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Access Atlanta > American Idol Buzz > Archives > 2008 > January > 16 > Entry
1/16: Idol ratings down, Blake Lewis giveaway!
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
My first (and easiest) prediction came true: first-episode ratings would drop. I predicted 20 percent but it was more like 11 percent, based on preliminary numbers. That’s not really that bad. Last year, the show drew a record 37.4 million but dropped to an early estimate of 33.2 million this year. The 18-49 demo numbers fell about the same amount. This would be the lowest debut since 2004. (The numbers often go up by a half million or so in the final analysis so it may end up closer to 34 million.)
I think last year showed signs of “Idol” fatigue and a bunch of folks decided to move on, never to come back. That’s not surprising. And look—that’s still a monstrous number when even hit shows like “House” and “Desperate Housweives” draw 22 to 25 million viewers.
What will be interesting is to see how much ratings fall off over the next seven audition episodes. Last year, most of those eps were in the low to mid-30s. (I’ll update this entry with final numbers when I get them.)
Anyway, I have the opportunity to give away a Blake Lewis CD and autographed poster. Through Friday at 6 p.m., I’ll take all emails on why you think you deserve such a vaunted prize and I’ll reward it to who I think wanted it most. Email me at rho@ajc.com and I’ll need your name and address so the publicist can mail it directly to you.
And not surprisingly, Chris Daughtry has no qualms dissing “Idol” after a lackluster year, according to Rolling Stone.:
“It’s in a state of decline and if they don’t do something about it, it’s probably not gonna last too much longer. I’m sure that’ll be used against me, but that’s the truth, you know?”
He isn’t a fan of the audition portion packed with tuneless singers:
“People get tired of seeing people that suck,” he says. “It’s funny at first, but come on. They spend three weeks on people that can’t sing, and that’s what they’re banking it on. [They should] find some people that you can really invest in.”
I spoke with Justin Guarini last Friday for my print edition story yesterday and he thinks the show will end on a glorious high note if it closes shop in 2010 when Simon Cowell’s contract end (and presumably throws in the towel after nine seasons.) I think Fox will ride this baby until it’s no longer viable to do so, which means even if Simon’s departure causes 1/3 of the audience to leave, the show will keep on going until ratings drop below 10 million. That could be a long time from now, perhaps 2013 or 2014.
Comments
Commenting is now closed for this entry.
By Deirdre
January 16, 2008 1:57 PM | Link to this
Thank you Chris Daughtry!!! ‘3 weeks on people who suck’ is ludicrous!
By ,,,=^..^=,,,
January 16, 2008 2:02 PM | Link to this
AMEN and AMEN!!!! But then, I always DID like Mr. Daughtry weg
By ,,,=^..^=,,,
January 16, 2008 2:03 PM | Link to this
wait…. isn’t ludicrous some rap singer out of atlanta
DUCK
i’m just trying to be punny! (p.s. yes, i know he spells it Ludicris)
By Zachary
January 16, 2008 2:04 PM | Link to this
As big a jagoff as he is, Chris Daughtry is right. I watched five minutes of the audition show last night…it was the same as last year, and the year before. Bad singers who “think” they’re good, wannabe famewhores trying to score five minutes, awkward silences with crickets dubbed in (how clever), montages of bad singers singing the same assigned song, deceptive editing, etc. Seen it all before. I’ll start watching again when the show goes live.
By Lara
January 16, 2008 2:17 PM | Link to this
You know…I think people love to see the train wreck auditions. Many tune in just for that. The set up of the show is pretty much the same as always. I wasn’t really impressed with anyone they showed last night.
And hi all you bloggers - welcome to the new year of AI7!!! HEY RODNEY!!!
By ,,,=^..^=,,,
January 16, 2008 2:27 PM | Link to this
hey Lara, good to see you, even if we ARE having to mush through this style blog for a while! and Zachary, you are SO right… although overall, there WERE fewer trainwrecks than in the last couple of years previous… it was still more than i wanted to see… i don’t mind a couple of special interest/human interest/weirdo stories and auditions, but…. i want to see TALENT, not garbage! i mean, i would not have missed the old guy whose wife had died … that was a GOOD one to show, the guy could sing, and the few moments of tearjerking were acceptable. TO-TALL-LEEE different than some of the stories we got last night, and will get for the next month.
I STILL say that they should concentrate on the good auditions, show those from each city who are good AND make it through, along with some close-but-not-quites, and then…THEN… spend a week before the hollyweird auditions blasting the airwaves with the losers and wannabes, the whiners, and the just totally insane…those who love that stuff can get all they want, withOUT worrying about some little thing called “talent”…. and those of us who HATE it can take a week off!!!
come on, Fox, what say???
By War Eagle
January 16, 2008 2:41 PM | Link to this
I will make the sacrafice and not request a Blake CD and poster. I know that I will be missing out on some wonderful talent but I am willing to give it up to someone more deserving.
By ,,,=^..^=,,,
January 16, 2008 3:03 PM | Link to this
awww War Eagle, you’re so noble !!!
that’s why we love you!
By War Eagle
January 16, 2008 3:10 PM | Link to this
I’m here for the people Linny
By Mike S
January 16, 2008 3:10 PM | Link to this
HMmm this could be an interesting week ratings wise — it is possible that AI may not end up #1.
The Premiere of Terminator: Sarah Connor Chronicles was in the 34 million range if I remember correctly, so it is possible that it may beat out AI for the Week.
