Reader comments
It's baaack! 'American Idol' kicks off Tuesday on Fox/Ch. 13

Guess what? Some of us don't care. I never have watched one episode of that, and from what I have heard there are a lot better singers our there than the winners.

Some of us have more interesting things to do than watch that, and if you have cable of satellite, there are better choices.

If not, do something completely different. Get a life! Grab a book and read or watch a good DVD!

I agree. Just because you have to have a winner doesn't mean that person is suddenly a superstar. There are plenty of other talented people in the U.S. that don't have to make their name or build their fame by competing on American Idol.

It's kinda like the BCS...just because the BCS says Florida is the national champion doesn't mean we all have to believe it just because they told us to.

I think it's pretty stupid to bash what other people watch. There's nothing inherently wrong with watching American Idol it is just personal choice. I don't so how watching a movie is necessarily a better choice. Let people watch what they want and don't be so quick to criticize.

Watch what you want. I'm ok with that. There's nothing wrong with watching it but just realize there's a whole lot more talented people out there that wouldn't think of going through all of that criticism, and can make it on their own without all of the judges comments who are really not talented themselves.

If you want to make it real, get some successful singers out there to judge, especially those who have been through a lot and know what talent is.

The reason idol viewing was down last year WASN'T because the Season 7 performers weren't as good as previous years. It was because previous years were producing winners like Taylor Hicks while rejecting people like Chris Daughtry. I think it turned people off. I, myself, was turned off after Season 7 by a couple things: 1) Judges actively campaigning on talk shows for a particular performer to win just before finals 2) My repeat-dial phone votes going to the opponent over a dozen times. What's up with that? 3) The whole stage dad rumor which probably influenced votes. 4) Forcing singers to sing songs outside of their own genre and then either berating them for only singing those songs or being poor at the style.

Dumb show for dumb people.

What's worse? Someone enjoying a television program or someone having time to leave multiple comments about a show they claim not to watch or like?

Get a life!

There are a lot of shows I don't watch also. I tend not to go on the internet reading articles and making worthless comments about them.

Now that I know how much time (about two months) passes between initial auditions and the call backs before the celebrity judges, it partially explains why so many delusional no-talent contestants think they have a chance -- it is because a staffer at the first round told them, "okay, we'll see you again for the next round." In other words, the delusional had enablers feeding their delusions.

I think the show should be honest with the viewers and quit implying that every person who auditions gets seen by the celebrity judges. The celebrities see only the really good and the really bad and the really strange -- the "okay but nothing specials" were told "thanks but no thanks" months earlier.

What I would like to know is if the celebrity judges are told ahead of time by show staffers which of the three categories each contestant fits into. Watching delusional people make fools of themselves IS fun, but also is cruel, especially now that it is apparent that the cruelty is planned ahead of time, and to a large extent, scripted.

the whole point of american idol is to have the viewers pick the winners so why not watch it, if you wanted to get a record deal you would go on a show like american idol too it gives people chances to get one so whats so wrong with it its like people saying o this band is too mainstream, just because they continuosly produce hits doesnt make them mainstream it just makes them good at what they do.

It's the lame and rude judges that people hate. I'd like to see them get up and sing and have 3 people who have no singing talent judge them. The whole show is ridiculous because of ridiculous judges who never prove they should be judges.

American Idol stinks....end of story.

We all have our favorite forms of entertainment and we ALL do things which another may consider a waste of time. It is too bad that people feel they have the right to judge another's choice.

Stop this madness! Am I the only one who's absolutely sick and tired of this dumb show dominating our lives for 5 months at a time, year after year?!

Striker, you sound sound strangely familiar. Have you gotten through to the judges round only to have been humiliated on air? Which one were you?

I'm going to call in sick to work on Tuesday and Wednesday so I can sit on the couch and prepare for the shows and get my popcorn ready. Then I'm going to TIVO each episode and call in sick on Thursday so I can analyze each performance and break down who the top 12 will be, top 3, and the eventual winner. I can't wait!! Who needs good books????

A.I. is a fun show with huge demographics. The whole family can enjoy it no matter if you're 6 or 66+. The judges critiques are hillarious, except when they're socking it to someone who is obviously challenged or mentally impaired. All others are fair game. I'm glad A.I. is back!

Tell you what...I already know who the winner is going to be! The 8th ward all-star Tree Skullz! Judy Renker would not sign the contract with Roger Maltbie so TreE is turning his efforts elsewhere, thats right American Idol!! Wahooo! The BCS is not gonna take this one from us! Ernest Hemingway once saide, "If you find a penny, pick it up. If you find a quarter give it up...to TRee!" Let the games begin.

American Idol is great. The show is thoroughly entertaining because of the genius editing and insights into human nature. I don't personally care about the singing. It's still the best show on television for pure entertainment.

I like how people take the time to comment on how bad a show is that they've never really watched.