Watched the seventh-season premiere of American Idol tonight on FOX. It’s been a little over five years since Kelly Clarkson of Burleson, TX, won the first competition (and my unwavering devotion, as those of you who know me well can attest). While I’ve watched every season since, I certainly haven’t felt as intrigued by or invested in the outcome. You always remember your first time, and when it’s that good, whatever follows never quite measures up.

Remember how Idol was once touted as the music industry’s savior? For the first season or two, the arrangement worked. But by last year, the show’s focus had shifted; pre-scripted pageantry trumped vocal talent (contestants thumbing their noses at Simon, whose typically spot-on performance critiques became completely besides the point).

Sure, Americans live for drama and love to vote —Miss Maybelle Henry of Canton, OH, really loved to work the rotary for Taylor Hicks (“Such a nice young man”) — but dialing in double-time doesn’t mean you’ll purchase multiple copies of your favorite Idol’s musical output, if even one. With the audience not as built-in as once believed (damn ratings!), labels are experiencing Idol Remorse, recently bouncing alums Ruben Studdard, Taylor Hicks, and Katharine McPhee from their rosters.

(Recall however, that first-season runner-up Justin Guarini was dealt a similar blow not too long after his self-titled debut sank like a very large, very heavy stone. Was he the canary in the coal mine—the warning of what was to come?)

Recent reports say that American Idol producers are trying to right the ship this time around. Musical talent is this season’s mantra, with less reliance on celebrity mentors who had little real advice to impart and new releases to hawk. Anyone else a bit doubtful?

See, with Paula Abdul soon releasing her first new single in 10 years (produced by fellow judge Randy Jackson, who must have employed some serious Party Posse-style Studio Magic to make it possible), it’s likely one integration that even an improved Idol won’t be able to resist.