Impeachment hearing is just the opening act.

From what I hear each day — loudly and not always politely — most of you already have made up your minds about the impeachment of President Donald Trump.

But, even those of you who have not reached a conclusion and would like to consider the evidence, there is no need to feel guilty about not watching the House impeachment inquiry that began Wednesday.

First, the proceedings will be going on for a while.

Second and — more importantly — this is only the opening act.

Headlining the big political show in Washington, D.C., will be the actual impeachment trial in the Senate. And there WILL be a trial.

Don’t get me wrong. Opening acts can be great. Anyone who’s been to a rock concert or two has witnessed an opening act steal the show.

Some instances are legendary. Like when The Jimi Hendrix Experience opened for The Monkees. Or when The Who opened for Herman’s Hermits.

Bruce Springsteen opening for ... Anne Murray?

Yes. That happened.

The hearings Wednesday in the House had elements of a serious crime drama and of Monty Python.

Witness William Taylor, the top diplomat in Ukraine presented damning testimony about how President Trump tried to extort Ukraine into investigating political opponent Joe Biden.

If you want to read what witnesses like Taylor had to say behind closed doors, in a courtroom-like setting, under oath, where there was no grandstanding, just testimony, their statements have been released to the public and are available for viewing online.

Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff told House members, “We intend to conduct these hearings with the seriousness and professionalism the public deserves. The process will

be fair to the President, the Committee Members, and the witnesses. Above all, these hearings are intended to bring the facts to light for the American people.” Facts?

Not if Republicans have anything to say about that.

And they will be saying A LOT. Most of it attacking the process or the witnesses or other committee members. Anything to distract you from the facts.

As William Saletan pointed out in Slate, “To prove Trump wasn’t targeting his opponents for investigation, Republicans are targeting his opponents for investigation.”

Count on the Republicans in Arizona’s congressional delegation — primarily Rep. Andy Biggs, but also Reps. Debbie Lesko and Paul Gosar — to attempt to distract you from the evidence as well, hoping in their pitiful fealty to Trump to take the stage and interrupt the show.

But don’t expect much of a performance.

As opening acts go, I’d put them somewhere between Weird Al Yankovic and Insane Clown Posse.