Hasselhoff gives tears of joy for Taylor Hicks

It's no surprise that Taylor Hicks won American Idol last night... except that a few months ago it would have been unthinkable.

As great it was, I'm far more excited for what this means for Season Six. That's right: contestant after contestant trying to painfully replicate the success of a gray-haired eccentric. Before Hicks, there was always some vague idea of the "pop idol ideal" that I'm sure kept some people away. And while many talentless oddities still tried their luck -and failed- Taylor Hicks now gives the impression that anyone can do this. And that's the way it should be.

Shortly after Hicks was revealed as the champion, the camera cut to David Hasselhoff sitting in the audience in tears. He better be as intense when he hosts America's Got Talent (with Regis Philbin!) this summer or else it might not get the ratings. Then again, America puzzlingly loves these shows. Remember the AD-killing Skating with Celebrities?

Also in the house performing was a hit parade of Prince, Clay Aiken, Meatloaf, Burt Bacharach, Toni Braxton, Mary J. Blige, Al Jarreau and Live, who performed with Chris Daughtry. I'm not surprised.

Dorothy Few, 74, isn't sad the show is over, however. Not sad like Hasselhoff. She had the unlucky situation of having an 866 number that closely resembled the Idol voting number. Ethel Boling, 79, on the other hand, who also had an 866 number, didn't mind the 10 calls a week.

"It's kind of exciting, really," she said. Well, of course it is. You're 79.

Is 866 the area code for Florida?