A down note for 'Idol' ratings

Scott Collins/Channel Island

Have "American Idol's" ratings entered their over-the-hill, Elvis-in-Vegas phase?

Fox's hit singing competition returned for its seventh season with a two-hour Tuesday premiere that averaged 33.2 million total viewers, according to preliminary results from Nielsen Media Research. That's a huge number, by a large margin the most-watched entertainment telecast so far this season.

And needless to say, it blew away the competition: The night's next most-watched show was CBS' "NCIS," which logged 15.9 million viewers. It also stomped NBC's "The Biggest Loser: Couples" (7.2 million), which had been benefitting from a lack of competition due to the ongoing writers' strike.

Even so, a sense of diminishment hung in the air.

For the first time since it became a winter TV staple back in 2003, "Idol's" season premiere did not improve on the previous year's debut. Not only was "Idol" down 11% compared with last season's all-time high for a season opener (37.4 million), it actually delivered the lowest premiere figures, among both total viewers and the crucial demographic of adults ages 18 to 49, since 2004.

The slippage comes as "Idol" has faced criticism over its content, sometimes from people close to the show.

The producers have said that the sixth season spent too much time with celebrity mentors at the expense of the contestants. Critics felt last year's competition was hijacked by a distracting controversy over Sanjaya Malakar, a teenage crooner with ever-evolving hairstyles. And in a Rolling Stone interview, Chris Daughtry, the fourth-place finisher in 2006 and now a popular rock musician, said "Idol" is "lacking some credibility at this point."

Even so, Tuesday's numbers are not necessarily a reliable indicator of overall waning interest in "Idol." The ratings can build as the field winnows down and viewers get engrossed in the rivalries among the contestants. And as the Writers Guild of America strike wears on, "Idol" may benefit from rival networks forced to rely on repeats and lesser-known unscripted shows. 

scott.collins@latimes.com

Comments

[James Graham]

Is it too much to ask that American Idol disappear altogether? Here's to a season of terrible ratings and bored viewers (if that's possible) and, hopefully soon, the end of a horrible show that hasn't produced a genuine "Idol" since its inception. Then again, I'm reminded of P.T. Barnum...

[Myron]

LOL Idol is yesterday's news - they can't even produce real talent anymore - besides Underwood, Hudson and Clarkston - most of the rest have been also rans and forgotten as soon as the season is over.

Taylor Hicks, Jordin Sparks??? How can you call them American Idols when they tank??? The show is tired, and really Adul and Cowell should be the first two off the show this season.

[Jack Scribe]

I find the 'freak show' tryout/interview episodes trite and embarrassing. I'll come back to the show when the're down to the final cut in Hollywood.

[Mrs. Mac]

I wonder if all those who write about and offer opinions on AI, have any opinions on the presidential race. For God's sake people, this is only a show. A show geared towards entertainment. As of this moment in the presidential race, there is no clear winner for Republicans, because three candidates have won one primary a piece. As for the Democrats, we have three highly qualified candidates with basically the same views. Why don't you take a little time and evaluate these people instead of evaluatuing a show that does nothing but declare a winner of a singing contest. SO WAKE UP PEOPLE!

[JozieLee]

Idol's time has passed. I became an avid Idoler in season two, attended the Poptart concerts, followed the careers of my favorites, and prided myself in dispensing Idol minutia. While Idol stands alone in turning ther alumni into stars (just saw LaToya London in THE COLOR PURPLE) its format now bores me. Didn't watch last season, didn't miss it. Don't plan to watch this season either. Just don't care anymore.

[Jonathon]

Well, it looks like I've been having an effect over at http://www.destroyamericanidol.com/