American Idol May Have Millions Watching, but Not Me

The news from the sixth season of American Idol is how few talented people they are finding and how mean the judges seem to be as a result.

I'm sure that's all true. However, I couldn't tell you from personal experience because I haven't watched it. In fact, I haven't watched even one episode of it since season four.

I know that seems impossible. After all, that seems to be the only thing on television during the week, especially since most other networks put on reruns rather than try to compete with it. But, following Carrie Underwood's defeat of Bo Bice in 2005, I decided to never turn the show on again.

And, I have my reasons.

First was Underwood's victory. I'm not saying she didn't deserve it, but I do think the producers did their part to help her win it. How else would you explain the country music themed show that played to her strength just as it seemed Bice, who was arrested twice for drug possession, was a shoe-in to win the competition. Obviously they wanted to tilt the competition in favor of the blue-eyed blonde because they saw the dollar signs. And, to be honest, considering they never reveal the vote totals, I'm not 100 percent convinced they didn't lie about her winning.

More importantly were the judges, Paula, Simon and Randy, who, in my opinion are tone deaf. I would be in tears after a horrible performance only to hear them declare the person the next American Idol. Or, listen to the best performance of the evening only to find something to criticize.