I cannot comment on the content of "American Idol", since I've never seen an episode, only sound bites from teasers, news stories, etc. But, as a fan of real pop music, "American Idol" really slammed the door on music for the masses. I'll grant Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood as singers who probably would have made it, no matter what. The rest - worthless? They seem to be appearing in an endless recycling of touring editions of "Grease"(a so-so musical even without AI names) to fill the seats. Major Bowes (the originator of the "original Amateur Hour") must be spinning in his grave while his estate gets no monies from "AI".
Ricky Skaggs, while promoting his new album, has taken "AI" to task for its influence on current country music. He likens John Mayer(pop) and Taylor Swift (supposedly country) as nearly the same mindless fluff, though, INHO, LOUD fluff. Personally, I would also throw in the negative influence of the Eagles to the bland muck that is country music today, but Skaggs has a point. Thank goodness he also has a new album one can listen to rather than paying attention to music on the radio via the latest AI winners or losers.

Who to replace Simon? there's only one choice: Sharon Osbourne. About a month ago I saw her on a YouTube clip of Opie & Anthony's radio show where she verbally savaged Susan Boyle (That women who sang the "Les Miz" song and stole our hearts, yadda, yadda, on "UK's "X Factor") for looking 'Manly' and needing a razor. I was in tears I was laughing so hard. It was so wrong and sadistic yet, many of her points were valid tastefully British. That's what you'll need. I'd pay to see Sharon verbally rip Ellen on a weekly basis.

All anyone needs to know is that Sharon is distinctly British (at her core), She had the music industry chops, she's FEARLESS with her criticism, and scariest of all- She argued for over 30 minutes (off the cuff) LIVE on air with The Insane Clown Posse on Howard Stern. She doesn't need any writers or wind-up- just annoy and watch her fly!

Ellen is a worse choice than Paula! She's got no Music acumen, she's a known push-over for anyone connected to her lifestyle & politics, and she's only there for P.C. cred. What? Debbie Gibson, Tiffany, Vitamin C, Brandi, Jewel, and Mandy Moore were all busy? (and are actual 'Eye Candy').

As sad as it sounds A.I. only works cause Simon tells the Truth! It's the only reason the show survives- Looks like "X Factor" is going to Fox's New hit as long as Simon stays Simon. Sides, isn't A.I. rigged for to keep the producer 'Hand-Picked' contestants on longer?- does anyone care about the outcome?

Worry not, ol' master critic. This is American Idol. (Produced for the Idle American.) And this, more importantly, is Rupert Murdoch's Fox.

Simon's leaving will be upstaged by his replacement, the one and only person worthy of the mantle.

Yes, it's ... Phil Specter! Live from his prison cell each week. Or even better, appearing live, in his orange prison jumpsuit and shackles.

Remember this is Fox, the Bread and Circuses Network. And Rupert, who somehow manages to pull a rabbit out of every hat, while avoiding all the bunny poop at the bottom.

I'm beginning to think that AI has worn out its welcome. I loved it the first few seasons, but it's beginning to feel tired. And many of the contestants are far from "off the street"; they have some serious musical backgrounds.

That being said, if I had to pick a replacement for Simon it would be David Foster, the "Hitman". He was a judge on Celebrity Duets n 2006, and has the right balance of positive assessment and caustic commentary to recharge the judges.

As for Ellen, she can hold her own, thank you very much.

Though I'm very late to the table on the NBC debacle, why does this surprise any of us? We've seen this train wreck coming since the season began. NBC went from being the proud Peacock Network to the Chicken Scratch Network. We all saw how they put the knife in David Letterman's back, so this is just more of the same. Conan will live long and prosper at another network where he will be treated properly. Jay Leno will gain nothing from this aside from a reputation as a spoiled brat and NBC errand boy.

As David Letterman once commented when noting he wasn't supposed to use the term "Top Ten" as it was the "intellectual property of NBC", "The name NBC and the word intellectual should never be used in the same sentence."

Amen...