This season of American Idol brings some major changes, most notably the loss of Paula Abdul. Paula was replaced throughout the audition process by various guest judges, including Posh Spice. Eventually, though, it was Idol fanatic, Ellen DeGeneres, who nabbed the coveted seat between Simon and Randy (I’m pretending that Kara doesn’t exist…it keeps me happier). Will this be the beginning of the end?

Well…yes and no. I think the show is winding down, and I don’t expect them to go beyond 10 seasons – though I would like to see a 10th…perhaps the Idol All-Stars I’ve been dreaming about for years? But I don’t think it has anything to do with Paula leaving or Ellen arriving. I think it has everything to do with Kara arriving. No, that’s not even true. All good things must come to an end. And to be honest, for as popular as it has been, Idol hasn’t really done its job. Kelly and Carrie. That’s it. In 8 seasons, it produced TWO superstars. Sure, Ruben sold a lot of albums, but how did that second album do? Being a superstar means having staying power. Kelly has 5 (?) albums, Carrie has 3. Between them they have about 3 zillion awards and have sold about 10 zillion albums. Ruben, Fantasia, Taylor…no one even knows who they are anymore. Even Clay. Even I don’t like Clay anymore. Jordin had a little success after a horrible beginning, but seems to have dropped off the face of the earth. David played at the MLB Home Run Derby and Carrie’s Christmas Specacular (which was anything but). And Kris? Well…he has the dubious honor of selling fewer albums in his first week than any other previous Idol winner. No one talks about Adam since his first week insanity. Daughtry’s doing okay.

Two superstars, a bunch of flavors of the week, a few complete bombs, and a couple of hard-working rockers. Not so good. And ratings are dropping (to an ABYSMAL 28 million viewers). So it’s probably time to start thinking about packing it up. I’m sure Simon will bring X-Factor to the States and then I’ll have something new to obsess about.

Until then…