Wednesday’s Nielsen Overnights – 19% Decline from the Same Night Last Year

Duh! Overall TV viewing is down period because of the strike, leftovers from last season, repeats, etc. I just think people are not at home watching TV or they’re bored with TV overall. Normally I’m on my computer and doing work around the house; I have Idol on, but I may not be “watching it.”

It’s still the #1 show, and that’s all that matters folks.

Hopefully, Nigel and co won’t interpret the decline as a sign that they need to ramp up the meaness and cruelty but based on what I’ve read about Nigel and co., they probably will.

It is far from a disaster. I still believe the ratings will pick up from word of mouth. Walking from my office to get a coffee this morning, every group I passed on the street was talking about the shows this week.

Idol will be fine. I dont think it will ever really tank until Simon leaves. Like it or not he is a big draw and on a Tuesday night, with nothing even remotely challenging for Idol on any other station, they are unbeatable. I still firmly believe that season 5 was its acme, its zenith. I dont think it will ever reach that height again.

Im not saying that because of Taylor but because of several others in that season who were really charismatic and interesting and in that season, there was an air of excitement and you cant buy that, you cant intentionally inject that into a show, it has to be there spontaneously. Its rare.

If the numbers hold around 32 million, it would be an increase from last season once we get to the top 24.

Well Nigel said they could lose 50% of their ratings and still be #1. So 30% more to go.

They’re focusing on the back stories again but that won’t be enough without charismatic performers. I hated Pickler on the show but her back story came with personality to spare. Not sure any of the Carrie Clones last night showed that. They could use someone like Taylor this year too but I guess that’ll never happen again.

I haven’t seen any Taylors yet but maybe one will jump out in the next few weeks. I’m not putting any money on it though.

And Dingo although I agree that Season’s 5′s success cannot be solely attributed to Taylor, I think he was a big part of it. Chris, Ace, Bucky, Elliot and Katharine all contributed (not necessarily in that order IMO)

They seem to have some decent talent this year, oh yea, that’s east when you ‘plant’ people, but so far none have compared to previous years. I loved almost all of the top 10 from season 5. Season 4 was interesting too, IMO they will never top 5. All those cats were fun to watch and all seemed like great people who were really struggling to make it, not so this year.

I still firmly believe that season 5 was its acme, its zenith. I dont think it will ever reach that height again.

I agree. I’ve watched the show since Season 1 but after Season 5 I did two things I had never done before: go to the concert & buy AI CDs. Season 6 didn’t inspire me to purchase any CDs. I did, however, go to the concert but it was only because I got tix for $20 & I couldn’t resist seeing Sanjaya for that price

It is far from a disaster. I still believe the ratings will pick up from word of mouth. Walking from my office to get a coffee this morning, every group I passed on the street was talking about the shows this week.

Actually it’s quite the opposite for me… no idol talk to speak of… for the first time ever.

Interesting, Lu. Maybe it’s a geography thing since I work in the “entertainment capital of the world”. Lots of buzz on the street here I tell you.

CarieB — what is the “buzz” like? Pro or con; amazed or disgusted; amused or sad?

:lol_tb:

The buzz I heard was only a word or two from several conversations but you could tell they were talking about the show – not sure whether positively or negatively. The convo I heard the most of was a guy saying how much he hated the auditions phase but his girlfriend loved them.

Perhaps someone has a better memory than I, but I seem to recall that these audition shows have typically had higher ratings or higher viewership than the rest of the season. If that’s the case, is it possible we see them dip into the low-mid 20′s (million) for the season? Oh, the suspense…

Maybe some of the dip can be attributed to the so far kind hearted judges. Whether we like it or not alot of folk just watch the auditions, and they watch for the horror stories, and the acerbic wit of Simon. So far the judges are singing cumbayah and having hugging vigils and maybe the nasty ass kids out there don’t like it. The other thimg may be a hang over from last years less than overwhelming season/tour. Not the same buzz.

As for water cooler moments. Everywhere I go in Brooklyn they are talking about the show from the bodegas to the school yards. This is still the biggest show on TV.

Still the #1 show but “For the second night in a row, NBC held up best under the “Idol” fire. “Deal or No Deal” (3.1) was down 14% compared to last week, yet up 41% compared to its run against “Idol” last year.” So Howie Mandel’s ratings are up 41% against AI. Imagine if anything good was on. I remember S5 was so big, Idol got better ratings than the Winter Olympics and the Grammys. So everything decent was moved out of its path, including Dancing With The Stars.

I wonder what would happen if DWTS was put up against idol now? I know the show is still huge but it has obviously peaked.

I haven’t heard one word about Idol at my work which is a first – and I work with about 80 people. That may change but I am not bringing it up – people know I watch it so I am waiting to see…. Season 5 definately had everyone watching and talking the most but last year alot lost interest (not the contestants’ fault).

It is mentioned alot on the news which I think is strange…..

Damn. Season 6 was like poison to this show. The lingering effects of Sanjaya and Company have really turned people off.

Vive la Season 5! lol

I hope season 5 wasn’t the peak. I thought it was a very unsatisfying season in many ways. I am glad that many of the top 10 have done well but it doesn’t mean I’d want to see another season like it. The thing I didn’t like about last season was the stacking the decks for the female power singers. They were determined that would happen and they got their way but at some expense. I don’t know if they can stop themselves from doing it again although who knows what they’re hoping for this time.

I haven’t brought up the new season at work because I’m not all that interested at this point and assume others feel the same. Usually you only hear when they do something really mean like the “bush baby” comment last season. I don’t expect to hear much buzz until Hollywood week.