Cantaloop (Flip Fantasia)

Crisis averted. Fantasia Barrino crowned "American Idol."

Raced through rush hour traffic to get to the Kodak Theater on Thursday night, in time to see Miss Barrino save "American Idol," and more importantly, save Fox. (A Diana DeGarmo win would have officially been the show's jump the shark moment. Although, I know, some of you think the shark was jumped when LaToya London was voted out, or even last season, when Josh Gracin made it so far in the competish. It would have also led to more hand wringing over the show's voting process.)

Maria was off meeting up with some old high school friends, so I grabbed Pang-ni and sat with Joe and Kathy L, all of whom sighed their relief when Barrino won the contest. (Co-worker Mike, while a fan of F-B, thinks she dances like she's sitting on the toilet. But that's another story).

We sat between true fans of the show, who screamed when Fantasia took the stage. Screamed when Diana sang. Screamed when Simon glanced their way. Screamed for Paula. And screamed when they had nothing to scream about. Ahh, youth.

Of course, I guess I screamed too. When Seacrest hit the stage. Epithets. Damn you, Seacrest.

Tension took over the Kodak at 6:50, as Seacrest prepared to name the winner. Would there be outrage in the streets? Letters to the FCC? Riots outside Fox's Century City headquarters? Nope. As pyrotechnics threatened to burn down the stage (anyone learn anything from Great White's Not-So-Great Rhode Island Adventure?) and confetti filled the air, Fantasia took the crown and sang what will likely be her first single.

After, we headed to the Kodak ballroom, where Andy Richter, Fox execs, Bobby Trendy (huh?) and others took in Southern fare (chili, chicken, Mac n Cheese, etc). But the real action was at the after after party at Sky Bar.

Pang-ni, Joe, Kathy and I managed to grab a table ("Reserved" sign be damned) next to "The Simple Life 2" star Nicole Richie and her posse.

I'm still kicking myself for not having a camera. Imagine teenybopper "Idol" contestants John Stevens and Jasmine Trias hugging and chatting with partygirl Richie, who I assume was giving them a crash course on the Hollywood scene. Nicole would alternate between dancing, checking her cell phone, taking digital photos and inviting over "Idol"s.

When we weren't talking to "Idol" contestant Jennifer Hudson -- by far the coolest of the bunch (we now agree: She wuz robbed!) -- we took turns trying to make eye contact with Nicole. I believe Pang-ni won.

Then, in walked "OC" star Mischa Barton, who has gone from partygirl-in-training to full-fledge scenestress in no time. Boyfriend Brandon Davis jumped up on Nicole's table and started dancing. Mischa... holy crap, she's thin! You have no idea.

In walks last year's winner, Ruben Studdard. With a bodyguard. Now, in case you don't know the show, Ruben's a big guy. You don't wanna mess with Ruben. But I suppose having a bodyguard is de rigueur, so Ruben was followed everywhere by a man about half his size.

No, you really have no idea. Mischa Barton. Thin. Truly thin.

Nicole was accompanied by her mom, Brenda Richie, and indeed she appeared to be on her best behavior. She even matched Brenda up with Fantasia's mother. ("Mom, this is Fantasia's mom.")

No Fantasia, though, at the afterparty -- at least that we saw. Sure she was busy starting the mountain of press that will consume her life over the next week.

And that closes the "Idol" book until January. What will we watch now? (Here's your answer: "The Amazing Race." Returning July 6.)