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Scotty McCreery, the 17-year-old country crooner with the deep voice and the chill attitude was, after all, “in it to win it” on the 10th season of “American Idol.”

McCreery beat 16-year-old Lauren Alain in an all-country finale, “Idol” host Ryan Seacrest announced at the end of Wednesday’s two-hour-plus finale.

Scotty is the fourth consecutive guy to win the pop singing contest, but the first country male singer to win. He’s also the first country singer to take the prize since season 4 winner, Carrie Underwood who is one of “Idol’s” most marketable winners, winning five Grammys and becoming a fixture on country radio.The other winner: The “Idol” franchise itself, at a crossroads with the departure of the show’s virtual anchorman, Simon Cowell, which made some bets on personnel and format changes – like lowering the eligibility age to 15 -- that paid off.

More than 122 million votes were cast in the final round of competition, and three-quarters of a billion votes over the season, Seacrest noted at the top of Wednesday’s finale.

“That’s two votes for every man, women, and child living in America – not bad,” he told the jammed Nokia Theatre in downtown Los Angeles.

The singers this year were an unusually diverse field for the usually middle of the road show, including a metal rocker James Durbin who made it to fourth place, a jazzy bluesy chanteuse Haley Reinhardt, in third and a genre-bender named Casey Abrams who soloed with a standup bass.

With Cowell jumping ship last season to launch his own singing competition show in the fall, “The X Factor,” (co-starring another “Idol” judge veteran Paula Abdul), the “Idol” producers needed to make a statement with the judging panel. Judge Randy Jackson returned, with new faces Aerosmith front-man Steven Tyler and singer/actress/diva Jennifer Lopez.

The show opened with tape of its coast-to-coast auditions and right away Tyler introduced some new energy to the tired act—leering at the girls, spouting off wacky patter (“what’s with the jujubes on the oo-oo-bees,” he asked one auditioner who wore a starry bra). As the season wore on, however, the judges table seemed to run out of gas when they settled into a routine of congratulating instead of criticizing the parade of contestants.

“Idol” producers had an ace in the hole, however: veteran hit-making producer Jimmy Iovine, who they’d signed as a mentor for the Idolettes to cure a long-standing problem for the franchise: the winners careers would fizzle once they actually tried to launch a recording career.

It fell to Iovine to fill Simon Cowell’s shoes, giving pointed but actually useful tips, as well as to help the Idolettes choose material that raised the overall level of competition.

Iovine had clearly pegged Scotty as a contestant with a real shot at a country career and worked hard to give the young singer some stage presence, and move him out of the straight-ahead, traditional country groove where he seemed content to stay.

Scotty had, for weeks, been the odds on favorite to win the competition, though the show’s three judges pronounced Lauren the hands-down winner of Monday’s final performance night.

“Scotty, sorry…Lauren gets it – hands down,” Tyler had said after each of the two finalists performed three tunes.

The Wednesday night grand finale of the “Idol” season featured a parade of stars for what’s become a major annual showcase for the music industry.

Beyonce led the “Idol” female finalists in a medley of her songs and a dance number; Casey Abrams joined his celebrity role model, Jack Black to ham it up singing “Fat Bottom Girls.”

Tim McGraw sang a duet with Scotty McCreery; Tony Bennett did Irving Berlin with Haley Reinhardt. Jacob Lusk was joined by Kirk Franklin and Gladys Knight; James Durbin got to rock it out with Judas Priest.

Some musicians, however, got to appear Idolette-less. Bono came on stage for a number from the oft-delayed, upcoming Broadway Spider-Man production. Judge Steven Tyler reprised Aerosmith anthem “Dream On,” and Lady Gaga appeared on top of a towering rock pile, dressed like a Venetian masquerade reveler who plunges to her faux death with her lover while singing “Edge of Glory.”

Throw in TLC and Lil John, and Jennifer Lopez doing a get-a-room-hot number with husband Marc Anthony, and there was some genre for everyone.

“It’s been a year since Lauren and me auditioned, and we’ve been together since Day One and we’re gonna stay together,” Scotty announced when he was pronounced the winner.

“Never in my wildest dreams… I got to thank the Lord first – he got me here,” Scotty added.

Then Scotty was compelled to sing the song Iovine had chosen to be his first single should he win: “I Love You This Big.” Like we said last nght, no song that requires the singer to hold his arms out in a fish-that-got-away gesture should ever be sung on a topic other than fish. In this case, it’s the hook for the cutesy-romantic song.

And yes, it’s another dreadful “Idol” debut single. Some things never change.

