“American Idol” Ratings Down, but Ad Sales Seen Up
Fox television heads into the year’s biggest advertisement sales period later this month with questions about the future of its ratings champ “American Idol, ” but a better economy, among several factors, should buoy the show’s ad revenue, experts said.
Fox executives told Reuters there will be no announcement on Cowell’s successor when the network presents its 2010-11 programs to advertisers at their annual “upfront” presentation on May 17, nor before the “American Idol” finale on May 26.
“Idol” searches on Yahoo.com are off 26 percent compared to the same period in 2009, and 32 per cent off compared to 2008, according to a Yahoo spokeswoman.
Steinberg said anecdotal evidence suggests Fox is getting about $1 million for a 30-second ad in this year’s “Idol” finale later this month, down from $1.3 million in 2007.
‘Idol’ rehearsals: When Harry met Casey … and Lee and Crystal and Michael and Aaron
It’s not every day you walk into the “American Idol” studio and find Harry Connick Jr. at the piano, but that’s where the jazz legend was, dressed Monday casual in a baggy white button-down and loose black pants, walking Big Mike through his big-band arrangement — one that Harry himself came up with — and making sure the Top 5 contender was comfortable with the twists and turns of a Sinatra song. Judging from the fist bump at the end, it was all good.
The band, which includes nine string players, 13 brass and one drummer, looks like it was put together by HCJ. And as we previously reported, no one is allowed to play an instrument this week.
How did that pan out? Kind of nicely, I must admit. Without the weight and obstruction of a guitar, however minor, it seemed as though the Top 5 opened up vocally — like they got more power, volume and reach with that little bit of extra air. Or maybe that’s just confidence taking control. After all, it’s been a couple of months of high-stress competition.
More Idol Headlines after the JUMP…
Idolatry’: Anoop Desai on the ‘American Idol’ fraternity, major-label woes, and his debut album
It’s hard out there for an American Idol alum. Nine seasons and 107 finalists in, and there are far fewer Jennifer Hudsons and Chris Daughtrys than EJay Days and Scott Savols. Season 8 graduate Anoop Desai recognized that, and so when he finished the Idols Live tour last fall, he decided to try to quickly capitalize on his exposure; taking the money he’d earned from a summer’s worth of live dates, he headed to Los Angeles, and invested in his own career.
Bowersox found fame by leaving Toledo
I don’t know Crystal Bowersox. We have some mutual friends, but my only real connection to her is the same as everyone else’s here in Toledo — thrilled to see a local talent plucked out of obscurity and given an international stage. As a musician myself, it’s gratifying to see someone with such obvious gifts get the attention she deserves. Win or lose, she’s been handed the keys to the kingdom. While some in the national media have criticized the waning ratings and overall dip in quality on American Idol this season, there’s no arguing that a TV audience of twenty million and change is better for one’s career than a half-packed house at the Village Idiot on Monday night.
It’s time for producers to fix ‘American Idol, ‘ and here’s how
If ever there were a year we didn’t want American Idol to run long, it’s this one.
However you sort the blame for Idol’s falling ratings, there’s no question the final five singers who appear tonight (Fox, 8 ET/PT) are drawing the show’s smallest crowds since the second season. And surely the quality of the show they’re putting on has to be part of the reason.
There’s not much that can be done to salvage this season, but Idol is still crucial to Fox’s ratings future and an important part of viewers’ entertainment mix. So here are a few suggestions to set it right:
Idol Meter: Singers in the night, what were the chances?
Ken Barnes sums up the week’s performances in Idol Meter, special for USA TODAY:
As on few other shows, just about anything can happen on American Idol, and it sure seemed that way last week when Season 9’s most interesting contestant, Siobhan Magnus, made Idol history by being eliminated after closing the show. Read more
‘Idol’ ratings take a dip
American Idol’s finalists may be giving viewers the blahs.
Idol (Fox, tonight, 8 ET/PT), still TV’s top show, has lost viewers, not surprising for a ninth-season series, but the drop is accelerating into the finals. Viewership is down 8.8% for the season (counting live plus same-day DVR viewing, through six weeks of finals), based on Nielsen figures.
But it has declined 12.8% for the finals weeks alone, compared with the same period last year. And the drop in the young-adult audience is larger still.
‘American Idol 9’ – A look at the Top 5
This happens every year. We slog through months of American Idol auditions, Hollywood week, semifinals, and the early rounds of the competition. It seems as though it will never end and then BAM, we’re down to five contestants! One minute it’s the middle of winter here in the ‘Cuse and the next spring has sprung, the leaves are on the trees and the lilacs are in bloom. If nothing else. Idol is certainly a good way to while away those long winter months!
With only five contestants left, it’s time to take another look at these people and do an updated analysis. I’ve listed them in order of my preference.
