My favorite reality show doesn’t seem quite as good this year asit has been in years past.

I have a feeling “American Idol” has just about run itscourse.

Simon Cowell, one of the creators of the show has apparentlyseen the writing on the wall and he is jumping ship at the end ofthe season, which will be later this week.

There have been lots of rumors of who will take Simon’s seat atthe judges’ table next year. And even though I read that Elton Johnwas offered the job and turned it down, my vote is for HarryConnick Jr., one of this season’s guest mentors.

He’s hilarious and what’s even better, he’s a Southerner,although he now lives somewhere in the New England states. But Iwon’t hold that against him.

Harry is a singer but I first noticed him as an actor in themovie “Independence Day” and again in the movie “Hope Floats.”

He could possibly breathe some fresh air into the show. Hisresume certainly fits the bill.

Besides being a singer and actor, he is also a composer andpianist. He should also add comedian to that list, too. He couldprobably teach the other judges a thing or two. I’m getting tiredof the “yo, you dog,” and “dude, that just wasn’t good” acts.

When this season began I thought it was going to be one of thebetter ones. The caliber of singers that went through the earlyrounds made it look like the judges were going to have a hard timeweeding them down to 12.

But after Hollywood Week all the singers began to sound thesame. No one was breaking away from the pack. Usually by this timeof the season, I’ve formed an attachment to one of the singers, butnot this year. We’re down to two and I’m still on the fence.

Even the host, Ryan Seacrest, has seemed at bit snarky thisyear. He may be getting too big for his britches and too big forthe show that made him a household name.

Well, by now you know the two left standing are Lee DeWyze andCrystal Bowersox. Both are good but not extraordinary, like some ofthe past winners – think Carrie Underwood or Kelly Clarkson.

I haven’t really rooted for anyone in particular this year, butit was no surprise that Lee and Crystal ended up in the finale.

And what about new judge Ellen Degeneres? She too is very funny,but I really don’t think her resume qualified her to be a judge onthe panel.

I really think the producers of ‘Idol’ were grasping at strawstrying to bring in a different viewership. But I think she’s doneOK with her judging duties. I could have totally seen countrysinger/composer Shania Twain in that judge’s seat.

As Season 9 of ‘Idol’ winds to an end, I’m a bit sad to seeSimon go. He’s been the only one who really tells the contestantsthe way it really is. The contestants, whether they know it or not,are going to miss him, too. His constructive criticism could onlymake them better.

So whether you are rooting for Team Lee or Team Crystal ormourning the last show for Simon – good luck!

And how was your week.

Lifestyles Editor Tammie Brewer can be reached at The DAILYLEADER at (601) 833-6961 ext. 134, by e-mail attbrewer@dailyleader.com or you can write to her at P.O. Box 551,Brookhaven MS 39602.