The writers' strike portends the top-rated season of American Idol yet for good reason: Those who previously found (televised) excuses not to tune in will be powerless to resist the show’s deep magnetic powers. Especially now, with producers promising more backstory, versus last year, on the contestants — and, of course, the very Rock Band–esque move of allowing people to actually play instruments. It kicked off last night, but watch the second half of the premiere tonight and you can simply capitulate to the rest of season from there.