The director of communications for CTV introduced the executive producer of the show and she came up but kept things very brief and just extended her delight that the latest season of Idol was so successful.

       Next up, Ben Mulroney was called to the microphone. He answered questions about contestants and the first queries about having a French-Canadian win the competition.

       When Ben was done fielding questions both in English and in French, the four judges took to the stage. And just as casual and laid back as you see them on the show, that's how they appeared in front of the nation's media. Zack was cracking jokes and Jake was insulting him. Sass kept things serious while Farley reflected back on comments he'd originally made about the different idols.

       The executive producer John Brunton was called up to talk about the success of the show and why it is such a hit. With a celebratory drink in hand he continued to say that the show is a reflection of what Canadians want. He was then asked to introduce the runner-up, Craig Sharpe.

       Craig talked about how he was happy to be the runner-up and didn't look at it as a loss. He confidently said he knows what he wants to do and plans on pursuing that. Eva was called up and answered the most questions thrown out by the media. Answering in both English and French, Eva showed that she has the poise and personality to carry herself like a young adult.

       After the conference it was back to the computers for reporters to file stories and put together the finishing pictures captions and whatever else needed to go with them.

       By 10:30 it was time to hop back in the tinted-window Lincoln and head back to the hotel.

       Eva is crowned the winner of Canadian Idol. It was one of the closest races ever but she edged out Craig ever so slightly to pull off the victory. As the credits rolled and family members and friends of Eva congratulated her onstage the lights came on in the media room preparing for the press conference.

       I'm still on my local time zone and that's why some of the times have been weird. So Craig just performed "Danny Boy" and more of the media members cleared out of the room and got some more food or drinks. It was touted as being one of his best songs but for some reason the people in this room didn't want to hear it again.

       We're gearing up for the press conference after the show. We'll have all of the judges here, the runner-up, the winner and even Ben. Hopefully that blond isn't going to throw herself on the stage when Mulroney goes up there!

       Melissa kicks it with her performance of "Speechless." I can't wait for Nelly Furtado. She's coming up and performing "Maneater." Watch for a special announcement from Matrina MacBride and Cyndi Lauper. It's a really big deal! Don't go anywhere!

       It's nice that Aaron Walpole was in the audience and gave Melissa a standing ovation after her performance. And congrats to Melissa on the multi-platinum song "Alive" and the gold award for the self-titled album.

       Commercials breaks are cool in the media room because we go up and get more food and talk about our most and least favourite Idol contestants!

       What are those people doing behind Ben? They are going nuts because they are on TV. Although, how can we expect any different from them when our own judge Zack Werner is doing the same thing to Ben when he's talking to the judges. Or is he making fun of those goofballs who've never been on TV before?

       So the show opened with a great medley of songs from the Top 10. It's cool seeing Tyler, Steffi, Rob and the rest of the group back. It's too bad we don't get to hear more from them. Damn them for getting voted out!!!

       We're getting ready to start the show. There's a hush over the room and the cameras are about to start rolling. I'm gonna take my seat in the press room and report back during the first commercial break. The anchor of the local CTV news is pulling for Eva. She just did a big shout out before the end of the show.

       Keep sending me your questions everyone! It's awesome hearing from you!

       Watch for special announcements from previous guests who mentored the contestants.

       It's almost showtime! The energy in the theatre is buzzing. The race this season is also a close one. You won't believe how narrow the results are. The winner and runner-up were neck and neck when all the votes were counted.

       The media is all starting to arrive and we're getting set up in the "press pit." There are rows of people with their computers, notepads, tape recorders and cameras. We'll be watching the show on monitors in here and we have high-speed Internet access and phone lines to be filing reports. Oh yeah, and there's some really good food here too!

       The driver arrives at the hotel earlier than expected and in a much nicer car than anticipated -- a Lincoln with tinted windows and lots of leg room. It was time to go from Missisauga to Downtown Toronto to get set up for the Idol finale.

       Packing up the equipment and getting ready to head over to the John Bassett Theatre for tonight's show. Arrival in Toronto this morning was a little bumpy... and a little early. Especially when you go to your cousin's wedding the night before and party hard. Oh yeah, and your brother and his wife have a baby at 3 in the morning. It's been a long 24 hours where JB has not slept. That's never good! Well, maybe for about 10 minutes on the plane before we got bumped around from turbulence. Then the shuttle driver that picked up the cargo from the airport dropped us off at the wrong hotel. He insisted on going with him but I questioned him because I didn't think he was the right driver as I was told he'd be at the pick-up area in 20 minutes. But thankfully the correct hotel is just around the corner from where he took us.