American Idol… I just can’t quit you… After 10 years of religiously watching the top 10 contend for the coveted title… I just can’t stop watching. Even though the judges have come and gone and the contestants now are too young to know the difference between a Beatles song and a Bon Jovi song, it’s like a habit I just can’t quit. In college my roommates and I created AI “bracketology” alongside our March Madness picks… now I set my DVR and skim through to hear the songs when I have time. It’s just not the same.

Other singing competition shows are cannibalizing American Idol’s ratings… NBC’s powerhouse ‘The Voice’ is the hottest at the moment. Although I love watching ‘The Voice’ and the singers are incredibly talented… the knockouts and battles and spinning chairs and all of the crazy ways they whittle down the talent… it’s too much to keep track of. The singers are eliminated so quickly, I barely know their names and then they’re gone. On American Idol… not only do I know their names… I know their hometowns, their high school sweethearts, their favorite artists.. the one by one elimination format really allows the audience to become invested in the artists beyond their appearance on the show.

And then there’s the money… American Idol winners receive a $1 million recording contract. The Voice winners a mere $250,000. Nothing to laugh at but it’s clear that NBC just isn’t as concerned with the careers of the artists they’re discovering. The judges are the stars of the show… and it just bugs me a little bit. I was glad to see Christina Aguiliera leave, the incessant bickering between her and Adam Levine drove me nuts. Shakira and Usher have been great additions to the lineup but I just wish I could get to know the singers a little better before they get the ax! This year’s contestants are incredibly talented and I’m rooting for them to become big stars after the show concludes like so many AI alums have done.

I’m hoping Simon Cowell’s “X Factor” finally takes off in the fall. He’s awarding winners $5 million in a recording contract – a huge investment in the singer’s future! These contestants have a lot more on the line and we’re more likely to actually hear from them once the show ends. I can barely remember who has appeared on the Voice much less seen any albums hit the market.

American Idol led the way but it’s sad to see it decline. If it were up to me… I’d go on a 10 year hiatus… reinvigorate the fan base and a new crop of talent and make a big splashy return to television down the road. I’m crossing my fingers for Kree in the big finale tonight but I think Candace may be too much for her! What do you think?