One Couple Glad "Idol" Is Over

Associated Press

COLUMBUS, Ohio - There's at least one couple who isn't upset that America's most popular TV show has finished its fifth season.

Dorothy and Jerry Few are tired of getting calls from people who believe they're phoning in a vote for their favorite "American Idol" contestant.

"It's aggravating when it happens," said Dorothy Few, 74, who doesn't watch the Fox show that crowned Taylor Hicks its latest winner Wednesday night. "I hate when somebody calls and hangs up."

During the show's season, from late February through May, viewers call national toll-free numbers to cast their votes for their favorite contestant after Tuesday night performances.

The Fews' phone number closely resembles the toll-free number Fox uses to let viewers vote for their favorite contestants. The voting lines begin 1-866-436-57XX - or 1-866-IDOLSXX - with the last two digits corresponding to a singer.

Ethel Boling, 79, also has phone number with the 866 prefix and said she had been getting eight to 10 wrong numbers a week from "Idol" fans. But as a fellow "Idol" watcher, she doesn't mind the misdials.

"It's kind of exciting, really," she said.

More than 63 million callers cast their vote for the finals this week.