Judging the 'Idol' finalists' chances.

Byline: David Hiltbrand

Mar. 14--The idolatry continues to build. Ratings for Fox's teen-targeted talent show are up 11 percent in its fifth season. American Idol has been averaging nearly 31 million viewers per episode in its regularly scheduled time slots, rolling over everything in its path. It dominates the primetime landscape like Yao Ming at a jockey club. The chemistry has gotten stranger than ever this year with announcer Ryan Seacrest adopting a very unseemly schoolmarmish tone with the judges. "Do you have any constructive criticism," he keeps badgering Simon. That's like the fabled frog asking the scorpion, "Why did you sting me? Now we're both going to drown." You want constructive criticism, Ryan? Ask Dr. Phil. But the talent this year is stronger than …

Judging the 'Idol' finalists' chances.

Byline: David Hiltbrand

Mar. 14--The idolatry continues to build. Ratings for Fox's teen-targeted talent show are up 11 percent in its fifth season. American Idol has been averaging nearly 31 million viewers per episode in its regularly scheduled time slots, rolling over everything in its path. It dominates the primetime landscape like Yao Ming at a jockey club. The chemistry has gotten stranger than ever this year with announcer Ryan Seacrest adopting a very unseemly schoolmarmish tone with the judges. "Do you have any constructive criticism," he keeps badgering Simon. That's like the fabled frog asking the scorpion, "Why did you sting me? Now we're both going to drown." You want constructive criticism, Ryan? Ask Dr. Phil. But the talent this year is stronger than …