Scotty McCreery, the 17-year-old country crooner with the deep voice and the chill attitude was, after all, “in it to win it” on the 10th season of “American Idol.”

McCreery beat 16-year-old Lauren Alain in an all-country finale, “Idol” host Ryan Seacrest announced at the end of Wednesday’s two-hour-plus finale.

Scotty is the fourth consecutive guy to win the pop singing contest, but the first country male singer to win. He’s also the first country singer to take the prize since season 4 winner, Carrie Underwood who is one of “Idol’s” most marketable winners, winning five Grammys and becoming a fixture on country radio.The other winner: The “Idol” franchise itself, at a crossroads with the departure of the show’s virtual anchorman, Simon Cowell, which made some bets on personnel and format changes – like lowering the eligibility age to 15 -- that paid off.

More than 122 million votes were cast in the final round of competition, and three-quarters of a billion votes over the season, Seacrest noted at the top of Wednesday’s finale.

“That’s two votes for every man, women, and child living in America – not bad,” he told the jammed Nokia Theatre in downtown Los Angeles.

The singers this year were an unusually diverse field for the usually middle of the road show, including a metal rocker James Durbin who made it to fourth place, a jazzy bluesy chanteuse Haley Reinhardt, in third and a genre-bender named Casey Abrams who soloed with a standup bass.

With Cowell jumping ship last season to launch his own singing competition show in the fall, “The X Factor,” (co-starring another “Idol” judge veteran Paula Abdul), the “Idol” producers needed to make a statement with the judging panel. Judge Randy Jackson returned, with new faces Aerosmith front-man Steven Tyler and singer/actress/diva Jennifer Lopez.

The show opened with tape of its coast-to-coast auditions and right away Tyler introduced some new energy to the tired act—leering at the girls, spouting off wacky patter (“what’s with the jujubes on the oo-oo-bees,” he asked one auditioner who wore a starry bra). As the season wore on, however, the judges table seemed to run out of gas when they settled into a routine of congratulating instead of criticizing the parade of contestants.

“Idol” producers had an ace in the hole, however: veteran hit-making producer Jimmy Iovine, who they’d signed as a mentor for the Idolettes to cure a long-standing problem for the franchise: the winners careers would fizzle once they actually tried to launch a recording career.

It fell to Iovine to fill Simon Cowell’s shoes, giving pointed but actually useful tips, as well as to help the Idolettes choose material that raised the overall level of competition.

Iovine had clearly pegged Scotty as a contestant with a real shot at a country career and worked hard to give the young singer some stage presence, and move him out of the straight-ahead, traditional country groove where he seemed content to stay.

Scotty had, for weeks, been the odds on favorite to win the competition, though the show’s three judges pronounced Lauren the hands-down winner of Monday’s final performance night.

“Scotty, sorry…Lauren gets it – hands down,” Tyler had said after each of the two finalists performed three tunes.

The Wednesday night grand finale of the “Idol” season featured a parade of stars for what’s become a major annual showcase for the music industry.

Beyonce led the “Idol” female finalists in a medley of her songs and a dance number; Casey Abrams joined his celebrity role model, Jack Black to ham it up singing “Fat Bottom Girls.”

Tim McGraw sang a duet with Scotty McCreery; Tony Bennett did Irving Berlin with Haley Reinhardt. Jacob Lusk was joined by Kirk Franklin and Gladys Knight; James Durbin got to rock it out with Judas Priest.

Some musicians, however, got to appear Idolette-less. Bono came on stage for a number from the oft-delayed, upcoming Broadway Spider-Man production. Judge Steven Tyler reprised Aerosmith anthem “Dream On,” and Lady Gaga appeared on top of a towering rock pile, dressed like a Venetian masquerade reveler who plunges to her faux death with her lover while singing “Edge of Glory.”

Throw in TLC and Lil John, and Jennifer Lopez doing a get-a-room-hot number with husband Marc Anthony, and there was some genre for everyone.

“It’s been a year since Lauren and me auditioned, and we’ve been together since Day One and we’re gonna stay together,” Scotty announced when he was pronounced the winner.

“Never in my wildest dreams… I got to thank the Lord first – he got me here,” Scotty added.

Then Scotty was compelled to sing the song Iovine had chosen to be his first single should he win: “I Love You This Big.” Like we said last nght, no song that requires the singer to hold his arms out in a fish-that-got-away gesture should ever be sung on a topic other than fish. In this case, it’s the hook for the cutesy-romantic song.

And yes, it’s another dreadful “Idol” debut single. Some things never change.

