David Cook was the winner of American Idol this season, despite the judges' support of competitor David Archuleta.
According to Nielsen Media Research, nearly 32 million U.S. television viewers watched last night's results show, up 3 percent from last year's finale.
The two-hour broadcast was the second-most-watched episode of the reality show this season. Cook, 25, a bartender from Blue Springs, Mo., received 12 million more votes than 17-year-old Archuleta.
After the show, Cook said the win came as a surprise to him, as Archuleta seemed like the favorite to win.
"You know, the respect that I have for David Archuleta is very much past a competitor thing. He has more talent at his age than I know what to do with at 25. So, to be able to share the stage with him was an honor for me," Cook said. "And I went into Tuesday just to have fun, and so the fact that I walk out of here as the next American Idol is not a testament to me so much as it's a testament to the other 23 contestants we had this season, and to everybody behind the scenes.
Cook also spoke about his American Idol experience and his upcoming plans.
"I actually walked into this with no expectations and I'm walking out of it with no expectations. This show is a springboard, but it's still a crapshoot," he said. "I could easily walk out of this arena and be just a regular Joe tomorrow. I hope that's not the case. It's kind of up to everybody else."
But don't discount David Archuleta. The second-place finisher said he is relieved the competition is over, and that he is not taking the loss too hard.
"I just can't believe that I made it this far. I didn't even know I'd make it past the first round, for Pete's sake," he said.
