I'M ACTUALLY POSTING ABOUT SIMON AND AMERICAN IDOL.

This won't take long. The opening gambit of American Idol has always been to broadcast the worst auditions, tweaking our voyeur bones, and the natural human desire to feel better than someone, anyone. This season's flap is merely the result of the natural showbiz tendency to up the ante. There is no limit to what TV people will do to assure maximum attention -- controversy, feuds, contestant abuse, whatever it takes. There's no point chastising Simon. Outrageous is the default minimum. It's all hype, folks, proceeding on schedule, according to plan. Is it making you uncomfortable? You have the solution at hand. You're a willing participant. Stop.