Just announced, the new American Idol is Taylor Hicks from Birmingham, Alabama!

Of the last three idols, Reuben Studdard (from Birmingham) won the contest two years ago, Bo Bice (from Birmingham) came in second last year, and Taylor Hicks (from Birmingham) won this year.

Is anyone beginning to see a pattern emerge? Now while Bo Bice actually claimed Helena as home, and Taylor Hicks is from Hoover, they’re all from the Birmingham area. But of course, anyone from around these parts is not surprised by this. The Southside area of Birmingham has undiscovered talent galore, and if the producers of Idol are paying attention, they’d do well to start holding auditions here — after all, what has Atlanta produced? Nada.

All in all, this is the best season finale I’ve seen. Lots of stars, lots of fun, lots of excitement. They’ll have to really go to beat it next season.

At any rate, congratulations to Taylor Hicks and the Soul Patrol! Way to go, you’ve really done Birmingham and Alabama proud!

Oh, and one final observation/question. Might Clay Aiken have won two years ago had he had the look he sported tonight?

Technorati: Taylor Hicks, Katharine McPhee, American Idol, Reuben Studdard, Bo Bice, Soul Patrol, McPheever

TD