Sure, it’s consistently rating number one in its time slot on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, but the truth of the matter is that “American Idol” has dropped as a whole in its ratings, versus those from last year. From NBC5 .com:
Last year, according to Nielsen, the finale performance show drew 36.3 million viewers, while the 35.1 million watched the show crown Taylor Hicks over Katharine McPhee. It was a monster leap over 2005, when 31.7 million watched the finale performance show, and 31.1 million saw Carrie Underwood win over Bo Bice.
This season started strong, with the number of viewers consistently tapering off as the season progressed. There are those who speculate that the inexplicable advancement of Sanjaya Malakar as far as into the top seven might have something to do with the decline in ratings, if only because with his wacky hairdos and less-than-impressive performances, he is a clear and easy target. Truth be told, I don’t actually watch the show once the really horrible people have been weeded out, but then again, that’s just me. Maybe what’s happening is that the rest of America is starting to think like me, and all I can say to that is it’s about damn time we agreed on something.
Many more photos (Jordin Sparks, Paula Abdul, Randy Jackson, Simon Cowell, Jeri Ryan, Jennifer Hudson, Carrie Underwood, Janice Dickinson, David Hasselhoff, Anthony Federov, Sanjaya Malakar, Chris Richardson, Teri Hatcher, Diana Degarmo, Zac Efron) from the “American Idol” red carpet after the jump.
(Hint – to open photos in a new window or tab, right-click the photo and chose open link/image in new window or tab.)

































who’s the beastly chick in the black, white and red polka-dot dress?
who’s the beastly chick in the black, white and red polka-dot dress?
who’s the beastly chick in the black, white and red polka-dot dress?
who’s the beastly chick in the black, white and red polka-dot dress?
People are finally wising up. The “talent” is below average. None of the singers has the least bit of charisma. If these people are any good, why do they need american idol to get their start.
And listening to those 3 jackass judges is not worth anybodys time.
Diana DeGarmo! :)
I think they have had some really talented singers on that show, but I think the voting process is horrible, it should be 1 vote per person, not as many votes as you can dial in an hour…
I think that the voting should be like they have on Dancing with the Stars – 50 % come from the judges, the remainder from America. That way Sanjaya probably would have been out earlier, and Chris Sligh and gina Glockson would have been in (deservedly) longer.
Once I found out Sanjaya was gone, I started to tune in again. I have watched the show since it’s first season and I do believe there are some great singers there including Jordin. But I do have a conspiracy theory too. This show is not to find the best singer in America but to find and promote what’s marketable to put $$$$ in the pockets of producers, sponsors, and record companies. Don’t get me wrong, I wish it was my idea so I can have a % of each AI contestants contract.
This show sucks. I only started watching because of Sanjaya. That kid was awesome. The only interesting contestant. After he left, the show became so freaking boring. Most people I know stopped watching after that. Lame, boring, bland karaoke.
Last night was a commercially bloated snoozefest – except for Sanjaya and his wind machine. LOL. That kid deserves his own reality show.
Did they ever a Popstars The Rivals in the States? (the create a boy band and a girl band and the winners were whoever got there song to No 1 in the charts).
We dont get Pop Idol anymore, its been replaced by the X Factor which has in 3 age groups and a judge mentors each group. Do you think that would be a better replacement for American Idol?