked John Mayer’s “Daughters” for Casey. Casey didn’t look like he’d moved at all since his last song. He tried to sing the lyrics with some conviction about fathers and daughters and mothers and daughters. It seemed like a cheap ploy for the parental vote, and I wasn’t convinced. I actually did enjoy his performance, but only because I’m a sucker for songs about parents and their daughters and I love that song.  Casey sang it as well as is possible for him, but ultimately, it didn’t quite cut it.

Randy: “The first song you did was OK but this fit you like a glove and I hope you continue this direction. Good job, dude.”  What direction?  The only direction Casey is going is southeast and back to Texas.

Ellen: “A lot of daughters and mothers and who knows, sons will be voting for you.” I’m a mother and a daughter and I was going to be doing no such thing.

Kara: “Casey, this showed the more artistic side of you and you’ve struggled to show your sensitive and vulnerable side. You did a good job.” (Simon was being rude and smirking at Kara.)

Simon: “I think it was a much better song choice. The only issue I have is that it was a bit of a lazy arrangement where the climax was quite limp. Kara and Randy should have given you a stronger vocal moment.” Despite Simon’s Freudian language, he was right.

The predictable infighting ensued as Kara and Randy were arguing with Simon about the song choice. Security had to be brought in to break the three judges up and Casey once again looked like the cat that had swallowed the canary.  What was that guy on, and where can I get some?

Crystal was up next with a song choice by Ellen. Oooh, did we want Ellen to pick a song? 

Ellen chose “Maybe I’m Amazed” by Paul McCartney. Crystal was sitting on the steps on stage sans the guitar or the harmonica. I thought Crystal’s voice was great and good for her, she didn’t change the lyrics.  She sang, “Baby, I’m a man” and it was believable but in the best of womanly ways. She worked that song, the audience and her black leather boots.

Randy:  “Great song, yo yo, great vocals and America we’ve got someone else in to win it!”

Ellen: “I couldn’t have asked for more. You did it, you did it!”

Kara: “Crystal, you showed parts of your voice we haven’t heard until tonight.  You pushed it with no instruments. It was a huge risk for you and I think it paid off.”

Simon: “What you just proved is that you’ve got soul and you worked outside of your comfort zone and I think after that, you may be thanking Ellen next week for putting you in the final.” 

Simon picked Lee’s song, which was “Hallelujah” by Leonard Cohen and/or Jeff Buckley.

Lee’s vocals were giving me chills (or perhaps I was being filled by the Holy Spirit). I thought he was clear and confident, and I loved the guttural raspy sound of his voice. Gospel singers walked quietly behind him but they didn’t distract me from a few pitchy notes by Lee.  And speaking of pitchy, did anyone else notice that his finish to the song was incredibly weak and definitely pitchy?  You may not have noticed because of the drums at the end.  Those drums were a small miracle for Lee and the judges never seemed to notice. Lee looked noticeably relieved.

Randy: “I’ve been waiting all season to see who is going to throw down the real gauntlet.” (As opposed to the fake one.)  ”I have to give it up to my boy and say that this was your biggest moment on this show.”

Ellen: “That was stunning, just stunning.” That was dull Ellen, just dull…not the song, you.

Kara: “Lee, you are what this show is all about:  Someone who starts in one place and ends up in an epic way.  You just owned the entire night.”

Simon: “Lee, I’m very very proud of you because when this all started, you were working at a paint store, you were looking for a break and this show has given you a break.  With that performance, you proved that you are a fantastic singer, a great performer and I sincerely hope you will be here next week.”

Geez, you would have thought Lee was Jesus Christ incarnate.

I guess Lee won Round 2, but I think I was being brainwashed by the judges who seemed hell bent on persuading the American voter that Lee was the top dawg and Crystal was close behind.

So this is it. Wednesday night, one contestant will be voted out and two will go to the finale at the Nokia Theater next Tuesday to compete for the title of “American Idol.”  Logic would dictate that the final two should be Crystal and Lee.

But wait just a gol damn minute. Don’t count out Casey James just yet.  I did some investigative journalism and verified my belief that the tween voter yields a great deal of power when it comes to who gets voted off and who doesn’t on “American Idol.”

And I’m not convinced the average tween is going to get all worked up  about Crystal. Crystal who defies convention, exudes strength and is vocally superior to both Casey and Lee combined.  Crystal who isn’t thin to the point of invisibility and yes, sure, needs a visit or two to the dentist but doesn’t give a rat’s ass. That is the beauty of Crystal. She is her own woman with a unique voice and the guts to sing songs on her own terms.

I’ll be singing “Hallelujah” tomorrow night if those tweens and the rest of the voters get it right and Crystal and Lee will be duking it out next Tuesday for the coveted title of “American Idol.”  Let the best “man” win, but first Casey needs to take a hike, a very long one. 

