'American Idol' Ends, Eclipsed by Internet Democracy

Weeks ago, at the beginning of the ninth episode of American Idol's farewell season, Lee Jean stood at a hotel window, nervously rubbing his hands together while gazing out at the Hollywood Hills. The high school student from Bluffton, South Carolina

"American Idol," which gave the world Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood and Jennifer Hudson, has one more chance to mint a star before it fades into TV and music history. Whether viewers choose a future chart-topper or trivia question remains to be seen.

The early front-runner in Season 9 of “American Idol” was Andrew Garcia, an amiable pop-R&B singer with a smooth voice, a neck tattoo and a relaxed mien. He was also, by some measures, already something of a star. This was 2010, and the YouTube 

(CNN) It will be the battle of the Mississippi residents for the championship of the final "American Idol." La'Porsha Renae and Trent Harmon were announced Wednesday night as the show's final two contestants to battle in Thursday's series finale. The

After "American Idol" names its latest victor on Thursday, the lights will dim on the Fox singing-competition series that broke ground in television and music. Debuting in 2002, it launched multiplatinum stars such as Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood