Proof of a higher power really does come from the strangest corners. For example, I'm certain the fact that the finale of "Big Brother 5" is only an hour long is evidence of God, or, at the very least, my own personal guardian angel. In which case: Thanks guys. Keep up the good work.

Because, really, I don't know that I could stand more than 60 minutes (including commercials) of watching "The Cowboy and Drew Show" when I could have spent it watching the trials and tribulations of the "Gilmore Girls" over on The WB. Come on, the last time we saw them Rory was busy losing her virginity to the married Dean and Lorelai was blowing off the adorable Jason for the completely unfeasible Luke. Really, neither Drew and Diane or Jase and Holly can hope to compete with that scenario.

Still, the finale does give us Julie Chen. Having finally gotten the memo that her glittery shoulders are a bit much for many viewers, Julie is crisply attired in a dark pinstripe suit over a plunging, wide-cuffed white shirt.

Side note: Did anyone see the picture of Julie and Barbara Walters together at the Emmys? I don't know why, but it's still making me chuckle.

The show begins with what appears to be an entirely staged bit at the jury house with all the of the jury members lined up so that all can be panned across easily. They collectively wonder who will be the last addition. They admirably manage not to look at the camera.

Diane shows up in good spirits and Marvin pauses to light his cigarillo in tribute of her getting kicked off.

Then everyone sits around and talks about the game with questions prepared for them by some "Early Show" intern. Best of all is the laugh track that is bizarrely introduced. Marvin tells Diane that she got played like a spade. Ha Ha Ha. Karen says Cowboy is so far up Drew's backside he's kissing Drew's heart. Hee Hee Hee. Yet, there's nary a chuckle when Nakomis eloquently observes that with her "blood is thicker than water, with [Cowboy] it's vinaigrette."

The jury members then get to ask last questions of Drew and Michael via remote satellite. Drew hints that he carried Cowboy along; Karen feels misled by Drew; Michael says that he wants to give his future stepson the childhood he never had ... oh yeah, and start up a dude ranch.

Enough with wanting to take care of one's family. Who doesn't want to do that? I know I do. And by "taking care" of them I mean paying off the mortgage, putting his and her Mini Coopers in the garage and renovating the kitchen and the backyard. So, if anyone out there wants to give me $500,000 please send a check to ... . The family thanks you in advance, and in return I promise you won't have to watch my snippy self on TV thrice weekly for three months.

Not surprising, the best questions come from Marvin. He points out that early on Drew called Diane "trailer trash" and said he was more into Lori, and asks Cowboy whether he's a "lying racist" or a "racist liar."

In his defense, Cowboy gives a variation on the whole "some of my best friends" defense by evoking his "two wonderful black nephews."

Where's the laugh track -- or at least a few "whoops" -- when you need it?

Diane, of course, is still trying to figure out what went wrong with her honey bunny. She says that Drew didn't seem heartfelt in his final message to her and it hurt her feelings. Karen drops her head into her hands.

The laugh track rallies to snicker.

After Cowboy and Drew have spoken their peace, Karen sums it up nicely by saying that Drew thinks he should win because he played the best game and Cowboy thinks he should win just for being himself.

At the half hour mark, the voting takes place with both Diane and Karen attired in ponchos that should effectively kill the trend before it really gets started.

But wait, we can't find out who won just yet. Instead, we must be subjected to the return of Holly, Jase, Lori, Michael and Scott.

Oh, please. We so don't care about Jase and Scott's budding heterosexual life partnership coming to an abrupt end over the vapid Holly. Yet, a lot of idle gossip and unhealed wounds manages to take up another 20 minutes.

In the end, Adria, Natalie and his ill-treated sister Nakomis all vote for Michael to win the game, but Diane, Karen, Marvin and Will secure victory for Drew, who immediately rushes out of the house into the arms of ... Scott.