Vault: American Idol Winner- Lee DeWyze

Summary

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The Bert Show: Vault – American Idol Winner Lee DeWyze

Episode Date: August 11, 2026
Theme: A live, candid roundtable from The Bert Show team as they react to the American Idol finale in Los Angeles—particularly the surprising win of Lee DeWyze over Crystal Bowersox. Fun banter, behind-the-scenes insights, and pop culture analysis are served up in the Bert Show’s signature conversational style.

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Main Theme

The episode centers around the team’s immediate reactions to the American Idol finale, offering spirited debate on why Lee DeWyze took the crown, contrasting the performances and personalities of both finalists, and sharing observations from their on-the-ground experience at the show.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Reactions to the Finale Winner

• The group expresses surprise and some disappointment at Lee DeWyze’s win over strong favorite Crystal Bowersox.
• Quote [01:27 | Commentator 5]:
  "I still am completely shocked that Crystal Bowersox did not win the whole thing. She's clearly the better singer. Clearly."
• Discussion revolves around what “America” looks for in a winner: relatability, humility, and a “clean-cut” image versus unique talent.
• Quote [01:35 | Commentator 2]:
  "I'm gonna start calling it the Chris Allen effect because this is the second year in a row that I think the lesser talented performer won. But I... think it's because America wants clean cut and they don't want unique. And it's kind of scary to me."

2. Audience Trends & Voter Predictability

• The group notes the audience’s clear support for Lee—an abundance of Lee DeWyze posters and t-shirts in the audience, and little visible support for Crystal.
• Quote [02:03 | Commentator 3]:
  "All the signs in the audience were all for Lee DeWyze. I mean it was tough to find a Crystal Bowersox poster or T-shirt on anybody. But I still think yeah, I think that's what America wanted. Just because Crystal I think is too confident."
• Lighthearted banter on relying on predictions of "15-year-old girls" and an 81-year-old’s “low crotch” theory for forecasting winners.

3. Personality and Humility: A Key Factor

• Ongoing debate if confidence (as shown by Crystal) is a negative in the show's voting context, versus Lee's humble, grateful demeanor.
• Quote [03:28 | Commentator 3]:
  "When the judges go to give compliments, like, you know, when you take in a compliment, you say thank you. Oh, my gosh, thank you. Oh, my goodness. Which is what Lee did the entire show. He was genuinely taking in a compliment where I think Crystal was like, yeah, I know I did great."
• Some pushback that the results are really about marketing and image, especially with the predominantly young American Idol voting audience.

4. Song Choices & Performances

• Skepticism about how Lee will pull off "Famous U2 Song" as his launch single—concerns it’s too iconic to cover well.
• Quote [04:07 | Commentator 1]:
  "I don't know how he's going to do that. I don't know how can that be his. How can you do that better than U2?"
• Recognition that Lee’s performance of the song improved in the finale compared to the performance show.
• Crystal’s standout performance prompted emotional reactions among the group, who hope her rendition might be released regardless of the outcome.

5. Finale Highlights – Special Guests & Noteworthy Moments

• The group excitedly recounts surprise guest performances, naming the standout moments:
  • Bret Michaels appearance—praised for his resilience and energy after health scares.
    Quote [05:10 | Commentator 5]:
    "He is not letting anything hold him back. And I just... I can't believe he did it."
  • Alanis Morissette & Crystal Bowersox duet—a hands-down “girl anthem” highlight, with Crystal visibly having the time of her life.
    • Quote [06:12 | Commentator 5]:
      "She was just ready for anything, and she rocked it with her. First of all, the both of them singing that song together was incredible. And it's like a girl anthem... it was just killing to see those two together."
  • Big Mike’s performance with The Doobie Brothers—group shares mixed feelings about the match but recognize his “owning it” on stage.
• Praise for the Simon Cowell tribute, with all the Idol winners returning—except for David Cook, whose absence is explained in an elevator run-in with Taylor Hicks.

