American Idol Audition Numbers Down Across the Board

The news that only 300 people showed up to audition at Saturday’s Idol San Juan, Puerto Rico cattle call sent me on a search for numbers. How did this year’s overall audition numbers stack up to last year’s?

As it turns out, numbers Season 8 audition numbers are down across the board from Season 7.

I’m hearing rumors that the small local auditions, usually held by FOX affiliates around the country, are seeing good numbers, but I don’t have any confirmation of that rumor.

My guess for the low turnout (stateside at least, I have no clue what’s going on in Puerto Rico) is the lousy economy and high gas prices are keeping auditioners from traveling long distances.

Or, perhaps it’s Idol fatigue finally settling in.

What do you think?

Check out the stats after the JUMP…

Season 8 Auditions

  • San Francisco – July 17 – 7, 000
  • Louisville – July 21 – 10, 000
  • Phoenix – July 25 – 5, 500
  • Salt Lake City – July 29 – 6000
  • San Juan – Aug 2 – 300

Still to come – Kansas City, Aug 8, Jacksonville, Aug 13 and E. Rutherford, Aug 19.

Season 7 Auditions

  • San Diego – July 30 – 12, 000
  • Dallas – Aug 6 – 13, 000
  • Omaha – Aug 10 – 15, 000
  • Atlanta – Aug 14 – 12, 000
  • Charleston – Aug 18 – 10, 000
  • Miami – Aug 22 – 9, 000
  • Philadelphia – Aug 27 – 20, 000

* Season 8 numbers were gathered from various newspaper accounts. Season 7 numbers are from newspaper accounts, and Ryan Seacrest’s numbers from the audition episodes. The audition episode numbers were off a bit from the newspaper accounts (Rodney Ho reported 15, 000 auditioners in Atlanta. Dallas newspapers reported 10, 000).

About mj santilli 34832 Articles
Founder and editor of mjsbigblog.com, home of the awesomest fan community on the net. I love cheesy singing shows of all kinds, whether reality or scripted. I adore American Idol, but also love The Voice, Glee, X Factor and more!