It can't be a good sign that Reuben Studdard performing the "Good-bye Song" for this season of the show is probably the first time most people have heard him sing since he apologized for the entire year of 2004. I mean, let's be serious! He fell off the map...and that had to be a considerably hard landing. Loud, also.

What does YouTube turn up for the big man?

David Archuleta wasn't the FIRST to wow the crowd with a cover of John Lennon's "Imagine."

Judge for yourself, folks. Which is the best rendition of that classic song?

The choice is clear, to me. Reuben was just GOOD. Solid, soulful...you almost never hear anyone praise David "Archie" Archuleta without saying he's good "FOR HIS AGE." There's always a subtle disclaimer, in there.

They both lose to this guy, however:

But, I digress. There's a reason Reuben won Season 2, folks. He was truly bigger AND better than Clay Aiken. And Archie pretty much IS Clay Aiken, down to the gawky, awkward mannerisms.

But, as for Reuben...

...since then, he's done some Gospel stuff, which is lovely and all. Hardly mainstream enough to keep him on the radar, though. That's a HUGE blip on the radar, by the way. We wouldn't miss it if it was there.

At least he showed up during the Season 6 Finale, to show up Jordin Sparks:

Fantasia Burrito (I know that's not her last name, folks) was the best thing that happened during Season 3, without a doubt. I loved this performance when I first saw it. Just riveting.

Still, did winning make Ms. Burrito a tremendously-popular superstar?

Nah, not really. She was even the butt of some cruel illiteracy jokes, for a while.

She did star in a Lifetime life story movie, though.

Hm. Well, she's definitely good at what she does. Not exactly setting the music world on fire, though. She does something very specific...

...and, I think it's safe to say, her time in the spotlight is pretty much ancient history. Could she pop up with a hot R&B song at some point and have a decent run? Maybe if Idol had her back and pushed it. But would SHE be happy doing that kind of thing?

I'm not convinced she NEEDS that level of stardom.

It's interesting, really. The judges try hard to help the contestants figure out "what their records/concerts would sound like" while they're on the show. They try to pigeon-hole them, really.

It works, sometimes. Carrie Underwood was a Country singer, no doubt. And she's doing very well in that genre, which has a bit of crossover appeal with Pop musice, in many parts of the country.

Being pigeon-holed or simply choosing to do one style can backfire, I guess. But if it's a personal or spiritual choice, as I assume it was for Fantasia, maybe a decent amount of success and acclaim from the right audience is all you need to feel vindicated?

That's not for the average Pop music station, to be sure. But...you can't say she doesn't sing with all she's got in this clip. I'm still glad she whupped that little punk, Diana Degarmo.

The second place contestant, traditionally, doesn't do very well, either. There are a few exceptions to the rule.

Clay Aiken rules his legions of Claymates. Blake Lewis has an album out...probably won't have much staying power, but at least he's on the radio after losing in the finale. A lot of them don't get much exposure after the show, and just can't catch on at all.

Katherine McPhee? Meh. Who cares what she's doing? I'd be more interested to hear from Taylor Hicks again, honestly.

Bo Bice? Sure, like anyone's thought about HIM since he lost to Carrie.

And, of course...Justin Guarini, the Original First-Place Loser. Kelly Clarkson wiped the FLOOR with him at the end of the first season. He's a punchline for life, with that goofy, Bozo the Clown hair and over-earnest demeanor.

Kelly is STILL making interesting, current, radio-worthy music...and, perhaps, remains the best overall winner out of the 6. This isn't necessarily in terms of talent. They're ALL very good. She's just able to stay in the spotlight and continue to prove her versatility. Pop music listener tastes change pretty quickly, and keeping up is tough even for seasoned pros.

Carrie's a huge success, sure. Jordin Sparks is on the radio at this very moment, and making the talk show rounds to promote her debut album. She's bubbly and young and...well, her music really isn't anything different. She's got potential, though, and plenty of time to find her place in the industry before everyone stops caring.

It's happened before.

Look at Kelly Pickler! Even people who didn't even come close to winning the season can have a successful career. Consider Jennifer Hudson, or that military Country singer, Josh Gracin. She's winning Oscars, and he's still a recognizeable name to the right audience.

Even BUCKY COVINGTON is touring with original tunes. I mean, COME ON!

Some losers host entertainment shows. Others show up in soaps.

Some are punchlines for the ages, like Guarini.

Some leave amid scandal.

Then, you have the William Hung thing.

This show can launch a career for anyone who makes a splash deep enough into the pop cultural psyche of the American viewing public. These days, where you can be famous just for BEING FAMOUS, when you can score a reality show just by virtue of having been on a TV show at some point, when falling apart in the tabloids can make you not only current news, but a HERO to some...

...the sky's the limit, really.

Let's not forget, however, that they're looking for a POP STAR. In the end, it may not always be the best TECHNICAL singer taking the title of American Idol - hey, there, Melinda Doolittle - but the person who is most engaging to the audience, who touches the most people, who outlasts all the others, will have the best chance at becoming the next Kelly Clarkson or Carrie Underwood.

Will it happen?

Nothing's guaranteed. But does that mean the other winners are inferior, or that they shouldn't have won? Of course not. The right person won, every time. The most engaging singer won.

Whoever wins Season 7 will immediately be under the microscope. He or she will be judged by everyone, compared to past winners, and pretty much become a success or a complete flop within the span of about 6 months.

Maybe we won't be singing Brooke White songs 10 years from now. Then again, maybe we will.

What if Amanda Overmyer and David Hernandez put out a duet next week and it exploded into an Internet and radio sensation? Unlikely, but...never say never in the world of Idol.

And don't take winning - or losing - too seriously.

Remember when this commercial played every 13 seconds? Watch it, then hate me for a week...when it's finally out of your head.

I rest my case.