American Idol Finale Songs, American Idol Finale 2010

American Idol Finale Songs, American Idol Finale 2010, The new “American Idol” gets crowned tonight, as America says goodbye to Simon Cowell. (Until next year when he returns to Fox with his new show.) What was it like to actually be inside the Nokia?

This year, the Nokia has a special surprise waiting for its “Idol” guests. To get to your seat, you have to first stand in a line that wraps around the LA Live complex to Figueroa and back around through LA Live.

Why? No one knows but people try to take it in stride, except of course when it seems they’ll never get in.

“It stinks. I don’t know why we’re doing this,” says Angel Koponen of Minnesota, who was invited by a friend who won a trip to Los Angeles for the finale from Serta. “I’m a big fan so I’m so glad her husband and kids couldn’t make it.” She says she’s rooting for Lee DeWyze because “he’s cute.”

Before the show goes live, judges Randy, Kara and Ellen are introduced to the audience, which is made up of all ages (including lots of little kids) and ethnicities. Then Ryan Seacrest shows us Crystal and Lee and the crowd cheers. But no one gets a louder welcome than Simon, who arrives last. There are as many “Goodbye Simon, we’ll miss you” signs as Lee and Crystal posters.

When Ryan asks the audience whom they support, Lee wins hands-down.

The Bee Gees and Christina Aguilera are well received. When Hall and Oates perform, this officially becomes “Your Mama’s Idol Finale.” Older folks are on their feet!

A lot is being made of Simon’s goodbye tonight but it’s also band leader Ricky Minor’s last night. Will they even mention it?

[Updated at 6:19 p.m.] The Nokia is nuts! Bret Michaels just rocked the house with his duet with Casey. Everyone is on their feet and singing along.

Once the show goes to commercial, Michaels shakes hands with everyone in the pen in front of stage.

“That was a true rock star moment,” notes Cory, the warm-up guy.

Ten seconds before the show is live again, the Nokia is still raucous. Now we’re back to “Your Mama’s Idol Finale” with Chicago and Lee.

[Updated at 6:25 p.m.]  Almost everyone’s on their feet with “Pants on the Ground.” When William Hung joins Larry Flynt on the stage, everyone cracks up.

“Pants on the Ground” actually sums up this season quite nicely.

[Updated at 6:40 p.m.] During the breaks, the warm-up guy has been asking random people whom they picked as the winner. So far, no one has preferred Crystal.

The goodbye to Simon has made some folks weepy. As Paula Abdul appeared on stage, people screamed “We miss you!”

When the show breaks for commercial, Simon, Randy and Paula go backstage together, leaving Kara and Ellen at the judges’ table.

Ouch.

[Updated at 6:56 p.m.] Ladies and gentlemen: with the entrance of Joe Cocker, this has graduated from “Your Mama’s Idol Finale” to “Your Grandma’s Idol Finale.” And the telecast is running over. DVR users: Oops! [Updated at 7:05 p.m.] The winner has been announced and…it’s Lee DeWyze. — Maria Elena Fernandez