Like ‘American Idol’ star, don’t dread the dreadlocks
Crystal Bowersox rocks, it’s plain to see. The folksy guitar-slinger from rural Ohio has dominated this lackluster season of “American Idol” with her vocal prowess and easygoing stage presence.
So why, then, are so many people hung up on her hair?
Via blogs and messages boards, fans have issued proclamations on the long, blond, ropelike dreadlocks that Bowersox, 24, sports. Some love them, but some deride them.
Michael Johns records at Songlee Studio
Thanks to a tweet from @Scott_Erickson, we found out that Michael recorded a song yesterday for a new NBC show!! The song was co-written by Scott Erickson and Greg Gersosky.
This is such exciting news and all the fans can’t wait to hear more about it!!!!
VIDEO: Idol Confessions with Michael Johns
Always affable Aussie Michael Johns is the latest “American Idol” alumnus to pop by the L.A. Times video studio, providing plenty of laughs and a little season 7 insight. The eighth-place finisher talks about meeting Dolly Parton as a little kid (and the impression her bosom left) then reuniting on the show about 20 years later, having a backstage psychiatrist at the ready after his elimination, and, at 28 years old, sneaking into the “Idol” dorm after curfew only to have David Cook spill the beans the next day.
Jason Castro interview for his appearance 5/4 at Vinyl in Midtown Atlanta
Jason Castro isn’t exactly a man with an expansive vocabulary. He uses “amazing” and “awesome” a lot. But his happy-go-lucky, laid-back, Spicoli-like persona rings true.
And it got him a record deal with Atlantic after finishing fourth on “Idol” in 2008. His self-titled eight-track album came out April 12 and has sold about 27, 000 copies so far. He drew about 200 people at a Discovery Mills mall appearance last year. He’ll probably draw about the same number tonight at Vinyl, a modest midtown bar/concert venue.
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Ace Young: Life after “American Idol”
Ace Young is the charming, easygoing singer from the fifth season of “American Idol, ” who was perhaps just a little too laidback for his own good. While his carefree attitude didn’t lead him to winning the show, it did help him win over a legion of followers who took to his voice and let’s not forget, his hair too.
Since the show he was nominated for a Grammy for co-writing Daughtry’s lead single ‘It’s Not Over, ” has released a self-titled debut album, and is currently on Broadway in the musical, Hair!
Danny Gokey Talks About ‘American Idol’ Experience
Danny Gokey interview on the Better Nashville show.
‘American Idol’ Season Eight Finalist Norman Gentle Releases First Single ‘Brit Slap, ’ a Toast to Simon Cowell
The world is poised to become slap-happy with the release of Norman Gentle’s debut single Tuesday, May 4.
The season eight “American Idol” top 25 finalist offers a saucy toast to outgoing judge Simon Cowell via his up-tempo sing-along anthem “Brit Slap!” featuring a maddeningly catchy chorus, throbbing beat and an accompanying video clip featuring a cameo from “America’s Top Model” judge Nigel Barker (www.nigelbarker.tv), a cast of Broadway dancers—and Cowell himself (okay, as a stand-up cardboard cutout)—which literally stopped traffic in Manhattan’s Times Square as thousands of passers-by joined in the tribute.
‘American Idol’s’ Randy Jackson: Simon Cowell’s replacement needs to be ‘modern day Houdini’, magician
So who is his replacement choice?
“I think we need someone who is the modern day Houdini, ” Jackson offers. “A real magician, almost like a Merlin figure, wearing like a hat like Merlin. I think we need a real magician on the show now. I want to see someone to who can do some magic tricks on the panel. It’s a tough thing. But I do love magic. ”
Julianne Hough to return to ‘Dancing’
LOS ANGELES – Julianne Hough is returning to “Dancing with the Stars, ” Access Hollywood has learned.
The ballroom babe-turned-country cutie will return to the ABC reality competition for season 11, a source close to the show told Access Hollywood.
The blonde dancer has been absent from the show for two seasons, having left the show to launch her country music career and start acting.
‘Glee’: 5 Things you didn’t know about Chris Colfer
“Glee” star Chris Colfer has a classic Hollywood discovery story: Even though he auditioned for another part on the hit FOX musical series, the producers liked his performance enough to write a character specifically for him.
Thus, Kurt Hummel was born, and the fans’ fascination with the boy from Clovis, California began.
‘Dancing With the Stars’ recap: Celebrate!
On the week 7 performance episode of Dancing With the Stars, the six remaining contestants worked hard all week, exceeded their own and our expectations, and pleased the judges. That sounds like a joke sentence, kind of like when Derek said during the rehearsal package that since Nicole is such a great dancer already, ”I forget to compliment her and tell her what a good job she’s doing.” He was so earnest, and a little singsong. I’m pretty sure he was kidding and not kidding at the same time, which is genius. But I wasn’t kidding. Everyone was great.
