while you were sleeping

Finally...I've stopped shaking at the mere mention of all things David and I'm ready to blog another season of Idol.

Welcome back, everyone!

This blog has been updated sparsely since last season's finale, partially because of the months I spent in cover-tune rehab.

And also because, well, you can only write so much about an unhealthy David Archuleta addiction without being investigated by federal authorities.

Fortunately, that's all water under the bridge now and I'm back for more.

Season 8 premieres Jan. 13, but let's step back in time for a quick rundown of the AI-related news you probably didn't miss in recent months:

*Some former Idols basked in financial prosperity. Others did not.

*Despite a breakup in his personal life, Simon Cowell remains more famous than God.

*There were two AI-related tragedies: The murders of Jennifer Hudson's family, and the alleged stalker, Paula Goodspeed, who was found dead in a car outside Paula Abdul's home.

*Regarding the latter, Abdul later pointed to a conspiracy theory while discussing why Goodspeed was allowed to audition for AI. But her claims of wanting to leave AI seem more like a publicity stunt, many agree.

*At any rate, AI will add a fourth judge in Season 8. The three original judges stay the same.

*Jordin Sparks is still happy to be a virgin.

*And last, but most certainly not least, Clay Aiken has a son.

Got it? OK, now take a deep breath. It's time to move forward.