Have been so busy of late with baseball season going into another baseball season...actually just skimmed the performances last night. Here's hoping that my initial hope of Cook winning pans out - I didn't ever throw money at it, and I'm kicking myself now. Admittedly, I didn't think he would actually go all the way earlier in the season, but always liked him a lot. I guess I personally think the two most talented people actually made it to the end - I guess most people just hate the kid. I think he's a really good singer, and has only had one or two performances that weren't solid. But, to each their own. Rooting HARD for Cook - he would be a decent winner in a tough year for Idol. Hopefully, the waning interest will spark some new ideas and like Simon suggests, make the contest less safe. Too many pigeonholing weeks that tie the performers hands, IMO. Have enjoyed the season-long thread, folks...see you next year.