For the first three years of the show, American Idol has produced some record-sellers, but I can never shake the opinion that they continuously got it wrong.

In season one, the most talented singer was Tamyra Grey. Period. Anyone who argues that either didn’t watch the show, or didn’t pay attention. Kelly Clarkson ended up winning, much to my chagrin.

In season two, Ruben Studdard won the competition, and then went on to have zero success in the record stores, while the runner up, Clay Aiken, has had enormous success; validating my original thought that america always liked Clay better, they just didn’t think he needed the votes so they didn’t bother voting for him.

In season three, the abysmal Fantasia won. In comparison, Latoya London was infinitely better, as was Jennifer London, and either of the them could have easily won. Instead, Diana DeGarmo made it to the finale with her, something that in itself was pretty perplexing. Fantasia’s album appears to be a non-starter, and her single has sold nowhere near what Clay, Ruben and Kelly’s did. Diana DeGarmo’s album didn’t even rate a blip on the radar.

So now we come to season four. The day they went to Hollywood, the two finalists were so obvious it was painful to watch the others try. Bo Bice and Carrie Underwood were, talent-wise, so far ahead of the other competition it was ludicrous. Bo looked like a seasoned professional every time he was on the stage, and Carrie’s vocals overwhelmed me every time she sang. But what each had, the other was lacking. Carrie’s stage presence could be likened to a plank of wood, and Bo’s vocals were nowhere near the consistent quality of Carrie’s.

That left the finale wide open. Vocals versus Presence.

The great thing about this year, though, is that whoever won, the choice was a good one. A solid case could be made for either competitor, and the loser would still end up with a recording contract. Both of these people are way too talented to not have a deal with someone, and it seems Clive Davis is already interested in putting Bo’s name on a contract.

Carrie probably was the better choice. Despite the pantie-flinging women in the audience that were cheering for Bo, Carrie has one thing going for her, and Simon captured it earlier this season. After a particularly stirring rendition of a song, Simon told Carrie that, “There isn’t a little girl in the country that doesn’t want to be you right now.”

While her incredible good looks are a boon to the entertainment biz, she embodies something that’s seriously lacking in the female entertainment world. An attractive, down-home, wholesome girl that young girls can look up to. She’s humble, gracious, and even at times self-effacing. It’s all part of her charm and she radiates charm like no one in the history of this show has.

The day of the season premiere, Simon Cowell was on Regis and Kelly. On the show, Kelly Rippa asked him if there were any favorites. Keep in mind, they had just gotten done shooting the Hollywood set and were about to start airing the initial auditions. They had just ironed out the top 24. He said, “There’s this blonde girl who I think is going to blow everybody’s mind.”

He was right. She blew our mind and won our hearts.

Congratulations, Carrie. I can’t wait for the album!