[silent_jonny]

Scotty McCreery

Seacrest asks Scotty what's going through his mind.

Scotty: I got to thank the Lord first. He got me here.

(audience cheers) What a great kid!

Scotty remains composed. Sings "I Love You This Big" again. Walks down to the audience to hug his family. Voice breaks ... very moving ....

Gets back on stage and hugs each of the other singers. Sparklers and confetti rain down. A blizzard of confetti!

Wow ... Scotty sits down on the stage and weeps. The other singers coax him to get up. Scotty opens his mouth to catch confetti like snowflakes, LOL. Back on his feet, Lauren gives him a peck on the mouth.

The show ends with Scotty yelling to everyone: "THANK YOU SO MUCH!"

Local news: North Carolina has done it again!

They're hoping to get a live interview with the new Idol in the next few minutes.

[slugbug]

Thanks for hosting this thread again Jonny. Ping me to X Factor in the fall please!

[Nea Wood]

Will you be using the same ping list for X-Factor? If not, please add me. Thanks! :-)

[twin2]

Well North Carolina men have done outstanding tonight:)

Thanks. This thread is the best, I can’t even imagine how much work goes into it “off the air”.

[patriotspride]

Great threads through the season. Please add me to X Factor ping.

[etabeta]

Thanks for hosting the thread, Jonny!!!!!! Never watched a single show, not interested after Simon left, but it has always been great fun to read the thread.
Please keep me on the list for the X Factor (or whatever it is called).

[Shelayne]

Jonny, you are such an awesome host, and your pings make me laugh out loud—not just LOL. *MWAH* ;^)

I am gonna miss all you crazy cats and Jerky Panda, whom I should probably have on my computer, so I can send the GIF to the WH every time that amateur irritates me. OK, maybe that wouldn't be such a great idea. I wouldn't get anything done. Hahahaha!

PLEASE ping me to the X-Factor thread—remember we voted for you to host it, Mr. Jonny! You're the bestest! :^D

[zzeeman]

Thanks Jonny for a great thread all season!! I’ll look forward to next season’s thread for sure!

[conservativebabe]

Thanks so much again jonny! I luv ya and this thread as it has been for years now, it a highlight of the year. I’m gonna miss you guys. If y’all meet up on a thread for X Factor count me in please!

[Wolfstar]

Jonny thank you SO very much for all your hard work with this thread. This year it was the only way I could keep up with AI. As I type this, I’m at work and have worked 6 straight days. Will work tomorrow also, then will finally have a weekend. Since January, I’ve bounced around 4 different shifts because they had a high turnover during this time. Crazy hours. So thanks again. :)

[Yaelle]

I was absolutely thrilled for Scotty!!!

Huge congrats to this very talented, funny, religious, young man! He is using what G-d gave him for good! We won’t see him clutching his pee pee, simulating sex, or dressed in a gaga or lambert outfit ever!

I wish him 50+ years of a fantastic career and a healthy private life!

I wish Lauren a great career and life as well!

And I will so miss this thread!

[La Enchiladita]

That was a TERRIFIC show last night. Except for gaga, everything was perfect, everyone was wonderful. I loved the humorous skits as well as music numbers: James and Casey spoofing each other and themselves, then Pia in the fluffy pink tiara. Too damn cute. It was great. I loved seeing all the “kids” back on stage; they should have fun touring together.

I even liked J-Lo’s dance routine during Marc’s song, some crazy Tina Turner type stuff.

I don’t think Scotty and Lauren are a couple, nor would they make a good couple, just good friends as they say. The same goes for Casey and Haley. People bond in a group experience like that; James and Stefano becoming close friends as well.

This was a great season. Thanks for hosting, Jonny.