Tonight is the night. Will America choose Lauren Alaina or Scotty McCreery as its "Idol"?

In the show's previous nine seasons, there were times when it was clear who would be crowned the winner: clean-cut Kris Allen over eyeliner-wearing screecher Adam Lambert; bubbly blonde Carrie Underwood over long-haired rocker Bo Bice; blue-eyed Lee DeWyze over dreadheaded Crystal Bowersox.

But this time, the finalists are two seemingly wholesome, saccharine-sweet, teenage country singers.

It's a race almost too close to call.

The judges have heaped equal praise on both Alaina and McCreery this season, but on Tuesday night -- the night that would be their last performances before America voted -- Jennifer Lopez, Randy Jackson and Steven Tyler especially sang Alaina's praises.

After her third number, "Like My Mother Does," all three judges got out of their chairs to give her a standing ovation.

"With that song, you may have just won," said Lopez.

"You are It in my eyes," added Tyler.

And it seems Alaina is it in many other sets of eyes, as well.

"Lauren is the full package," says Senior VP of A&R at Def Jam Records, Sha Money XL. "Her sound is so versatile -- she can easily sing pop, country and her voice is perfect for TV and film. She's really pretty and has a great personality -- a complete magnet of attraction."

Monica Herrera, News Editor of Billboard.com, agrees that Alaina should probably win tonight since "she's the better singer...but she peaked too late."

McCreery, on the other hand, has "always been consistent," Herrera adds, therefore he will probably snag the majority of the 122 million votes that were cast last night. "Scotty has been a frontrunner all season. He's never been in the bottom three."

But just because the judges and experts think that Alaina -- who sang beautifully Tuesday night despite blowing out a vocal chord during rehearsal that afternoon -- is a worthy winner, it doesn't mean "Idol" fans will agree with them.

"One thing I can say is that the judges and the votes very often don't follow each other," says Lee Miringoff of the Marist Poll.

Tonight is the night. Will America choose Lauren Alaina or Scotty McCreery as its "Idol"?

In the show's previous nine seasons, there were times when it was clear who would be crowned the winner: clean-cut Kris Allen over eyeliner-wearing screecher Adam Lambert; bubbly blonde Carrie Underwood over long-haired rocker Bo Bice; blue-eyed Lee DeWyze over dreadheaded Crystal Bowersox.

But this time, the finalists are two seemingly wholesome, saccharine-sweet, teenage country singers.

It's a race almost too close to call.

The judges have heaped equal praise on both Alaina and McCreery this season, but on Tuesday night -- the night that would be their last performances before America voted -- Jennifer Lopez, Randy Jackson and Steven Tyler especially sang Alaina's praises.

After her third number, "Like My Mother Does," all three judges got out of their chairs to give her a standing ovation.

"With that song, you may have just won," said Lopez.

"You are It in my eyes," added Tyler.

And it seems Alaina is it in many other sets of eyes, as well.

"Lauren is the full package," says Senior VP of A&R at Def Jam Records, Sha Money XL. "Her sound is so versatile -- she can easily sing pop, country and her voice is perfect for TV and film. She's really pretty and has a great personality -- a complete magnet of attraction."

Monica Herrera, News Editor of Billboard.com, agrees that Alaina should probably win tonight since "she's the better singer...but she peaked too late."

McCreery, on the other hand, has "always been consistent," Herrera adds, therefore he will probably snag the majority of the 122 million votes that were cast last night. "Scotty has been a frontrunner all season. He's never been in the bottom three."

But just because the judges and experts think that Alaina -- who sang beautifully Tuesday night despite blowing out a vocal chord during rehearsal that afternoon -- is a worthy winner, it doesn't mean "Idol" fans will agree with them.

"One thing I can say is that the judges and the votes very often don't follow each other," says Lee Miringoff of the Marist Poll.

Steven Tyler didn't want to be an 'American Idol' judge.

The Aerosmith rocker has been a huge hit since joining Jennifer Lopez and Randy Jackson on the revamped judging panel for the 10th season of the talent show but he admits he was initially reluctant to take on the role because he didn't think there was enough talented people out there.

He told E! Online: "I never wanted to do 'American Idol'. I turned around and said, 'The show sucks. How can kids be [an] American idol? They haven't played clubs, they haven't paid their dues, that haven't done what we did.' I was wrong. They are out there, we just have to wade through a bunch of them."

Steven said there were lots of hopefuls who caught his eye, but it was finalist Lauren Aliana who had impressed him from the beginning.

He said: "When I first heard Lauren, seven months ago, it was the second city. You have to go through so many kids and she sang. She doesn't try to hit the notes, the words just go to that place. Everybody else is trying to hit the notes, and she's never had that problem with pitch.

