The finale is a beast. It often starts at 8:00 PM but ends at 10:00 PM or later, because they have to crowdfund a new car for the winner, let every past finalist sing a medley, and have Lionel Richie tell a story about the time he met the Pope. In 2026, the finale actually ended at 10:22 PM, causing a nationwide wave of “Wait, is it over?” texts.
So if tonight’s the big night, block off your entire evening. Tell your friends you’ll be in a “meeting.” Because nothing says commitment like sitting through a 20-minute commercial break about floor wax just to see if the 17-year-old from Arkansas wins a golden microphone.
