On Thursday night’s The X Factor, diminutive rapper Astro (a.k.a. 15 year-old Brian Bradley) found himself in the bottom two, facing elimination, alongside singer Stacy Francis. Unlike American Idol, the judges have the final say in who gets eliminated from the bottom two (who are determined by fan vote) on The X Factor. A pouting Astro, finding out about his fate, took the stage for his performance saying, “I really don’t want to perform, I feel it’s unnecessary.” After being urged to rap, he did a half-hearted performance that prompted L.A. Reid to say he quit.

Is America tired of “Idol”? There’s no single factor. It’s not that this season’s contestants are lacking in the talent department. It’s just that it all seems so … boring.

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.

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.