6. David Cook’s Absence Clarified

• Taylor Hicks, bumped into by the crew post-show, revealed David Cook couldn’t attend due to contractual obligations and a separate gig.
  • Quote [08:11 | Commentator 5]:
    "He was like, man, I know how that goes. You know, when you're locked into a contract, they can sue you and this and that... So I think he was on the road gigging and couldn't be here."

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "I still am completely shocked that Crystal Bowersox did not win the whole thing. She's clearly the better singer. Clearly."
  — Commentator 5 (01:27)
• "America wants clean cut and they don't want unique. And it's kind of scary to me."
  — Commentator 2 (01:35)
• "When the judges go to give compliments, like... Which is what Lee did the entire show. He was genuinely taking in a compliment where I think Crystal was like, yeah, I know I did great."
  — Commentator 3 (03:28)
• "He is not letting anything hold him back. And I just... I can't believe he did it."
  — Commentator 5 on Bret Michaels (05:10)
• "She was just ready for anything, and she rocked it with her. First of all, the both of them singing that song together was incredible."
  — Commentator 5 on Crystal & Alanis (06:12)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• [01:03] – Live in LA for the finale—overall show impressions
• [01:27] – Debate: Should Crystal have won?
• [03:13] – Discussion on Lee’s humility vs Crystal’s confidence
• [04:07] – How Lee will manage his winner’s single
• [05:04] – Bret Michaels’ comeback performance
• [05:23] – Alanis Morissette & Crystal duet
• [06:42] – Big Mike’s performance with The Doobie Brothers
• [07:38] – Simon Cowell tribute and discussion of returning Idol winners
• [07:46] – Elevator run-in: Taylor Hicks explains David Cook’s absence

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Tone & Style

The episode is unscripted, energetic, and candid. The team playfully argues, pokes fun at pop culture, and shares authentic behind-the-scenes moments. Their language is informal and peppered with humor, but they also touch sincerely on issues like representation, humility, and what America expects from its “idols.”

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Summary Takeaway

This Bert Show episode captures the immediate, unapologetically honest reactions of a group of passionate fans and radio hosts processing a shocking win on American Idol. Through lively discussion, respectful debate, and genuinely memorable moments, it not only replays the biggest TV event of the night but also raises interesting questions about talent, popularity, and the voting public’s taste.

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Transcript

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[American Idol Commentator 1]

Burt show we are live in LA for the American Idol finale and frankly disappointed.

[American Idol Commentator 2]

Andy's not disappointed.

[American Idol Commentator 3]

Yeah, I'm two for two.

[American Idol Commentator 1]

Yeah, I mean it's true. The show itself I thought was we got a lot of ground to cover here. It started off slow. I thought this was gonna be a long night.

[American Idol Commentator 4]

What are you talking about, man? Hauling oats. Michael McDonald.

[American Idol Commentator 2]

I know Chicago.

[American Idol Commentator 5]

I thought the show was great. I still am completely shocked that Crystal Bower Socks did not win the whole thing. She's clearly the better singer. Clearly.

[American Idol Commentator 2]

Well, I'm going, I'm gonna start calling it the Chris Allen effect because this is the second year in a row that I think the lesser talented performer won. But I, but I think it's because America wants clean cut and they don't want unique. And it's kind of scary to me.

[American Idol Commentator 1]

I think when you're, when we try to predict from now on you really have to think and this is not difficult for me like a 15 year

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old girl

[American Idol Commentator 1]

that's really, I mean winning Chris Allen last year dude. This year.

[American Idol Commentator 3]

Well and all the signs in the audience were all for Lee to wise. I mean it was tough to find a Crystal Bower socks poster or T shirt on anybody. But I still think yeah, I think that's what America wanted. Just because Crystal I think is too confident.

[American Idol Commentator 4]

Have you talked to.

[American Idol Commentator 3]

I think she knows she's Good.

[American Idol Commentator 4]

Have you talked to Millie Pete since last night to find out if despite his.

[American Idol Commentator 2]

His low crotch, she picked Lee though. She picked it.

