Headline PH: Lee DeWyze wins "American Idol" as Cowell departs

"Idol" judges had all but anointed Bowersox the winner after her three songs on Tuesday outclassed a nervous DeWyze. But Americans made up their own minds and chose DeWyze.
DeWyze and the show's high-wattage guests had to share the spotlight with both Cowell, whose departure was described by host Ryan Seacrest as "the end of an era", and former "Idol" judge Paula Abdul.

Abdul, who quit last year after a contract-renewal dispute, got a standing ovation from the 7,000-strong audience at the Nokia Theater when she appeared on stage to bid her old sparring partner a teary farewell.

"My darling Simon. I've worked with a lot of people over the years...but none of them holds a candle to you, my friend.

"I have loved all the fun we had together. 'American Idol' is not gonna be the same without you. But as only I can tell you, it will go on," she said.

Seven past "Idol" winners and more than 15 former contestants appeared on stage singing "Together We Are One" in tribute to Cowell's part in making them stars.

Pulled on stage after a series of flashback video clips of his years on the show, Cowell seemed genuinely moved.

"I didn't think I was going to be this emotional," he said. "I am going to honestly, honestly miss you".

Cowell announced in January that he would be leaving "Idol" at the end of this season to launch a U.S. version of his "The X-Factor" talent show on Fox in the fall of 2011. His replacement has not been announced.

"American Idol" remains America's most popular TV show of the last seven years. But this year audiences have slipped by about 9 percent to an average 23.9 million viewers per episode, compared to a 2006 high of about 30.8 million.

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