Typically as the American Idol season draws to a close each spring, the ratings sky rocket. Well, not this year. Tuesday night, American Idol had its lowest performance show ratings of the season, drawing a measly 21.25 million viewers. That being said American Idol still won FOX the top ratings slot for the 8PM slot. American Idol is still drawing more viewers than any other show it is up against but, compared to the ratings it normally garnishes these numbers are definitely off.
So why the relatively low numbers this year. There are several theories. The first theory is that this is still a residual affect of the writer’s strike. Greater numbers of fans are just turned off to TV. I find this one unlikely and if someone is motivated enough they could check the numbers to find out how the overall TV viewership holds up to past years. I think the other ideas probably hold more weight. The next theory is that American Idol’s has more competition this year. I would say that may have been true when AmIdol was going up against the likes of Big Brother or Dancing With The Stars but it isn’t anymore. Could it be that American Idol has just run its course? Maybe. I think that probably may be a contributing factor. Maybe people are getting bored after 7 seasons.
In my mind, the most likely explanation is that American Idol has become very predictable. From the first few weeks, everyone had an idea of who the top 10 should be. Even when the show reached the top 10 everyone knew that David Cook and David Archuleta were the ones to beat. “Oh what a surprise,” he says sarcastically, “look who is in the final three, David Cook and David Archuleta.” This season just wasn’t as compelling as past seasons. There were no surprises, no controversies, no real dark horses to root for. While I think they did have some of the greatest talent ever this season, at the same time this season has just kind of been ho-hum. The performances were great but, the excitement and anticipation to find out what is going to happen each week just wasn’t there.
Now having stated that the question becomes how do the producers fix that for next season. My answer, “I have no idea.” That’s what they get paid millions of dollars a year for. All I know is they need to fix it or the ratings will just continue to decline until AI is no longer pulling enough viewers to hold on to its top spot.
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Posted on: Friday, May 9, 2008
May 9th, 2008 at 4:42 pm
I think that part of the problem is the themes that skew towards much older songs- I read an analysis that the more successful Idols tended to choose newer songs when possible. The average age of songs performed on the show this year was somewhere around 30 years old! Not really playing to their desired demographic!
May 10th, 2008 at 3:05 pm
Michael Johns and Carly left too early… No realy talent left to root for
May 10th, 2008 at 3:18 pm
The show needs to go back to trying to find undiscovered talent. Loading it up with pros and semi-pros is far too boring. People used to like to latch onto someone green and watch them develop and grow into a polished performer. When people can do that, they feel like they have a part in helping someone realize their dream. This year’s group doesn’t elicit those feelings.
And, most of all, get rid of the damned mosh pit!!!
May 10th, 2008 at 4:47 pm
The themes are too narrow. Why not have country night instead of Dolly Parton night. She could have still been the mentor, but it might not have been so obvious that the show was helping her promote her new CD. Same thing with Neil Diamond and Andrew Lloyd Webber. And I love the Beatles, but 2 weeks in a row? Ease up on the contestants schedules, then maybe they would be able to practice more and give a better performance. Show us more behind the scenes so we can see their personalities, and get rid of the phone-in questions. Limit the number of votes from any given phone number. Finally, quit telling us who is going to be in the top 2. We want to see it unfold each week.
May 10th, 2008 at 4:50 pm
It became obvious this year that the show has their favorites and these are the contestants that are favored by the judges. A lot of good talent has gone unnoticed due to poor recognition from the judges and this started as far back as when they were picking the top 32. Some contestants were given a lot of air time, while others were given no air time. When my husband and I are watching AI, it makes no difference if the performance was great or not so great, we both can tell you almost exactly what the judges are going to say and that depends on who is performing, not how well they performed. AI was my favorite show until this year and I would love to be convinced that I am wrong. Bring back the old AI!
May 10th, 2008 at 5:09 pm
It was padding the show with ringers that killed it for me. It wasn’t even a concious decision. Just… ho hum. I think I’ll skip AI…
Make the voting fair… and the auditions… lost the three ring circus and bring more REAL singers in to compete.
May 10th, 2008 at 8:17 pm
Get three new judges, or just replace Randy and Paula. Get rid of questions from callers. Give the contestants as much opportunity as possible to do what they’re best at. The judges need to take more risk in their selections. Joshua Leming should have been in the top 12. Lower that age brackets to 14 to 25, roughly, as I already heard suggested. Bring in more ex-Idols to perform during the season and to mentor the contestants. I’d rather see Kellie Pickler than Dollie Parton, and Clay rather than Neil Diamond.
