It was fun watching the good ship Idol sinking last year. And this year, it's going all the way down...

-American Idol premiered to a 7.4 rating last night with 21.9 million viewers. This is down 24% from last season.

-American Idol had a 6.0 rating among young adults (12-34) — Jersey Shore’s Season 5 premiere had a 7.2 rating among young adults.

-AMERICAN IDOL’s 7.2 rating in the demo is down 27% from last year’s opener (9.8) but isn’t the lowest ever; that was year one, in 2002 (4.8)

No surprise. There was virtually no buzz pre-season. We're in for a clunker!

They didn't have any time to market it and create a buzz because X Factor ended just a month ago.

The viewers basically didn't get any rest from watching karaoke shitfests, didn't start to miss them, and are already tired. It's like launching a new season of the same show just 1 month after the end of the previous season.

These 2 shows are going to sink each other.

Does Nielsen provide ratings for 200+ pound women, aged 25-50? I bet Idol killed in that demographic.

Even on a downward trend, Idol still got almost twice the ratings x-factor did.

The ratings will go up once the fraus figure out who their tv boyfriend is this season.

American Idol's Thursday episode down by 27% Zap 2 it.com

I don't know where you're getting your facts, Plankgirl, but STP is right.

It dropped off even more on Thursday - tied with The Big Bang Theory.

The end is nigh.

I think Mapa3m's on the right track. Not only is AI getting tired, but it's mojo is being diluted by the over-saturation of not just direct imitators but other types of 'talent'-based game shows as the TV industry continues to turn away from expensive scripted shows to cheaper 'reality' programming.

VFTW seems to reflect this, as a number of the old-timers here seem to have lost interest and become less involved. Not to dis Insane or STP or anyone else carrying the flag forward, just noting the evidence of some understandable fatigue.

This morning, I read elsewhere (not sure where - I was reading a bunch of news sites) that last night had the highest ratings of the season so far. Can anyone confirm this? I'm wondering if it was just a sarcastic comment I saw, or if it's true?!

A rating bump from football is a cheap trick and doesn't mean anything. If they manage to air another episode right after Super Bowl this year, I'm sure the ratings will be through the roof. And then will plummet back to where they belong.

Absolutely. We've been seeing this here over the past couple of years. As Idol wanes, so has all Idol-related things, including us.

I pesonally don't mind; things were getting out of control here, especially AI7. The more modest traffic reminds me of this board's earlier (and greatest!) days. I actually recognize the names of some of the posters.

Exactly! I hated when this place was full of people. Way less fun and no time to read everything.

The only good things about having so many people here was the extra choppers and the more widespread outrage over VFTW contestants staying.

Sunday's episode averaged 19.8 million viewers

And down we go...

It's like doing the Limba...how low can you go!

Keep in mind this is auditions, which has always out-drawn live shows, so it's only going to get worse.

All of these competition-reality shows are suffering from a ratings erosion. The novelty is wearing off and people are getting burned out on them. Plus I think with the economy collapsing, people have more important things to do with their time and have different priorities, the poor bastards.

I think X Factor and The Voice sunk the ship. If those shows hadn't come along, it would be getting about the same ratings as usual. Idol used to be once a year. Now it's non-stop karaoke all year with clones in the summer and fall.

If Fox wanted it to be the number one show, they would cancel X Factor, but I guess it's better for them overall to have shows with decent ratings in the fall and winter rather than just having one juggernaut in the winter.

Then again, maybe people are finally realizing how fake and pointless these karaoke shitfests are. I just wish they would stop watching the fucking cop shows too.

As far as ratings go... OUCH!