Now that American Idol's meanest and nicest judges have left, loyal watchers have to be wondering who the heck might be sitting at the judges' table for Season 10.

Most of us had just got used to the idea of no Simon Cowell next year when along comes funny lady Ellen Degeneres statement last night confirming that she, too, was bowing out from the reality TV powerhouse.

So what happens next? We can't honestly be expected to endure the likes of Randy "Dawg" Jackson and Kara "Cougartown" DioGuardi alone, can we? 

At last, American Idol Season 9 seems ready to finally kick the bucket. It's on the floor, writhing around, blood hemorrhaging everywhere. The doctors are shaking their heads and throwing their hands up in the air. There's nothing they can do. The family has been convened. The priest is on his way. It's only a matter of time. 

With just two weeks to go before Idol crowns this year's winner, the contestants tackled "Songs of the Cinema." Unfortunately the night played out more like a cheesy horror flick than an epic blockbuster. What else can explain why the final four would choose songs from such a-maz-ing movies like "Free Willy" and "Caddyshack"? Is anyone else in pure panic mode here? I just don't think this season can be saved.

So next week's theme is "Songs of the Cinema" - or, if you've seen the actual list of songs the contestants have to choose from - "Thirty-four not-so-great songs you've heard in movies in the 70s and 80s."

Let's turn back the clock one year. Oh yes, 2009. To quote Ol' Blue Eyes himself, it was a very good year. At least when it came to American Idol it was. The top five took on the Rat Pack (i.e. it was Standards night). Eventual Season 8 champ Kris Allen gave us a tolerable "The Way You Look Tonight." Alison Iraheta dazzled with a smokin' hot "Someone to Watch Over Me" (still in high rotation on my iPod).

So it's almost time for Sinatra week on Idol. Despite it being a minefield for criticism about being old-fashioned, the standards theme has also provided some really memorable performances in past seasons of Idol. These are the songs that form the backbone of American music today, so it's important to pay tribute to them. This is one Idol theme I have no desire to see retired.

Harry Connick, Jr. will not only guide the contestants this week, but word on the street is that he will also be arranging the songs and orchestrations for them. Can I get a Hallelujah??