Is Simon Cowell, seen by many knowledgeable observers as “the only reason to watch American Idol,” about to depart from said American Idol at the end of this season? Simon Cowell’s brother Tony (Cowell) said as much on his podcast, “The Cowell Factor.” After a bit of hesitation on the media’s part, the story has traversed the gossip blogs and been picked up by the Associated Press, ABC News, and other outlets. So: is Simon Cowell actually leaving American Idol? And if so, does the show have a chance?

Who knew that the cover of a gay magazine could put everyone in such a bad mood. Adam Lambert used an interview with Entertainment Weekly to respond to allegations made earlier in the week by Out magazine editor Aaron Hicklin that Lambert didn’t want to be seen as “too gay” in the magazine devoted to being, well, openly gay.

How much do I love American Idol‘s Adam Lambert? So much — he’s fearless, unapologetic about who he is and enormously freaking talented. And he also has a giant set of cojones, based on the album cover for his first-ever album. Could he have chosen a neutrally smiling shot, eased up on the eyeliner, Clay [...]

On today’s (long) opener Glenn Beck (doing his best Clark Kent impression) rendered his own particular version of the age-old “kids these days” tirade. Kids these days are pro-Obama health care: “Like, dude, why would you be against free health care…it’s, like, free pot and stuff.” Kids these days are a generation of “would-be killers” in the making.

So, collective consciousness of America: Ellen DeGeneres is replacing Paula Abdul on American Idol. Did you reach for the smelling salts when you heard of the ‘shocking’ pick? Are you horrified that an openly gay woman is hosting ‘Merica’s favorite talent show?

Probably not.

With the appointment of Judge Sonia Sotomayor to the Supreme Court a near-fait accompli, America turns its attention, today, to another important vacancy: The spot on the American Idol bench that Paula Abdul abdicated earlier this week via Twitter. Of the possible suggested contenders Meghan McCain was by far the most interesting. Here’s what she had to say about it.

Paula Abdul will not be back as a judge on American Idol, as she reported first on her Twitter feed last night. Why did she pull the trigger – especially when reports say she didn’t necessarily have to?

Abdul has spent eight seasons on the highly-rated show, and rumors she was thinking about leaving have floated for the last couple years. But few thought it would happen. In fact, some didn’t buy it when the news first came out.

Most would concede that Red Eye is the best show on at 3 AM, if only because its competition is Jimmy Fallon and Roseanne reruns. But it’s also the best music show on TV — by default. What does that say about the sterility of entertainment coverage?

It’s hard for me to admit this. Because I’d like to have a $15 million a year job. But I think the American Idol producers will get their money’s worth after signing Ryan Seacrest to a 3-year contract.

American Idol is one of the only shows I seem to be able to make time for regularly. I’ve long said it’s a near-perfect reality television creation, and the masses seem to agree.