New 'Idol' Vows To Stay Country

Oklahoma's Carrie Underwood Stomps Bo Bice; Clark Upset At Spoof

(CBS/AP)  "She was very happy to go along with this," fellow judge Simon Cowell told Kauffman. "To show that we have a sense of humor about it, because you can get too serious about these things."

There were also, finally, songs. A series of duets featuring the top 12 finishers and guest artists included Anthony Fedorov and Anwar Robinson performing with Kenny G; Scott Savol and Nico Smith with George Benson; and Vonzell Solomon with Billy Preston.

Underwood said she couldn't describe her emotions on being announced as the winner.

"I can't, it's impossible. There were so many emotions, I was nervous," she told Kauffman. "I mean, it was just incredible. The confetti, the pyrotechnics ... it was just an awesome moment, the best-feeling moment of my life."

Shortly after she was named the new "American Idol," Underwood was greeted by an enthusiastic and important fan: A top executive at the company that will put out her first recording.

"We can't wait to meet with you in New York," Richard Sanders, general manager of RCA Music Group, told Underwood after briefly interrupting an interview.

"American Idol" thrives on controversy, with disgruntled fans complaining over the years about overloaded phone lines, technical glitches and untalented contestants with amazing survival skills. Still, it was the No. 1 series for the season in viewers (as opposed to households), averaging 27.3 million viewers a week. The finale, on the last day of the TV season, could guarantee Fox a first-ever ratings win among viewers age 18 to 49.