BB FANS

Millions of viewers are set to tune into the final of American Idol, for a showdown between rocker Bo Bice and country singer Carrie Underwood.
The fourth series of the Fox talent contest comes to an end on Wednesday, with a public vote on which of the pair wins a coveted recording contract.

Tuesday's final performance show saw judge Simon Cowell back Underwood, a 22-year-old student from Oklahoma.

"I think you've done enough to win this competition," Cowell told Underwood.

Both contestants sang three songs each, including the same track, Inside Your Heaven, which allowed judges and the voting public to make a direct comparison.

Underwood appears to be the current favourite to win, while 29-year-old Bice, from Alabama, came in for some criticism from Cowell with his rendition of The Long Long Road.

"You're going to have to do a hell of a lot better than that to walk away with this title," said Cowell.

The series has been hit by controversy after a former contestant on the series claimed he had an affair with judge Paula Abdul.

Corey Clark's claims that he was secretly coached by singer Abdul have fuelled interest in the talent show.

Abdul denies the claims and has called Clark, who was ejected for hiding an arrest record in April 2003, "an admitted liar".

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Shortly after Carrie Underwood was named the new "American Idol," she 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.

Underwood, a 22-year-old from Checotah, Okla., with a sweet smile and an affinity for country music, looked dazed Wednesday night after besting runner-up Bo Bice in Fox TV's talent contest.

"This is the best night of my life. And it's going to get better," Underwood told The Associated Press.

Friends and family describe Underwood as a polite, quiet, small-town girl who is dedicated to music. Underwood's mother, Carole, said she hoped her daughter's success wouldn't change her.

But Underwood said there's no reason to worry. She plans to focus on the country sound and won't abandon her roots.

"I want my permanent address to be in Oklahoma," she said. "Someday, when I get married and I have kids, that's where I want to raise my kids."

Bice, 29, of Helena, Ala., would have been the oldest "Idol" winner. He brought an unexpected rock edge to the show's usually mainstream pop style with songs such as the 1970s hit "Vehicle."

Bice said he was satisfied with the experience. He entered the "Idol" contest on a bet with his mom, expecting only that the exposure might get him better gigs back home. Turns out the payoff will be bigger.

"We can look forward to an album coming out soon, so keep your eyes open," Bice said. He did not provide further details.

An offstage drama played out during the show's season when former contestant Corey Clark claimed he had an affair with judge Paula Abdul while competing in 2003 and that she coached him. Abdul has called the allegations "lies" and an attempt at character assassination.

In a comedy bit Wednesday, "Idol" fired back at ABC News' recent "Primetime Live" episode detailing Clark's claims. TV newsman Steve Edwards presented a satirical report titled "Bad Judgment" that purported to reveal judge Simon Cowell's "secret relationship." (The punch line: It was the self-centered Cowell's love affair with himself).

"We won't let the truth get in the way of our ratings," the faux report said in an obvious dig at ABC.

Viewership didn't suffer from Clark's claims. "American Idol" is 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.

Bo Bice might have lost out to Carrie Underwood on the "American Idol" finale, but the one who's really upset is Corey Clark.

Clark, the former contestant who says he had an affair with judge Paula Abdul during the 2003 competition, didn't like the skit making light of the situation. On Wednesday night's show, TV newsman Steve Edwards presented a satirical report entitled "Bad Judgment" that purported to reveal judge Simon Cowell's "secret relationship."

The twist, though, was that the self-centered Cowell was all along in love with himself.

"We're reminded once again last night in front of millions of viewers that not only are they not taking it seriously, but they don't feel as though we should take it seriously," Clark's spokesman, Jed Wallace, told AP Radio on Thursday. Wallace called it a "slap in the face."