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'American Idol' gets worst finale ratings in show's history
Photo credit: Getty Images
"American Idol" viewership totals for the finale are in, and they are grim: A considerable drop from last year's final in both total viewers and the bread-and-butter young adult total.
Fox, to its credit, just sent out the figures, and didn't attempt to sugarcoat anything. This is one of those "it is what it is" situations, and no reason to apply a spin no one would believe...
Read more »Randy Jackson leaving 'American Idol'
Photo credit: Fox
Randy Jackson, the last surviving link to the glory days of "American Idol," has announced his departure from the show at the end of this season.
In a resignation hand-delivered to E! Thursday, Jackson said: "Yo! Yo! Yo! To put all of the speculation to rest, after 12 years of judging on 'American Idol' I have decided it is time to leave after this season. I am very proud of how we forever changed television and the music industry. It's been a life changing opportunity but I am looking forward to focusing on my company Dream Merchant 21 and other business ventures."
"Idol" and FremantleMedia had all but fired Jackson at the end of last season, but they were forced to rehire him when talks with judge Jennifer Lopez abruptly collapsed. Jackson also had close ties with Mariah Carey, whom he managed and worked closely with for many years, going back to his days as a session musician and later as an executive with her label, Columbia Records.
Whether Jackson was annoyed by his apparent near-dismissal last summer is unclear, but there has been no evidence of any discord on the air. In fact, most of the noise -- on-screen and off -- has been generated by Nicki Minaj in her presumed feud with Carey. Both women are also expected to leave after the season ends next week, according to recent reports. The Wrap.com reported Thursday that all four judges (Keith Urban is the fourth) would be replaced.
Fox and FremantleMedia North America declined to comment on Jackson's resignation, and Jackson's management representative did not respond to an email.
Jessica Sanchez on 'Glee' finale
Photo credit: Fox
"Glee" wraps Thursday — as all you Gleeks well know — but for you non-Gleeks, here's something of keen interest: Jessica Sanchez, who has had one heck of a post-"Idol" career, will be on the finale as well.
So will the great Patty Duke, and as soon as I can find something, will post that too. You'd think Ryan Murphy would kvell over someone like Duke, but I guess Fox is arguing that no one in the "Glee" demo — you know, like 12-year-olds — even knows who she is. Yes, this is what American culture has come to...
But I'm off-track. Here's the clip. She's with a rival glee club, etc. It's all explained.
PHOTOS: Finals | Semifinals | Auditions | "Idol" judges past and present | Winners and finalists
'Duck Dynasty' finale topped 'American Idol' (in the demo)
Photo credit: Art Streiber
Yes, a major television franchise may indeed have problems when a show about hirsute dudes who make duck whistles (or callers; whatever) tops it: "Duck Dynasty" beat "American Idol" Wednesday night.
In the demo...I add.
"Duck" got 9.6 million viewers BUT a 4.3 rating among young 'uns, aged, 18-49.
"Idol:" A 3.3 rating.
Big deal? To a certain extent, but not the End of the World for "Idol" even if it is embarrassing. "Dynasty" finished its season Thursday night, and finished it big; and my own theory is that most viewers these days who watch "Idol" also are fans of "Duck Dynasty." They made a choice - the "Duck" dudes in Hawaii or just another "Idol?" Easy choice for most of them.
Is Jennifer Lopez replacing Mariah Carey on 'American Idol'?
Breaking! Fox has approached Jennifer Lopez to replace Mariah Carey for the rest of the season on "American Idol"! TMZ has it! The Hollywood Reporter first had it! It must be true!
Now, turn over and go back to sleep. True reports or not, this is not going to happen. It cannot happen. It should not happen. And if it does happen, it will be the first indication that "American...
Read more »'American Idol' to run live camera feed during commercials Thursday
Photo credit: Fox
Yes, this is intriguing, though it really comes under the heading of interesting gimmickry and maybe it'll reverse the current ratings blahs: "American Idol" will go live during the commercial breaks Thursday night.
Don't worry! You'll still see the commercials because Fox will use split screen technology. And what will you, the viewer see? Doubtless the makeup artist...
Read more »Why is television tanking?
Photo credit: Fox
Why aren't people watching television? To put this more concisely, why are fewer and fewer people watching established hits ("American Idol"), established networks (NBC), and brand new shows ("Golden Boy") which get a lot of network promotional love, but not all that much audience love?
Why, why, why?
These are worrisome times in the field of network television...
Read more »'American Idol' introduces 'Supervote'
Photo credit: Fox
Conceding that rabid fans know how to bloc-vote for their favorites anyway, "American Idol" will introduce a new voting system tomorrow that will allow viewers to cast 50 votes automatically for their choice.
Here, via Fox, are the specifics:
Viewers will be able to SuperVote -- cast multiple votes at one time -- via any of these AT&T AMERICAN IDOL VOTE...
Read more »Fox series, 'American Idol' finale airdates
Photo credit: AP
Fox has announced a slew of season finales, including "American Idol" - which, right on schedule, wraps mid-May (actually a week earlier than usual.) That's not news, but here are some other key series wrap dates: "Bones" and "The Following" end April 29; "New Girl" and "The Mindy Project" (with Northport's own Chris Messina, above) May 7; "Glee," May 9; "AI, May 15 and 16; and there will be one hour finales for "The Cleveland Show, "The Simpsons," and "Family Guy" May 19. Ah yes, and "So You Think You Can Dance" arrives May 14. Go to this link for more info on Fox's newest shows arriving May...
'American Idol' slips behind 'Modern Family' - a first
Photo credit: ABC
"American Idol" has won its time period on Wednesday for what has been (well) pretty much forever. But not last night: It fell to "Modern Family." Didn't fall by much, a 3.8 adult 18-49 rating to a 3.9 for "Mod," but enough to end an historic run. "Idol" has certainly sensed vulnerability in recent seasons here so this comes as no surprise (and "The Big Bang Theory" has won in head-to-head runoffs before and certainly will tonight), but this is a first for "Mod." A handul of little things are going on in "Idoland" to boost fan interest/involvement, including a dramatically ramped-up Twitter engagement with viewers that began last night; and that "Idol Across America" run Friday.
What's that? From "Idol:" "The “mic” will start its journey in New York City on Friday, March 1, when host Ryan Seacrest will launch the two-week, 5,000-mile trek to the IDOL stage. Local “Idols” – fans, inspirational heroes, local officials and former IDOLs – will walk, run, bike, row, drive, skateboard, line-dance, roller-skate, skip, scooter and fly the “mic,” among other means of travel, from state to state with their friends and family cheering them along the way."
Ah, and coincidentally what day will said mic arrive in Hollywood?
Wednesday.
