Idol Premier Ratings up 5% from Last Year
From the Hollywood Reporter:
“Idol” averaged a monster 37.3 million viewers and a 15.7 rating/36 share in the adults 18-49 demographic, according to preliminary data from Nielsen Media Research. Final data will be released today.
The ratings were up 5% in viewers and 3% in adults 18-49 compared with last year’s premiere, which certainly was no slouch (35.5 million, 15.3/34). But even more stunning, it was the second-biggest telecast for “American Idol” since it debuted in summer 2002. The top ratings performer was the May 21, 2003, telecast that featured finalists Clay Aiken and Ruben Studdard facing off. That episode averaged 38.1 million viewers and a 16.8/37.
We’ll see if the ratings maintain tonight. I’ll be surprised if they do–last night’s show was pretty dire.
Diana Ross says She’ll Appear on Idol this Season
Diana Ross told David Letterman on his show Tuesday night that she’ll be appearing on Idol this season to “mentor” the kids before she sets off on her own tour. What happened to Mariah?
Tidbits from MTV.com
From MTV, Past contestants will make a return:
“There’s kids who’ve tried three times already, and they’ve worked hard and lost weight and hired a music coach and still don’t make it, ” said Cecile Frot-Coutaz, chief executive officer of FremantleMedia North America Inc., which produces “Idol.” “There’s a few you’ll remember. There’s a couple who come back and do make it, which is nice. Then you have the others who don’t make it and don’t want to take no for an answer, either.
DAUGHTRY’S “Home” may be this year’s “elimination” song:
Chris Daughtry’s “Home” is also in contention to replace Daniel Powter’s “Bad Day” as the show’s unofficial elimination song, although producers are also looking at a number from Will Young, the original “Pop Idol” winner in England. “We’re trying to keep it in the family, ” Frot-Coutaz said.
