AMERICAN IDOL: Judge Simon Cowell. © 2007 FOX BROADCASTING CR: FOX

The two top finalists went head-to-head Tuesday night on American Idol and though the show was hyped extensively, Idol only managed to attracted 19-million viewers collectively. That’s significant because the previous numbers reached at this stage of the competition has often been 30-plus mil…but, that was then and this is now.

So tonight’s the big finale and a new winner will be crowned, which is a significant achievement consider over 100,000 people auditioned and now it’s down to Crystal Bowersox and Lee DeWyze. Either singer is deserving of the win.

Still, the man of the hour is Simon Cowell, who kisses the show goodbye tonight. And get this, the rumor mill is suggesting that Paula Abdul may just show up to bid him farewell, too…but, so far no confirmation on that. Still that would be a welcome surprise to the fans that have been morning the loss of Abdul all season.

Cowell has been a heck of force on American Idol over the years. His blunt, sharp-tongued critiques have both appealed and annoyed Idol viewers - though his lethal approach mostly attracted the audience. Let’s face it; most had never seen the likes of him before in reality TV.

Even if Fox is able to find a suitable replacement, it’s still the end of an era…at least until Cowell’s newest venture The X Factor debuts on American airwaves in September of 2011.

And it’s a sure bet his fans will be there to welcome him back.

The two-hour American Idol finale begins tonight, 8:00 p.m. ET/PT on Fox.