Idol dominates AMAs with two triple-crown winners

With Daughtry, fronted by American Idol alumnus Chris Daughtry, and former Idol winner Carrie Underwood each taking home three trophies at this year's American Music Awards (AMAs), it's clear that the music landscape continues to be shaped by the dominant FOX reality competition. Daughtry, who didn't win his season of AI but has gone on to more commercial success than any of his season's compatriots thus far, picked up awards for favorite pop-rock album, breakthrough album and adult contemporary artist for his band's self-titled debut Daughtry. While Daughtry acknowledged the show's role in his success, as reported on AOL.com, he insists "the show didn't make me who I am. It just gave me a chance to show everybody else who I am."

Underwood, meanwhile, continued her award show success with trophies for favorite female country artist, country album (for Some Hearts) and the T-Mobile text-in award. For the first time in its 35 year history, winners this year were chosen by online voting. With the AMAs being essentially a "popularity contest" it should come as no surprise that two of the most popular artists ever on one of televisions most popular television shows ever would have a good showing.

While the main script for the show was written prior to the WGA (Writer's Guild of America) strike, host Jimmy Kimmel apologized to the audience for the lack of jokes, saying the ongoing strike prevented him from writing any for the event. Now, Kimmel did manage to slip in a few "off-the-cuff" quips throughout the night. I guess these are acceptable because he didn't write them down. But what if between commercial breaks, he thought of something really funny to dig Fergie about and jotted a note on his hand to remember it. Is he in violation if he says it because it's written down, or can he wash his hands in time? Will the Union heads frame-by-frame the night to make sure he doesn't have any stray marks on his body that may be written notes? Tune in tomorrow night, same bat-time same bat-channel to find out!

If off-the-cuff comments are acceptable, then somewhere out there is a comedian with a photographic memory phoning up The Tonight Show offering to guest host. "No, my stuff isn't particularly good but it isn't written down. And besides, how much of Leno's stuff is good anyway? ... Absolutely, I can start tonight; I'll just cancel my gig at the Long John Silver's in Des Moines and hop a freight train!" Maybe Carrot Top is available for The Late Show. Who needs writers when you have homemade props. He can hold up a cross lying across a picket fence and say "I crossed the line to be here tonight ... ZING!"

The complete list of winners:

POP OR ROCK
Favorite Male Artist:
Justin Timberlake

Favorite Female Artist:
Fergie

Favorite Band, Duo or Group:
Nickleback

Favorite Album:
Daughtry/Daughtry

COUNTRY
Favorite Male Artist:
Tim McGraw

Favorite Female Artist:
Carrie Underwood

Favorite Album:
Carrie Underwood/Some Hearts

Favorite Band, Duo or Group:
Rascal Flatts

SOUL/RHYTHM & BLUES
Favorite Male Artist:
Akon

Favorite Female Artist:
Rihanna

Favorite Album:
Justin Timberlake/FutureSex/LoveSounds

RAP/HIP-HOP
Favorite Band, Duo or Group:
Bone Thugs-N-Harmony

Favorite Male Artist:
T.I.

Favorite Album:
T.I./T.I. vs. T.I.P.

ADULT CONTEMPORARY MUSIC
Favorite Artist:
Daughtry

LATIN MUSIC
Favorite Artist:
Jennifer Lopez

ALTERNATIVE ROCK MUSIC
Favorite Artist:
Linkin Park

CONTEMPORARY INSPIRATIONAL
Favorite Artist:
Casting Crowns

SOUNDTRACKS
Favorite Album:
High School Musical 2

FAVORITE BREAKTHROUGH ARTIST
Daughtry