A few facts about the last season of “American Idol” and this year’s tour:
•Scotty McCreery, of Garner, N.C., was 17 years, 7 months old when he was crowned this year’s “American Idol” on May 25. That makes him the second-youngest winner ever (behind Jordin Sparks, who was when she won in Season 6) and the youngest male winner.
•Lauren Alaina, of Rossville, Ga., was 16 years, 6 months old when she was named runner-up, making her and McCreery the youngest top-two pairing ever.
•This was the first year that 15-year-olds could audition for “American Idol,” and Thia Megia, who placed a joint 10th-11th with Naima Adedapo, was 15 when she tried out. She had already been on “America’s Got Talent.”
•Idol contestants have been allowed to play instruments on the show for a few years, but Casey Abrams pushed the envelope by playing melodica and double bass. He was saved by the judges when he was the lowest vote-getter in the top 11; thus, this will be the first year that 11 singers, rather than the usual 10, have hit the road.
•This season of “American Idol” saw changes at the judges’ table, as legendary “mean” judge Simon Cowell departed, along with fellow judges Ellen DeGeneres and Kara DioGuardi. They were replaced by Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler. And Ray Chew replaced Rickey Minor as musical director.
•This season, the 10th, started slowly, but ended up posting bigger audience numbers than Season 9. “Idol” has been the most-watched show on television for seven years running, but its viewership had been declining for four years.
•If you liked the judging for Season 10, you should feel right at home when “American Idol” launches its new season on Jan. 22. Tyler, Jackson and Lopez have all resigned with the program, along with host Ryan Seacrest.
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