This week's "American Idol," featuring the music of Barry Gibb, raises an important question:

Is this season just stumbling badly to the finish line, or are we looking at the worst season of Idol to date?

Not for lack of talent; I think each of the final four brings something to the table in terms of singing ability. But the producers just keep making one gawdawful decision after another. I mean, Barry Gibb? I'm not hating on Barry...God bless him, he had a fine career...but is that as relevant as they could get? What, Murray Head wasn't available?

If Randy tells you you did a lousy job of singing a Barry Gibb song, do you take that as an insult, or do you just say "So what?" Does Simon really expect to churn out the next musical license-to-print-money based on his or her ability to sing "Night Fever?"

My brother Jack has been pounding on this point for years: Idol tries to feature every genre: American standards. Country. "Songs that inspire." Showtunes. Rock. Contemporary. What's the one they've never even touched? Hip hop. The biggest cash cow, the one that their 16-30 year old target demographic can't buy enough of, and they avoid it like it's Nazi Rally Anthems. Meanwhile they resurrect the buried corpse of Barry Gibb (what's with the Sean Connery accent, by the way?) and ask a 17 year old to make his songs her own. Ridiculous.

Next season on Idol, we can look forward to the following genre's finally getting their due:

• Bluegrass
• Sea Shanties
• Viking Songs
• Nursery Rhymes
• Hits of the 1890's
• Gregorian Chants.