Yikes — another 'Idol' season is almost here

We are, believe it or not, only three weeks away from the start of another "American Idol" season.

The post-Paula Abdul era is set to begin on Tuesday, Jan. 13. And not only will we get two hours that night, we're going to get two hours the following night, as well. That's 7-9 p.m. on both Jan. 13 and 14.

If you're just dying to watch the series' ninth season, more power to you. But for me, four hours of "Idol" auditions is about three hours, 59 minutes and 45 seconds more than I'm interested in seeing.

I burned out on Simon Cowell being mean to clueless and untalented hopefuls about seven seasons ago.

Which is not to say that I'm immune to the "American Idol" phenomenon altogether. I'm actually looking forward to seeing how Ellen DeGeneres does as the new judge.

But she didn't sign on until after the audition stages, which were conducted with various guest judges at various cities around the country. DeGeneres comes aboard during the yearly "Hollywood week" — when 100-plus hopefuls from the various audition sites are winnowed down to 24 or 36 semifinalists.

(We don't know yet exactly how it will play out this season.)

Adding DeGeneres was a great idea. She's smart and funny — which will be a decided change from Abdul.

While she doesn't have a music background, well, since when has "American Idol" been about music? Many of the contestants have a lot of talent, but this is less a talent competition than a popularity contest.

Always has been; always will be.

And DeGeneres is smart and funny enough to match wits with Cowell. Abdul was never, ahem, quite up to that task.

Judging by last season, the mistake was not in adding DeGeneres this season, but in not subtracting one of the other three returning judges. Because, clearly, four judges was one too many.

Cowell, Abdul, Randy Jackson and Kara DioGuardi were, collectively and individually, under the impression that the show was about them. And there was so much inane chatter that the show kept running long.

Let's face it. Through the first eight season of "Idol," the only judge whose comments really meant anything was Cowell. Not that he couldn't be incredibly annoying, but at least what he had to say was generally honest and pertinent.

Abdul was famous for many things, but her insightful criticism was not one of them. As for Randy Jackson, well, can anybody remember anything he ever said outside of, "Yo, dawg"?

And DioGuardi seemed nice enough and actually has a music background. But her comments were either (a) remarkably redundant or (b) completely off the wall. Her participation in "American Idol" in no way made it a better show.

She and her old pal Abdul should have ridden off into the "Idol" sunset together.