Brian Melo Is Your Canadian Idol

After five months of blood, sweat and tears, Brian Melo was named Canadian Idol on Tuesday night after an intense East vs. West, rock vs. country battle with finalist Jaydee Bixby."

You have what over 10,000 dreamed of last spring," host Ben Mulroney told Melo. "You are the Canadian Idol. This is just the beginning."

The show started with the 10 final Idol competitors singing a medley of six Bon Jovi songs. No one was outstanding, especially the girls. Avril Lavigne returned to Canada to perform "Hot" and "When You're Gone," and did a good job on both of them. Take that, Britney.

We finally made it to solo performances from the top 10 finishers, only to be let down. The most noteworthy number was Mila Miller's version of Mary J. Blige's "I'm Going Down." The only thing wrong with swooner Greg Neufeld's performance was that he forgot to play the guitar he wore as an accessory.

The clincher came when the clan all joined in together for John Mayer's "Waiting On The World To Change." It's a nice song in theory, but when hijacked by reality programs, including teen-squeal show So You Think You Can Dance, it kind of takes the meaning out of the message. Renowned Canadian communications theorist Marshall McLuhan had a point with his delivery theory.

After that exciting performance by the top 10, and an entertaining commercial break appearance by Will And Grace actor Eric McCormack, the rock show was ready to go on.

Bon Jovi put on a nice little performance that was enjoyed more by the mid-30-somethings in the audience, many of them with hands clasped over dropped jaws, than by their kids.

"Lost Highway" was alright, but I couldn't stop myself from getting into "It's My Life" — the best eternal pump-up song ever.

It was then time to give some serious shout-outs to the fans. Each member of the final 10 appeared on video to explain how much we all mean to them. Who doesn't like a little recognition?

We finally got a good group performance for the gang's final time on stage with The Carpenters' "A Song For You." Good song. Well done. So long.

Before the final two contestants sang their last song, 2006 winner Eva Avila impressively performed her "Fallin' For You" single and then said that her successor was in for "such a whirlwind, such a blast."

Then finally, for the first time all evening, we were allowed to concentrate on Melo and Bixby. But before they sang, we had to watch a video with their reflections of their time in the competition.

Country boy Bixby performed Chuck Berry's "Johnny B. Goode" and really enjoyed himself, which was nice to see.

Melo refrained his favourite song, Radiohead's "Karma Police," which judge Sass Jordan cited as the number where Melo proved himself to her. Mulroney summed up Melo's performance with a heavy dose of saccharine by saying, "I think we loved hearing it as much as you liked singing it."

With the solos over, it was time for the final duet. Both did a good job with their own sections, leaving no doubt about their talent. But it all comes down to style -- and who prepubescent girls are more attracted to.

One hour and 50 minutes into the show and the winner was finally about to be announced. Drum roll please! 2007's Canadian Idol winner is: Brian Melo (but unless you didn't read the headline and skipped all the way down to this part of the article, you already knew that).

Melo wiped tears away as Bixby lifted him up and spun him around. What a trooper.

"Wow, this is incredible," said a stunned Melo. "I didn't think a year ago I'd be standing here."

He then sang the winner's single, "All I Ever Wanted," which was heard on radio stations across the country on Wednesday morning. By this time next week, you might already be sick of it.