May 11th, 2008 at 12:01 am
Being told every week the Davia A. will win. He can do no wrong and when he does nothing is really said about it. I’m losing intrest and may not watch next year.
May 11th, 2008 at 1:46 am
The show is not the same after every one found out it was fixed after Paula made the mistake of telling every one it was fixed.
May 11th, 2008 at 5:15 am
The real reason American Idol is losing viewers (those in the 12 years old to 25 years old range) is because they keep shoving old music down people’s throats. In season 6 there was Tony Bennett (who was about 85 years old), in season 3 it was Barry Manilow (who was in his sixties and had released an album of Big Band Music from the 1950’s), this year it was Neil Diamond (who looked 75 years old and sang like it)-I think some old music is great, but to have two shows in a row where the Idol show played Beatles songs (that music is forty plus years old) and LOTS of shows where the mentor or guest artist is super old and about 99 percent of the music is super old is ridiculous!
May 11th, 2008 at 9:29 am
I think the theme nights are a horrible way to show real talent. They have not helped. But the real thing that killed it for me this year was that everyone knew from day one that David A. was the one the judges wanted to win. There were other good singers who left so early, I realized that it was probably fixed to make sure David A would win. While they may see him as marketable to the tweens and Disney crowd, most tween idols have a shelf life of three years at best, but no long term careers. I would never buy his CD. I think he is a nice enough kid, but I find him and his voice annoying. If done right, I would buy David C., Michael J. and Carly S music as they are more of what appeals to me.
May 11th, 2008 at 4:57 pm
I have tapes from every season. When you compare the earlier shows with this season, it is such a big difference. Take away the guest mentoring the singers, and return to days of Clay/Ruben, Fantasia / Diana. It was such a good show. I don’t watch anymore, I don’t tape anymore. The show lost something, but I can’t put my hands on it. I long for the earlier seasons.
May 11th, 2008 at 5:18 pm
The way the judges have shoved David A. down our throats has been irritating. I loved Michael, Carly, Jason and way back in loved Josiah, but David A was always the great one. I don’t think so…… So, I’ll pass on the finals.
May 11th, 2008 at 6:11 pm
I disagree that the contestants this year are talented…they’re not. They are just not good singers, and after a while, that just gets old and boring.
May 11th, 2008 at 7:32 pm
I have always predicted the winner of American Idol since season 1.
The winner will be Syeshia Mercado.
I used to write articules about Idol weekly, but I busy working on a book.
Syeshia is articulate, smart, beautiful, fun to watch, and yes, extremely talented vocally!!!
May 11th, 2008 at 7:33 pm
I have always predicted the winner of American Idol since season 1.
The winner will be Syeshia Mercado.
I used to write articles about Idol weekly, but I busy working on a book.
Syeshia is articulate, smart, beautiful, fun to watch, and yes, extremely talented vocally!!!
May 12th, 2008 at 1:11 am
I think the theme nights need to be more controversial to stir up some excitement, uncertainty and a certain level of anticipation as to which contestant can cope with such a genre so far from their own.
Egs will be Madonna, Kylie Minogue, Boys to Men, Journey, Eagles, Aerosmith, Ozzy Osbourne, David Blunt, David Craig, Melissa Etheridge, Suzanne Vega, Etta James, Nirvana, U2, etc
The one who can sing all of them well will be well deserved to win.
