She Likes to Watch

As Season 7 ends, some thoughts on “American Idol”

“American Idol” has always struck me one of those uniquely modern American products.

You’ve got fresh-faced youngsters crooning carefully remixed pop hits. Best-selling records. Gruesome auditions. Adoring fans.
You’ve got a cooing female judge, an effusively enthusiastic male judge (”yeah, dawg!”) and a cute host who radiates “wholesome.” And, of course, the bad guy is British.

Judging from the scores of folks who phone in every night to Fox’s top talent show, the creators of “American Idol” must have found a winning equation.

We draw the curtains on Season 7 of “American Idol” tonight with
a grueling two-part finale.

In one corner we have David Cook, 25, of Blue Springs, Mo., a scruffy fan of alt-rock and Patrick Swayze.

In the other, David Archuleta, a baby-faced 17-year-old from Murray, Utah. (According to his official Fox profile, the first concert he attended was *NSYNC. Go figure.)

Winning the contest means fame, fortune and a hot record deal.

Losing “American Idol” means … well … just about the same thing. (Remember Clay Aiken and Kelly Pickler? Heck, Jennifer Hudson got an OSCAR after being bumped from the show.)

Watch the “American Idol” finale at 8 p.m. tonight on Fox (channel 11), live from the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles.

Tune in again Wednesday for the conclusion, following a two-hour music fest.