[American Idol Commentator 5]

And she was right in the back.

[American Idol Commentator 4]

Yeah, yeah.

[American Idol Commentator 2]

The poofy hair, the low crotch.

[American Idol Commentator 4]

Can he be successful with a low crotch according to an 81 year old natural woman?

[American Idol Commentator 5]

You know what?

[American Idol Commentator 2]

My 81 year old Nashville woman kicked our ass at our prediction and she knew that the gabby teeth dreadlock girl wasn't gonna be able to walk in heels.

[American Idol Commentator 5]

America at large does not like that she was right.

[American Idol Commentator 1]

This is all based on an email that Melissa's mom sent Melissa a couple of days ago that said Lee would win but was very critical of his. Yes, it was low cratch pants.

[American Idol Commentator 2]

Yeah, she was like critical about. She said, wait a second. She's got the dreadlocks and the gappy teeth and she can't walk in heels but has the poofy hair in the back and the low crotch, meaning his pants were hung down too low. So she was trying to figure out America at large and that was her quote on what they would like and she thought they were likely better. And she's right.

[American Idol Commentator 1]

I thought Lee was, I mean, he was genuinely, I think shocked that he

[American Idol Commentator 5]

was just like Chris Allen was last year. They were really shocked that he actually won it. And I think we have to talk about what Wendy said, that Crystal was too confident for America.

[American Idol Commentator 3]

Well, obviously, I think she's obviously talented, but she knows she's a good singer. She's been doing this since she was a tiny tot. And I think when she. When the judges go to give compliments, like, you know, when you take in a compliment, you say thank you. Oh, my gosh, thank you. Oh, my goodness. Which is what Lee did the entire show. He was genuinely taking in a compliment where I think Crystal was like, yeah, I know I did great. Which it should be the normal thing for people to do. Said, yeah, I know I did great. And yeah.

[American Idol Commentator 5]

And should have been more humble.

[American Idol Commentator 3]

Humble and genuine about taking it in.

[American Idol Commentator 1]

I don't think that's it. I think it's all marketing. I think that Lee is a good looking guy and he markets to young, young girls.

[American Idol Commentator 3]

I just think it's going to be hard singing up famous you2 song.

[American Idol Commentator 1]

I don't know how he's going to do that. I don't know how can that be his. How can you do that better than you two?

[American Idol Commentator 4]

In his defense, he belted that song out so much better last night than he did the night before. Like in the.

[American Idol Commentator 2]

He Wasn't nervous anymore in the performance

[American Idol Commentator 4]

show, he did awful. And last night in the finale after he won, he much better owned it.

[American Idol Commentator 5]

I just felt better. But still, I don't. I don't know how do you own a YouTube song?

[American Idol Commentator 1]

Yeah. And it wasn't even that. It wasn't that long ago that it was a hit.

[American Idol Commentator 5]

Exactly, exactly.

[American Idol Commentator 2]

And I think those. That it would be a shame if Crystal's performance the other night, that brought chills and tears to most of us, if that wasn't released as a single too. Like, I think they should release both of them, you know, but her, you know, I. I do think that that single, because I think she. Yeah, she will be fine. Everybody thinks she's gonna be fine. But that single, I mean, the way she did it, it would be a shame if she lost. Yeah.

[American Idol Commentator 1]

It's beautiful. Now, the show itself. I mean, Brett Michaels coming out, which Melissa Carter. Props.

[American Idol Commentator 2]

I called that one. At least I got something right. But

[American Idol Commentator 5]

blows me away.

[American Idol Commentator 1]

Yeah.

[American Idol Commentator 5]

He is not letting anything hold him back. And I just. I. I can't believe he did it.

[American Idol Commentator 2]

And he looks great.

[American Idol Commentator 5]

Awesome.

[American Idol Commentator 2]

He looked great.

[American Idol Commentator 5]

He looked great.

[American Idol Commentator 1]

That was the highlight, I think, of the night for most.

[American Idol Commentator 5]

I think highlight for me was Alanis Morissette.

