Lots of excitement behind the scenes at the ‘American Idol’ extravaganza! To set the scene: with all the press, the former American Idols, the finalist Idols of this season, the judges, the publicists, the celebrities, the fans (screaming with signs) – it was all action all the time outside the Nokia theater.

The finale day was a day full of interviewing former American Idols and those that made it into Season 8 top 10… or 11… or 12, it was hard to tell this time around how many were going to remain in the spotlight – maybe all of season 8 will come out with albums …  who knows!

We also hit the star-studded red carpet. There were music greats like the Black Eyed Peas, Carlos Santana, Keith Urban, and Steve Martin (the actor who is also a musician and performed on the show).  Of course there were those who had once won the judges over themselves like Carrie Underwood and David Cook.  Plus our biggest stars of the night, Adam and Kris.

Now that the competition is over, you could tell during the show itself that they were just having fun out there (and who wouldn’t have fun with KISS on stage!)

Then the biggest part of the evening was the announcement that Kris Allen would be taking home the title of American Idol season 8 winner.  It may have been a huge surprise to plenty of people who had long thought that Adam Lambert was a sure thing for #1, especially with all the praise he received all season from the judges.

Both the winner and the runner-up told us with their interviews this morning (which never really stopped from last night) they each have won. They were both surprisingly full of energy talking about their time on the show and what’s to come.  It’s amazing to remember them from their audition round, to all of us Idol watchers critiquing each week’s competition from our own judge’s seat, to now seeing them here wrapping it all up for us. Time flies when you’re having fun on Idol… And yes, I did ask Adam to take a photo with me which normally I don’t do but, its Idol! And its a little more “on the scene” to remember this incredible season by.

My prediction: two VERY different albums, from two VERY different, but amazingly talented “former” American Idol contestants.

Now its up to season 9 to top that!