Idol burnout?

Television has gotten bad. We knew it was going to get bad back in October, when the writers went on strike and stayed on strike. Our favorite shows, like “Law & Order” and “The Office,” not to mention night shows like David Letterman and Conan O’Brien, were affected almost immediately. We knew it was going to be bad, and we were right. Viewers were left with reruns (who wants reruns, really?) and “reality” TV — American Gladiators and America’s Next Top Model just can’t compete with “Law & Order” in our book.

Now Fox has brought back America’s favorite (we use that term loosely) reality show, “American Idol” and really, we care less this year than we have in the past. This is due mostly in part to the ringers that have stacked the top 24 — pros who have already had their chance and failed miserably. There’s Kristy Lee Cook, Irish Carly, Brooke White and that weird guy singing the Doors like he wrote the song. Not to mention the judges “pimping” the pros like they are the next big thing. In reality, if any of them wins, they are the next big has-been.

All the good contestants are gone and we’re probably not watching this year. I think we’re going to stick to the American Red Cross Starz on March 1 at Jay M. Robinson High School. Should be quite a show with quite a group of great local talent.

Are you watching American Idol or do you have better things to do? Let us know what you think of this season’s American Idol hopefuls.