May 12th, 2008 at 11:02 am
After the huge talent pool this year, I have been very disappointed with the last few weeks. I agree with most of what Kathy had to say regarding the themes being too narrow. I love Dolly, but most of her songs are not for most singers. She could have been a mentor for country night. AI contestants have really taken the country music genre by storm the past few years, so whether Simon likes it or not, I think it should be given more emphasis on the show. Also, having Beatles night twice was really bad. It was like “second best” selections the 2nd time around. I too would like to see more about the contestants lives before idol and more about their behind the scene lives on Idol….AND improve the Ford videos. There were several real classics in season 2 with Clay and Ruben, but they are just stupid this year. The first few seasons, they all lived together in a “mansion” in the Hollywood hills. That and the stories they did on their lives there was very interesting. Now they are in a hotel or something, and there is no interest in that. Also, stop the phone in questions. While a couple directed at Simon have been interesting, most of them are just stupid. They need more Idol alumni, and when they are on, TALK TO THEM, not just have them sing. I was disappointed that they just let Kelly Pickler sing and no conversation to follow. I would also like commets from the judges about their careers (NOT judging, just commets). HOWEVER, THE MAIN THING IS TO LIMIT CALLS FROM EACH PHONE NUMBER. TEENIE BOPPERS HAVE MORE TIME TO SIT FOR 2+ SOLID HOURS AND CALL OVER AND OVER VS US ADULTS WHO DO HAVE LIVES AND OTHER THINGS TO DO. BETWEEN THE VERY YOUNG AND THOSE WHO USE COMPUTER PROGRAMS TO DIAL HUNDREDS OR EVEN THOUSANDS OF TIMES, WE CAN’T VOTE ENOUGH TO COMPETE TO GET REALLY TALENTED SINGERS. THE VOTES THAT MAKE AN IMPACT ARE BASED ON SOMEONE MAKING A PRE-TEEN GIRL’S HEART BEAT FASTER. THEY SHOULD HANDLE THE VOTING LIKE DANCING WITH THE STARS AND ALLOW A CERTAIN NUMBER OF VOTES VIA PHONE, INTERNET AND TEXT FROM EACH NUMBER. I KNOW THEY LIKE TO BRAG ABOUT THE NUMBER OF VOTES RECEIVED, BUT THAT IS RUINNG THE SHOW.
Thanks…EP in Florida
May 12th, 2008 at 11:53 am
I wish the show could go back to way it was. It always gave me a feeling like I was watching a superstar grow right in front of my very eyes AND that I was part of it. The best example of this was Season 2. Ruben, Clay and Kim were great singers/performers, but they NEEDED AI to succeed. There were no scandals or controversies surrounding them. Everyone just loved them. I’m not sure that David C., David A., or Syesha need AI. They are all marketable to begin with. I like to feel as though I have had a hand in “making” the winner. These three don’t need me.
May 12th, 2008 at 3:23 pm
It’s as simple as this - the show has become too manufactured. Even when the contestants are having their interview time, its extremely forced and put on. It’s almost like the producers are telling them what to say rather than letting them just be themself. A perfect example of this is Carly. Everyone kept talking about how much of a prankster she was, and how she was like the mom of the contestants, but they never showed that….until her wrap video. Then people were like “Oh! She actually seems fun and not so boring/serious.” They need to go back to the first season and just show more raw/uncut video of the group together hanging out…not this faux, scripted crap of what the producers want these people to be. They’re real people…let them be that.
On another note, look at Australian Idol. The show is pretty much striving for a ton of reasons. The themes are a big part. They leave their themes more broad, and really let the contestants have at it in terms of creating arrangements. Their themes are things like: “Australian Made,” “Viewers Choice,” “Judges Choice,” “Contestant’s Choice,” “Year of Birth,” “Rock,” “British Invasion.” These themes aren’t so restricting to the contestants, gives them more song selection, and really allows them to show off what kind of artist they can become…American Idol does not - they’ve lost the mission.
May 12th, 2008 at 3:31 pm
Oh, and here’s another idea: (This is something I’ve been saying since season 5)…There are a TON of strong contestants that are from other countries that won or placed high that are wanting to badly get an American contract…throw them in the mix… Or do you think that seeing the likes of Anthony Callea, Casey Donovan, Jessica Mauboy, Kalan Porter, Eva Avilla, and Natalie Gauci competing against “newbies” wouldn’t be interesting?
Or, you could just bring back favorites who never really got their chance but had strong performances and followings: Stevie Scott (ok…her performance sucked, but she’s REALLY good), Kelli Glover, Lisa Leuschner, Danny Noriega, etc.
May 12th, 2008 at 7:36 pm
I see little value in Paula Abdul’s comments and critiques. Does anyone really listen to what she says? … She is tired and predictable when she speaks. I am also so very tired of watching the singer trying to give a serious performance while all those hands in the audience inappropriately wave back and force - talk about disconcerting for both the audience at home AND the performer! Good grief. In past years there’s been an uproar in the voting process - but this year it seems to be all about boredom - I’ve been watching A.I. since the beginning and the show is huge need of a jump start. Some changes need to be made! BTW, I don’t think banning David A’s father will get the sympathy vote for the 17 year old - quite the opposite I think the voting audience will withdraw support.