Maybe bad songs, but she's been perfect and right and great. I circled her months ago and said 'American idol.' Her and about six or seven others, but I heard her first. I mean how does a 15-year-old sing like that? How does that happen? That's magic, that's the gift, and that's what we're looking for."

Steven Tyler didn't want to be an 'American Idol' judge.

The Aerosmith rocker has been a huge hit since joining Jennifer Lopez and Randy Jackson on the revamped judging panel for the 10th season of the talent show but he admits he was initially reluctant to take on the role because he didn't think there was enough talented people out there.

He told E! Online: "I never wanted to do 'American Idol'. I turned around and said, 'The show sucks. How can kids be [an] American idol? They haven't played clubs, they haven't paid their dues, that haven't done what we did.' I was wrong. They are out there, we just have to wade through a bunch of them."

Steven said there were lots of hopefuls who caught his eye, but it was finalist Lauren Aliana who had impressed him from the beginning.

He said: "When I first heard Lauren, seven months ago, it was the second city. You have to go through so many kids and she sang. She doesn't try to hit the notes, the words just go to that place. Everybody else is trying to hit the notes, and she's never had that problem with pitch.

Maybe bad songs, but she's been perfect and right and great. I circled her months ago and said 'American idol.' Her and about six or seven others, but I heard her first. I mean how does a 15-year-old sing like that? How does that happen? That's magic, that's the gift, and that's what we're looking for."

Jennifer Lopez sobbed when James Durbin became the latest contestant to be sent home on 'American Idol' two nights ago (13.05.11).

The judge was clearly distraught by viewers' choice to vote off the 22-year-old rocker, leaving Scotty McCreery, Lauren Alaina and Haley Reinhart in the final three.

James - who suffers from Tourettes syndrome and describes himself as a high-functioning autistic - was also in floods of tears upon hearing he was eliminated but said he was glad to have had the opportunity to introduce a different genre of music to the show.

He said: "I worked so damn hard and I was hoping to get there. But I did so much stuff that's never been done on the show.

"I did what I came here to do, and that was to give metal a chance."

Meanwhile, it was Haley's performance that failed to impress the judges, with Randy Jackson accusing her of "screaming" during her rendition of Michael Jackson's 'Earth Song'.

For those in Africa a repeat of  'American Idol' is showing now(4pm GMT 15th May) on Mnet Series Channel 110.

Jennifer Lopez sobbed when James Durbin became the latest contestant to be sent home on 'American Idol' two nights ago (13.05.11).

The judge was clearly distraught by viewers' choice to vote off the 22-year-old rocker, leaving Scotty McCreery, Lauren Alaina and Haley Reinhart in the final three.

James - who suffers from Tourettes syndrome and describes himself as a high-functioning autistic - was also in floods of tears upon hearing he was eliminated but said he was glad to have had the opportunity to introduce a different genre of music to the show.

He said: "I worked so damn hard and I was hoping to get there. But I did so much stuff that's never been done on the show.

"I did what I came here to do, and that was to give metal a chance."

Meanwhile, it was Haley's performance that failed to impress the judges, with Randy Jackson accusing her of "screaming" during her rendition of Michael Jackson's 'Earth Song'.

For those in Africa a repeat of  'American Idol' is showing now(4pm GMT 15th May) on Mnet Series Channel 110.

After The Voice debuted at number one on its premiere, many were left wondering if Idol was finally on its way out.

Well, judging by its $7.11 million/episode income, it looks like the show is here to stay.

Another potential obstacle that proved to be no big deal? Simon Cowell’s departure. The show has maintained 100% of its viewers since Cowell left. You know that has to sting, just a little.

So how much does each Idol icon make?

Ryan Seacrest’s salary as host has tripled since 2009. He’s gone from $5 million a year to $15 million per year for the next three years. He is officially the highest paid person on reality television.

Surprisingly, Jennifer Lopez only makes $12 million for her judging duties. Then again, that’s nothing to sneeze at, especially for her first season!

Somehow Steven Tyler has outranked J.Lo in salary, rumored to be raking in $18 million. Steven Tyler is cute and all, but who knew singing Janie’s Got a Gun made him that much of a commodity?

And Randy Jackson comes in last at a more modest $5 million. As the only original Idol judge left, I’d think he’d be worth more than that.

When the X-Factor debuts, I guess we’ll see if it takes away any Idol hype. But being the most profitable reality show with the highest paid star, it doesn’t look like American Idol is going anywhere anytime soon.