By Mike S
January 16, 2008 3:16 PM | Link to this
Looking at the picture of Blake all I can think is “damn somone needs to teach that boy how to dress”
Then I thought about the fact that his dress was chosen for him to make a statement — I guess the statement is “Damn, I don’t know how to dress”
By ,,,=^..^=,,,
January 16, 2008 3:21 PM | Link to this
LOL Mike!!!! What an absolutely perfect observation!!! LOL!!
By War Eagle
January 16, 2008 3:22 PM | Link to this
He looks like one of those hobo clowns.
By ,,,=^..^=,,,
January 16, 2008 3:26 PM | Link to this
LOL…since we can’t see his feet, we don’t know if he has on those flapjack shoes or not!!!
By Deirdre
January 16, 2008 3:27 PM | Link to this
It’s snowing at my house…pretty darned hard, too!!!!!
By War Eagle
January 16, 2008 3:32 PM | Link to this
D, I’m getting noting but sleet down here. It is starting to accumulate on the ground. Lord I hope it don’t freeze on the tree limbs.
By kellyfan
January 16, 2008 3:34 PM | Link to this
SNOW?!?!? WHERE?!?!? /excited 5-year old after XMas voice ;)
By Deirdre
January 16, 2008 3:45 PM | Link to this
I live in Fayette Co. On the southside for you northsiders who don’t acknowledge that we exist! :-)
By ,,,=^..^=,,,
January 16, 2008 4:02 PM | Link to this
oh! and mitch, db does indeed mean dingbat as well as the other :-) i’m sorry i missed your question earlier and was just scanning back on some posts…
By Justin
January 16, 2008 4:04 PM | Link to this
I can definately understand why the ratings are down.. it just seems like there’s something missing . I don’t know … and they hardly showed anyone who was good and those that were good weren’t great, so it’s a little hard to tell how it’ll all play out…anyhow based on the fact that it was missing something it almost seemed a little boring for me..or maybe it’s just the fact that i was writing at the same time? who knows
By flats
January 16, 2008 4:05 PM | Link to this
WINTER STORM WARNING FOR SPARTANBURG,SC!!!!!!
By Deirdre
January 16, 2008 4:06 PM | Link to this
One more thing…if I ever get it in my head again to put wallpaper up, I’d appreciate if y’all would sit on me until the thought fades!!!!! :-)
Still snowing!!!!!
By ,,,=^..^=,,,
January 16, 2008 4:12 PM | Link to this
it’s a deal, D
and send some of that white stuff ….errr…. that is, i mean, snow! … this way!
By kellyfan
January 16, 2008 4:15 PM | Link to this
D, that’s awesome! No need to sit on you, we’ll find you George Clooney whenever you want to put up wallpaper…is that better? :)
By flats
January 16, 2008 4:18 PM | Link to this
Sorry D….It wont last very long…you’ll be getting rain all night!!i hate winters in Atlanta!!!33 degrees and rain!!!!
By Deirdre
January 16, 2008 4:30 PM | Link to this
Hmmmmm! George Clooney? Wallpaper??? I think I might enjoy that! :-)
greg it’s 38 degrees and snowing right now! With sleet mixed in.
I think I’ll be staying in tonight…let’s hope we don’t lose electricity…Idol is on, ya know!!!
By flats
January 16, 2008 4:38 PM | Link to this
D..Yall should get a real soaking tonight!!!
By flats
January 16, 2008 4:45 PM | Link to this
Right now…it’s real cold upstairs..warm downstairs!!!it’ll all even out and turn to rain…You’ve nothing to worry about with you power!
By War Eagle
January 16, 2008 4:55 PM | Link to this
I think flats knows what he is talking about. It was sleeting earlier at 38 degrees now it is raining at 34 degrees. FLATS the WEATHERMAN. LOL
By flats
January 16, 2008 5:03 PM | Link to this
I LOVE SNOW!!!!Lived in Atlanta all my life..last big was in 1992!!!my 21st b-day!!!!I was let down so many times!!!!I’ve had some good ones since i moved to the upstate!!!!6 inches and 1 inch of ice predicted for us!!!
By War Eagle
January 16, 2008 5:08 PM | Link to this
I’m out I hope everyone enjoys AI tonight. Well at least the best they can.
Flats, make sure you stay on stiffy alert.
By Deirdre
January 16, 2008 5:08 PM | Link to this
fess up, greg…you work for the Weather Channel…right??? :-)
The ice is falling hard and heavy right now but I’ll trust greg when he says it’s going to change to rain!
I’m still not going anywhere tonight!
By Rodney Ho
January 16, 2008 5:15 PM | Link to this
Sarah Connor Chronicles opened at 18 mil last Sunday (which isn’t counted toward this week’s ratings) then had 10 mil on Monday so no, “Idol” will be No. 1 and No. 2 this week no matter what.
By Ken
January 16, 2008 7:14 PM | Link to this
Hey my sister loves everything Blake Lewis! She wants to see him on tour its crazy…..Anyone enjoying the new season?
By ,,,=^..^= from home
January 16, 2008 7:49 PM | Link to this
Ken If you’d like to get the CD for your sister, do the following:
Quoting Rodney Ho: Anyway, I have the opportunity to give away a Blake Lewis CD and autographed poster. Through Friday at 6 p.m., I’ll take all emails on why you think you deserve such a vaunted prize and I’ll reward it to who I think wanted it most. Email me at rho@ajc.com and I’ll need your name and address so the publicist can mail it directly to you.
By ,,,=^..^= from home
January 16, 2008 7:52 PM | Link to this
Hey Rodney! If ken emails you, I vote to give it to his sister….she’ll be sooooooo happy with the autographed poster, too!!!
~¿@