So what have we learned about "American Idol" in the last several days? That no matter what dirt is revealed, nothing can seemingly derail the highest-rated TV show in the land. On Wednesday night, the big Fox show produced its standard high ratings, a crushing 25.4 million viewers and 10.8 rating in the adult 18 to 49 demo. As expected, ABC's "Primetime Live" hit some high notes of its own; a healthy 13.7 million viewers tuned in with a 6.1 rating in the demo for its special "Fallen Idol" segment about the "American Idol" show.

Finally the indecency debate has come to its senses - a new, mostly liberal-minded political group on the issue is calling itself a favorite name of ours, TV Watch.

With fewer creative minds left to develop TV shows, television programmers have finally given up - they are now entertaining the thought of using advertising agencies as TV producers.

"The Insider" host Pat O'Brien is only doing what many fallen TV talent has done in the past - examine their own downfall through the vehicle of another TV show. The host of the syndicated magazine show who left a rehabilitation clinic last week will be interviewed by Dr. Phil McGraw (who has his own syndicated show, "Dr. Phil") on a special primetime CBS show, "Behind the Headlines," to air this Wednesday. The focus of the show will be on alcohol abuse.

The Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) intent is to insure "objectivity and balance" for the PBS programming it funds -- and that's just the problem. A New York Times story reveals that Kenneth Tomlinson, the chairman of the CPB, the private non-profit company financed by Congress, alleges that PBS, to which it gives tons of money, has a liberal bias. Tomlinson has gone so far as to hire an outside consultant to monitor and count the number and the political leanings of PBS news show, "Now With Bill Moyers."

Shrewd programming moves got President Bush a plush press conference time slot during the all-important first day of the May sweeps. This seems to suggest White House officials not only know their Social Security, Osama bin Laden, and Iraq issues - but also a thing or two about audience flow and lead out programming.

Poor cable industry - it never gets a break. When the business isn't under attack from new technology competitors, government regulators take a swing. After years of fighting the incursion of satellite distribution and federal concerns over monthly consumer price hikes, some congressmen want to put the business in the same indecency regulations arena as broadcasters.

ABC News has been planning to glom onto the "American Idol" juggernaut by airing a segment suggesting the show's producers and host manipulate the show's results. Fox is having none of it, according to Matt Drudge. The Drudge Report says Fox is threatening legal action should ABC air the segment next week during the all-important May sweep period. Fox believes ABC News is looking to 'maliciously destroy' the nation's most-watched TV show.

TV viewers always root for the underdog; it makes for a better story and drama. But once you become the main dog, all bets are off.

History shows many cable networks will turn into something they didn't intend. A&E was originally positioned as a high arts and entertainment channel -- now it's a general interest entertainment network. MTV ran music videos, but now hardly airs one, preferring straight-ahead programming such as "Pimp My Ride."