By now we all know who won last night's American Idol.

But who won the American Idol underwear dance off? The final pair starred in commericals for Guitar Hero, parodying Tom Cruise's famous "Risky Business" underwear dance.

David Archuleta's video:

David Cook's video:

Tom Cruise's video:

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I have a love-hate relationship with American Idol. I didn't watch for several seasons, but somehow last year got hooked into watching the show. Then I got burned when America voted off Melinda Doolittle. I'm still wondering how America could be so stupid.

I swore not to watch this year out of respect for Melinda, but still found myself coming back for more Idol. I didn't find another Melinda this season, but was impressed with what I saw from David Cook. Of course, that I liked him should have been enough to doom him.

So I was pleased to see him win Wednesday night, especially since I figured the other David (Archuleta) was a lock to win. Blake Lewis taught me to never underestimate the awesome power of teenage girls, who I thought would come out in force for Archuleta.

In case you didn't catch the finale performances from Tuesday, here's a clip of David Cook covering U2's "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For." And after the jump, more David Cook clips, including Cook getting the Idol crown.

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Be kind: Paula Abdul has said that sitting on America's most popular TV show and listening to amateurs sing for several hours a week is hard, very hard work. And sometimes she just mixes up her notes.

But now, it seems, the cat's out of the bag. The wobbly American Idol judge slipped up yesterday and suggested rehearsals help her form an opinion, which gives the lie to the ostensible spontaneity of the show:

You can read our own critic Tom Jicha's take on the controversy, and last night's show here. And check out MTVs "Top Five Times Paula Abdul Has Stretched the Limits of Logic."

Finally, just to explain to younger readers why this woman is a judge in the first place, here's a homage to Paula in her glory days:

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American Idol castaway Danny Noriega made an appearance on Ellen Wednesday. Check out his quick interview and performance:

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Ok, full disclosure: this WTN writer doesn't get the whole American Idol thing.

First, I don't like listening to other people singing my favorite classics, unless there's some really great interpretation. (example: Pearl Jam's Eddie Vedder doing "Last Kiss.") Nor do I like the whole non-rock band orientation (Vedder would have probably been voted off in the first round).

So that's where I'm coming from. That said, I was really ticked off to see Simon Cowell, who I can't seem to escape even though I don't watch the show, quoted as calling 'In My Life,' a boring song. Adding to the insult is that it was sung by South Florida's own Ramiele Malubay. I mean, really, the gall:

But Cowell apparently does have a sense of humor, or at least a sense of marketing. He did this wonderful parody on The Simpsons a while back. (They really should add the trap door to the show.)

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Alexis Cohen, that glittery-eyeshadowed Grace Slick wannabe who thinks "Allentown" is a Bon Jovi song, inspired what I think should be this season's loser-goes-home song on American Idol. Beats that Daughtry song, anyway.

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No surprise that this number from Tuesday's American Idol is already on YouTube. Sure, you can have your wacky girl from Allentown, PA, but Milo's pro-abstinence ditty is what stuck in my head:

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Another installment in my tribute to American Idol, which you may have heard is back on TV.

There’s something to be said for picking one thing and sticking to it. This guy's an athlete but he also plans to be an actor, model, author, singer-songwriter-rapper-choreographer-producer and composer (as well).

He should stick to the panther impression, if you ask me. That’s solid gold.

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I remember when this first was broadcast (and when I saw it again and again on The Soup). I was floored then. Still am now.

You’re tone-deaf, you can’t sing, and yet you believe you can win a singing competition? “I can be the first American Idol who never sang before.” Yikes.

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