• Ratings: 'American Idol' finale averages 33+ million viewers, tops 40+ million at the end

  May 22, 2003
  Zap2It.com reports that the 2002-03 May Sweeps period ended Wednesday night on a very high note for FOX, as the finale of "American Idol" blew away its competition. The first hour of "Idol," featuring the mother of all recapping and foot-dragging, averaged 16.9/27 at 8PM. At 9PM, "American Idol" grew to a 20.3/29, with nearly 40 million people watching the final half-hour as Ruben Studdard was named the winner over Clay Aiken.

• Ruben Studdard crowned 'American Idol,' but Clay Aiken still tops the Amazon CD Sales List

  May 22, 2003
  Ruben Studdard might have been crowned the winner during last evening's "American Idol" season finale, but so far Clay Aiken is proving to be the champion in the category that the show promoters really care about -- record sales.

• Ruben Studdard becomes second 'American Idol' winner by razor-thin margin

  May 22, 2003
  The votes are in for the second installment of American Idol, and American has made its choice. By only 1,350 votes out of over 24 million votes cast, Ruben Studdard, the plus-sized "teddy bear of love," defeated Dixie crooner Clay Aiken to win the second American Idol competition.

• Ratings: Penultimate episode of 'American Idol 2' draws over 27 million viewers

  May 21, 2003
  Mediaweek reports that as America gears up for the season finale, last night's installment of Fox's "American Idol" scored a whopping 16.9/25 from 8-9 p.m. -- 69 percent above the season finale of CBS's JAG (10.0/15) and the program's best ratings of the season. More than 27 million viewers tuned in to watch Clay and Ruben sing their final songs.

• Clay Aiken CD ranked #1 in Amazon CD Sales Rank, Ruben Studdard at #40 and climbing

  May 20, 2003
  Although Clay Aiken and Ruben Studdard are still battling for the title of the next "American Idol," that hasn't stopped them from already beginning a record sales competition.

• Fox gets clearance to broadcast 'American Idol' finale

  May 19, 2003
  Looks like we'll get to see who wins between Ruben Studdard and Clay Aiken after all.

• Oddsmakers give edge in 'American Idol' finale to Ruben Studdard

  May 19, 2003
  According to Online Casino News, the finale of American Idol should be close, but the bookies are giving a slight edge to Ruben Studdard, the plus-sized soul crooner, over Clay Aiken when the final results are announced on Wednesday, May 21.

• 'American Idol' Gay Idol Journal - "The Final Three Edition"

  May 17, 2003
  Larry Johnson, a comedy writer currently working for Disney TV, has posted the latest installment of his weekly 'American Idol' Gay Idol Journal diva rant, an exclusive to the RealityTVWorld American Idol message boards.

• Fox sued by man claiming credit for 'American Idol' concept

  May 16, 2003
  Harry Keane, ovner of an entertainment company specializing in televised talent competitions, has filed a lawsuit against Fox, claiming misappropriation of his work and trademark and copyright infringement. Also named in the suit are Simon Fuller, American Idol creator; 19TV and Freemantle Media, the production companies for Idol; and judge Simon Cowell.

• 'American Idol' finalist Kimberly Caldwell joins Fox sports show '54321'

  May 12, 2003
  American Idol is so hot, even Fox Sports wants a piece of the action. Fox Sports Net has announced that it has hired Kimberly Caldwell, a finalist in the current edition of Fox's hit reality/talent series American Idol, as an entertainment correspondent ... for the extreme sports show 54321. Every weekday at 5:30 PM, 54321 mixes fresh video from the hottest skateboarding, snowboarding, surfing, BMX and motocross events throughout the world with features, profiles, in-studio guests and behind-the-scenes glimpses into the lifestyle and trends that these sports envelop into a 30-minute package.

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