After The Voice debuted at number one on its premiere, many were left wondering if Idol was finally on its way out.

Well, judging by its $7.11 million/episode income, it looks like the show is here to stay.

Another potential obstacle that proved to be no big deal? Simon Cowell’s departure. The show has maintained 100% of its viewers since Cowell left. You know that has to sting, just a little.

So how much does each Idol icon make?

Ryan Seacrest’s salary as host has tripled since 2009. He’s gone from $5 million a year to $15 million per year for the next three years. He is officially the highest paid person on reality television.

Surprisingly, Jennifer Lopez only makes $12 million for her judging duties. Then again, that’s nothing to sneeze at, especially for her first season!

Somehow Steven Tyler has outranked J.Lo in salary, rumored to be raking in $18 million. Steven Tyler is cute and all, but who knew singing Janie’s Got a Gun made him that much of a commodity?

And Randy Jackson comes in last at a more modest $5 million. As the only original Idol judge left, I’d think he’d be worth more than that.

When the X-Factor debuts, I guess we’ll see if it takes away any Idol hype. But being the most profitable reality show with the highest paid star, it doesn’t look like American Idol is going anywhere anytime soon.

Paula Abdul has signed on to join The X Factor judges table, Deadline reports.

The deal reunites the former American Idol judge with Simon Cowell, who will judge and executive-produce X Factor. Abdul, 48, and Cowell, 51, worked together on Idol for eight seasons before Abdul left in 2009. Cowell departed the next year to launch The X Factor in the U.S. after working on the original U.K. version for seven seasons.

Nicole Scherzinger, Steve Jones named X Factor co-hosts

Cowell said he had "always loved working" with Abdul in an interview with Deadline last week. "I don't know what it is about her, but I've always clicked with her. You just have to get that chemistry, and she's right," Cowell said. "I've never found anyone better than her."

Abdul joins previously announced judges Cheryl Cole, who worked on the British original, and former record label Chairman Antonio "LA" Reid. Former Pussycat Dolls lead singer Nicole Scherzinger and British TV host Steve Jones were announced as the hosts for X Factor on Saturday.

Simon Cowell: "There's a good chance" Paula Abdul will judge X Factor

Abdul's deal closed less than 24 hours before The X Factor's first audition taping, which takes places at 1 p.m. Sunday in Los Angeles.

Following her exit from Idol, Abdul most recently judged and executive-produced the CBS dance competition series, Live to Dance.

The X Factor's winning act will receive a $5 million recording contract with Syco/Sony Music. The singing competition premieres in the fall on Fox.

Paula Abdul has signed on to join The X Factor judges table, Deadline reports.

The deal reunites the former American Idol judge with Simon Cowell, who will judge and executive-produce X Factor. Abdul, 48, and Cowell, 51, worked together on Idol for eight seasons before Abdul left in 2009. Cowell departed the next year to launch The X Factor in the U.S. after working on the original U.K. version for seven seasons.

Nicole Scherzinger, Steve Jones named X Factor co-hosts

Cowell said he had "always loved working" with Abdul in an interview with Deadline last week. "I don't know what it is about her, but I've always clicked with her. You just have to get that chemistry, and she's right," Cowell said. "I've never found anyone better than her."

Abdul joins previously announced judges Cheryl Cole, who worked on the British original, and former record label Chairman Antonio "LA" Reid. Former Pussycat Dolls lead singer Nicole Scherzinger and British TV host Steve Jones were announced as the hosts for X Factor on Saturday.

Simon Cowell: "There's a good chance" Paula Abdul will judge X Factor

Abdul's deal closed less than 24 hours before The X Factor's first audition taping, which takes places at 1 p.m. Sunday in Los Angeles.

Following her exit from Idol, Abdul most recently judged and executive-produced the CBS dance competition series, Live to Dance.

The X Factor's winning act will receive a $5 million recording contract with Syco/Sony Music. The singing competition premieres in the fall on Fox.

Pop superstar Lady Gaga is set to appear on American Idol to mentor the final four singers.

The Judas singer will join Jimmy Iovine, her label's boss, in guiding the four before their live performances.

Gaga, 25, is likely to pay extra attention to contestant Hayley Reinhart, who performed her tune You & I on the US talent competition last week.

Pop superstar Lady Gaga is set to appear on American Idol to mentor the final four singers.

The Judas singer will join Jimmy Iovine, her label's boss, in guiding the four before their live performances.

Gaga, 25, is likely to pay extra attention to contestant Hayley Reinhart, who performed her tune You & I on the US talent competition last week.