Fantasia, the “American Idol” winner of Season 3 in 2004, started off the show. Fantasia has enjoyed a highly successful career in the music industry, as well as performing on Broadway (“The Color Purple”). In other words, Fantasia has done good!

After her performance, all four contestants sat in stools in the middle of the stage. This was a new look. The contestants and us were told that the stakes were really really really big this week. The really really really big carrot being dangled in front of their faces was that the three remaining contestants would get to go to their home towns this coming week for a type of “hero’s welcome,” replete with home town parades, praise, glory and adoration where fans and family members who won’t have a choice will come to bow down at their feet.

Ugh, it was just so wrong, but hey, it’s America and we love our celebrities, even if they’re only celebrities for 15 minutes.

Seacrest asked the contestants how they would feel about being able to go to their hometowns with “American Idol” camera crews in tow. Geez, you would think that they hadn’t seen their friends or families for at least ten years. Lee, Big Mike and Crystal’s answers were horribly predictable and I wanted to scream at the TV, “Yes we know it would mean the world to you, you would feel so happy, you would die a happy person, you couldn’t imagine anything better than that home town parade.” Casey wasn’t as ambitious as the other three. He just wanted to go home to hear people say “y’all.” That Casey was one simple country boy. I had no idea.

Another new look was that to the right of the stage were seated members of the contestants’ families. They were divided into: Team Crystal, Team Casey, Team Lee, and Team Big Mike. “American Idol” suddenly turned into “Amazing Race.” I was getting so confused.

The results were presented “in no particular order” and Ryan became a drill sergeant as he barked, “Stand up all four of you.”

Continuing in a serious and dramatic tone, Ryan said, “Mike and Casey, you sang, ‘Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman.’” He went on to give them a summary of the judges’ feedback from Tuesday night’s show and checked in with Big Mike and Y’all to ask how they felt and the guys responded with the usual blah blah blahs.

It was then Crystal and Lee’s turn. “You two sang ‘Falling Slowly.’ After the nation-wide vote, Casey, you are safe and in the top 3!!!”

Casey looked shocked and his family, tweens, cougars, y’alls and Kara were ecstatic!!! Casey and his hair will be back next week.

Chris Daughtry was next to perform. Lest we forget, Daughtry is now the third most successful “American Idol” contestant in terms of record sales, behind Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood (who won their respective seasons). The nation was shocked the night Daughtry was voted off. He was the fourth-place finalist on the fifth season of “American Idol.” That’s the year that Taylor Hicks won. “Taylor who?” you ask? Exactly! Daughtry’s appearance on Wednesday night was a good reminder that the good don’t always come in first but can win in the long run.

After his performance, it was time for more space fillers and faux suspense building. Left standing were Big Mike, Crystal and Lee. After even more fakey suspense building moments and music, Ryan finally said, “After the nation wide vote, Mike, hang tight for a second. Lee, friends, Lee is headed back to Chicago.”

Translation: Lee was safe.

Results were put on the “back burner for a second” as Bon Jovi took the stage. One thing about “American Idol,” they don’t mess around when it comes to getting uber big name performers to appear on the show.

Back to Mike and Crystal. After a few more minutes of torture, Crystal was declared safe.

Talk about anti-climatic. The camera shot to Lynche’s crying wife and Big Mike was stoic, taking it like a Big Man.

Big Mike said in a small voice, “It’s been unbelievable. I just sit here right now and I wasn’t even supposed to be here. I thank God the judges saved me and I got to spend more time here and be with the people, perform for my wife. You know it’s all good man.”

It was then time to look at Big Mike’s journey. Oh I’m a sucker for these journeys to the past. Especially with the inevitable tear jerking goodbye song. This year’s song is “Leave Right Now” written by Eg White (is this a real name?) and sung by Will Young, the inaugural winner of “Pop Idol” in 2002 (the British version of “American Idol”). You couldn’t say goodbye to Big Mike without seeing pictures of his newborn baby, the baby girl who was born when he was first auditioning and the clip of when the judges saved Michael. Did you see that show? Oh, that was one emotional ending when those judges saved Michael.

Big Mike sang one more time with his still-crying wife and baby daughter in the audience. Damn it all, I’m always a sucker for this sentimental stuff. These goodbyes are sappier than a Hallmark commercial but I fall for it every time. With tears streaming down my face and Kleenex in hand, I suddenly felt guilty about any mean thing or criticism I had leveled at Big Mike. I suddenly loved Big Mike (even though he really did have to go).

Big Mike, a personal trainer, new father and possessor of a huge heart and voice was gracious and grateful as he left the stage. And I remembered, if just for a moment, why it is I’ve always loved this show. Everyone loves to see the common man succeed. And for Big Mike, coming in fourth wasn’t anything to be ashamed of. If you don’t believe me, ask Chris Daughtry.