Writers strike or no, one show that won't be affected is American Idol. The new season is set to begin on Jan. 15 (7 p.m. on Fox) with those "can't look away" audition tapes. If the lack of new programming will help boost Idol's numbers remains to be seen, but I've got to think it can't hurt.

To get excited for the new season, I've assembled a recap of the best and worst of 2007. In the spirit of optimism, let's start with the good stuff.

If only all of the results shows could have been this entertaining.

Call me bitter but I thought this was a weak finale show. I couldn't help but miss the energy that Melinda would have brought to the show strutting around the stage and singing her heart out.

When a performer as good as Melinda Doolittle is sent home just steps from the finale, one has to wonder what's going on. Lazy fans? Tone deaf voters?

Down to the final three and the contestants wasted no time getting down to business. Of the nine songs, there wasn't a bomb in the bunch.

Chaska Herald Editor Mark W. Olson managed to snap some photos of American Idol Season 5 contender Paris Bennett while out and about earlier this week.

Admittedly, I was hoping that Blake would be going home tonight. After all, he had the nerve to wear that stupid tuxedo shirt.

MEMO

9 May 2007

To: American Idol producers

From: American Idol blogger

If Bon Jovi night turned out to be a pleasant surprise, Bee Gees night was the exact opposite- a total disaster. Of course, maybe this shouldn't have been surprising.

And then there were four. Tonight we said our fond farewells to Phil Stacey and Chris Richardson in a duel elimination to make up for last week's charity show.

Bon Jovi turned out to be a bon nuit (that's good night in French) for Idol.

Two hours. I sat through two hours of that dribble only to see.... NO ONE get kicked off. Cheap! Cheap!

How can I say I never want to hear a night of inspirational songs again on American Idol without seeming like a heartless wretch?

With Season 6 rounding the bend for the final stretch, it seemed a good time to review the all-time best Idol performances. So, I offer to you my Top 10 as well as a few honorable mentions (with their respective YouTube video links).

Can this really be happening? Can it be true? Is Sanjaya's reign really over????

YAHOOOOOOOOO!!!!

Country night proved to be like a mediocre batch of moonshine - drinkable but certainly doesn't have you going back for another glass.

At last we say ciao bella! to Haley Scarnato- Idol's own resident derriere shaker. And finally the world begins to make sense again (now if only Sanjaya would follow suit)...

Kids, where was the fire tonight?

And then there were seven. So last night we said goodbye to Gina Glocksen.

Well thank goodness for standards night. I love this theme night because it challenges singers to sing a song that has been sung a million times before by a million different artists.

Sanjaya Malakar lives to try out another hairdo next week as Chris Sligh got his plane ticket home tonight.

Everyone's talking about it so we might as well get it out of the way immediately. Where was Ashley this week???

The Tour 10 is set and unfortunately that means that tens of thousands of impressionable young ears will be tortured with the sounds of both Sanjaya and Haley this summer.

Last night we were treated to the best performance of the season and it wasn't even by an actual Idol contestant.

After teasing us with the possibility that Sanjaya Malakar may finally be headed home, it was revealed that Brandon Rogers, background singer extraordinaire, was the lowest vote-getter this week.

Finally we hit the big stage and the competition between the men and the women began.

After an "emotional" night, the Top 12 American Idol finalists were revealed Thursday.

Night and day. If Tuesday was dark, Wednesday's performances have made us see the light. For the third week in a row, the girls trounce all over the guys and seem to enjoy every minute of it.

The girls have to be feeling pretty good right now. Thus far, the boys in this season have proven to be no competition for them.

Sorry all. Vacation time and no Internet access kept me from posting my thoughts immediately following last week's shows.

The votes are in and I feel good about the results (mostly because my faves are still in the game).

If you were worried after the top 12 men competed Tuesday night that this season was totally going to stink (see American

American Idol 2007 starts off with a pop. NO bang here. Overall a rather boring night.