[American Idol Commentator 1]

Yeah.

[American Idol Commentator 4]

And how much fun Crystal Bowersox was having on stage with Alanis Morissette. Like, she was laughing and rocking it out. And obviously none of us have been able to watch the show back on a DVR or anything, but what we. What I saw, because I was watching the stage performance, so I don't know what camera angles they used, but, like, Crystal was air guitaring and air drumming and laughing and, like, pumping her fists when Alanis was singing her parts.

[American Idol Commentator 5]

Yeah.

[American Idol Commentator 4]

And just thrilled to be there. And that hug at the end of their performance, I don't know how much of that made it on tv, but that was a genuine. This is the coolest night of my life.

[American Idol Commentator 1]

You know, Jen said, when we were talking in the theater, Jen said that, you know, Crystal has this attitude of, like, she's just ready for anything.

[American Idol Commentator 5]

Yeah.

[American Idol Commentator 1]

And she's living moment to moment, and you could really see it in that performance.

[American Idol Commentator 5]

Totally. Yeah. Night before last, she said something into the mic at the end of the night, like, I'm just ready for anything. And just, like, so present and open and just, like, living in the moment. I thought, what a great attitude. Like, what a great way to live your life. I'm just ready for anything. Like, I just. I just loved that. And you're right. That Alanis Morissette thing. She was just ready for anything, and she rocked it with her. First of all, the both of them singing that song together was incredible. And it's like a girl anthem. And, like, I don't know, it was just killing to see those two together.

[American Idol Commentator 4]

I know. Who wasn't ready for what they got was Big Mike and the Doobie Brothers.

[American Idol Commentator 1]

I thought he did a good job.

[American Idol Commentator 4]

I think he did, too. But I think if I'm Big Mike, I feel a little bit ripped off.

[American Idol Commentator 1]

No.

[American Idol Commentator 2]

Why couldn't I have sung a little bit before? Janet Jackson came out on stage. Soulful that came out on stage.

[American Idol Commentator 5]

But, you know, I thought Big Mike really hung, like, hung in there with him at the end.

[American Idol Commentator 1]

I think he did a good job, but I think probably when they broke it to him and they said, look, we're going to pair you up with Mike McDonald or Michael McDonald, right?

[American Idol Commentator 2]

Yeah.

[American Idol Commentator 5]

He's like.

[American Idol Commentator 4]

And then from the Doobie Brothers, he's like, oh, that's great. Blues Brothers. No, no, no.

[American Idol Commentator 5]

But it seems like he already knew that song.

[American Idol Commentator 4]

Well, how do you know that? I mean, he could have learned.

[American Idol Commentator 5]

He seemed so comfortable and confident with it, though.

[American Idol Commentator 4]

He just owns it on stage. And they were doing the cheesy dance and stuff.

[American Idol Commentator 2]

Yeah.

[American Idol Commentator 4]

Like, he was just, like. He was bouncing his shoulders, and he's like, look, I got to be out here, and there's 25 million people watching, and I don't care. I'm gonna goof around.

[American Idol Commentator 2]

But the. And the Simon Cowell tribute, I thought was neat.

[J Uso]

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[American Idol Commentator 1]

When everybody came out on stage, everybody

[American Idol Commentator 2]

came out on stage. I thought that was cool.

[American Idol Commentator 5]

And we have to. Melissa and I actually were just in the elevator with Taylor Hicks last night, just following the show. We were in there, and I asked him. Because I talked to him on the red carpet as well. But I asked him in the elevator, I said, what happened to David Cook? Because David Cook was a winner who wasn't there on stage. I mean, everybody else who had won the show was there. And he said that he was locked into a gig that he couldn't get out of.

[American Idol Commentator 1]

Really, what a bummer.

[American Idol Commentator 5]

He was playing some show that he couldn't get out of. And he was like, man, I know how that goes. You know, when you're locked into a contract, they can sue you and this and that. The other thing. So I think he was on the road gigging and couldn't be here.

[American Idol Commentator 2]

Big time on that for him.

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