American Idol Sucks?

I was just having a lively discussion with Nhia Yang, who writes the Nhia's Niche Blog for the press, and she said, and I quote, "American Idol sucks."
"What?" I said - like I was Lil' Jon.
First of all, American Idol does not suck, it rocks. Rocking is the opposite of sucking in the music world.
Where else can you watch two weeks of people hilariously failing, and then three months of young, talented people fighting for the top? And more importantly, viewers get to vote for their American Idol (Don't vote for Ace!).
I will be the first to admit that American Idol isn't as good now as it was the first year, but it still rocks. Nhia said she likes CSI because it's "educational."
Here, let me describe the next episode of CSI.
Investigators enter a crime scene. They find bodily fluids. Through the miracle of modern science they solve the crime. End it with a smart comment (possibly a jab on society) and that's a wrap, roll the credits.
Crime shows are this decade's sitcom, minus the laugh track.
But American Idol, now that's a show. You never know what's going to happen!
You don't know if Randy will say a performer was "pitchy" or they "worked it out." You don't know if Paula will do an above-the-head clap or an arms-fully-extended-in-front-like-a-seal clap. And you don't know if Simon is going to agree with the other judges or not.
It's all up in the air.
So, here's where we need you to settle this. Tell us: Does American Idol suck or does it rock?