Who will win the American Idol finale? If judge Simon Cowell has a choice, it will be ‘most improved’ contestant Lee DeWyze. But we’re still rooting for longtime fan favorite Crystal Bowersox. Tonight we’ll see the final performances and then it will be up to America to decide this season’s American Idol winner at last.

American Idol judge Simon Cowell has announced his pick for the American Idol winner this season: Lee DeWyze. While Cowell said he previously thought Crystal Bowersox had nailed down the American Idol winner spot, he is now betting on DeWyze.

Will American Idol producers keep it in the family when they replace outgoing judge Simon Cowell? Rumor has it AI is considering doing just that by moving host Ryan Seacrest into Cowell’s soon to be vacated seat on the judging panel.

American Idol judge Simon Cowell told host Ryan Seacrest he is “very sad” to be leaving the show. Not sad enough, however, to stick around for another season. “I think you gotta know when it’s time to go.” Cowell told Seacrest on his KIIS-FM morning show Tuesday.