Yeah, at least half of the EU makes for pretty bad fiction (Palpatine clones etc.).

The thing that pisses me off is that a huge chunk of the EU that I followed from the 70s up until the prequels was rendered non-canon. So following it was a big, fat waste of time and brain space.

Right from the start, Splinter of the Mind's Eye was a moot point the moment ESB came out. Same goes for the Marvel comics.

Jaster Mereel was no longer Boba Fett. Owen Lars was no longer Ben's brother.

Really, who in his/her right mind would pay any attention to the EU after getting burned for over 20 years?

I like some of the Clone Wars stuff (particularly Ventress and the original cartoon), but when I'm in the mood for new science fiction or fantasy, the EU is the last place I'd look.