Okay, I'll admit it...I love "American Idol". I hope I don't get in trouble for writing about this since the show is on another network. Just do me a favor...if you watch "Idol", just switch back over to KSFY afterwards!

My family and I look forward to the season premiere every January. It's my favorite time of the show because it reminds me of "The Gong Show". "Idol" to me is just the new generation's version of Chuck Barris' awesome show. I couldn't get enough of the bizarre things Chuck would say or the quirky panelists or the Unknown Comic or Gene, Gene the Dancing Machine. I used to get home from high school back in the '70s just in time for the start of the show.

By the way, I don't believe ol' Chuck was a CIA assassin like in the book and movie "Confessions of a Dangerous Mind." I really looked forward to the film but was a lilttle disappointed.

Back to Idol...I love the first couple of weeks because of the mostly horrible singers. I love when they get mad at the panelists.

About the panelists...how many times will Randy say "Dawg" or "Pitchy"? How many times will Simon say "Brutal"? And will Paula finally fall off the deep end?

Let Idol begin!