This just in! After years of ignoring the obsession that is "American Idol" I have finally given up and will actually root for someone on the show. I'm pulling for Big Mike.

This does not mean I will be watching Idol any time soon. My consecutive streak of never watching the show will continue. (Plus this year it's on opposite the final season of "Lost." Having invested or wasted my time watching this ridiculous show for four years, (I took a year off when they started that time travel garbage) I'll be damned if I'm going to bail out now just when they're explaining to me what the hell I was watching.) I will be cheering for "Big Mike" from the sidelines even though I have no idea who he is or how well he sings.

A few days ago I was on line at the checkout counter of a Staples store. A man in front of me asked the cashier if she ever watched "American Idol." She said sometimes. The man, bursting with pride told her that his son is on the show this year. He's Big Mike. The cashier didn't really know who Big Mike was, but smiled politely. Being the jerk that I am, I turned to Big Mike's father, shook his hand and lied that I'm a fan and his son really has talent. The man was really excited and told me to keep watching because his son was going to win. I wished him well as he left the store.

I couldn't wait to tell my sister, who is a big "American Idol" fan about whom I ran into at Staples. When I told her it was Big Mike's father, she kinda shrugged. I thought I'd at least get a "Wow" out of her, but she's not easily impressed. I asked her if Big Mike was any good. She wasn't sure which one Big Mike was which makes me think I'm backing a long shot.

Anyway for his father's sake, I'm rooting for Big Mike. He was a nice man and was really excited that his son had a chance to be the next big singer that people like me won't care about but will sing the national anthem at World Series games. I still won't watch the show. I want to keep my record of never seeing a single episode intact. But I am rooting for Big Mike. So for all you fans reading this, vote or text or whatever for Big Mike! His dad is a nice guy.